The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
CONSIDER this unfolding [of God's message,] as it comes down from on high! 1 That your companion is not confused, nor has he gone astray, 2 He does not speak out of his own desires. 3 It is but a revelation revealed. 4 Bestowed on him by the Supreme Intellect, 5 one endowed with immense wisdom. He came forth and stood poised, 6 While he was in the highest part of the horizon: 7 Then he drew near, then he bowed 8 he was but two bows' length or even nearer, 9 Then he revealed to Allah's servant whatever he had to reveal. 10 His heart did not lie of what he saw. 11 Will you dispute with him what he saw? 12 Indeed he saw him a second time, 13 By the Lote-tree beyond which none can pass, 14 Near which is the garden, the place to be resorted to. 15 When the Lote-tree was covered over with what it was covered over; 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 ye then considered Al-Lat and AL-'uzza: 19 And Manat, the third, the other? 20 Shall you have the male issues, and He the female issues? 21 This is an unfair distinction! 22 They are but names which ye have named, ye and your fathers, for which Allah hath revealed no warrant. They follow but a guess and that which (they) themselves desire. And now the guidance from their Lord hath come unto them. 23 Shall man have whatever he craves? 24 All that is in the life to come and all that is in this life belongs only to God. 25