Surah An-Najm
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
An Oath by the Star Confirms the Prophet's Revelation is Divine Truth, Not Personal Error
[1] By the Star (an-najmi; n-j-m) as it descends (hawā; h-w-y), (an oath validating the following truth). [2] Your companion (ṣāḥibukum) (Muhammad) has not erred (ḍalla; ḍ-l-l) nor gone astray (ghawā; gh-w-y). [3] Nor does he speak (yanṭiqu; n-ṭ-q) from (his own) desire (al-hawā; h-w-y). [4] It is only an inspiration (waḥyun; w-ḥ-y) revealed (yūḥā; w-ḥ-y). [5] He was taught (ʿallamahu; ʿ-l-m) by one (Gabriel) Mighty in Power (shadīdu al-quwā; sh-d-d, q-w-y). [6] (One) of great strength (dhū mirratin; m-r-r), who stood (fastawā; s-w-y) [7] (in his true angelic form) on the highest horizon (al-ufiqi al-aʿlā). [8] Then he (Gabriel) approached (danā; d-n-w) and descended (tadallā; d-l-w). [9] He was at a distance (qāba qawsayni) of two bow-lengths or nearer (adnā; d-n-w). [10] So He (Allah, through Gabriel) revealed (fa-awḥā; w-ḥ-y) to His servant (ʿabdihi; ʿ-b-d) what He revealed. [11] The heart (al-fuʾādu; f-ʾ-d) (of the Prophet) did not lie (kadhaba; k-dh-b) about what it saw (raʾā; r-ʾ-y).
• The Prophet's Vision at the Lote Tree Confirms the Reality of the Unseen
[12] (Rhetorical question): Will you then dispute (tumārūnahu; m-r-y) with him over what he saw? [13] And he certainly saw (raʾāhu) him (Gabriel) in another descent (nazlatan ukhrā; n-z-l). [14] Near the Lote Tree (sidrati; s-d-r) of the utmost boundary (al-muntahā; n-h-y) (the limit of creation's knowledge). [15] Near it is the Garden (jannatu) of Abode (al-maʾwā; ʾ-w-y). [16] When there covered (yaghshā; gh-sh-y) the Lote Tree what covered (mā yaghshā) (a dazzling, indescribable mystery). [17] The sight (al-baṣaru; b-ṣ-r) (of the Prophet) did not swerve (zāgha; z-y-gh) nor transgress (ṭaghā; ṭ-gh-y). [18] He certainly saw the greatest (al-kubrā; k-b-r) Signs (āyāti; ʾ-y-y) of his Lord (rabbihi; r-b-b).
• The Pagan Belief in Female Deities is an Unjust, Baseless Fabrication
[19] (A sudden shift in address to the pagans): Have you then considered (a-fa-raʾaytumu) Al-Lāt (al-lāta) and Al-ʿUzzā? [20] And Manāt (manāta), the third, the other? [21] (A sharp rhetorical rebuke): Is the male (adh-dhakaru; dh-k-r) for you and for Him the female (al-unthā; n-th)? (This refers to their hypocrisy of burying daughters yet assigning "daughters" to Allah). [22] That indeed is an unfair (ḍīzā; ḍ-y-z) division (qismatun)! [23] They are only names (asmāʾun; s-m-w) you have named (sammaytumūhā) – you and your fathers (ābāʾukum) – for which Allah has sent down (anzala; n-z-l) no authority (sulṭānin; s-l-ṭ). They follow (yattabiʿūna; t-b-ʿ) only assumption (aẓ-ẓanna; ẓ-n-n) and what their souls (al-anfusu; n-f-s) desire (tahwā), even though guidance (al-hudā; h-d-y) has come to them from their Lord. [24] Or shall man (al-insāni; ʾ-n-s) have whatever he wishes (tamannā; m-n-y)? [25] But to Allah belongs the End (al-ākhiratu) and the Beginning (al-ūlā).
