53. The Star

By the Star when it goes down,-

Your Companion is neither astray norbeing misled.

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

It is no less than inspiration sent downto him:

He was taught by one Mighty in Power,

Endued with Wisdom: for he appeared (instately form);

While he was in the highest part of thehorizon:

Then he approached and came closer,

And was at a distance of but twobow-lengths or (even) nearer;

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

The (Prophet’s) (mind and) heart in noway falsified that which he saw.

Will ye then dispute with him concerningwhat he saw?

For indeed he saw him at a seconddescent,

Near the Lote-tree beyond which none maypass:

Near it is the Garden of Abode.

Behold, the Lote-tree was shrouded (inmystery unspeakable!)

(His) sight never swerved, nor did it gowrong!

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

Have ye seen Lat. and ‘Uzza,

And another, the third (goddess), Manat?

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

Behold, such would be indeed a divisionmost unfair!

These are nothing but names which yehave devised,- ye and your fathers,- for which Allah has sent down noauthority (whatever). They follow nothing but conjecture and what their ownsouls desire!- Even though there has already come to them Guidance fromtheir Lord!

Nay, shall man have (just) anything hehankers after?

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

How many-so-ever be the angels in theheavens, their intercession will avail nothing except after Allah has givenleave for whom He pleases and that he is acceptable to Him.

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

But they have no knowledge therein. Theyfollow nothing but conjecture; and conjecture avails nothing against Truth.

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

That is as far as knowledge will reachthem. Verily thy Lord knoweth best those who stray from His Path, and Heknoweth best those who receive guidance.

Yea, to Allah belongs all that is in theheavens and on earth: so that He rewards those who do evil, according totheir deeds, and He rewards those who do good, with what is best.

Those who avoid great sins and shamefuldeeds, only (falling into) small faults,- verily thy Lord is ample inforgiveness. He knows you well when He brings you out of the earth, And whenye are hidden in your mothers’ wombs. Therefore justify not yourselves: Heknows best who it is that guards against evil.

Seest thou one who turns back,

Gives a little, then hardens (hisheart)?

What! Has he knowledge of the Unseen sothat he can see?

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

And of Abraham who fulfilled hisengagements?-

Namely, that no bearer of burdens canbear the burden of another;

That man can have nothing but what hestrives for;

That (the fruit of) his striving willsoon come in sight:

Then will he be rewarded with a rewardcomplete;

That to thy Lord is the final Goal;

That it is He Who granteth Laughter andTears;

That it is He Who granteth Death andLife;

That He did create in pairs,- male andfemale,

From a seed when lodged (in its place);

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

That it is He Who giveth wealth andsatisfaction;

That He is the Lord of Sirius (theMighty Star);

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

And the Thamud nor gave them a lease ofperpetual life.

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

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

So that (ruins unknown) have coveredthem up.

Then which of the gifts of thy Lord, (Oman,) wilt thou dispute about?

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

The (Judgment) ever approaching drawsnigh:

No (soul) but Allah can lay it bare.

Do ye then wonder at this recital?

And will ye laugh and not weep,-

Wasting your time in vanities?

But fall ye down in prostration toAllah, and adore (Him)!