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 is neither astray, neither errs, 2 And he does not say anything by his own desire. 3 This is naught but a revelation revealed, 4 taught by One who is Stern in power. 5 one endowed with immense wisdom. He came forth and stood poised, 6 standing poised at the highest point on the horizon, 7 then he drew near, and became close 8 And was at a distance of two bows' length or (even) nearer, 9 and revealed to God's servant what he revealed. 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 What! do you then dispute with him as to what he saw? 12 And verily he saw him yet another time 13 by the lote tree beyond which none may pass 14 Nigh thereto is the Garden of Abode. 15 Behold, the Lote-tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!) 16 Neither did sight falter nor exceed the bounds. 17 for indeed he saw one of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 Have you then considered Al-Lat, and Al-'Uzza (two idols of the pagan Arabs). 19 And Manat the other third? 20 Why - for yourselves [you would choose only] male offspring, whereas to Him [you assign] female: 21 That indeed were an unfair division! 22 these are nothing but names which you yourselves have devised, you and your forefathers. God has sent down no authority for them. They follow nothing but conjecture and what their own selves desire, even though guidance has already come to them from their Lord! 23 Shall man have whatsoever he wisheth for! 24 But it is to Allah that the End and the Beginning (of all things) belong. 25