The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
CONSIDER this unfolding [of God's message,] as it comes down from on high! 1 Your comrade erreth not, nor is deceived; 2 Nor does he speak out of desire. 3 Indeed it is not except a Revelation which is revealed, 4 and taught to him 5 one endowed with immense wisdom. He came forth and stood poised, 6 While he [Jibrael (Gabriel)] was in the highest part of the horizon, 7 then came down close 8 Till he was (distant) two bows' length or even nearer, 9 He revealed to God's servant whatever he wanted. 10 His (Muhammad's) heart did not lie to him about what his eyes had seen. 11 So will you dispute with him over what he saw? 12 And assuredly he saw him at another descent. 13 At the farthest lote-tree; 14 by the Garden of [Eternal] Repose, 15 Behold, the Lote-tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!) 16 his eyes did not swerve, nor did they stray 17 Indeed he saw the supreme signs of his Lord. 18 (Can anything as such be considered true) of al-Lat, al-Uzza, 19 as well as [in] Manat, the third and last [of this triad]? 20 Is it for you the males and for Him the females? 21 Then that is surely a very unjust distribution! 22 They are but names which you have named, you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. They follow but a guess and that which they themselves desire, whereas there has surely come to them the Guidance from their Lord! 23 Shall man have whatever he craves? 24 despite the fact that [both] the life to come and this present [one] belong to God [alone]? 25