Al Najm

1 By the Star when it goes down, -

1 In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. By the star when it goes down (or vanishes).

1 By the star when it descends,

1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. By the Star when it setteth,

2 Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled.

2 Your companion (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) has neither gone astray nor has erred.

2 Your companion [Muhammad] has not strayed, nor has he erred,

2 Your comrade erreth not, nor is deceived;

3 Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) Desire.

3 Nor does he speak of (his own) desire.

3 Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination.

3 Nor doth he speak of (his own) desire.

4 It is no less than inspiration sent down to him:

4 It is only a Revelation revealed.

4 It is not but a revelation revealed,

4 It is naught save an inspiration that is inspired,

5 He was taught by one Mighty in Power,

5 He has been taught (this Qur'an) by one mighty in power [Jibril (Gabriel)]

5 Taught to him by one intense in strength -

5 Which one of mighty powers hath taught him,

6 Endued with Wisdom: for he appeared (in stately form);

6 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.

6 One of soundness. And he rose to [his] true form

6 One vigorous; and he grew clear to view

7 While he was in the highest part of the horizon:

7 While he [Jibril (Gabriel)] was in the highest part of the horizon, (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

7 While he was in the higher [part of the] horizon.

7 When he was on the uppermost horizon.

8 Then he approached and came closer,

8 Then he [Jibril (Gabriel)] approached and came closer,

8 Then he approached and descended

8 Then he drew nigh and came down

9 And was at a distance of but two bow - lengths or (even) nearer;

9 And was at a distance of two bows' length or (even) nearer.

9 And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer.

9 Till he was (distant) two bows' length or even nearer,

10 So did (Allah) convey the inspiration to His Servant - (conveyed) what He (meant) to convey.

10 So (Allah) revealed to His slave [Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم through Jibril (Gabriel) عليه السلام] whatever He revealed.

10 And he revealed to His Servant what he revealed.

10 And He revealed unto His slave that which He revealed.

11 The (Prophet's) (mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he saw.

11 The (Prophet's) heart lied not in what he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) saw.

11 The heart did not lie [about] what it saw.

11 The heart lied not (in seeing) what it saw.

12 Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he saw?

12 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)]

12 So will you dispute with him over what he saw?

12 Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he seeth ?

13 For indeed he saw him at a second descent,

13 And indeed he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) saw him [Jibril (Gabriel)] at a second descent (i.e. another time).

13 And he certainly saw him in another descent

13 And verily he saw him yet another time

14 Near the Lote - tree beyond which none may pass:

14 Near Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (a lote-tree of the utmost boundary over the seventh heaven beyond which none can pass).

14 At the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary -

14 By the lote - tree of the utmost boundary,

15 Near it is the Garden of Abode.

15 Near it is the Paradise of Abode.

15 Near it is the Garden of Refuge -

15 Nigh unto which is the Garden of Abode.

16 Behold, the Lote - tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!)

16 When that covered the lote-tree which did cover it!

16 When there covered the Lote Tree that which covered [it].

16 When that which shroudeth did enshroud the lote - tree,

17 (His) sight never swerved, nor did it go wrong!

17 The sight (of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) turned not aside (right or left), nor it transgressed beyond the limit (ordained for it).

17 The sight [of the Prophet] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit].

17 The eye turned not aside nor yet was overbold.

18 For truly did he see, of the Signs of his Lord, the Greatest!

18 Indeed he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) did see of the Greatest Signs, of his Lord (Allah).

18 He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.

18 Verily he saw one of the greater revelations of his Lord.

19 Have ye seen Lat. and 'Uzza,

19 Have you then considered Al-Lat, and Al-'Uzza (two idols of the pagan Arabs)

19 So have you considered al - Lat and al - 'Uzza?

19 Have ye thought upon Al - Lat and Al - 'Uzza

20 And another, the third (goddess), Manat?

20 And Manat (another idol of the pagan Arabs), the other third?

20 And Manat, the third - the other one?

20 And Manat, the third, the other ?

21 What! for you the male sex, and for Him, the female?

21 Is it for you the males and for Him the females?

21 Is the male for you and for Him the female?

21 Are yours the males and His the females ?

22 Behold, such would be indeed a division most unfair!

22 That indeed is a division most unfair!

22 That, then, is an unjust division.

22 That indeed were an unfair division!

23 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!

