The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
I CALL TO witness the star of the pleiades when it has dipped 1 This fellow-man of yours has not gone astray, nor is he deluded, 2 and neither 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 One strong of make. Then he stood straight. 6 And he was on the horizon of the highest heaven. 7 Then he [Jibrael (Gabriel)] approached and came closer, 8 And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer. 9 When He revealed to His votary what He revealed. 10 His heart did not lie of what he saw. 11 So will you dispute with him over what he saw? 12 And assuredly he saw him at another descent. 13 By the lote-tree of the utmost boundary, 14 Close to which is the Garden of Tranquility, 15 with the lote-tree veiled in a veil of nameless splendour 16 The sight [of the Prophet] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit]. 17 He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 Have ye thought upon Al-Lat and Al-'Uzza 19 and about the third deity, al-Manat? 20 Is the male for you and for Him the female? 21 Then that is surely a very unjust distribution! 22 They are but names which ye have named, ye and your fathers, for which Allah hath sent down no authority. They follow but their fancy, and that which pleaseth their souls; whereas assuredly there hath come unto them from their Lord the guidance. 23 What! Will man get whatever he dreams of? 24 But it is to Allah that the End and the Beginning (of all things) belong. 25