An-Najm

وَٱلنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَىٰ۝١

Saheeh InternationalBy the star when it descends,

Abdel HaleemBy the star when it sets!

مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَىٰ۝٢

Saheeh InternationalYour companion [i.e., Muḥammad] has not strayed, nor has he erred,

Abdel HaleemYour companion has not strayed; he is not deluded;

وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلْهَوَىٰٓ۝٣

Saheeh InternationalNor does he speak from [his own] inclination.

Abdel Haleemhe does not speak from his own desire.

إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْىٌ يُوحَىٰ۝٤

Saheeh InternationalIt is not but a revelation revealed,

Abdel HaleemThe Quran is nothing less than a revelation that is sent to him.

عَلَّمَهُۥ شَدِيدُ ٱلْقُوَىٰ۝٥

Saheeh InternationalTaught to him by one intense in strength [i.e., Gabriel] -

Abdel HaleemIt was taught to him by [an angel] with mighty powers

ذُو مِرَّةٍ فَٱسْتَوَىٰ۝٦

Saheeh InternationalOne of soundness. And he rose to [his] true form

Abdel Haleemand great strength, who stood

وَهُوَ بِٱلْأُفُقِ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ۝٧

Saheeh InternationalWhile he was in the higher [part of the] horizon.

Abdel Haleemon the highest horizon

ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّىٰ۝٨

Saheeh InternationalThen he approached and descended

Abdel Haleemand then approached––coming down

فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَىٰ۝٩

Saheeh InternationalAnd was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer.

Abdel Haleemuntil he was two bow-lengths away or even closer––

فَأَوْحَىٰٓ إِلَىٰ عَبْدِهِۦ مَآ أَوْحَىٰ۝١٠

Saheeh InternationalAnd he revealed to His Servant what he revealed [i.e., conveyed].

Abdel Haleemand revealed to God’s servant what He revealed.

مَا كَذَبَ ٱلْفُؤَادُ مَا رَأَىٰٓ۝١١

Saheeh InternationalThe heart did not lie [about] what it saw.

Abdel Haleem[The Prophet’s] own heart did not distort what he saw.

أَفَتُمَـٰرُونَهُۥ عَلَىٰ مَا يَرَىٰ۝١٢

Saheeh InternationalSo will you dispute with him over what he saw?

Abdel HaleemAre you going to dispute with him what he saw with his own eyes?

وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَىٰ۝١٣

Saheeh InternationalAnd he certainly saw him in another descent

Abdel HaleemA second time he saw him:

عِندَ سِدْرَةِ ٱلْمُنتَهَىٰ۝١٤

Saheeh InternationalAt the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary -

Abdel Haleemby the lote tree beyond which none may pass

عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰٓ۝١٥

Saheeh InternationalNear it is the Garden of Refuge [i.e., Paradise] -

Abdel Haleemnear the Garden of Restfulness,

إِذْ يَغْشَى ٱلسِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَىٰ۝١٦

Saheeh InternationalWhen there covered the Lote Tree that which covered [it].

Abdel Haleemwhen the tree was covered in nameless [splendour].

مَا زَاغَ ٱلْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَىٰ۝١٧

Saheeh InternationalThe sight [of the Prophet (ﷺ)] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit].

Abdel HaleemHis sight never wavered, nor was it too bold,

لَقَدْ رَأَىٰ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰٓ۝١٨

Saheeh InternationalHe certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.

Abdel Haleemand he saw some of the greatest signs of his Lord.

أَفَرَءَيْتُمُ ٱللَّـٰتَ وَٱلْعُزَّىٰ۝١٩

Saheeh InternationalSo have you considered al-Lāt and al-ʿUzzā?

Abdel Haleem[Disbelievers], consider al-Lat and al-Uzza,

وَمَنَوٰةَ ٱلثَّالِثَةَ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰٓ۝٢٠

Saheeh InternationalAnd Manāt, the third - the other one?

Abdel Haleemand the third one, Manat––

أَلَكُمُ ٱلذَّكَرُ وَلَهُ ٱلْأُنثَىٰ۝٢١

Saheeh InternationalIs the male for you and for Him the female?

Abdel Haleemare you to have the male and He the female?

تِلْكَ إِذًا قِسْمَةٌ ضِيزَىٰٓ۝٢٢

Saheeh InternationalThat, then, is an unjust division.

Abdel HaleemThat would be a most unjust distribution!––

إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّآ أَسْمَآءٌ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَـٰنٍ ۚ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ وَمَا تَهْوَى ٱلْأَنفُسُ ۖ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُم مِّن رَّبِّهِمُ ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ۝٢٣

Saheeh InternationalThey are not but [mere] names you have named them - you and your forefathers - for which Allāh 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.