• Intercession Belongs Only to Allah, Who Forgives Minor Sins for Those Who Avoid Grave Faults
[26] How many (kam) an angel (malakin; m-l-k) in the heavens (as-samāwāt) whose intercession (shafāʿatuhum; sh-f-ʿ) is of no use (lā tughnī) at all, except (illā) after Allah gives permission (yaʾdhana; ʾ-dh-n) for whom He wills (yashāʾu) and approves (yarḍā; r-ḍ-y). [27] Indeed, those who disbelieve (lā yuʾminūna; ʾ-m-n) in the Hereafter name the angels with female names (tasmiyata al-unthā). [28] They have no knowledge (ʿilmin; ʿ-l-m) of it; they follow only (aẓ-ẓanna), and assumption is no substitute (lā yughnī) for the truth (al-ḥaqqi; ḥ-q-q). [29] So turn away (fa-aʿriḍ; ʿ-r-ḍ) (O Prophet) from whoever turns away (tawallā; w-l-y) from Our remembrance (dhikrinā; dh-k-r) and desires (yurid; r-w-d) only the life (al-ḥayāta) of this world (ad-dunyā). [30] That is their limit (mablaghuhum; b-l-gh) of knowledge. Indeed, your Lord knows best (aʿlamu) who has strayed (ḍalla) from His path (sabīlihi; s-b-l) and who is guided (ihtadā; h-d-y). [31] To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth, that He may recompense (li-yajziya; j-z-y) the evil-doers (asāʾū) for what they did (ʿamilū) and reward those who do good (aḥsanū) with the best (al-ḥusnā; ḥ-s-n). [32] (The "good" are) those who avoid (yajtanibūna; j-n-b) major sins (kabāʾira al-ithmi; k-b-r, ʾ-th-m) and immoralities (al-fawāḥisha; f-ḥ-sh), except (illā) for minor faults (al-lamam). Indeed, your Lord is vast (wāsiʿu) in forgiveness (al-maghfirati; gh-f-r). He knew you best (aʿlamu) when He produced (anshaʾakum; n-sh-ʾ) you from the earth (al-arḍi; r-ḍ-w) and when you were fetuses (ajinnatun; j-n-n) in your mothers' wombs (buṭūni). So do not (falā) claim purity (tuzakkū; z-k-w) for yourselves (anfusakum); He knows best who has piety (ittaqa; w-q-y).
• Ancient Scriptures Affirm the Principle of Personal Accountability
[33] Have you seen (a-fa-raʾayta) the one who turned away (tawallā)? [34] Gave (aʿṭā; ʿ-ṭ-w) a little, then hardened (akdā; k-d-y) (his heart)? [35] Does he have (ʿindahu) knowledge (ʿilmu) of the Unseen (al-ghaybi; gh-y-b) so he can see (fa-huwa yarā)? [36] Or was he not informed (yunabbaʾ; n-b-ʾ) of what was in the scriptures (ṣuḥufi; ṣ-ḥ-f) of Musa (Moses)? [37] And Ibrahim (Abraham), who fulfilled (waffā; w-f-y) (his obligations)? [38] (The core principle is): That no bearer of burdens (wāziratun; w-z-r) shall bear (taziru) the burden (wizra) of another (ukhrā). [39] And that man (al-insāni) will have nothing except what he strives (saʿā; s-ʿ-y) for. [40] And that his striving (saʿyahu) will soon be seen (sawfa yurā). [41] Then he will be recompensed (yujzāhu) for it with the fullest (al-jadhāʾa al-awfā) recompense.
• The Final Return is to Your Lord, the Sole Master of Life, Death, Creation, and Destruction
[42] And that to your Lord (rabbika) is the final return (al-muntahā; n-h-y). [43] And that it is He Who makes (one) laugh (aḍḥaka; ḍ-ḥ-k) and weep (abkā; b-k-y). [44] And that it is He Who causes death (amāta; m-w-t) and gives life (aḥyā; ḥ-y-y). [45] And that it is He Who created (khalaqa) the two mates (az-zawjayni; z-w-j), the male (adh-dhakara) and the female (al-unthā). [46] From a sperm-drop (nuṭfatin; n-ṭ-f) when it is emitted (tumnā; m-n-y). [47] And that upon Him (is) the next (an-nashʾata al-ukhrā) creation (n-sh-ʾ). [48] And that it is He Who gives wealth (aghnā; gh-n-y) and contentment (aqnā; q-n-y). [49] And that He is the Lord of Sirius (ash-shiʿrā; sh-ʿ-r) (a star the pagans worshiped). [50] And that He destroyed (ahlaka; h-l-k) the first (people of) ʿĀd. [51] And Thamūd, sparing (abqā; b-q-y) none. [52] And the people of Nūḥ (Noah) before (qablu); indeed, they were more unjust (aẓlama) and rebellious (aṭghā). [53] And the overturned cities (al-muʾtafikata; ʾ-f-k) (of Sodom and Gomorrah) He brought down (ahwā; h-w-y). [54] So there covered (fa-ghashshāhā) them what covered (mā ghashshā). [55] (Rhetorical question): Then which (fa-bi-ayyi) of the favors (ālāʾi) of your Lord will you dispute (tatamārā; m-r-y)?
• This is a Final Warning of the Approaching Hour; Worship Allah and Do Not Be Heedless
[56] This (Prophet) is a warner (nadhīrun) like the warners (an-nudhuri) of old (al-ūlā). [57] The Approaching Hour (al-āzifatu; ʾ-z-f) has drawn near. [58] None (laysa) besides Allah can disclose (kāshifatun; k-sh-f) it. [59] (Rhetorical question): Do you then marvel (taʿjabūna; ʿ-j-b) at this (ḥadīthi) discourse? [60] And you laugh (taḍḥakūna) and do not weep (tabkūna; b-k-y)? [61] While you are engrossed (sāmidūna; s-m-d) in diversion? [62] (The final command): So prostrate (fa-usjudū; s-j-d) to Allah and worship (wa-uʿbudū; ʿ-b-d)!