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 comrade is not astray, neither errs, 2 He does not speak out of his own desires. 3 This is nothing but a revelation that is conveyed to him, 4 Bestowed on him by the Supreme Intellect, 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, then he bowed 8 until he was as close to him as the distance of two bows, or even less. 9 So did (Allah) convey the Inspiration to His slave [Muhammad SAW through Jibrael (Gabriel)]. 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 verily he saw him yet another time 13 Near Sidrat-ul-Muntaha [lote-tree of the utmost boundary (beyond which none can pass)], 14 near which is the Garden of Abode. 15 (This was) when the lote-tree was covered with that which covered it. 16 His eye did not waver, nor did it stray, 17 He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 Have you ever thought about al-Lat and al-Uzza, 19 And Manat, the third, the other? 20 Shall you have the male issues, and He the female issues? 21 This indeed is an unjust division! 22 These are only names which you and your fathers have invented. No authority was sent down by God for them. They only follow conjecture and wish-fulfilment, even though guidance had come to them already from their Lord. 23 Can the human being have whatever he wishes? 24 All that is in the life to come and all that is in this life belongs only to God. 25