Chapter 53, 62 verses
By the star when it descends,
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, -
Your companion [Muhammad] has not strayed, nor has he erred,
Your companion (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) has neither gone astray nor has erred.
Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled.
Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination.
Nor does he speak of (his own) desire.
Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) Desire.
It is not but a revelation revealed,
It is only a Revelation revealed.
It is no less than inspiration sent down to him:
Taught to him by one intense in strength -
He has been taught (this Qur'an) by one mighty in power [Jibril (Gabriel)]
He was taught by one Mighty in Power,
One of soundness. And he rose to [his] true form
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);
While he was in the higher [part of the] horizon.
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:
Then he approached and descended
Then he [Jibril (Gabriel)] approached and came closer,
Then he approached and came closer,
And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer.
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;
And he revealed to His Servant what he revealed.
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.
The heart did not lie [about] what it saw.
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.
So will you dispute with him over what 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 saw?
And he certainly saw him in another descent
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,
At 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 the Lote - tree beyond which none may pass:
Near it is the Garden of Refuge -
Near it is the Paradise of Abode.
Near it is the Garden of Abode.
When there covered the Lote Tree that which covered [it].
When that covered the lote-tree which did cover it!
Behold, the Lote - tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!)
The sight [of the Prophet] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit].
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!
He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.
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!
So have you considered al - Lat and al - 'Uzza?
Have you then considered Al-Lat, and Al-'Uzza (two idols of the pagan Arabs)
Have ye seen Lat. and 'Uzza,
And Manat, the third - the other one?
And Manat (another idol of the pagan Arabs), the other third?
And another, the third (goddess), Manat?
Is the male for you and for Him the female?
Is it for you the males and for Him the females?
What! for you the male sex, and for Him, the female?
That, then, is an unjust division.
That indeed is a division most unfair!
Behold, such would be indeed 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 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!
Or is there for man whatever he wishes?
Or shall man have what he wishes?
Nay, shall man have (just) anything he hankers after?
Rather, to Allah belongs the Hereafter and the first [life].
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.
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 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.
Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter name the angels female names,
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.
And they have thereof no knowledge. They follow not except assumption, and indeed, assumption avails not against the truth at all.
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.
So turn away from whoever turns his back on Our message and desires not except the worldly life.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
Have you seen the one who turned away
Did you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) observe him who turned away (from Islam).
Seest thou one who turns back,
And gave a little and [then] refrained?
And gave a little, then stopped (giving)?
Gives a little, then hardens (his heart)?
Does he have knowledge of the unseen, so he sees?
Is with him the knowledge of the Unseen so that he sees?
What! Has he knowledge of the Unseen so that he can see?
Or has he not been of what was in the scriptures of Moses
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 -
And [of] Abraham, who fulfilled [his obligations] -
And of Ibrahim (Abraham) who fulfilled (or conveyed) all that (Allah ordered him to do or convey):
And of Abraham who fulfilled his engagements? -
That no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another
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;
And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives
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 his effort is going to be seen -
And that his deeds will be seen.
That (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight:
Then he will be recompensed for it with the fullest recompense
Then he will be recompensed with a full and the best recompense.
Then will he be rewarded with a reward complete;
And that to your Lord is the finality
And that to your Lord (Allah) is the End (Return of everything).
That to thy Lord is the final Goal;
And that it is He who makes [one] laugh and weep
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 it is He who causes death and gives life
And that it is He (Allah) Who causes death and gives life.
That it is He Who granteth Death and Life;
And that He creates the two mates - the male and female -
And that He (Allah) creates the pairs, male and female,
That He did create in pairs, - male and female,
From a sperm - drop when it is emitted
From Nutfah (drops of semen - male and female discharges) when it is emitted.
From a seed when lodged (in its place);
And that [incumbent] upon Him is the next creation
And that upon Him (Allah) is another bringing forth (Resurrection).
That He hath promised a Second Creation (Raising of the Dead);
And that it is He who enriches and suffices
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 it is He who is the Lord of Sirius
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 destroyed the first [people of] 'Aad
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 Thamud - and He did not spare [them] -
And Thamud (people): He spared none of them.
And the Thamud nor gave them a lease of perpetual life.
And the people of Noah before. Indeed, it was they who were [even] more unjust and oppressing.
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 overturned towns He hurled down
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 covered them by that which He covered.
So there covered them that which did cover (i.e. torment with stones).
So that (ruins unknown) have covered them up.
Then which of the favors of your Lord do you doubt?
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?
This [Prophet] is a warner like the former warners.
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!
The Approaching Day has approached.
The Day of Resurrection draws near.
The (Judgment) ever approaching draws nigh:
Of it, [from those] besides Allah, there is no remover.
None besides Allah can avert it (or advance it or delay it).
No (soul) but Allah can lay it bare.
Then at this statement do you wonder?
Do you then wonder at this recitation (the Qur'an)?
Do ye then wonder at this recital?
And you laugh and do not weep
And you laugh at it and weep not,
And will ye laugh and not weep, -
While you are proudly sporting?
Wasting your (precious) lifetime in pastime and amusements (singing, etc.).
Wasting your time in vanities?
So prostrate to Allah and worship [Him].
So fall you down in prostration to Allah and worship Him (Alone).
But fall ye down in prostration to Allah, and adore (Him)!