The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
By oath of the beloved shining star Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him), when he returned from the Ascent. 1 Your companion [Muhammad] has not strayed, nor has he erred, 2 He does not speak out of his own desires. 3 Indeed it is not except a Revelation which is revealed, 4 taught him by one terrible in power, 5 Endued with Wisdom: for he appeared (in stately form); 6 the strong one who appeared on the uppermost horizon. 7 He (Gabriel) then came nearer and nearer. 8 until he was as close to him as the distance of two bows, or even less. 9 And he revealed to His Servant what he revealed. 10 The (Prophet's) (mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he saw. 11 What! do you then dispute with him as to what he saw? 12 And he certainly saw him in another descent 13 By the lote-tree of the utmost boundary, 14 Near it is the Garden of Refuge - 15 When the Lote-tree was covered over with what it was covered over; 16 Neither did sight falter nor exceed the bounds. 17 Verily he saw one of the greater revelations of his Lord. 18 Have you really considered al-Lat and al-"Uzza, 19 And Manat (another idol of the pagan Arabs), the other third? 20 What! for you the males and for Him the females! 21 That, then, is an unjust division. 22 these are nothing but names which you yourselves have devised, you and your forefathers. God has sent down no authority for them. They follow nothing but conjecture and what their own selves desire, even though guidance has already come to them from their Lord! 23 Or shall man have what he wishes? 24 All that is in the life to come and all that is in this life belongs only to God. 25