Chapter 53, 62 verses
By the Star when it goes down, -
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 is neither astray nor being misled.
Your comrade erreth not, nor is deceived;
Your companion (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) has neither gone astray nor has erred.
Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) Desire.
Nor doth he speak of (his own) desire.
Nor does he speak of (his own) desire.
It is no less than inspiration sent down to him:
It is naught save an inspiration that is inspired,
It is only a Revelation revealed.
He was taught by one Mighty in Power,
Which one of mighty powers hath taught him,
He has been taught (this Qur'an) by one mighty in power [Jibril (Gabriel)]
Endued with Wisdom: for he appeared (in stately 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 highest 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 came closer,
Then he drew nigh and came down
Then he [Jibril (Gabriel)] approached and came closer,
And was at a distance of but two bow - lengths or (even) nearer;
Till he was (distant) two bows' length or even nearer,
And was at a distance of two bows' length or (even) nearer.
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.
So (Allah) revealed to His slave [Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم through Jibril (Gabriel) عليه السلام] whatever He revealed.
The (Prophet's) (mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he 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.
Will ye then dispute with him concerning 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)]
For indeed he saw him at a second 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).
Near the Lote - tree beyond which none may pass:
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 Abode.
Nigh unto which is the Garden of Abode.
Near it is the Paradise of Abode.
Behold, the Lote - tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!)
When that which shroudeth did enshroud the lote - tree,
When that covered the lote-tree which did cover it!
(His) sight never swerved, nor did it go wrong!
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).
For truly did he see, of the Signs of his Lord, the Greatest!
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).
Have ye seen Lat. and '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 another, the third (goddess), Manat?
And Manat, the third, the other ?
And Manat (another idol of the pagan Arabs), the other third?
What! for you the male sex, and for Him, the female?
Are yours the males and His the females ?
Is it for you the males and for Him the females?
Behold, such would be indeed a division most unfair!
That indeed were an unfair division!
That indeed is a division most unfair!
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.
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!
Nay, shall man have (just) anything he hankers after?
Or shall man have what he coveteth ?
Or shall man have what he wishes?
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.
But to Allah belongs the last (Hereafter) and the first (the world).
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.
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.
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.
Verily, those who believe not in the Hereafter, name the angels with female names.
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.
But they have no knowledge thereof. They follow but a guess, and verily, guess is no substitute for the truth.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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).
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)].
Seest thou one who turns back,
Didst thou (O Muhammad) observe him who turned away,
Did you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) observe him who turned away (from Islam).
Gives a little, then hardens (his heart)?
And gave a little, then was grudging ?
And gave a little, then stopped (giving)?
What! Has he knowledge of the Unseen so that he can see?
Hath he knowledge of the Unseen so that he seeth ?
Is with him the knowledge of the Unseen so that he sees?
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
Or is he not with what is in the Pages (Scripture) of Musa (Moses),
And of Abraham who fulfilled his engagements? -
And Abraham who paid his debt:
And of Ibrahim (Abraham) who fulfilled (or conveyed) all that (Allah ordered him to do or convey):
Namely, that no bearer of burdens can 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.
That man can have nothing but what he strives for;
And that man hath only that for which he maketh effort,
And that man can have nothing but what he does (good or bad).
That (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight:
And that his effort will be seen.
And that his deeds will be seen.
Then will he be rewarded with a reward complete;
And afterward he will be repaid for it with fullest payment;
Then he will be recompensed with a full and the best recompense.
That to thy Lord is the final Goal;
And that thy Lord, He is the goal;
And that to your Lord (Allah) is the End (Return of everything).
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 makes (whom He wills) laugh, and makes (whom He wills) weep.
That it is He Who granteth Death and Life;
And that He it is Who giveth death and giveth life;
And that it is He (Allah) Who causes death and gives life.
That He did create in pairs, - 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 seed when lodged (in its place);
From a drop (of seed) when it is poured forth;
From Nutfah (drops of semen - male and female discharges) when it is emitted.
That He hath promised a Second Creation (Raising of the Dead);
And that He hath ordained the second bringing forth;
And that upon Him (Allah) is another bringing forth (Resurrection).
That it is He Who giveth wealth and satisfaction;
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)
That He is the Lord of Sirius (the Mighty Star);
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 it is He Who destroyed the (powerful) ancient 'Ad (people),
And that He destroyed the former (tribe of) A'ad,
And that it is He (Allah) Who destroyed the former 'Ad (people),
And the Thamud nor gave them a lease of perpetual life.
And (the tribe of) Thamud He spared not;
And Thamud (people): He spared none of them.
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 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 He destroyed the Overthrown Cities (of Sodom and Gomorrah).
And Al - Mu'tafikah He destroyed
And He destroyed the overthrown cities [of Sodom to which Prophet Lut (Lot) was sent].
So that (ruins unknown) have covered them up.
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 gifts of thy Lord, (O man,) wilt thou dispute about?
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 is a Warner, of the (series of) Warners of old!
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 (Judgment) ever approaching draws nigh:
The threatened Hour is nigh.
The Day of Resurrection draws near.
No (soul) but Allah can lay it bare.
None beside Allah can disclose it.
None besides Allah can avert it (or advance it or delay it).
Do ye then wonder at this recital?
Marvel ye then at this statement,
Do you then wonder at this recitation (the Qur'an)?
And will ye laugh and not weep, -
And laugh and not weep,
And you laugh at it and weep not,
Wasting your time in vanities?
While ye amuse yourselves ?
Wasting your (precious) lifetime in pastime and amusements (singing, etc.).
But fall ye down in prostration to Allah, and adore (Him)!
Rather prostrate yourselves before Allah and serve Him.
So fall you down in prostration to Allah and worship Him (Alone).