The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
I CALL TO witness the star of the pleiades when it has dipped 1 Your companion [Muhammad] has not strayed, nor has he erred, 2 nor does he speak out of his desire. 3 It [the Quran] is nothing but revelation sent down to him. 4 Which one of mighty powers hath taught him, 5 one endowed with immense wisdom. He came forth and stood poised, 6 appearing in the horizon's loftiest part, 7 He (Gabriel) then came nearer and nearer. 8 Until a space of two bow (arcs) or even less remained, 9 And He revealed unto His slave that which He revealed. 10 The (Prophet's) (mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he saw. 11 Will you then dispute with him as to what he saw? 12 And certainly he saw him descend a second time: 13 Near Sidrat-ul-Muntaha [lote-tree of the utmost boundary (beyond which none can pass)], 14 close to the Garden of Refuge. 15 When that which shroudeth did enshroud the lote-tree, 16 [And withal,] the eye did not waver, nor yet did it stray: 17 and he certainly saw some of the greatest Signs of His Lord. 18 Have you then considered the Lat and the Uzza, 19 And Manat (another idol of the pagan Arabs), the other third? 20 What! For you the son, and for Him the daughter? 21 This indeed is an unjust division! 22 They are but names which ye have named, ye and your fathers, for which Allah hath sent down no authority. They follow but their fancy, and that which pleaseth their souls; whereas assuredly there hath come unto them from their Lord the guidance. 23 Or shall man have what he coveteth? 24 But it is to Allah that the End and the Beginning (of all things) belong. 25