The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
I CALL TO witness the star of the pleiades when it has dipped 1 your comrade is not astray, neither errs, 2 He does not speak out of his own desires. 3 It is but a revelation revealed. 4 and taught to him 5 Endued with Wisdom: for he appeared (in stately form); 6 being on the higher horizon. 7 He (Gabriel) then came nearer and nearer. 8 And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer. 9 Thus He revealed unto His bondman whatsoever He revealed. 10 His (Muhammad's) heart did not lie to him about what his eyes had seen. 11 Are you, then, going to contend with him regarding what he sees with his eyes? 12 And indeed, he saw him a second time 13 Near the Lote-tree beyond which none may pass: 14 near which is Paradise. 15 When the Lote-tree was covered over with what it was covered over; 16 His eye did not waver, nor did it stray, 17 Certainly he saw of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 Have you ever thought about al-Lat and al-Uzza, 19 and your third idol al-Manat (whom you considered as God's daughters)? 20 Is it for you the males and for Him the females? 21 That is indeed an unjust division. 22 They are not but [mere] names you have named them - you and your forefathers - for which Allah has sent down no authority. They follow not except assumption and what [their] souls desire, and there has already come to them from their Lord guidance. 23 Or is there for man whatever he wishes? 24 To Allah belong both the Next World and the present. 25