The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
By oath of the beloved shining star Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him), when he returned from the Ascent. 1 your companion is neither astray, neither errs, 2 nor does he speak out of his own desire. 3 It is no less than inspiration sent down to him: 4 He was taught by one Mighty in Power, 5 One strong of make. Then he stood straight. 6 While he was on the uppermost horizon. 7 Then the Spectacle became closer, and came down in full view. 8 Till he was two bows length off or yet nearer. 9 And he revealed to His Servant what he revealed. 10 His heart lies not of what he saw; 11 will you, then, contend with him as to what he saw? 12 For indeed he saw him at a second descent, 13 by the lote tree beyond which none may pass 14 nigh which is the Garden of the Refuge, 15 When the lote-tree was being enveloped, by whatever around it. 16 [And withal,] the eye did not waver, nor yet did it stray: 17 Indeed he saw the supreme signs of his Lord. 18 Have ye seen Lat. and 'Uzza, 19 And Manat, the third, the other? 20 Is it for you the males and for Him the females? 21 That is indeed an unfair division! 22 These [allegedly divine beings] are nothing but empty names which you have invented - you and your forefathers - [and] for which God has bestowed no warrant from on high. They [who worship them] follow nothing but surmise and their own wishful thinking - although right guidance has now indeed come unto them from their Sustainer. 23 Or shall man have whatever he fancies? 24 despite the fact that [both] the life to come and this present [one] belong to God [alone]? 25