The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
By the star when it setteth. 1 Your comrade erreth not, nor is deceived; 2 Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) Desire. 3 This is only revelation communicated, 4 Bestowed on him by the Supreme Intellect, 5 Of might, he (Gabriel) stood firm 6 appearing in the horizon's loftiest part, 7 Then he approached and descended 8 he was but two bows' length or even nearer, 9 then revealed to his servant that he revealed. 10 His (Muhammad's) heart did not lie to him about what his eyes had seen. 11 Will you dispute with him what he saw? 12 For indeed he saw him at a second descent, 13 Near the Lote-tree beyond which none may pass: 14 near which is Paradise. 15 When that covered the lote-tree which did cover it! 16 The eye turned not aside nor yet was overbold. 17 for indeed he saw one of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 Have you considered El-Lat and El-'Uzza 19 and, another, the third manat? 20 Are yours the males and His the females? 21 That, then, is an unjust division. 22 These [allegedly divine beings] are nothing but empty names which you have invented - you and your forefathers - [and] for which God has bestowed no warrant from on high. They [who worship them] follow nothing but surmise and their own wishful thinking - although right guidance has now indeed come unto them from their Sustainer. 23 Does man imagine that whatever he wishes for is right for him? 24 despite the fact that [both] the life to come and this present [one] belong to God [alone]? 25