The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
I CALL TO witness the star of the pleiades when it has dipped 1 Your comrade erreth not, nor is deceived; 2 Neither does he speak of his own will. 3 It is naught save an inspiration that is inspired, 4 something that a very mighty one has imparted to him: 5 The Lord of Strength; so he attained completion, 6 While he was in the higher [part of the] horizon. 7 Thereafter he drew nigh, then he let himself down. 8 until he was two bows' length away, or nearer. 9 So Allah divinely revealed to His bondman, whatever He divinely revealed. 10 The heart did not deny, what it saw. (The Holy Prophet was bestowed with seeing Allah – see also preceding verses 8, 9, 10.) 11 So will you dispute with him over what he saw? 12 And assuredly he saw him at another descent. 13 Near Sidrat-ul-Muntaha [lote-tree of the utmost boundary (beyond which none can pass)], 14 near unto the garden of promise. 15 (This was) when the lote-tree was covered with that which covered it. 16 The eye turned not aside nor yet was overbold. 17 and he certainly saw some of the greatest Signs of His Lord. 18 Have you ever thought about al-Lat and al-Uzza, 19 And subsequently the third, the Manat? 20 What! for you the male sex, and for Him, the female? 21 Then that is surely a very unjust distribution! 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 Or shall man have what he wishes? 24 But it is to God that the Hereafter and this world belong. 25