23 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!

23 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.

23 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.

24 Nay, shall man have (just) anything he hankers after?

24 Or shall man have what he wishes?

24 Or is there for man whatever he wishes?

24 Or shall man have what he coveteth ?

25 But it is to Allah that the End and the Beginning (of all things) belong.

25 But to Allah belongs the last (Hereafter) and the first (the world).

25 Rather, to Allah belongs the Hereafter and the first [life].

25 But unto Allah belongeth the after (life), and the former.

26 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.

26 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.

26 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.

26 And how many angels are in the heavens whose intercession availeth naught save after Allah giveth leave to whom He chooseth and accepteth.

27 Those who believe not in the Hereafter, name the angels with female names.

27 Verily, those who believe not in the Hereafter, name the angels with female names.

27 Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter name the angels female names,

27 Lo! it is those who disbelieve in the Hereafter who name the angels with the names of females.

28 But they have no knowledge therein. They follow nothing but conjecture; and conjecture avails nothing against Truth.

28 But they have no knowledge thereof. They follow but a guess, and verily, guess is no substitute for the truth.

28 And they have thereof no knowledge. They follow not except assumption, and indeed, assumption avails not against the truth at all.

28 And they have no knowledge thereof. They follow but a guess, and lo! a guess can never take the place of the truth.

29 Therefore shun those who turn away from Our Message and desire nothing but the life of this world.

29 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.

29 So turn away from whoever turns his back on Our message and desires not except the worldly life.

29 Then withdraw (O Muhammad) from him who fleeth from Our remembrance and desireth but the life of the world.

30 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.

30 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.

30 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.

30 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.

31 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.

31 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).

31 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] -

31 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.

32 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.

32 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)].

32 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.

32 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).

