The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
By the star when it sets: 1 Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled. 2 Neither does he speak of his own will. 3 It is no less than inspiration sent down to him: 4 Which one of mighty powers hath taught him, 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 part of the horizon: 7 Then he approached and came closer, 8 he was but two bows' length or even nearer, 9 Thus He revealed unto His bondman whatsoever He revealed. 10 The heart lied not (in seeing) what it saw. 11 Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he seeth? 12 Indeed, he saw him in another descent 13 Near the lote-tree of the last boundary. 14 Close to which is the Everlasting Paradise. 15 When there covered the Lote Tree that which covered [it]. 16 The sight [of the Prophet] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit]. 17 He saw some of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 (Can anything as such be considered true) of al-Lat, al-Uzza, 19 And Manat (another idol of the pagan Arabs), the other third? 20 What, have you males, and He females! 21 That indeed were 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 Can the human being have whatever he wishes? 24 And to God belongs the First and the Last. 25