Chapter 53, 62 verses
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. By the Star when it setteth,
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. By the star when it goes down (or vanishes).
By the Star when it goes down, -
Your comrade erreth not, nor is deceived;
Your companion (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) has neither gone astray nor has erred.
Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled.
Nor doth he speak of (his own) desire.
Nor does he speak of (his own) desire.
Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) Desire.
It is naught save an inspiration that is inspired,
It is only a Revelation revealed.
It is no less than inspiration sent down to him:
Which one of mighty powers hath taught him,
He has been taught (this Qur'an) by one mighty in power [Jibril (Gabriel)]
He was taught by one Mighty in Power,
One vigorous; and he grew clear to view
One free from any defect in body and mind then he (Jibril - Gabriel in his real shape as created by Allah) rose and became stable.
Endued with Wisdom: for he appeared (in stately form);
When he was on the uppermost horizon.
While he [Jibril (Gabriel)] was in the highest part of the horizon, (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
While he was in the highest part of the horizon:
Then he drew nigh and came down
Then he [Jibril (Gabriel)] approached and came closer,
Then he approached and came closer,
Till he was (distant) two bows' length or even nearer,
And was at a distance of two bows' length or (even) nearer.
And was at a distance of but two bow - lengths or (even) nearer;
And He revealed unto His slave that which He revealed.
So (Allah) revealed to His slave [Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم through Jibril (Gabriel) عليه السلام] whatever He revealed.
So did (Allah) convey the inspiration to His Servant - (conveyed) what He (meant) to convey.
The heart lied not (in seeing) what it saw.
The (Prophet's) heart lied not in what he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) saw.
The (Prophet's) (mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he saw.
Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he seeth ?
Will you then dispute with him (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) about what he saw [during the Mi'raj: (Ascent of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم to the seven heavens)]
Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he saw?
And verily he saw him yet another time
And indeed he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) saw him [Jibril (Gabriel)] at a second descent (i.e. another time).
For indeed he saw him at a second descent,
By the lote - tree of the utmost boundary,
Near Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (a lote-tree of the utmost boundary over the seventh heaven beyond which none can pass).
Near the Lote - tree beyond which none may pass:
Nigh unto which is the Garden of Abode.
Near it is the Paradise of Abode.
Near it is the Garden of Abode.
When that which shroudeth did enshroud the lote - tree,
When that covered the lote-tree which did cover it!
Behold, the Lote - tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!)
The eye turned not aside nor yet was overbold.
The sight (of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) turned not aside (right or left), nor it transgressed beyond the limit (ordained for it).
(His) sight never swerved, nor did it go wrong!
Verily he saw one of the greater revelations of his Lord.
Indeed he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) did see of the Greatest Signs, of his Lord (Allah).
For truly did he see, of the Signs of his Lord, the Greatest!
Have ye thought upon Al - Lat and Al - 'Uzza
Have you then considered Al-Lat, and Al-'Uzza (two idols of the pagan Arabs)
Have ye seen Lat. and 'Uzza,
And Manat, the third, the other ?
And Manat (another idol of the pagan Arabs), the other third?
And another, the third (goddess), Manat?
Are yours the males and His the females ?
Is it for you the males and for Him the females?
What! for you the male sex, and for Him, the female?
That indeed were an unfair division!
That indeed is a division most unfair!
Behold, such would be indeed a division most unfair!
They are but names which ye have named, ye and your fathers, for which Allah hath revealed no warrant. They follow but a guess and that which (they) themselves desire. And now the guidance from their Lord hath come unto them.
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!
These are nothing but names which ye have devised, - ye and your fathers, - for which Allah has sent down no authority (whatever). They follow nothing but conjecture and what their own souls desire! - Even though there has already come to them Guidance from their Lord!
Or shall man have what he coveteth ?
Or shall man have what he wishes?
Nay, shall man have (just) anything he hankers after?
But unto Allah belongeth the after (life), and the former.
But to Allah belongs the last (Hereafter) and the first (the world).
But it is to Allah that the End and the Beginning (of all things) belong.
And how many angels are in the heavens whose intercession availeth naught save after Allah giveth leave to whom He chooseth and accepteth.
And there are many angels in the heavens, whose intercession will avail nothing except after Allah has given leave for whom He wills and is pleased with.
How many - so - ever be the angels in the heavens, their intercession will avail nothing except after Allah has given leave for whom He pleases and that he is acceptable to Him.
Lo! it is those who disbelieve in the Hereafter who name the angels with the names of females.
Verily, those who believe not in the Hereafter, name the angels with female names.
Those who believe not in the Hereafter, name the angels with female names.
And they have no knowledge thereof. They follow but a guess, and lo! a guess can never take the place of the truth.
But they have no knowledge thereof. They follow but a guess, and verily, guess is no substitute for the truth.
But they have no knowledge therein. They follow nothing but conjecture; and conjecture avails nothing against Truth.
Then withdraw (O Muhammad) from him who fleeth from Our remembrance and desireth but the life of the world.
Therefore withdraw (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) from him who turns away from Our Reminder (this Qur'an) and desires nothing but the life of this world.
Therefore shun those who turn away from Our Message and desire nothing but the life of this world.
Such is their sum of knowledge. Lo! thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayeth, and He is Best Aware of him whom goeth right.
That is what they could reach of knowledge. Verily, your Lord it is He Who knows best him who goes astray from His Path, and He knows best him who receives guidance.
That is as far as knowledge will reach them. Verily thy Lord knoweth best those who stray from His Path, and He knoweth best those who receive guidance.
And unto Allah belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, that He may reward those who do evil with that which they have done, and reward those who do good with goodness.
And to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, that He may requite those who do evil with that which they have done (i.e. punish them in Hell), and reward those who do good, with what is best (i.e. Paradise).
