Chapter 53, 62 verses
By the star when it descends,
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).
Your companion [Muhammad] has not strayed, nor has he erred,
Your comrade erreth not, nor is deceived;
Your companion (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) has neither gone astray nor has erred.
Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination.
Nor doth he speak of (his own) desire.
Nor does he speak of (his own) desire.
It is not but a revelation revealed,
It is naught save an inspiration that is inspired,
It is only a Revelation revealed.
Taught to him by one intense in strength -
Which one of mighty powers hath taught him,
He has been taught (this Qur'an) by one mighty in power [Jibril (Gabriel)]
One of soundness. And he rose to [his] true form
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.
While he was in the higher [part of the] horizon.
When he was on the uppermost horizon.
While he [Jibril (Gabriel)] was in the highest part of the horizon, (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
Then he approached and descended
Then he drew nigh and came down
Then he [Jibril (Gabriel)] approached and came closer,
And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer.
Till he was (distant) two bows' length or even nearer,
And was at a distance of two bows' length or (even) nearer.
And he revealed to His Servant what he revealed.
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.
The heart did not lie [about] what it saw.
The heart lied not (in seeing) what it saw.
The (Prophet's) heart lied not in what he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) saw.
So will you dispute with him over what 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)]
And he certainly saw him in another descent
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).
At the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary -
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 it is the Garden of Refuge -
Nigh unto which is the Garden of Abode.
Near it is the Paradise of Abode.
When there covered the Lote Tree that which covered [it].
When that which shroudeth did enshroud the lote - tree,
When that covered the lote-tree which did cover it!
The sight [of the Prophet] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit].
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).
He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.
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).
So have you considered al - Lat and al - 'Uzza?
Have ye thought upon Al - Lat and Al - 'Uzza
Have you then considered Al-Lat, and Al-'Uzza (two idols of the pagan Arabs)
And Manat, the third - the other one?
And Manat, the third, the other ?
And Manat (another idol of the pagan Arabs), the other third?
Is the male for you and for Him the female?
Are yours the males and His the females ?
Is it for you the males and for Him the females?
That, then, is an unjust division.
That indeed were an unfair division!
That indeed is a division most unfair!
They are not but [mere] names you have named them - you and your forefathers - for which Allah has sent down no authority. They follow not except assumption and what [their] souls desire, and there has already come to them from their Lord guidance.
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!
Or is there for man whatever he wishes?
Or shall man have what he coveteth ?
Or shall man have what he wishes?
Rather, to Allah belongs the Hereafter and the first [life].
But unto Allah belongeth the after (life), and the former.
But to Allah belongs the last (Hereafter) and the first (the world).
And how many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession will not avail at all except [only] after Allah has permitted [it] to whom He wills and approves.
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.
Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter name the angels female names,
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.
And they have thereof no knowledge. They follow not except assumption, and indeed, assumption avails not against the truth at all.
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.
So turn away from whoever turns his back on Our message and desires not except the worldly life.
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.
That is their sum of knowledge. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who strays from His way, and He is most knowing of who is guided.
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.
And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth - that He may recompense those who do evil with [the penalty of] what they have done and recompense those who do good with the best [reward] -
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).
Those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, only [committing] slight ones. Indeed, your Lord is vast in forgiveness. He was most knowing of you when He produced you from the earth and when you were fetuses in the wombs of your mothers. So do not claim yourselves to be pure; He is most knowing of who fears Him.
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)].
Have you seen the one who turned away
Didst thou (O Muhammad) observe him who turned away,
Did you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) observe him who turned away (from Islam).
And gave a little and [then] refrained?
And gave a little, then was grudging ?
And gave a little, then stopped (giving)?
Does he have knowledge of the unseen, so he sees?
Hath he knowledge of the Unseen so that he seeth ?
Is with him the knowledge of the Unseen so that he sees?
Or has he not been of what was in the scriptures of Moses
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),
And [of] Abraham, who fulfilled [his obligations] -
And Abraham who paid his debt:
And of Ibrahim (Abraham) who fulfilled (or conveyed) all that (Allah ordered him to do or convey):
That no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another
That no laden one shall bear another's load,
That no burdened person (with sins) shall bear the burden (sins) of another.
And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives
And that man hath only that for which he maketh effort,
And that man can have nothing but what he does (good or bad).
And that his effort is going to be seen -
And that his effort will be seen.
And that his deeds will be seen.
Then he will be recompensed for it with the fullest recompense
And afterward he will be repaid for it with fullest payment;
Then he will be recompensed with a full and the best recompense.
And that to your Lord is the finality
And that thy Lord, He is the goal;
And that to your Lord (Allah) is the End (Return of everything).
And that it is He who makes [one] laugh and weep
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.
And that it is He who causes death and gives life
And that He it is Who giveth death and giveth life;
And that it is He (Allah) Who causes death and gives life.
And that He creates the two mates - the male and female -
And that He createth the two spouses, the male and the female,
And that He (Allah) creates the pairs, male and female,
From a sperm - drop when it is emitted
From a drop (of seed) when it is poured forth;
From Nutfah (drops of semen - male and female discharges) when it is emitted.
And that [incumbent] upon Him is the next creation
And that He hath ordained the second bringing forth;
And that upon Him (Allah) is another bringing forth (Resurrection).
And that it is He who enriches and suffices
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)
And that it is He who is the Lord of Sirius
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).
And that He destroyed the first [people of] 'Aad
And that He destroyed the former (tribe of) A'ad,
And that it is He (Allah) Who destroyed the former 'Ad (people),
And Thamud - and He did not spare [them] -
And (the tribe of) Thamud He spared not;
And Thamud (people): He spared none of them.
And the people of Noah before. Indeed, it was they who were [even] more unjust and oppressing.
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 the overturned towns He hurled down
And Al - Mu'tafikah He destroyed
And He destroyed the overthrown cities [of Sodom to which Prophet Lut (Lot) was sent].
And covered them by that which He covered.
So that there covered them that which did cover.
So there covered them that which did cover (i.e. torment with stones).
Then which of the favors of your Lord do you doubt?
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?
This [Prophet] is a warner like the former warners.
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.
The Approaching Day has approached.
The threatened Hour is nigh.
The Day of Resurrection draws near.
Of it, [from those] besides Allah, there is no remover.
None beside Allah can disclose it.
None besides Allah can avert it (or advance it or delay it).
Then at this statement do you wonder?
Marvel ye then at this statement,
Do you then wonder at this recitation (the Qur'an)?
And you laugh and do not weep
And laugh and not weep,
And you laugh at it and weep not,
While you are proudly sporting?
While ye amuse yourselves ?
Wasting your (precious) lifetime in pastime and amusements (singing, etc.).
So prostrate to Allah and worship [Him].
Rather prostrate yourselves before Allah and serve Him.
So fall you down in prostration to Allah and worship Him (Alone).