The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I CALL TO witness the star of the pleiades when it has dipped 1 your companion has neither strayed nor is he deluded; 2 He does not speak out of his own desires. 3 It is naught save an inspiration that is inspired, 4 something that a very mighty one has imparted to him: 5 and endowed with wisdom; who in time manifested himself; 6 While he was in the higher [part of the] horizon. 7 then drew near and suspended hung, 8 And was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer; 9 and revealed to God's servant what he revealed. 10 His heart added no untruth to what he saw. 11 Are you, then, going to contend with him regarding what he sees with his eyes? 12 And certainly he saw him in another descent, 13 Near the lote-tree of the last boundary. 14 Nigh unto which is the Garden of Abode. 15 Behold, the Lote-tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!) 16 (His) sight never swerved, nor did it go wrong! 17 Indeed he saw some of the greatest signs of His Lord. 18 (Can anything as such be considered true) of al-Lat, al-Uzza, 19 and the third one, Manat? -- 20 Shall you have the male issues, and He the female issues? 21 that, lo and behold, is an unfair division! 22 These are only names given by yourselves and your fathers. God has not given them any authority. They, (unbelievers), only follow mere conjecture and the desires of their souls, even though guidance has already come to them from their Lord. 23 Nay, shall man have (just) anything he hankers after? 24 Nay! for Allah is the hereafter and the former (life). 25