The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
By the star when it setteth. 1 Your comrade erreth not, nor is deceived; 2 nor speaks he out of caprice. 3 It is naught save an inspiration that is inspired, 4 Which one of mighty powers hath taught him, 5 Of might, he (Gabriel) stood firm 6 being on the higher horizon, 7 and then drew near, and came close, 8 Till he was two bows length off or yet nearer. 9 Thus He revealed unto His bondman whatsoever He revealed. 10 The heart [of the Prophet] did not misconstrue what he saw. 11 Will you then dispute with him as to what he saw? 12 And he certainly saw him in another descent 13 by the lote-tree at the farthest boundary, 14 near which is Paradise. 15 When the tree was covered with a covering, 16 Neither did sight falter nor exceed the bounds. 17 He certainly saw the greatest (signs) of the existence of his Lord. 18 So did you observe the idols Lat and Uzza? 19 And another, the third (goddess), Manat? 20 What! unto you the males and unto Him the females? 21 that, lo and behold, is an unfair 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 Can the human being have whatever he wishes? 24 Nay! for Allah is the hereafter and the former (life). 25