The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
I swear by the star when it goes down. 1 your comrade is not astray, neither errs, 2 And he does not say anything by his own desire. 3 It is only an Inspiration that is inspired. 4 He was taught by [an angel] who is mighty in power, 5 one endowed with immense wisdom. He came forth and stood poised, 6 While he [Jibrael (Gabriel)] was in the highest part of the horizon, 7 then he drew near, and became close 8 he was but two bows' length or even nearer, 9 So did (Allah) convey the inspiration to His Servant- (conveyed) what He (meant) to convey. 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 What, will you dispute with him about what he sees! 12 For indeed he saw him at a second descent, 13 Nigh unto the lote-tree at the boundary. 14 near which is the Garden of Abode. 15 with the lote-tree veiled in a veil of nameless splendour 16 (His) sight never swerved, nor did it go wrong! 17 Indeed, he saw one of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 Have ye seen Lat. and 'Uzza, 19 And subsequently the third, the Manat? 20 What! for you the males and for Him the females! 21 That indeed were 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 Does man imagine that it is his due to have all that he might wish for, 24 Rather, to Allah belongs the Hereafter and the first [life]. 25