The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
I CALL TO witness the star of the pleiades when it has dipped 1 This fellow-man of yours has not gone astray, nor is he deluded, 2 nor does he speak out of his own desire. 3 It is but a divine revelation, which is revealed to him. 4 Which one of mighty powers hath taught him, 5 and endowed with wisdom; who in time manifested himself; 6 While he [Jibrael (Gabriel)] was in the highest part of the horizon, 7 then came down close 8 until he was as close to him as the distance of two bows, or even less. 9 So Allah divinely revealed to His bondman, whatever He divinely revealed. 10 The heart did not lie [about] what it saw. 11 What, will you dispute with him about what he sees! 12 Indeed, he saw him another time 13 At the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary - 14 Near it is the Garden of Abode. 15 When the tree was covered with a covering, 16 The eye did not turn aside, nor did it exceed the limit. 17 For truly did he see, of the Signs of his Lord, the Greatest! 18 (Can anything as such be considered true) of al-Lat, al-Uzza, 19 And Manat the other third? 20 "What! For you the males and for Him the females?" 21 That is indeed an unfair division! 22 These are nothing but names that you and your forefathers have invented, for which Allah has sent down no authority. They are merely following their conjectures and their carnal desires although guidance has come to them from their Lord. 23 Is the human to have whatever he fancies? 24 To God belong the End and the Beginning. 25