Abdel Haleemthese are nothing but names you have invented yourselves, you and your forefathers. God has sent no authority for them. These people merely follow guesswork and the whims of their souls, even though guidance has come to them from their Lord.

أَمْ لِلْإِنسَـٰنِ مَا تَمَنَّىٰ۝٢٤

Saheeh InternationalOr is there for man whatever he wishes?

Abdel HaleemIs man to have everything he wishes for,

فَلِلَّهِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةُ وَٱلْأُولَىٰ۝٢٥

Saheeh InternationalRather, to Allāh belongs the Hereafter and the first [life].

Abdel Haleemwhen the present life and the life to come belong only to God?

۞ وَكَم مِّن مَّلَكٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ لَا تُغْنِى شَفَـٰعَتُهُمْ شَيْـًٔا إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ أَن يَأْذَنَ ٱللَّهُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَرْضَىٰٓ۝٢٦

Saheeh InternationalAnd how many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession will not avail at all except [only] after Allāh has permitted [it] to whom He wills and approves.

Abdel HaleemThere are many angels in heaven whose intercession will be of no use until God gives permission to those He will, whose words He will accept.

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ لَيُسَمُّونَ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةَ تَسْمِيَةَ ٱلْأُنثَىٰ۝٢٧

Saheeh InternationalIndeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter name the angels female names,

Abdel HaleemThose who deny the life to come give the angels female names.

وَمَا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍ ۖ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ ۖ وَإِنَّ ٱلظَّنَّ لَا يُغْنِى مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ شَيْـًٔا۝٢٨

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

Abdel HaleemThey have no knowledge to base this on: they merely follow guesswork. Guesswork is of no value against the Truth.

فَأَعْرِضْ عَن مَّن تَوَلَّىٰ عَن ذِكْرِنَا وَلَمْ يُرِدْ إِلَّا ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا۝٢٩

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

Abdel HaleemSo [Prophet] ignore those who turn away from Our revelation, who want only the life of this world.

ذَٰلِكَ مَبْلَغُهُم مِّنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ۝٣٠

Saheeh InternationalThat 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.

Abdel HaleemTheir knowledge does not go beyond that. Your Lord knows best who strays from His path and who follows guidance.

وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لِيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَـٰٓـُٔوا۟ بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ بِٱلْحُسْنَى۝٣١

Saheeh InternationalAnd to Allāh 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] -

Abdel HaleemEverything in the heavens and earth belongs to God. He will repay those who do evil according to their deeds, and reward, with what is best, those who do good.

ٱلَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبَـٰٓئِرَ ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْفَوَٰحِشَ إِلَّا ٱللَّمَمَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَٰسِعُ ٱلْمَغْفِرَةِ ۚ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ إِذْ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِذْ أَنتُمْ أَجِنَّةٌ فِى بُطُونِ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمْ ۖ فَلَا تُزَكُّوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۖ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰٓ۝٣٢

Saheeh InternationalThose 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.

Abdel HaleemAs for those who avoid grave sins and foul acts, though they may commit small sins, your Lord is ample in forgiveness. He has been aware of you from the time He produced you from the earth and from your hiding places in your mothers’ wombs, so do not assert your own goodness:He knows best who is mindful of Him.

أَفَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى تَوَلَّىٰ۝٣٣

Saheeh InternationalHave you seen the one who turned away

Abdel Haleem[Prophet], consider that man who turned away:

وَأَعْطَىٰ قَلِيلًا وَأَكْدَىٰٓ۝٣٤

Saheeh InternationalAnd gave a little and [then] refrained?

Abdel Haleemhe only gave a little and then he stopped.

أَعِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ فَهُوَ يَرَىٰٓ۝٣٥

Saheeh InternationalDoes he have knowledge of the unseen, so he sees?

Abdel HaleemDoes he have knowledge of the Unseen? Can he see [the Hereafter]?

أَمْ لَمْ يُنَبَّأْ بِمَا فِى صُحُفِ مُوسَىٰ۝٣٦

Saheeh InternationalOr has he not been informed of what was in the scriptures of Moses

Abdel HaleemHas he not been told what was written in the Scriptures of Moses

وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ ٱلَّذِى وَفَّىٰٓ۝٣٧

Saheeh InternationalAnd [of] Abraham, who fulfilled [his obligations] -

Abdel Haleemand of Abraham, who fulfilled his duty:

أَلَّا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ۝٣٨

Saheeh InternationalThat no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another

Abdel Haleemthat no soul shall bear the burden of another;

وَأَن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَـٰنِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰ۝٣٩

Saheeh InternationalAnd that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives

Abdel Haleemthat man will only have what he has worked towards;

