Chapter 53, 62 verses
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. By the Star when it setteth,
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ وَالنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَىٰ
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. By the star when it goes down (or vanishes).
Your comrade erreth not, nor is deceived;
مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَىٰ
Your companion (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) has neither gone astray nor has erred.
Nor doth he speak of (his own) desire.
وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ
Nor does he speak of (his own) desire.
It is naught save an inspiration that is inspired,
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَىٰ
It is only a Revelation revealed.
Which one of mighty powers hath taught him,
عَلَّمَهُ شَدِيدُ الْقُوَىٰ
He has been taught (this Qur'an) by one mighty in power [Jibril (Gabriel)]
One vigorous; and he grew clear to view
ذُو مِرَّةٍ فَاسْتَوَىٰ
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.
When he was on the uppermost horizon.
وَهُوَ بِالْأُفُقِ الْأَعْلَىٰ
While he [Jibril (Gabriel)] was in the highest part of the horizon, (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
Then he drew nigh and came down
ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّىٰ
Then he [Jibril (Gabriel)] approached and came closer,
Till he was (distant) two bows' length or even nearer,
فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَىٰ
And was at a distance of two bows' length or (even) nearer.
And He revealed unto His slave that which He revealed.
فَأَوْحَىٰ إِلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ مَا أَوْحَىٰ
So (Allah) revealed to His slave [Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم through Jibril (Gabriel) عليه السلام] whatever He revealed.
The heart lied not (in seeing) what it saw.
مَا كَذَبَ الْفُؤَادُ مَا رَأَىٰ
The (Prophet's) heart lied not in what he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) saw.
Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he seeth ?
أَفَتُمَارُونَهُ عَلَىٰ مَا يَرَىٰ
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)]
And verily he saw him yet another time
وَلَقَدْ رَآهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَىٰ
And indeed he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) saw him [Jibril (Gabriel)] at a second descent (i.e. another time).
By the lote - tree of the utmost boundary,
عِندَ سِدْرَةِ الْمُنتَهَىٰ
Near Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (a lote-tree of the utmost boundary over the seventh heaven beyond which none can pass).
Nigh unto which is the Garden of Abode.
عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ الْمَأْوَىٰ
Near it is the Paradise of Abode.
When that which shroudeth did enshroud the lote - tree,
إِذْ يَغْشَى السِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَىٰ
When that covered the lote-tree which did cover it!
The eye turned not aside nor yet was overbold.
مَا زَاغَ الْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَىٰ
The sight (of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) turned not aside (right or left), nor it transgressed beyond the limit (ordained for it).
Verily he saw one of the greater revelations of his Lord.
لَقَدْ رَأَىٰ مِنْ آيَاتِ رَبِّهِ الْكُبْرَىٰ
Indeed he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) did see of the Greatest Signs, of his Lord (Allah).
Have ye thought upon Al - Lat and Al - 'Uzza
أَفَرَأَيْتُمُ اللَّاتَ وَالْعُزَّىٰ
Have you then considered Al-Lat, and Al-'Uzza (two idols of the pagan Arabs)
And Manat, the third, the other ?
وَمَنَاةَ الثَّالِثَةَ الْأُخْرَىٰ
And Manat (another idol of the pagan Arabs), the other third?
Are yours the males and His the females ?
أَلَكُمُ الذَّكَرُ وَلَهُ الْأُنثَىٰ
Is it for you the males and for Him the females?
That indeed were an unfair division!
تِلْكَ إِذًا قِسْمَةٌ ضِيزَىٰ
That indeed is 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.
إِنْ هِيَ إِلَّا أَسْمَاءٌ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُم مَّا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَانٍ ۚ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا الظَّنَّ وَمَا تَهْوَى الْأَنفُسُ ۖ وَلَقَدْ جَاءَهُم مِّن رَّبِّهِمُ الْهُدَىٰ
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!
Or shall man have what he coveteth ?
أَمْ لِلْإِنسَانِ مَا تَمَنَّىٰ
Or shall man have what he wishes?
But unto Allah belongeth the after (life), and the former.
فَلِلَّهِ الْآخِرَةُ وَالْأُولَىٰ
But to Allah belongs the last (Hereafter) and the first (the world).
And how many angels are in the heavens whose intercession availeth naught save after Allah giveth leave to whom He chooseth and accepteth.
۞ وَكَم مِّن مَّلَكٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ لَا تُغْنِي شَفَاعَتُهُمْ شَيْئًا إِلَّا مِن بَعْدِ أَن يَأْذَنَ اللَّهُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَيَرْضَىٰ
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.
Lo! it is those who disbelieve in the Hereafter who name the angels with the names of females.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ لَيُسَمُّونَ الْمَلَائِكَةَ تَسْمِيَةَ الْأُنثَىٰ
Verily, 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.
وَمَا لَهُم بِهِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ ۖ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا الظَّنَّ ۖ وَإِنَّ الظَّنَّ لَا يُغْنِي مِنَ الْحَقِّ شَيْئًا
But they have no knowledge thereof. They follow but a guess, and verily, guess is no substitute for the truth.
Then withdraw (O Muhammad) from him who fleeth from Our remembrance and desireth but the life of the world.
فَأَعْرِضْ عَن مَّن تَوَلَّىٰ عَن ذِكْرِنَا وَلَمْ يُرِدْ إِلَّا الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا
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.
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.
ذَٰلِكَ مَبْلَغُهُم مِّنَ الْعِلْمِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ اهْتَدَىٰ
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.
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.
وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ لِيَجْزِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسَاءُوا بِمَا عَمِلُوا وَيَجْزِيَ الَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا بِالْحُسْنَى
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).
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).
الَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبَائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَالْفَوَاحِشَ إِلَّا اللَّمَمَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَاسِعُ الْمَغْفِرَةِ ۚ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ إِذْ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ وَإِذْ أَنتُمْ أَجِنَّةٌ فِي بُطُونِ أُمَّهَاتِكُمْ ۖ فَلَا تُزَكُّوا أَنفُسَكُمْ ۖ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ اتَّقَىٰ
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)].
Didst thou (O Muhammad) observe him who turned away,
أَفَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي تَوَلَّىٰ
Did you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) observe him who turned away (from Islam).
And gave a little, then was grudging ?
وَأَعْطَىٰ قَلِيلًا وَأَكْدَىٰ
And gave a little, then stopped (giving)?
Hath he knowledge of the Unseen so that he seeth ?
أَعِندَهُ عِلْمُ الْغَيْبِ فَهُوَ يَرَىٰ
Is with him the knowledge of the Unseen so that he sees?
Or hath he not had news of what is in the books of Moses
أَمْ لَمْ يُنَبَّأْ بِمَا فِي صُحُفِ مُوسَىٰ
Or is he not with what is in the Pages (Scripture) of Musa (Moses),
And Abraham who paid his debt:
وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ الَّذِي وَفَّىٰ
And of Ibrahim (Abraham) who fulfilled (or conveyed) all that (Allah ordered him to do or convey):
That no laden one shall bear another's load,
أَلَّا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ
That no burdened person (with sins) shall bear the burden (sins) of another.
And that man hath only that for which he maketh effort,
وَأَن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَانِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰ
And that man can have nothing but what he does (good or bad).
And that his effort will be seen.
وَأَنَّ سَعْيَهُ سَوْفَ يُرَىٰ
And that his deeds will be seen.
And afterward he will be repaid for it with fullest payment;
ثُمَّ يُجْزَاهُ الْجَزَاءَ الْأَوْفَىٰ
Then he will be recompensed with a full and the best recompense.
And that thy Lord, He is the goal;
وَأَنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ الْمُنتَهَىٰ
And that to your Lord (Allah) is the End (Return of everything).
And that He it is who maketh laugh, and maketh weep,
وَأَنَّهُ هُوَ أَضْحَكَ وَأَبْكَىٰ
And that it is He (Allah) Who makes (whom He wills) laugh, and makes (whom He wills) weep.
And that He it is Who giveth death and giveth life;
وَأَنَّهُ هُوَ أَمَاتَ وَأَحْيَا
And that it is He (Allah) Who causes death and gives life.
And that He createth the two spouses, the male and the female,
وَأَنَّهُ خَلَقَ الزَّوْجَيْنِ الذَّكَرَ وَالْأُنثَىٰ
And that He (Allah) creates the pairs, male and female,
From a drop (of seed) when it is poured forth;
مِن نُّطْفَةٍ إِذَا تُمْنَىٰ
From Nutfah (drops of semen - male and female discharges) when it is emitted.
And that He hath ordained the second bringing forth;
وَأَنَّ عَلَيْهِ النَّشْأَةَ الْأُخْرَىٰ
And that upon Him (Allah) is another bringing forth (Resurrection).
And that He it is Who enricheth and contenteth;
وَأَنَّهُ هُوَ أَغْنَىٰ وَأَقْنَىٰ
And that it is He (Allah) Who gives much or a little (of wealth and contentment)
And that He it is Who is the Lord of Sirius;
وَأَنَّهُ هُوَ رَبُّ الشِّعْرَىٰ
And that He (Allah) is the Lord of Sirius (the star which the pagan Arabs used to worship).
And that He destroyed the former (tribe of) A'ad,
وَأَنَّهُ أَهْلَكَ عَادًا الْأُولَىٰ
And that it is He (Allah) Who destroyed the former 'Ad (people),
And (the tribe of) Thamud He spared not;
وَثَمُودَ فَمَا أَبْقَىٰ
And Thamud (people): He spared none of them.
And the folk of Noah aforetime, Lo! they were more unjust and more rebellious;
وَقَوْمَ نُوحٍ مِّن قَبْلُ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا هُمْ أَظْلَمَ وَأَطْغَىٰ
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 Al - Mu'tafikah He destroyed
وَالْمُؤْتَفِكَةَ أَهْوَىٰ
And He destroyed the overthrown cities [of Sodom to which Prophet Lut (Lot) was sent].
So that there covered them that which did cover.
فَغَشَّاهَا مَا غَشَّىٰ
So there covered them that which did cover (i.e. torment with stones).
Concerning which then, of the bounties of thy Lord, canst thou dispute ?
فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكَ تَتَمَارَىٰ
Then which of the Graces of your Lord (O man!) will you doubt?
This is a warner of the warners of old.
هَٰذَا نَذِيرٌ مِّنَ النُّذُرِ الْأُولَىٰ
This (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) is a warner (Messenger) of the (series of) warners (Messengers) of old.
The threatened Hour is nigh.
أَزِفَتِ الْآزِفَةُ
The Day of Resurrection draws near.
None beside Allah can disclose it.
لَيْسَ لَهَا مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ كَاشِفَةٌ
None besides Allah can avert it (or advance it or delay it).
Marvel ye then at this statement,
أَفَمِنْ هَٰذَا الْحَدِيثِ تَعْجَبُونَ
Do you then wonder at this recitation (the Qur'an)?
And laugh and not weep,
وَتَضْحَكُونَ وَلَا تَبْكُونَ
And you laugh at it and weep not,
While ye amuse yourselves ?
وَأَنتُمْ سَامِدُونَ
Wasting your (precious) lifetime in pastime and amusements (singing, etc.).
Rather prostrate yourselves before Allah and serve Him.
فَاسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ وَاعْبُدُوا ۩
So fall you down in prostration to Allah and worship Him (Alone).