The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
By oath of the beloved shining star Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him), when he returned from the Ascent. 1 Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled. 2 And he speaketh not of his own desire. 3 It is no less than inspiration sent down to him: 4 He was taught by [an angel] who is mighty in power, 5 One of soundness. And he rose to [his] true form 6 While he was in the highest part of the horizon: 7 Then he [Jibrael (Gabriel)] approached and came closer, 8 Till he was (distant) two bows' length or even nearer, 9 And thus did [God] reveal unto His servant whatever He deemed right to reveal. 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 Will you then argue with him about what he saw? 12 And certainly he saw him in another descent, 13 By the Lote-tree beyond which none can pass, 14 near which is Paradise. 15 When that covered the lote-tree which covered it. 16 The eye turned not aside nor yet was overbold. 17 He saw some of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 Have ye seen Lat. and 'Uzza, 19 and Manat the third, the other? 20 Are there sons for you, and daughters for Him? 21 that, lo and behold, 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 What! Will man get whatever he dreams of? 24 But it is to Allah that the End and the Beginning (of all things) belong. 25