The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
I CALL TO witness the star of the pleiades when it has dipped 1 Your companion hath not gone astray, nor hath he erred. 2 and neither does he speak out of his own desire: 3 This is only revelation communicated, 4 something that a very mighty one has imparted to him: 5 One of soundness. And he rose to [his] true form 6 the strong one who appeared on the uppermost horizon. 7 Then he drew nigh and came down 8 two bows' length away, or nearer, 9 And He revealed to His servant what He revealed. 10 The (Prophet's) (mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he saw. 11 Will you dispute with him what he saw? 12 Indeed he saw him a second time, 13 by the lote-tree of the farthest limit, 14 Close to which is the Everlasting Paradise. 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 for indeed he saw one of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 HAVE YOU, then, ever considered [what you are worshipping in] Al-Lat and Al-Uzza, 19 And Manat the other third? 20 What, have you males, and He females! 21 That indeed is an unfair division -- 22 These are only names which you and your fathers have invented. No authority was sent down by God for them. They only follow conjecture and wish-fulfilment, even though guidance had come to them already from their Lord. 23 Or shall man have whatever he fancies? 24 And to God belongs the First and the Last. 25