وَأَنَّ سَعْيَهُۥ سَوْفَ يُرَىٰ۝٤٠

Saheeh InternationalAnd that his effort is going to be seen -

Abdel Haleemthat his labour will be seen

ثُمَّ يُجْزَىٰهُ ٱلْجَزَآءَ ٱلْأَوْفَىٰ۝٤١

Saheeh InternationalThen he will be recompensed for it with the fullest recompense -

Abdel Haleemand that in the end he will be repaid in full for it;

وَأَنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ ٱلْمُنتَهَىٰ۝٤٢

Saheeh InternationalAnd that to your Lord is the finality

Abdel Haleemthat the final goal is your Lord;

وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ أَضْحَكَ وَأَبْكَىٰ۝٤٣

Saheeh InternationalAnd that it is He who makes [one] laugh and weep

Abdel Haleemthat it is He who makes people laugh and weep;

وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ أَمَاتَ وَأَحْيَا۝٤٤

Saheeh InternationalAnd that it is He who causes death and gives life

Abdel Haleemthat it is He who gives death and life;

وَأَنَّهُۥ خَلَقَ ٱلزَّوْجَيْنِ ٱلذَّكَرَ وَٱلْأُنثَىٰ۝٤٥

Saheeh InternationalAnd that He creates the two mates - the male and female -

Abdel Haleemthat He Himself created the two sexes, male and female,

مِن نُّطْفَةٍ إِذَا تُمْنَىٰ۝٤٦

Saheeh InternationalFrom a sperm-drop when it is emitted

Abdel Haleemfrom an ejected drop of sperm;

وَأَنَّ عَلَيْهِ ٱلنَّشْأَةَ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰ۝٤٧

Saheeh InternationalAnd that [incumbent] upon Him is the other [i.e., next] creation.

Abdel Haleemthat He will undertake the second Creation;

وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ أَغْنَىٰ وَأَقْنَىٰ۝٤٨

Saheeh InternationalAnd that it is He who enriches and suffices

Abdel Haleemthat it is He who gives wealth and possessions;

وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلشِّعْرَىٰ۝٤٩

Saheeh InternationalAnd that it is He who is the Lord of Sirius.

Abdel Haleemthat He is the Lord of Sirius;

وَأَنَّهُۥٓ أَهْلَكَ عَادًا ٱلْأُولَىٰ۝٥٠

Saheeh InternationalAnd that He destroyed the first [people of] ʿAad.

Abdel Haleemthat it was He who destroyed, in their entirety, ancient 'Ad

وَثَمُودَا۟ فَمَآ أَبْقَىٰ۝٥١

Saheeh InternationalAnd Thamūd - and He did not spare [them] -

Abdel Haleemand Thamud,

وَقَوْمَ نُوحٍ مِّن قَبْلُ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ هُمْ أَظْلَمَ وَأَطْغَىٰ۝٥٢

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

Abdel Haleemand before them the people of Noah who were even more unjust and insolent;

وَٱلْمُؤْتَفِكَةَ أَهْوَىٰ۝٥٣

Saheeh InternationalAnd the overturned towns He hurled down.

Abdel Haleemthat it was He who brought down the ruined cities

فَغَشَّىٰهَا مَا غَشَّىٰ۝٥٤

Saheeh InternationalAnd covered them by that which He covered.

Abdel Haleemand enveloped them in the punishment He ordained for them?

فَبِأَىِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكَ تَتَمَارَىٰ۝٥٥

Saheeh InternationalThen which of the favors of your Lord do you doubt?

Abdel HaleemWhich then of your Lord’s blessings do you deny?

هَـٰذَا نَذِيرٌ مِّنَ ٱلنُّذُرِ ٱلْأُولَىٰٓ۝٥٦

Saheeh InternationalThis [Prophet (ﷺ)] is a warner from [i.e., like] the former warners.

Abdel HaleemThis is a warning just like the warnings sent in former times.

أَزِفَتِ ٱلْـَٔازِفَةُ۝٥٧

Saheeh InternationalThe Approaching Day has approached.

Abdel HaleemThe imminent Hour draws near

لَيْسَ لَهَا مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ كَاشِفَةٌ۝٥٨

Saheeh InternationalOf it, [from those] besides Allāh, there is no remover.

Abdel Haleemand only God can disclose it.

أَفَمِنْ هَـٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ تَعْجَبُونَ۝٥٩

Saheeh InternationalThen at this statement do you wonder?

Abdel HaleemDo you [people] marvel at this?

وَتَضْحَكُونَ وَلَا تَبْكُونَ۝٦٠

Saheeh InternationalAnd you laugh and do not weep

Abdel HaleemWhy do you laugh instead of weeping?

وَأَنتُمْ سَـٰمِدُونَ۝٦١

Saheeh InternationalWhile you are proudly sporting?

Abdel HaleemWhy do you pay no heed?

فَٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ ۩۝٦٢

Saheeh InternationalSo prostrate to Allāh and worship [Him].

Abdel HaleemBow down before God and worship.