The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
I CALL TO witness the star of the pleiades when it has dipped 1 your companion is neither astray, neither errs, 2 He does not speak out of his own desires. 3 It is but a revelation revealed. 4 He was taught by one Mighty in Power, 5 The Lord of Strength; so he attained completion, 6 And he is in the highest part of the horizon. 7 Then he [Jibrael (Gabriel)] approached and came closer, 8 two bows' length away, or nearer, 9 so (Allah) revealed to His worshiper (Gabriel) that which he revealed (to Prophet Muhammad). 10 The heart lied not (in seeing) what it saw. 11 will you, then, contend with him as to what he saw? 12 And indeed, he saw him a second time 13 by the lote tree beyond which none may pass 14 close to the Garden of Refuge. 15 (This was) when the lote-tree was covered with that which covered it. 16 his eye swerved not; nor swept astray. 17 He saw some of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 Have you ever thought about al-Lat and al-Uzza, 19 And Manat, the other third (of the pagan deities)? 20 Why - for yourselves [you would choose only] male offspring, whereas to Him [you assign] female: 21 This indeed is an unjust 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 Nay, shall man have (just) anything he hankers after? 24 And to God belongs the First and the Last. 25