Al Najm

1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. By the Star when it setteth,

1 By the Star when it goes down, -

1 In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. By the star when it goes down (or vanishes).

2 Your comrade erreth not, nor is deceived;

2 Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled.

2 Your companion (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) has neither gone astray nor has erred.

3 Nor doth he speak of (his own) desire.

3 Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) Desire.

3 Nor does he speak of (his own) desire.

4 It is naught save an inspiration that is inspired,

4 It is no less than inspiration sent down to him:

4 It is only a Revelation revealed.

5 Which one of mighty powers hath taught him,

5 He was taught by one Mighty in Power,

5 He has been taught (this Qur'an) by one mighty in power [Jibril (Gabriel)]

6 One vigorous; and he grew clear to view

6 Endued with Wisdom: for he appeared (in stately form);

6 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.

7 When he was on the uppermost horizon.

7 While he was in the highest part of the horizon:

7 While he [Jibril (Gabriel)] was in the highest part of the horizon, (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

8 Then he drew nigh and came down

8 Then he approached and came closer,

8 Then he [Jibril (Gabriel)] approached and came closer,

9 Till he was (distant) two bows' length or even nearer,

9 And was at a distance of but two bow - lengths or (even) nearer;

9 And was at a distance of two bows' length or (even) nearer.

10 And He revealed unto His slave that which He revealed.

10 So did (Allah) convey the inspiration to His Servant - (conveyed) what He (meant) to convey.

10 So (Allah) revealed to His slave [Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم through Jibril (Gabriel) عليه السلام] whatever He revealed.

11 The heart lied not (in seeing) what it saw.

11 The (Prophet's) (mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he saw.

11 The (Prophet's) heart lied not in what he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) saw.

12 Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he seeth ?

12 Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he saw?

12 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)]

13 And verily he saw him yet another time

13 For indeed he saw him at a second descent,

13 And indeed he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) saw him [Jibril (Gabriel)] at a second descent (i.e. another time).

14 By the lote - tree of the utmost boundary,

14 Near the Lote - tree beyond which none may pass:

14 Near Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (a lote-tree of the utmost boundary over the seventh heaven beyond which none can pass).

15 Nigh unto which is the Garden of Abode.

15 Near it is the Garden of Abode.

15 Near it is the Paradise of Abode.

16 When that which shroudeth did enshroud the lote - tree,

16 Behold, the Lote - tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!)

16 When that covered the lote-tree which did cover it!

17 The eye turned not aside nor yet was overbold.

17 (His) sight never swerved, nor did it go wrong!

17 The sight (of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) turned not aside (right or left), nor it transgressed beyond the limit (ordained for it).

18 Verily he saw one of the greater revelations of his Lord.

18 For truly did he see, of the Signs of his Lord, the Greatest!

18 Indeed he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) did see of the Greatest Signs, of his Lord (Allah).

19 Have ye thought upon Al - Lat and Al - 'Uzza

19 Have ye seen Lat. and 'Uzza,

19 Have you then considered Al-Lat, and Al-'Uzza (two idols of the pagan Arabs)

20 And Manat, the third, the other ?

20 And another, the third (goddess), Manat?

20 And Manat (another idol of the pagan Arabs), the other third?

21 Are yours the males and His the females ?

21 What! for you the male sex, and for Him, the female?

21 Is it for you the males and for Him the females?

22 That indeed were an unfair division!

22 Behold, such would be indeed a division most unfair!

22 That indeed is a division most unfair!

23 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.

23 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!

23 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!

24 Or shall man have what he coveteth ?

24 Nay, shall man have (just) anything he hankers after?

24 Or shall man have what he wishes?

25 But unto Allah belongeth the after (life), and the former.

25 But it is to Allah that the End and the Beginning (of all things) belong.

25 But to Allah belongs the last (Hereafter) and the first (the world).

26 And how many angels are in the heavens whose intercession availeth naught save after Allah giveth leave to whom He chooseth and accepteth.

26 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.

26 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.

27 Lo! it is those who disbelieve in the Hereafter who name the angels with the names of females.

27 Those who believe not in the Hereafter, name the angels with female names.

27 Verily, those who believe not in the Hereafter, name the angels with female names.

28 And they have no knowledge thereof. They follow but a guess, and lo! a guess can never take the place of the truth.

28 But they have no knowledge therein. They follow nothing but conjecture; and conjecture avails nothing against Truth.

28 But they have no knowledge thereof. They follow but a guess, and verily, guess is no substitute for the truth.

29 Then withdraw (O Muhammad) from him who fleeth from Our remembrance and desireth but the life of the world.

29 Therefore shun those who turn away from Our Message and desire nothing but the life of this world.

29 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.

30 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.

30 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.

30 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.

31 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.

31 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.

31 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).

32 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).

32 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.

32 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)].

