The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I CALL TO witness the star of the pleiades when it has dipped 1 This fellow-man of yours has not gone astray, nor is he deluded, 2 Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. 3 It is but a divine revelation, which is revealed to him. 4 Taught to him by one intense in strength - 5 One strong of make. Then he stood straight. 6 While he [Jibrael (Gabriel)] was in the highest part of the horizon, 7 then he drew near, and became close 8 And was at a distance of two bows' length or (even) nearer, 9 So did (Allah) convey the inspiration to His Servant- (conveyed) what He (meant) to convey. 10 The heart did not lie [about] what it saw. 11 will you, then, contend with him as to what he saw? 12 And certainly he saw him in another descent, 13 Near Sidrat-ul-Muntaha [lote-tree of the utmost boundary (beyond which none can pass)], 14 close to the Garden of Refuge. 15 When that which covers covered the lote-tree; 16 The eye did not turn aside, nor did it exceed the limit. 17 Verily he saw one of the greater revelations of his Lord. 18 HAVE YOU, then, ever considered [what you are worshipping in] Al-Lat and Al-Uzza, 19 and, another, the third manat? 20 "What! For you the males and for Him the females?" 21 This is an unfair distinction! 22 They are but names which ye have named, ye and your fathers, for which Allah hath revealed no warrant. They follow but a guess and that which (they) themselves desire. And now the guidance from their Lord hath come unto them. 23 Or shall man have what he wishes? 24 But unto Allah belongeth the after (life), and the former. 25