Chapter 53, 62 verses
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, -
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. By the Star when it setteth,
Your companion (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) has neither gone astray nor has erred.
Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled.
Your comrade erreth not, nor is deceived;
Nor does he speak of (his own) desire.
Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) Desire.
Nor doth he speak of (his own) desire.
It is only a Revelation revealed.
It is no less than inspiration sent down to him:
It is naught save an inspiration that is inspired,
He has been taught (this Qur'an) by one mighty in power [Jibril (Gabriel)]
He was taught by one Mighty in Power,
Which one of mighty powers hath taught him,
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);
One vigorous; and he grew clear to view
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:
When he was on the uppermost horizon.
Then he [Jibril (Gabriel)] approached and came closer,
Then he approached and came closer,
Then he drew nigh and came down
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;
Till he was (distant) two bows' length or even nearer,
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.
And He revealed unto His slave that which He revealed.
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.
The heart lied not (in seeing) what it 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 saw?
Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he seeth ?
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,
And verily he saw him yet another time
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:
By the lote - tree of the utmost boundary,
Near it is the Paradise of Abode.
Near it is the Garden of Abode.
Nigh unto which is the Garden of Abode.
When that covered the lote-tree which did cover it!
Behold, the Lote - tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!)
When that which shroudeth did enshroud the lote - tree,
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!
The eye turned not aside nor yet was overbold.
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!
Verily he saw one of the greater revelations of his Lord.
Have you then considered Al-Lat, and Al-'Uzza (two idols of the pagan Arabs)
Have ye seen Lat. and 'Uzza,
Have ye thought upon Al - Lat and Al - 'Uzza
And Manat (another idol of the pagan Arabs), the other third?
And another, the third (goddess), Manat?
And Manat, the third, the other ?
Is it for you the males and for Him the females?
What! for you the male sex, and for Him, the female?
Are yours the males and His the females ?
That indeed is a division most unfair!
Behold, such would be indeed a division most unfair!
That indeed were an unfair division!
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!
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.
Or shall man have what he wishes?
Nay, shall man have (just) anything he hankers after?
Or shall man have what he coveteth ?
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.
But unto Allah belongeth the after (life), and the former.
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.
And how many angels are in the heavens whose intercession availeth naught save after Allah giveth leave to whom He chooseth and accepteth.
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.
Lo! it is those who disbelieve in the Hereafter who name the angels with the names of females.
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.
And they have no knowledge thereof. They follow but a guess, and lo! a guess can never take the place of the 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.
Therefore shun those who turn away from Our Message and desire 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Did you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) observe him who turned away (from Islam).
Seest thou one who turns back,
Didst thou (O Muhammad) observe him who turned away,
And gave a little, then stopped (giving)?
Gives a little, then hardens (his heart)?
And gave a little, then was grudging ?
Is with him the knowledge of the Unseen so that he sees?
What! Has he knowledge of the Unseen so that he can see?
Hath he knowledge of the Unseen so that he seeth ?
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 -
Or hath he not had news of 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 of Abraham who fulfilled his engagements? -
And Abraham who paid his debt:
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;
That no laden one shall bear another's load,
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 man hath only that for which he maketh effort,
And that his deeds will be seen.
That (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight:
And that his effort will be seen.
Then he will be recompensed with a full and the best recompense.
Then will he be rewarded with a reward complete;
And afterward he will be repaid for it with fullest payment;
And that to your Lord (Allah) is the End (Return of everything).
That to thy Lord is the final Goal;
And that thy Lord, He is the goal;
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 maketh laugh, and maketh weep,
And that it is He (Allah) Who causes death and gives life.
That it is He Who granteth Death and Life;
And that He it is Who giveth death and giveth life;
And that He (Allah) creates the pairs, male and female,
That He did create in pairs, - male and female,
And that He createth the two spouses, the male and the female,
From Nutfah (drops of semen - male and female discharges) when it is emitted.
From a seed when lodged (in its place);
From a drop (of seed) when it is poured 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 hath ordained the second bringing forth;
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 enricheth and contenteth;
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 it is Who is the Lord of Sirius;
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 that He destroyed the former (tribe of) A'ad,
And Thamud (people): He spared none of them.
And the Thamud nor gave them a lease of perpetual life.
And (the tribe of) Thamud He spared not;
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 the folk of Noah aforetime, Lo! they were more unjust and more rebellious;
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).
And Al - Mu'tafikah He destroyed
So there covered them that which did cover (i.e. torment with stones).
So that (ruins unknown) have covered them up.
So that there covered them that which did cover.
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?
Concerning which then, of the bounties of thy Lord, canst thou dispute ?
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!
This is a warner of the warners of old.
The Day of Resurrection draws near.
The (Judgment) ever approaching draws nigh:
The threatened Hour is nigh.
None besides Allah can avert it (or advance it or delay it).
No (soul) but Allah can lay it bare.
None beside Allah can disclose it.
Do you then wonder at this recitation (the Qur'an)?
Do ye then wonder at this recital?
Marvel ye then at this statement,
And you laugh at it and weep not,
And will ye laugh and not weep, -
And laugh and not weep,
Wasting your (precious) lifetime in pastime and amusements (singing, etc.).
Wasting your time in vanities?
While ye amuse yourselves ?
So fall you down in prostration to Allah and worship Him (Alone).
But fall ye down in prostration to Allah, and adore (Him)!
Rather prostrate yourselves before Allah and serve Him.