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 Your companion does not err, nor does he go astray; 2 Nor does he speak out of desire. 3 It is no less than inspiration sent down to him: 4 He has been taught by the Extremely Powerful. 5 [an angel] endowed with surpassing power, who in time manifested himself in his true shape and nature, 6 While he was in the higher [part of the] horizon. 7 Then he drew nigh and came down 8 Until a space of two bow (arcs) or even less remained, 9 So did (Allah) convey the inspiration to His Servant- (conveyed) what He (meant) to convey. 10 The heart did not deny, what it saw. (The Holy Prophet was bestowed with seeing Allah – see also preceding verses 8, 9, 10.) 11 Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he seeth? 12 And indeed he did see the Spectacle again. 13 By the lote-tree of the utmost boundary, 14 nigh which is the Garden of the Refuge, 15 with the lote-tree veiled in a veil of nameless splendour 16 his eyes did not swerve, nor did they stray 17 Indeed, he saw one of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 Have ye seen Lat. and 'Uzza, 19 And Manat (another idol of the pagan Arabs), the other third? 20 Do sons belong to you and daughters to God? 21 That indeed is an unfair division -- 22 They are nothing but some names that you have coined, you and your forefathers – Allah has not sent any proof for them; they follow only guesses and their own desires; whereas the guidance from their Lord has come to them. 23 What! Will man get whatever he dreams of? 24 But unto Allah belongeth the after (life), and the former. 25