053 An-Najm

Your companion [i.e., the Prophet] has neither strayed nor is he deluded.

Nor does he speak out of his own desire.

It is but a revelation sent down [to him].

He was taught by [an angel of] mighty power[1],

Translation notes: [1] i.e., the angel Gabriel.

and of great perfection[2], who manifested himself [in his true form][3]

Translation notes: [2] i.e., the strength of body and mind. [3] Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Prophet (ﷺ) only twice in his angelic form: once at the outset of the Prophet’s mission (as he manifested himself, filling the horizon, so the Prophet (ﷺ) lost his consciousness), and another time during the Prophet’s ascension to the seventh heaven where he directly received from Allah the order to pray five times a day. See 17:1.

when he was on the higher horizon[4].

Translation notes: [4] i.e., above the eastern horizon in the sky where the sun rises.

Then he approached [the Prophet] and descended,

until he was only two bow-lengths away or even closer.

Then he revealed to His slave[5] what he had to reveal.

Translation notes: [5] i.e., the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

The [Prophet’s] heart[6] did not deny what he saw.

Translation notes: [6] i.e., his mind or perception.

Do you dispute with him concerning what he saw?

He certainly saw him a second time[7]

Translation notes: [7] i.e., During his ascent (al-Mi‘rāj) to the heavens, he saw Gabriel in his true angelic form.

at the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary [in the seventh heaven]

near which is the Garden of Abode,

when the Lote Tree was overwhelmed with [divine] splendors.

His gaze did not wander, nor did it look beyond the limit.

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

Have you [O disbelievers] thought about [the idols of] Lāt and ‘Uzzā,

and Manāt, the third one as well[8]?

Translation notes: [8] These were three well-known idols or goddesses worshiped by Arab pagans before the advent of Islam.

Do you choose for yourselves males and for Him females?

That is then an unfair division!

These [idols] are no more than names you and your forefathers have made up[9], for which Allah has not sent down any authority. They follow nothing but conjecture and what their souls desire, although there has come to them guidance from their Lord.

Translation notes: [9] i.e., You have considered them gods while in fact, they are not.

Is it that man can get whatever he wishes for[10]?

Translation notes: [10] The pagans worshiped these idols wishing that they would intercede for them on the Day of Resurrection. See 39:3.

Rather, to Allah belongs the Hereafter and this world.

How many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession will be of no avail except after Allah’s permission to whom He wills and pleases.

Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter give the angels female names.

They have no knowledge about it. They only follow conjecture, but conjecture is of no avail against the truth.

So pay no heed to those who turn away from Our message[11] and who only seek the life of this world.

Translation notes: [11] i.e., the Qur’an.

That is the limit of their knowledge. Indeed, your Lord knows best who has strayed from His Way, and He knows best who is guided.

To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth, so that He may recompense the evildoers for what they did, and reward those who do good with the best reward[12],

Translation notes: [12] i.e., Paradise.

those who avoid major sins and shameful acts, except for minor lapses. Indeed, your Lord is ample in forgiveness. He knows you best, as He created you from the earth[13] and when you were fetuses in the wombs of your mothers[14]. So do not claim purity for yourselves, for He knows best who is truly righteous.

Translation notes: [13] i.e., created your father, Adam. [14] See footnote 31:34.

Have you seen the one who turned away [from Islam],

who gave a little, and then stopped?

Does he have knowledge of the unseen, so he has insight[15]?

Translation notes: [15] i.e., the knowledge that his wealth will be exhausted if he spends on the poor, while Allah has promised that it nourishes wealth.

Or has he not been informed of what is in the Scriptures of Moses,

and of Abraham, who fulfilled his duty?

That no bearer of burden will bear the burden of another,

and that man will not receive except what he strives for,

and that his efforts will be examined,

then he will be recompensed in full,

and that to your Lord is the final return,

and that He is the One Who makes people laugh and weep[16],

Translation notes: [16] i.e., brings happiness or sadness to people.

and that He is the One Who causes death and gives life,

and that He created the pairs, male and female,

from a drop of sperm when it is emitted,

and it is upon Him to bring about the second creation.

And He is the One Who enriches and bestows wealth,

and that He is the Lord of Sirius[17].

Translation notes: [17] i.e., a star worshiped by some pagans before Islam.

And that He destroyed the earlier ‘Ād[18],

Translation notes: [18] i.e., the people of Prophet Hūd.

and Thamūd[19], sparing none,

Translation notes: [19] i.e., the people of Prophet Sālih, who are called second Ād.

and [He destroyed] the people of Noah before them; they were indeed more wicked and more rebellious.

And He toppled the cities[20] upside down,

Translation notes: [20] Of Sodom and Gomorrah whose dwellers defied Prophet Lot (عليه السلام).

and they were utterly covered [by stones][21].

Translation notes: [21] They were rained by stones.

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

This [Prophet] is a warner like the earlier warners.

The imminent Hour has drawn near,

none but Allah can disclose it.

Do you find this discourse astonishing,

and you laugh [at it] and not weep,

while heedlessly lost in amusement?

So prostrate to Allah and worship [Him].