The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
I CALL TO witness the star of the pleiades when it has dipped 1 That your companion is not confused, nor has he gone astray, 2 and neither does he speak out of his own desire: 3 This is nothing but a revelation that is conveyed to him, 4 taught by One who is Stern in power. 5 very strong; he stood poised, 6 being on the higher horizon, 7 then he drew near, and became close 8 And was at a distance of two bows' length or (even) nearer, 9 Thus He revealed unto His bondman whatsoever He revealed. 10 His heart lies not of what he saw; 11 what, will you dispute with him what he sees? 12 And indeed he did see the Spectacle again. 13 Near the lote-tree of the last boundary. 14 Close to which is the Everlasting Paradise. 15 when the lote tree was covered in mystic splendour. 16 his eyes did not swerve, nor did they stray 17 Assuredly he beheld of the sign of his Lord, the greatest. 18 So have you considered al-Lat and al-'Uzza? 19 And subsequently the third, the Manat? 20 What! For you the son, and for Him the daughter? 21 That indeed is an unfair division -- 22 They are but names, named by you and your fathers. Allah has not sent down any authority for them. They follow conjecture and their soul's desire, eventhough the guidance of their Lord has come to them. 23 Is the human to have whatever he fancies? 24 But to Allah belongs the last (Hereafter) and the first (the world). 25