The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
By the Star when it setteth, 1 This fellow-man of yours has not gone astray, nor is he deluded, 2 Nor does he speak out of desire. 3 It [the Quran] is nothing but revelation sent down to him. 4 Bestowed on him by the Supreme Intellect, 5 by the great mighty one (Gabriel), 6 appearing in the horizon's loftiest part, 7 Thereafter he drew nigh, then he let himself down. 8 And was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer; 9 and revealed to God's servant what he revealed. 10 The heart [of the Prophet] did not misconstrue what he saw. 11 Will you dispute with him what he saw? 12 And certainly he saw him descend a second time: 13 Near Sidrat-ul-Muntaha [lote-tree of the utmost boundary (beyond which none can pass)], 14 Near it is the Garden of Refuge - 15 When that covered the lote-tree which did cover it! 16 The sight turned not aside, nor it exceeded. 17 Indeed he saw the supreme signs of his Lord. 18 Have you really considered al-Lat and al-"Uzza, 19 and Manat the third, the other? 20 Is it for you the males and for Him the females? 21 Then that is surely a very unjust distribution! 22 They are but names which ye have named, ye and your fathers, for which Allah hath sent down no authority. They follow but their fancy, and that which pleaseth their souls; whereas assuredly there hath come unto them from their Lord the guidance. 23 Can the human being have whatever he wishes? 24 But it is to Allah that the End and the Beginning (of all things) belong. 25