Yea, to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth: so that He rewards those who do evil, according to their deeds, and He rewards those who do good, with what is best.
Those who avoid enormities of sin and abominations, save the unwilled offences - (for them) lo! thy Lord is of vast mercy. He is Best Aware of you (from the time) when He created you from the earth, and when ye were hidden in the bellies of your mothers. Therefor ascribe not purity unto yourselves. He is Best Aware of him who wardeth off (evil).
Those who avoid great sins (See the Qur'an, Verses: 6:152,153) and Al-Fawahish (illegal sexual intercourse) except the small faults, - verily, your Lord is of Vast Forgiveness. He knows you well when He created you from the earth (Adam), and when you were fetuses in your mothers' wombs. So ascribe not purity to yourselves. He knows best him who fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him [i.e. those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious. See V.2:2)].
Those who avoid great sins and shameful deeds, only (falling into) small faults, - verily thy Lord is ample in forgiveness. He knows you well when He brings you out of the earth, And when ye are hidden in your mothers' wombs. Therefore justify not yourselves: He knows best who it is that guards against evil.
Didst thou (O Muhammad) observe him who turned away,
Did you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) observe him who turned away (from Islam).
Seest thou one who turns back,
And gave a little, then was grudging ?
And gave a little, then stopped (giving)?
Gives a little, then hardens (his heart)?
Hath he knowledge of the Unseen so that he seeth ?
Is with him the knowledge of the Unseen so that he sees?
What! Has he knowledge of the Unseen so that he can see?
Or hath he not had news of what is in the books of Moses
Or is he not with what is in the Pages (Scripture) of Musa (Moses),
Nay, is he not acquainted with what is in the Books of Moses -
And Abraham who paid his debt:
And of Ibrahim (Abraham) who fulfilled (or conveyed) all that (Allah ordered him to do or convey):
And of Abraham who fulfilled his engagements? -
That no laden one shall bear another's load,
That no burdened person (with sins) shall bear the burden (sins) of another.
Namely, that no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another;
And that man hath only that for which he maketh effort,
And that man can have nothing but what he does (good or bad).
That man can have nothing but what he strives for;
And that his effort will be seen.
And that his deeds will be seen.
That (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight:
And afterward he will be repaid for it with fullest payment;
Then he will be recompensed with a full and the best recompense.
Then will he be rewarded with a reward complete;
And that thy Lord, He is the goal;
And that to your Lord (Allah) is the End (Return of everything).
That to thy Lord is the final Goal;
And that He it is who maketh laugh, and maketh weep,
And that it is He (Allah) Who makes (whom He wills) laugh, and makes (whom He wills) weep.
That it is He Who granteth Laughter and Tears;
And that He it is Who giveth death and giveth life;
And that it is He (Allah) Who causes death and gives life.
That it is He Who granteth Death and Life;
And that He createth the two spouses, the male and the female,
And that He (Allah) creates the pairs, male and female,
That He did create in pairs, - male and female,
From a drop (of seed) when it is poured forth;
From Nutfah (drops of semen - male and female discharges) when it is emitted.
From a seed when lodged (in its place);
And that He hath ordained the second bringing forth;
And that upon Him (Allah) is another bringing forth (Resurrection).
That He hath promised a Second Creation (Raising of the Dead);
And that He it is Who enricheth and contenteth;
And that it is He (Allah) Who gives much or a little (of wealth and contentment)
That it is He Who giveth wealth and satisfaction;
And that He it is Who is the Lord of Sirius;
And that He (Allah) is the Lord of Sirius (the star which the pagan Arabs used to worship).
That He is the Lord of Sirius (the Mighty Star);
And that He destroyed the former (tribe of) A'ad,
And that it is He (Allah) Who destroyed the former 'Ad (people),
And that it is He Who destroyed the (powerful) ancient 'Ad (people),
And (the tribe of) Thamud He spared not;
And Thamud (people): He spared none of them.
And the Thamud nor gave them a lease of perpetual life.
And the folk of Noah aforetime, Lo! they were more unjust and more rebellious;
And the people of Nuh (Noah) aforetime. Verily, they were more unjust and more rebellious and transgressing [in disobeying Allah and His Messenger Nuh (Noah) عليه السلام].
And before them, the people of Noah, for that they were (all) most unjust and most insolent transgressors,
And Al - Mu'tafikah He destroyed
And He destroyed the overthrown cities [of Sodom to which Prophet Lut (Lot) was sent].
And He destroyed the Overthrown Cities (of Sodom and Gomorrah).
So that there covered them that which did cover.
So there covered them that which did cover (i.e. torment with stones).
So that (ruins unknown) have covered them up.
Concerning which then, of the bounties of thy Lord, canst thou dispute ?
Then which of the Graces of your Lord (O man!) will you doubt?
Then which of the gifts of thy Lord, (O man,) wilt thou dispute about?
This is a warner of the warners of old.
This (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) is a warner (Messenger) of the (series of) warners (Messengers) of old.
This is a Warner, of the (series of) Warners of old!
The threatened Hour is nigh.
The Day of Resurrection draws near.
The (Judgment) ever approaching draws nigh:
None beside Allah can disclose it.
None besides Allah can avert it (or advance it or delay it).
No (soul) but Allah can lay it bare.
Marvel ye then at this statement,
Do you then wonder at this recitation (the Qur'an)?
Do ye then wonder at this recital?
And laugh and not weep,
And you laugh at it and weep not,
And will ye laugh and not weep, -
While ye amuse yourselves ?
Wasting your (precious) lifetime in pastime and amusements (singing, etc.).
Wasting your time in vanities?
Rather prostrate yourselves before Allah and serve Him.
So fall you down in prostration to Allah and worship Him (Alone).
But fall ye down in prostration to Allah, and adore (Him)!