The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
I CALL TO witness the star of the pleiades when it has dipped 1 Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled. 2 And he does not say anything by his own desire. 3 It is no less than inspiration sent down to him: 4 something that a very powerful one has imparted to him, 5 Of might, he (Gabriel) stood firm 6 While he was in the highest part of the horizon: 7 Then he approached and came closer, 8 Until a space of two bow (arcs) or even less remained, 9 Then he revealed to Allah's servant whatever he had to reveal. 10 His (Muhammad's) heart did not lie to him about what his eyes had seen. 11 will you, then, contend with him as to what he saw? 12 He certainly saw him (Gabriel) during his other ascent 13 Nigh unto the lote-tree at the boundary. 14 close to the Garden of Refuge. 15 with the lote-tree veiled in a veil of nameless splendour 16 [And withal,] the eye did not waver, nor yet did it stray: 17 He saw some of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 Have you considered Lat and 'Uzza, 19 And Manat, the third, the other? 20 What! for you the males and for Him the females! 21 that, lo and behold, is an unfair division! 22 These are only names which you and your fathers have invented. No authority was sent down by God for them. They only follow conjecture and wish-fulfilment, even though guidance had come to them already from their Lord. 23 Or shall man have what he wishes? 24 To God belong the End and the Beginning. 25