The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
By the star when it sets: 1 This fellow-man of yours has not gone astray, nor is he deluded, 2 And he does not say anything by his own desire. 3 It is but a revelation revealed. 4 He was taught by one Mighty in Power, 5 [an angel] endowed with surpassing power, who in time manifested himself in his true shape and nature, 6 being on the higher horizon, 7 Thereafter he drew nigh, then he let himself down. 8 until he was two bows' length away, or nearer. 9 and revealed to God's servant what he revealed. 10 The heart [of the Prophet] did not misconstrue what he saw. 11 Are you, then, going to contend with him regarding what he sees with his eyes? 12 And indeed he did see the Spectacle again. 13 to the Lot-tree (in the seven heavens) 14 nigh which is the Garden of the Refuge, 15 when the lote tree was covered in mystic splendour. 16 [And withal,] the eye did not waver, nor yet did it stray: 17 For truly did he see, of the Signs of his Lord, the Greatest! 18 Have you considered Lat and 'Uzza, 19 And Manat (another idol of the pagan Arabs), the other third? 20 What! For you the son, and for Him the daughter? 21 That were indeed an unjust division. 22 These [allegedly divine beings] are nothing but empty names which you have invented - you and your forefathers - [and] for which God has bestowed no warrant from on high. They [who worship them] follow nothing but surmise and their own wishful thinking - although right guidance has now indeed come unto them from their Sustainer. 23 Is the human to have whatever he fancies? 24 To Allah belong both the Next World and the present. 25