33 Seest thou one who turns back,

33 Did you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) observe him who turned away (from Islam).

33 Have you seen the one who turned away

33 Didst thou (O Muhammad) observe him who turned away,

34 Gives a little, then hardens (his heart)?

34 And gave a little, then stopped (giving)?

34 And gave a little and [then] refrained?

34 And gave a little, then was grudging ?

35 What! Has he knowledge of the Unseen so that he can see?

35 Is with him the knowledge of the Unseen so that he sees?

35 Does he have knowledge of the unseen, so he sees?

35 Hath he knowledge of the Unseen so that he seeth ?

36 Nay, is he not acquainted with what is in the Books of Moses -

36 Or is he not informed with what is in the Pages (Scripture) of Musa (Moses),

36 Or has he not been informed of what was in the scriptures of Moses

36 Or hath he not had news of what is in the books of Moses

37 And of Abraham who fulfilled his engagements? -

37 And of Ibrahim (Abraham) who fulfilled (or conveyed) all that (Allah ordered him to do or convey):

37 And [of] Abraham, who fulfilled [his obligations] -

37 And Abraham who paid his debt:

38 Namely, that no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another;

38 That no burdened person (with sins) shall bear the burden (sins) of another.

38 That no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another

38 That no laden one shall bear another's load,

39 That man can have nothing but what he strives for;

39 And that man can have nothing but what he does (good or bad).

39 And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives

39 And that man hath only that for which he maketh effort,

40 That (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight:

40 And that his deeds will be seen.

40 And that his effort is going to be seen -

40 And that his effort will be seen.

41 Then will he be rewarded with a reward complete;

41 Then he will be recompensed with a full and the best recompense.

41 Then he will be recompensed for it with the fullest recompense

41 And afterward he will be repaid for it with fullest payment;

42 That to thy Lord is the final Goal;

42 And that to your Lord (Allah) is the End (Return of everything).

42 And that to your Lord is the finality

42 And that thy Lord, He is the goal;

43 That it is He Who granteth Laughter and Tears;

43 And that it is He (Allah) Who makes (whom He wills) laugh, and makes (whom He wills) weep.

43 And that it is He who makes [one] laugh and weep

43 And that He it is who maketh laugh, and maketh weep,

44 That it is He Who granteth Death and Life;

44 And that it is He (Allah) Who causes death and gives life.

44 And that it is He who causes death and gives life

44 And that He it is Who giveth death and giveth life;

45 That He did create in pairs, - male and female,

45 And that He (Allah) creates the pairs, male and female,

45 And that He creates the two mates - the male and female -

45 And that He createth the two spouses, the male and the female,

46 From a seed when lodged (in its place);

46 From Nutfah (drops of semen - male and female discharges) when it is emitted.

46 From a sperm - drop when it is emitted

46 From a drop (of seed) when it is poured forth;

47 That He hath promised a Second Creation (Raising of the Dead);

47 And that upon Him (Allah) is another bringing forth (Resurrection).

47 And that [incumbent] upon Him is the next creation

47 And that He hath ordained the second bringing forth;

48 That it is He Who giveth wealth and satisfaction;

48 And that it is He (Allah) Who gives much or a little (of wealth and contentment)

48 And that it is He who enriches and suffices

48 And that He it is Who enricheth and contenteth;

49 That He is the Lord of Sirius (the Mighty Star);

49 And that He (Allah) is the Lord of Sirius (the star which the pagan Arabs used to worship).

49 And that it is He who is the Lord of Sirius

49 And that He it is Who is the Lord of Sirius;

50 And that it is He Who destroyed the (powerful) ancient 'Ad (people),

50 And that it is He (Allah) Who destroyed the former 'Ad (people),

50 And that He destroyed the first [people of] 'Aad

50 And that He destroyed the former (tribe of) A'ad,

51 And the Thamud nor gave them a lease of perpetual life.

51 And Thamud (people): He spared none of them.

51 And Thamud - and He did not spare [them] -

51 And (the tribe of) Thamud He spared not;

52 And before them, the people of Noah, for that they were (all) most unjust and most insolent transgressors,

52 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].

52 And the people of Noah before. Indeed, it was they who were [even] more unjust and oppressing.

52 And the folk of Noah aforetime, Lo! they were more unjust and more rebellious;

53 And He destroyed the Overthrown Cities (of Sodom and Gomorrah).

53 And He destroyed the overthrown cities [of Sodom to which Prophet Lut (Lot) was sent].

53 And the overturned towns He hurled down

53 And Al - Mu'tafikah He destroyed

54 So that (ruins unknown) have covered them up.

54 So there covered them that which did cover (i.e. torment with stones).

54 And covered them by that which He covered.

54 So that there covered them that which did cover.

55 Then which of the gifts of thy Lord, (O man,) wilt thou dispute about?

55 Then which of the Graces of your Lord (O man!) will you doubt?

55 Then which of the favors of your Lord do you doubt?

55 Concerning which then, of the bounties of thy Lord, canst thou dispute ?

56 This is a Warner, of the (series of) Warners of old!

56 This (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) is a warner (Messenger) of the (series of) warners (Messengers) of old.

56 This [Prophet] is a warner like the former warners.

56 This is a warner of the warners of old.

57 The (Judgment) ever approaching draws nigh:

57 The Day of Resurrection draws near.

57 The Approaching Day has approached.

57 The threatened Hour is nigh.

58 No (soul) but Allah can lay it bare.

58 None besides Allah can avert it (or advance it or delay it).

58 Of it, [from those] besides Allah, there is no remover.

58 None beside Allah can disclose it.

59 Do ye then wonder at this recital?

59 Do you then wonder at this recitation (the Qur'an)?

59 Then at this statement do you wonder?

59 Marvel ye then at this statement,

60 And will ye laugh and not weep, -

60 And you laugh at it and weep not,

60 And you laugh and do not weep

60 And laugh and not weep,

61 Wasting your time in vanities?

61 Wasting your (precious) lifetime in pastime and amusements (singing, etc.).

61 While you are proudly sporting?

61 While ye amuse yourselves ?

62 But fall ye down in prostration to Allah, and adore (Him)!

62 So fall you down in prostration to Allah and worship Him (Alone).

62 So prostrate to Allah and worship [Him].

62 Rather prostrate yourselves before Allah and serve Him.