The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
I swear by the star when it goes down. 1 That your companion is not confused, nor has he gone astray, 2 Neither does he speak of his own will. 3 It is only an Inspiration that is inspired. 4 Bestowed on him by the Supreme Intellect, 5 [an angel] endowed with surpassing power, who in time manifested himself in his true shape and nature, 6 while he was in the highest horizon; 7 Then he drew near and hung above suspended, 8 And was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer; 9 And he revealed to His Servant what he revealed. 10 His (Muhammad's) heart did not lie to him about what his eyes had seen. 11 Will you then dispute with him as to what he saw? 12 And indeed he did see the Spectacle again. 13 to the Lot-tree (in the seven heavens) 14 near which is the Garden of Abode. 15 When the Lote-tree was covered over with what it was covered over; 16 His eye did not waver, nor did it stray, 17 Verily he saw one of the greater revelations of his Lord. 18 (Can anything as such be considered true) of al-Lat, al-Uzza, 19 And Manat the other third? 20 What, have you males, and He females? 21 That were indeed an unjust division. 22 They are naught but names which you have named, you and your fathers; Allah has not sent for them any authority. They follow naught but conjecture and the low desires which (their) souls incline to; and certainly the guidance has come to them from their Lord. 23 Or shall man have what he coveteth? 24 But to Allah belongs the last (Hereafter) and the first (the world). 25