The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
CONSIDER this unfolding [of God's message,] as it comes down from on high! 1 your companion has neither strayed nor is he misguided, 2 and neither does he speak out of his own desire: 3 It is but a revelation revealed. 4 One of mighty powers hath taught it him. 5 [an angel] endowed with surpassing power, who in time manifested himself in his true shape and nature, 6 standing poised at the highest point on the horizon, 7 then came down close 8 he was but two bows' length or even nearer, 9 So Allah divinely revealed to His bondman, whatever He divinely revealed. 10 His heart lies not of what he saw; 11 Will you then argue with him about what he saw? 12 Indeed, he saw him in another descent 13 Near the lote-tree of the last boundary. 14 Near it is the Paradise of Abode. 15 When that which shroudeth did enshroud the lote-tree, 16 (Muhammad's) eyes did not deceive him, nor did they lead him to falsehood. 17 Indeed, he saw one of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 Have you considered Lat and 'Uzza, 19 as well as [in] Manat, the third and last [of this triad]? 20 What, have you males, and He females? 21 This is certainly an unjust apportioning. 22 They are but names which ye have named, ye and your fathers, for which Allah hath revealed no warrant. They follow but a guess and that which (they) themselves desire. And now the guidance from their Lord hath come unto them. 23 Nay, shall man have (just) anything he hankers after? 24 But it is to God that the Hereafter and this world belong. 25