The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
CONSIDER this unfolding [of God's message,] as it comes down from on high! 1 Your comrade erreth not, nor is deceived; 2 nor does he speak out of his desire. 3 It [the Quran] is nothing but revelation sent down to him. 4 Taught to him by one intense in strength - 5 Lord of power and wisdom. So he acquired poise and balance, 6 while he was in the highest horizon; 7 Then he [Jibrael (Gabriel)] approached and came closer, 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 heart did not falsify what he perceived. 11 Will ye therefore dispute with him concerning that which he hath seen? 12 For indeed he saw him at a second descent, 13 at the Lote Tree (Sidrat tree) of the ending 14 Nigh thereto is the Garden of Abode. 15 with the lote-tree veiled in a veil of nameless splendour 16 The sight turned not aside, nor it exceeded. 17 He saw some of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 Have you considered El-Lat and El-'Uzza 19 And Manat, the other third (of the pagan deities)? 20 "What! For you the males and for Him the females?" 21 That indeed is a division unfair! 22 They are not but [mere] names you have named them - you and your forefathers - for which Allah has sent down no authority. They follow not except assumption and what [their] souls desire, and there has already come to them from their Lord guidance. 23 Or shall man have what he coveteth? 24 But unto Allah belongeth the after (life), and the former. 25