The Stars (Al-Najm)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
CONSIDER this unfolding [of God's message,] as it comes down from on high! 1 your comrade is not astray, neither errs, 2 Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. 3 It is naught but revelation that is revealed, 4 He has been taught (this Quran) by one mighty in power [Jibrael (Gabriel)]. 5 and endowed with wisdom; who in time manifested himself; 6 While he was in the highest part of the horizon: 7 and then drew near, and came close, 8 Until a space of two bow (arcs) or even less remained, 9 then revealed to his servant that 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 Will you then argue with him about what he saw? 12 And indeed, he saw him a second time 13 Near the Lote-tree beyond which none may pass: 14 nigh which is the Garden of the Refuge, 15 with the lote-tree veiled in a veil of nameless splendour 16 His eye did not waver, nor did it stray, 17 Assuredly he beheld of the sign of his Lord, the greatest. 18 Have you ever thought about al-Lat and al-Uzza, 19 And Manat, the third, the other? 20 Are there sons for you, and daughters for Him? 21 That were indeed an unjust division. 22 These [allegedly divine beings] are nothing but empty names which you have invented - you and your forefathers - [and] for which God has bestowed no warrant from on high. They [who worship them] follow nothing but surmise and their own wishful thinking - although right guidance has now indeed come unto them from their Sustainer. 23 Does man imagine that it is his due to have all that he might wish for, 24 So (know that) Allah only is the Owner of all – the Hereafter and this world. 25