The Holy Qur'an (Maulana Muhammad Ali)/53. The Star

53. The Star (Al-Najm)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

By the star when it sets! 

Your companion errs not, nor does he deviate. 

Nor does he speak out of desire. 

It is naught but revelation that is revealed -- 

One Mighty in Power has taught him, 

The Lord of Strength. So he attained to perfection, 

And he is in the highest part of the horizon. 

Then he drew near, drew nearer yet, 

<section begin="53:9"/>So he was the measure of two bows or closer still. <section end="53:9"/>

<section begin="53:10"/>So He revealed to His servant what He revealed. <section end="53:10"/>

<section begin="53:11"/>The heart was not untrue in seeing what he saw. <section end="53:11"/>

<section begin="53:12"/>Do you then dispute with him as to what he saw? <section end="53:12"/>

<section begin="53:13"/>And certainly he saw Him in another descent, <section end="53:13"/>

<section begin="53:14"/>At the farthest lote-tree. <section end="53:14"/>

<section begin="53:15"/>Near it is the Garden of Abode. <section end="53:15"/>

<section begin="53:16"/>When that which covers covered the lote-tree <section end="53:16"/>

<section begin="53:17"/>The eye turned not aside, nor did it exceed the limit. <section end="53:17"/>

<section begin="53:18"/>Certainly he saw of the greatest signs of his Lord. <section end="53:18"/>

<section begin="53:19"/>Have you then considered Lat and 'Uzzi, <section end="53:19"/>

<section begin="53:20"/>And another, the third, Manit? <section end="53:20"/>

<section begin="53:21"/>Are the males for you and for Him the females? <section end="53:21"/>

<section begin="53:22"/>This indeed is an unjust division! <section end="53:22"/>

<section begin="53:23"/>They are naught but names which you have named, you and your fathers -- Allah has sent no authority for them. They follow but conjecture and what (their) souls desire. And certainly the guidance has come to them from their Lord. <section end="53:23"/>

<section begin="53:24"/>Or shall man have what he wishes? <section end="53:24"/>

<section begin="53:25"/>But for Allah is the Hereafter and the former (life). <section end="53:25"/>

<section begin="53:26"/>And how many angels are in the heavens, whose intercession avails naught except after Allah gives permission to whom He pleases and chooses. <section end="53:26"/>

<section begin="53:27"/>Surely those who believe not in the Hereafter name the angels with female names. <section end="53:27"/>

<section begin="53:28"/>And they have no knowledge of it. They follow but conjecture, and surely conjecture avails naught against Truth. <section end="53:28"/>

<section begin="53:29"/>So shun him who turns his back upon Our Reminder, and desires nothing but this world's life. <section end="53:29"/>

<section begin="53:30"/>That is their goal of knowledge. Surely thy Lord knows best him who strays from His path and He knows best him who goes aright. <section end="53:30"/>

<section begin="53:31"/>And Allah's is whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, that He may reward those who do evil for that which they do, and reward those who do good with goodness. <section end="53:31"/>

<section begin="53:32"/>Those who avoid the great sins and the indecencies, but the passing idea surely thy Lord is Liberal in Forgiving. He knows best when He brings you forth from the earth and when you are embryos in the wombs of your mothers; so ascribe not purity to yourselves. He knows him best who guards. against evil. <section end="53:32"/>

<section begin="53:33"/>Seest thou him who turns back, <section end="53:33"/>

<section begin="53:34"/>And gives a little, then withholds? <section end="53:34"/>

<section begin="53:35"/>Has he the knowledge of the unseen so that he can see? <section end="53:35"/>

<section begin="53:36"/>Or has he not been informed of what is in the scriptures of Moses, <section end="53:36"/>

<section begin="53:37"/>And (of) Abraham who fulfilled (commandments)? <section end="53:37"/>

<section begin="53:38"/>That no bearer of a burden bears another's burden: <section end="53:38"/>

<section begin="53:39"/>And that man can have nothing but what he strives for: <section end="53:39"/>

<section begin="53:40"/>And that his striving will soon be seen. <section end="53:40"/>

<section begin="53:41"/>Then he will be rewarded for it with the fullest reward: <section end="53:41"/>

<section begin="53:42"/>And that to thy Lord is the goal: <section end="53:42"/>

<section begin="53:43"/>And that He it is Who makes (men) laugh and makes (them) weep: <section end="53:43"/>

<section begin="53:44"/>And that He it is Who causes death and gives life: <section end="53:44"/>

<section begin="53:45"/>And that He creates pairs, the male and the female: <section end="53:45"/>

<section begin="53:46"/>From the small life-germ when it is adapted: <section end="53:46"/>

<section begin="53:47"/>And that He has ordained the second bringing forth: <section end="53:47"/>

<section begin="53:48"/>And that He it is Who gives wealth and contentment: <section end="53:48"/>

<section begin="53:49"/>And that He is the Lord of Sirius: <section end="53:49"/>

<section begin="53:50"/>And that He destroyed the first 'Ad: <section end="53:50"/>

<section begin="53:51"/>And Thamud, so He spared not: <section end="53:51"/>

<section begin="53:52"/>And the people of Noah before. Surely they were most iniquitous and inordinate. <section end="53:52"/>

<section begin="53:53"/>And the overthrown cities, He hurled down: <section end="53:53"/>

<section begin="53:54"/>So there covered them that which coveted. <section end="53:54"/>

<section begin="53:55"/>Which, then, of thy Lord's benefits wilt thou dispute? <section end="53:55"/>

<section begin="53:56"/>This is a warner of the warners of old. <section end="53:56"/>

<section begin="53:57"/>The near Event draws nigh. <section end="53:57"/>

<section begin="53:58"/>There is none besides Allah to remove it. <section end="53:58"/>

<section begin="53:59"/>Wonder you then at this announcement? <section end="53:59"/>

<section begin="53:60"/>And do you laugh and not weep, <section end="53:60"/>

<section begin="53:61"/>While you sport? <section end="53:61"/>

<section begin="53:62"/>So bow down in prostration before Allah and serve (Him). <section end="53:62"/>