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 Your companion does not err, nor does he go astray; 2 nor speaks he out of caprice. 3 It is no less than inspiration sent down to him: 4 something that a very powerful one has imparted to him, 5 Lord of power and wisdom. So he acquired poise and balance, 6 the strong one who appeared on the uppermost horizon. 7 Then he drew near and hung above suspended, 8 So he was the measure of two bows or closer still. 9 So did (Allah) convey the inspiration to His Servant- (conveyed) what He (meant) to convey. 10 His (Muhammad's) heart did not lie to him about what his eyes had seen. 11 What, will you dispute with him about what he sees! 12 And certainly he saw him in another descent, 13 by the lote-tree of the farthest limit, 14 Close to which is the Everlasting Paradise. 15 (This was) when the lote-tree was covered with that which covered it. 16 The eye turned not aside nor yet was overbold. 17 and he certainly saw some of the greatest Signs of His Lord. 18 HAVE YOU, then, ever considered [what you are worshipping in] Al-Lat and Al-Uzza, 19 as well as [in] Manat, the third and last [of this triad]? 20 What! unto you the males and unto Him the females? 21 That indeed is 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 is there for man whatever he wishes? 24 All that is in the life to come and all that is in this life belongs only to God. 25