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