The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
I CALL TO witness the star of the pleiades when it has dipped 1 That your companion is not confused, nor has he gone astray, 2 nor does he speak out of his desire. 3 This is only revelation communicated, 4 Taught to him by one intense in strength - 5 one endowed with immense wisdom. He came forth and stood poised, 6 While he was in the higher [part of the] horizon. 7 Then he approached and came closer, 8 Till he was two bows length off or yet nearer. 9 So did (Allah) convey the inspiration to His Servant- (conveyed) what He (meant) to convey. 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 assuredly he saw him at another descent. 13 by the lote-tree of the farthest limit, 14 near unto the garden of promise. 15 When that covered the lote-tree which covered it. 16 The sight [of the Prophet] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit]. 17 For truly did he see, of the Signs of his Lord, the Greatest! 18 Have you really considered al-Lat and al-"Uzza, 19 and Manat the third, the other? 20 Why - for yourselves [you would choose only] male offspring, whereas to Him [you assign] female: 21 That, then, is an unjust division. 22 They are naught but names which you have named, you and your fathers; Allah has not sent for them any authority. They follow naught but conjecture and the low desires which (their) souls incline to; and certainly the guidance has come to them from their Lord. 23 Or is there for man whatever he wishes? 24 despite the fact that [both] the life to come and this present [one] belong to God [alone]? 25