The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
By the star when it setteth. 1 your companion has neither strayed nor is he misguided, 2 And he does not say anything by his own desire. 3 It is no less than inspiration sent down to him: 4 taught by One who is Stern in power. 5 and endowed with wisdom; who in time manifested himself; 6 While he was in the higher [part of the] horizon. 7 Then he drew near and hung above suspended, 8 until he was two bows' length away, or nearer. 9 And thus did [God] reveal unto His servant whatever He deemed right to reveal. 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 verily he saw him yet another time 13 At the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary - 14 close to the Garden of Refuge. 15 When there comes to the Lote Tree, that which comes 16 [And withal,] the eye did not waver, nor yet did it stray: 17 truly did he see some of the most profound of his Sustainer's symbols. 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 Why - for yourselves [you would choose only] male offspring, whereas to Him [you assign] female: 21 Behold, such would be indeed a division most unfair! 22 They are not but [mere] names you have named them - you and your forefathers - for which Allah has sent down no authority. They follow not except assumption and what [their] souls desire, and there has already come to them from their Lord guidance. 23 Or shall man have what he wishes? 24 Allah's is the last and the first. 25