:1. By the Star when it goes down,-
:2. Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled.
:3. Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) Desire.
:4. It is no less than inspiration sent down to him:
:5. He was taught by one Mighty in Power,
:6. Endued with Wisdom: for he appeared (in stately form);
:7. While he was in the highest part of the horizon:
:8. Then he approached and came closer,
:9. And was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer;
:10. So did (Allah) convey the inspiration to His Servant- (conveyed) what He (meant) to convey.
:11. The (Prophet's) (mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he saw.
:12. Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he saw?
:13. For indeed he saw him at a second descent,
:14. Near the Lote-tree beyond which none may pass:
:15. Near it is the Garden of Abode.
:16. Behold, the Lote-tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!)
:17. (His) sight never swerved, nor did it go wrong!
:18. For truly did he see, of the Signs of his Lord, the Greatest!
:19. Have ye seen Lat. and 'Uzza,
:20. And another, the third (goddess), Manat?
:21. What! for you the male sex, and for Him, the female?
:22. Behold, such would be indeed a division most unfair!
: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!
:24. Nay, shall man have (just) anything he hankers after?
:25. But it is to Allah that the End and the Beginning (of all things) belong.
: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.
