The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
By the setting star, 1 Your companion [Muhammad] has not strayed, nor has he erred, 2 and neither does he speak out of his own desire: 3 It is naught save an inspiration that is inspired, 4 taught him by one terrible in power, 5 Endued with Wisdom: for he appeared (in stately form); 6 When he was on the uppermost horizon. 7 Then he drew near, then he bowed 8 two bows' length away, or nearer, 9 and revealed to God's servant what he revealed. 10 The heart lied not (in seeing) what it saw. 11 will you, then, contend with him as to what he saw? 12 And indeed, he saw him a second time 13 by the lote-tree at the farthest boundary, 14 close to the Garden of Refuge. 15 When that covered the lote-tree which did cover it! 16 The eye did not turn aside, nor did it exceed the limit. 17 He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 Have you really considered al-Lat and al-"Uzza, 19 And Manat, the third, the last? 20 What! unto you the males and unto Him the females? 21 This is an unfair distinction! 22 These are nothing but names that you and your forefathers have invented, for which Allah has sent down no authority. They are merely following their conjectures and their carnal desires although guidance has come to them from their Lord. 23 Or shall man have whatever he fancies? 24 But unto Allah belongeth the after (life), and the former. 25