The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
By the Star when it goes down,- 1 That your companion is not confused, nor has he gone astray, 2 nor does he speak out of his own desire. 3 It [the Quran] is nothing but revelation sent down to him. 4 and taught to him 5 [an angel] endowed with surpassing power, who in time manifested himself in his true shape and nature, 6 While he was in the higher [part of the] horizon. 7 Then he approached and came closer, 8 he was but two bows' length or even nearer, 9 So did (Allah) convey the inspiration to His Servant- (conveyed) what He (meant) to convey. 10 His heart did not lie of what he saw. 11 Will ye therefore dispute with him concerning that which he hath seen? 12 Indeed he saw him a second time, 13 by the lote tree beyond which none may pass 14 Near it is the Garden of Abode. 15 Behold, the Lote-tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!) 16 His sight did not waver nor was it unduly bold. 17 Certainly he saw of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 So have you considered al-Lat and al-'Uzza? 19 And Manat (another idol of the pagan Arabs), the other third? 20 Are yours the males and His the females? 21 That, then, is an unjust division. 22 They are naught but names which you have named, you and your fathers; Allah has not sent for them any authority. They follow naught but conjecture and the low desires which (their) souls incline to; and certainly the guidance has come to them from their Lord. 23 Or shall man have whatever he fancies? 24 Nay! for Allah is the hereafter and the former (life). 25