The Stars (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
By the declining star, 1 Your companion hath not gone astray, nor hath he erred. 2 Nor does he speak out of desire. 3 It is only an Inspiration that is inspired. 4 Bestowed on him by the Supreme Intellect, 5 Endued with Wisdom: for he appeared (in stately form); 6 the strong one who appeared on the uppermost horizon. 7 Then he [Jibrael (Gabriel)] approached and came closer, 8 two bows' length away, or nearer, 9 Thus He revealed unto His bondman whatsoever He revealed. 10 The heart did not lie [about] what it saw. 11 will you, then, contend with him as to what he saw? 12 Indeed he saw him a second time, 13 By the Lote-tree beyond which none can pass, 14 nigh which is the Garden of the Refuge, 15 with the lote-tree veiled in a veil of nameless splendour 16 His sight did not waver nor was it unduly bold. 17 Certainly he saw of the greatest signs of his Lord. 18 Have you then considered Al-Lat, and Al-'Uzza (two idols of the pagan Arabs). 19 And Manat, the other third (of the pagan deities)? 20 What! for you the male sex, and for Him, the female? 21 That were indeed an unjust division. 22 They are but names which you have named, you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. They follow but a guess and that which they themselves desire, whereas there has surely come to them the Guidance from their Lord! 23 Does man imagine that it is his due to have all that he might wish for, 24 Nay! for Allah is the hereafter and the former (life). 25