The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
By the declining star, 1 This fellow-man of yours has not gone astray, nor is he deluded, 2 He does not speak out of his own desires. 3 This is only revelation communicated, 4 He was taught by [an angel] who is mighty in power, 5 and endowed with wisdom; who in time manifested himself; 6 appearing in the horizon's loftiest part, 7 Then he [Jibrael (Gabriel)] approached and came closer, 8 And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer. 9 So Allah divinely revealed to His bondman, whatever He divinely revealed. 10 The heart did not deny, what it saw. (The Holy Prophet was bestowed with seeing Allah – see also preceding verses 8, 9, 10.) 11 What! So do you dispute with him regarding what he saw? 12 And indeed he did see the Spectacle again. 13 At the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary - 14 Nigh unto which is the Garden of Abode. 15 Behold, the Lote-tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!) 16 The sight turned not aside, nor it exceeded. 17 Indeed he saw the supreme signs of his Lord. 18 So have you considered al-Lat and al-'Uzza? 19 and your third idol al-Manat (whom you considered as God's daughters)? 20 "What! For you the males and for Him the females?" 21 This is an unfair distinction! 22 They are naught but names which you have named, you and your fathers; Allah has not sent for them any authority. They follow naught but conjecture and the low desires which (their) souls incline to; and certainly the guidance has come to them from their Lord. 23 Does man imagine that whatever he wishes for is right for him? 24 But to Allah belongs the last (Hereafter) and the first (the world). 25