33 Didst thou (O Muhammad) observe him who turned away,

33 Seest thou one who turns back,

33 Did you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) observe him who turned away (from Islam).

34 And gave a little, then was grudging ?

34 Gives a little, then hardens (his heart)?

34 And gave a little, then stopped (giving)?

35 Hath he knowledge of the Unseen so that he seeth ?

35 What! Has he knowledge of the Unseen so that he can see?

35 Is with him the knowledge of the Unseen so that he sees?

36 Or hath he not had news of what is in the books of Moses

36 Nay, is he not acquainted with what is in the Books of Moses -

36 Or is he not informed with what is in the Pages (Scripture) of Musa (Moses),

37 And Abraham who paid his debt:

37 And of Abraham who fulfilled his engagements? -

37 And of Ibrahim (Abraham) who fulfilled (or conveyed) all that (Allah ordered him to do or convey):

38 That no laden one shall bear another's load,

38 Namely, that no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another;

38 That no burdened person (with sins) shall bear the burden (sins) of another.

39 And that man hath only that for which he maketh effort,

39 That man can have nothing but what he strives for;

39 And that man can have nothing but what he does (good or bad).

40 And that his effort will be seen.

40 That (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight:

40 And that his deeds will be seen.

41 And afterward he will be repaid for it with fullest payment;

41 Then will he be rewarded with a reward complete;

41 Then he will be recompensed with a full and the best recompense.

42 And that thy Lord, He is the goal;

42 That to thy Lord is the final Goal;

42 And that to your Lord (Allah) is the End (Return of everything).

43 And that He it is who maketh laugh, and maketh weep,

43 That it is He Who granteth Laughter and Tears;

43 And that it is He (Allah) Who makes (whom He wills) laugh, and makes (whom He wills) weep.

44 And that He it is Who giveth death and giveth life;

44 That it is He Who granteth Death and Life;

44 And that it is He (Allah) Who causes death and gives life.

45 And that He createth the two spouses, the male and the female,

45 That He did create in pairs, - male and female,

45 And that He (Allah) creates the pairs, male and female,

46 From a drop (of seed) when it is poured forth;

46 From a seed when lodged (in its place);

46 From Nutfah (drops of semen - male and female discharges) when it is emitted.

47 And that He hath ordained the second bringing forth;

47 That He hath promised a Second Creation (Raising of the Dead);

47 And that upon Him (Allah) is another bringing forth (Resurrection).

48 And that He it is Who enricheth and contenteth;

48 That it is He Who giveth wealth and satisfaction;

48 And that it is He (Allah) Who gives much or a little (of wealth and contentment)

49 And that He it is Who is the Lord of Sirius;

49 That He is the Lord of Sirius (the Mighty Star);

49 And that He (Allah) is the Lord of Sirius (the star which the pagan Arabs used to worship).

50 And that He destroyed the former (tribe of) A'ad,

50 And that it is He Who destroyed the (powerful) ancient 'Ad (people),

50 And that it is He (Allah) Who destroyed the former 'Ad (people),

51 And (the tribe of) Thamud He spared not;

51 And the Thamud nor gave them a lease of perpetual life.

51 And Thamud (people): He spared none of them.

52 And the folk of Noah aforetime, Lo! they were more unjust and more rebellious;

52 And before them, the people of Noah, for that they were (all) most unjust and most insolent transgressors,

52 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].

53 And Al - Mu'tafikah He destroyed

53 And He destroyed the Overthrown Cities (of Sodom and Gomorrah).

53 And He destroyed the overthrown cities [of Sodom to which Prophet Lut (Lot) was sent].

54 So that there covered them that which did cover.

54 So that (ruins unknown) have covered them up.

54 So there covered them that which did cover (i.e. torment with stones).

55 Concerning which then, of the bounties of thy Lord, canst thou dispute ?

55 Then which of the gifts of thy Lord, (O man,) wilt thou dispute about?

55 Then which of the Graces of your Lord (O man!) will you doubt?

56 This is a warner of the warners of old.

56 This is a Warner, of the (series of) Warners of old!

56 This (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) is a warner (Messenger) of the (series of) warners (Messengers) of old.

57 The threatened Hour is nigh.

57 The (Judgment) ever approaching draws nigh:

57 The Day of Resurrection draws near.

58 None beside Allah can disclose it.

58 No (soul) but Allah can lay it bare.

58 None besides Allah can avert it (or advance it or delay it).

59 Marvel ye then at this statement,

59 Do ye then wonder at this recital?

59 Do you then wonder at this recitation (the Qur'an)?

60 And laugh and not weep,

60 And will ye laugh and not weep, -

60 And you laugh at it and weep not,

61 While ye amuse yourselves ?

61 Wasting your time in vanities?

61 Wasting your (precious) lifetime in pastime and amusements (singing, etc.).

62 Rather prostrate yourselves before Allah and serve Him.

62 But fall ye down in prostration to Allah, and adore (Him)!

62 So fall you down in prostration to Allah and worship Him (Alone).