The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
By the Star when it plunges, 1 your companion has neither strayed nor is he misguided, 2 Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) Desire. 3 It is no less than inspiration sent down to him: 4 Which one of mighty powers hath taught him, 5 The Lord of Strength; so he attained completion, 6 While he was in the higher [part of the] horizon. 7 Then he approached and came closer, 8 So he was the measure of two bows or closer still. 9 And He revealed unto His slave that which He revealed. 10 The heart did not deny, what it saw. (The Holy Prophet was bestowed with seeing Allah – see also preceding verses 8, 9, 10.) 11 Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he saw? 12 Indeed, he saw him in another descent 13 by the lote tree beyond which none may pass 14 Near it is the Paradise of Abode. 15 with the lote-tree veiled in a veil of nameless splendour 16 [And withal,] the eye did not waver, nor yet did it stray: 17 Assuredly he beheld of the sign of his Lord, the greatest. 18 So have you considered al-Lat and al-'Uzza? 19 And Manat the other third? 20 Is the male for you and for Him the female? 21 That is 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 Or shall man have what he wishes? 24 To God belong the End and the Beginning. 25