The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
CONSIDER this unfolding [of God's message,] as it comes down from on high! 1 your companion is neither astray, neither errs, 2 nor does he speak out of his own desire. 3 It is not but a revelation revealed, 4 Which one of mighty powers hath taught him, 5 very strong; he stood poised, 6 being on the higher horizon. 7 Then he approached and came closer, 8 he was but two bows' length or even nearer, 9 And he revealed to His Servant what he revealed. 10 The heart lied not (in seeing) what it saw. 11 Will you dispute with him what he saw? 12 And verily he saw him yet another time 13 Nigh unto the lote-tree at the boundary. 14 Close to which is the Everlasting Paradise. 15 When the lote-tree was being enveloped, by whatever around it. 16 Neither did sight falter nor exceed the bounds. 17 Indeed, he saw one of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 Have ye then considered Al-Lat and AL-'uzza: 19 And Manat (another idol of the pagan Arabs), the other third? 20 What! for you the male sex, and for Him, the female? 21 Then that is surely a very unjust distribution! 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 whatever he craves? 24 Rather, to Allah belongs the Hereafter and the first [life]. 25