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 companion did not err, nor did he go astray. 2 nor does he speak out of his own desire. 3 It is but a divine revelation, which is revealed to him. 4 He has been taught (this Quran) by one mighty in power [Jibrael (Gabriel)]. 5 Of might, he (Gabriel) stood firm 6 And he is in the highest part of the horizon. 7 Then he drew near, then he bowed 8 until he was but two bow-lengths away, or even nearer. 9 And he revealed to His Servant what he revealed. 10 The heart [of the Prophet] did not misconstrue what he saw. 11 Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he seeth? 12 Indeed he saw him a second time, 13 by the lote-tree of the farthest limit, 14 by the Garden of [Eternal] Repose, 15 when there covered the Lote-Tree that which covered; 16 His eye did not waver, nor did it stray, 17 Indeed he saw some of the greatest signs of His Lord. 18 Have you then considered Al-Lat, and Al-'Uzza (two idols of the pagan Arabs). 19 and Manat the third, the other? 20 What, have you males, and He females? 21 That is indeed an unfair 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 Nay, shall man have (just) anything he hankers after? 24 But it is to God that the Hereafter and this world belong. 25