Surah An-Najm, verse 1
وَٱلنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَىٰBy the stars when they fade away!
An-Najm (Surah 53)
An-Najm (The Stars)
Makki SurahIntroduction
This Meccan sûrah takes its name from the reference to the fading of the stars in the first verse (as well as the last verse of the previous sûrah). The divine source of the Prophet’s message is emphasized, followed by reference to his ascension to heaven during the Night Journey (see the introduction to Sûrah 17). The pagans are condemned for associating idols with Allah in worship and for claiming that the angels are Allah’s daughters. Manifestations of Allah’s infinite power are cited to prove His ability to resurrect. Both the end of this sûrah and the beginning of the next stress the imminence of the Hour.
In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
The Prophet’s Encounter with Gabriel
1. By the stars when they fade away! 2. Your fellow man is neither misguided nor astray. 3. Nor does he speak of his own whims. 4. It is only a revelation sent down (to him). 5. He has been taught by one (angel) of mighty power 6. and great perfection, who once rose to (his) true form 7. while on the highest point above the horizon, 8. then he approached (the Prophet), coming so close 9. that he was only two arms-lengths away or even less. 10. Then Allah revealed to His servant what He revealed (through Gabriel). 11. The (Prophet’s) heart did not doubt what he saw. 12. How can you (O pagans) then dispute with him regarding what he saw? 13. And he certainly saw that (angel descend) a second time 14. at the Lote Tree of the most extreme limit (in the seventh heaven) 15. near which is the Garden of (Eternal) Residence 16. while the Lote Tree was overwhelmed with (heavenly) splendours! 17. The (Prophet’s) sight never wandered, nor did it overreach. 18. He certainly saw some of his Lord’s greatest signs.
وَٱلنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَىٰ
١
مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَىٰ٢
وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلْهَوَىٰٓ٣
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْىٌ يُوحَىٰ٤
عَلَّمَهُۥ شَدِيدُ ٱلْقُوَىٰ٥
ذُو مِرَّةٍ فَٱسْتَوَىٰ٦
وَهُوَ بِٱلْأُفُقِ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ٧
ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّىٰ٨
فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَىٰ٩
فَأَوْحَىٰٓ إِلَىٰ عَبْدِهِۦ مَآ أَوْحَىٰ١٠
مَا كَذَبَ ٱلْفُؤَادُ مَا رَأَىٰٓ١١
أَفَتُمَـٰرُونَهُۥ عَلَىٰ مَا يَرَىٰ١٢
وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَىٰ١٣
عِندَ سِدْرَةِ ٱلْمُنتَهَىٰ١٤
عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰٓ١٥
إِذْ يَغْشَى ٱلسِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَىٰ١٦
مَا زَاغَ ٱلْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَىٰ١٧
لَقَدْ رَأَىٰ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰٓ١٨
Surah 53 - An-Najm (The Stars) - Verses 1-18
Wake-up Call to Pagans
19. Now, have you considered (the idols of) Lât and ’Uzza, 20. and the third one, Manât, as well? 21. Do you (prefer to) have sons while (you attribute) to Him daughters? 22. Then this is (truly) a biased distribution! 23. These (idols) are mere names that you and your forefathers have made up —a practice Allah has never authorized. They follow nothing but (inherited) assumptions and whatever (their) souls desire, although (true) guidance has already come to them from their Lord. 24. Or should every person (simply) have whatever (intercessors) they desire? 25. In fact, to Allah (alone) belongs this world and the next. 26. (Imagine) how many (noble) angels are in the heavens! (Even) their intercession would be of no benefit whatsoever, until Allah gives permission to whoever He wills and (only for the people He) approves.
أَفَرَءَيْتُمُ ٱللَّـٰتَ وَٱلْعُزَّىٰ
١٩
وَمَنَوٰةَ ٱلثَّالِثَةَ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰٓ٢٠
أَلَكُمُ ٱلذَّكَرُ وَلَهُ ٱلْأُنثَىٰ٢١
تِلْكَ إِذًا قِسْمَةٌ ضِيزَىٰٓ٢٢
إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّآ أَسْمَآءٌ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَـٰنٍ ۚ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ وَمَا تَهْوَى ٱلْأَنفُسُ ۖ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُم مِّن رَّبِّهِمُ ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ٢٣
أَمْ لِلْإِنسَـٰنِ مَا تَمَنَّىٰ٢٤
فَلِلَّهِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةُ وَٱلْأُولَىٰ٢٥
۞ وَكَم مِّن مَّلَكٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ لَا تُغْنِى شَفَـٰعَتُهُمْ شَيْـًٔا إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ أَن يَأْذَنَ ٱللَّهُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَرْضَىٰٓ٢٦
Surah 53 - An-Najm (The Stars) - Verses 19-26
Are Angels Allah’s Daughters?
27. Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter label angels as female, 28. although they have no knowledge (in support) of this. They follow nothing but (inherited) assumptions. And surely assumptions can in no way replace the truth. 29. So turn away (O Prophet) from whoever has shunned Our Reminder, only seeking the (fleeting) life of this world. 30. This is the extent of their knowledge. Surely your Lord knows best who has strayed from His Way and who is (rightly) guided.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ لَيُسَمُّونَ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةَ تَسْمِيَةَ ٱلْأُنثَىٰ
٢٧
وَمَا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍ ۖ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ ۖ وَإِنَّ ٱلظَّنَّ لَا يُغْنِى مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ شَيْـًٔا٢٨
فَأَعْرِضْ عَن مَّن تَوَلَّىٰ عَن ذِكْرِنَا وَلَمْ يُرِدْ إِلَّا ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا٢٩
ذَٰلِكَ مَبْلَغُهُم مِّنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ٣٠
Surah 53 - An-Najm (The Stars) - Verses 27-30
Allah Knows Who Is Righteous
31. To Allah (alone) belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth so that He may reward the evildoers according to what they did, and reward the good-doers with the finest reward 32. those who avoid major sins and shameful deeds, despite (stumbling on) minor sins. Surely your Lord is infinite in forgiveness. He knew well what would become of you as He created you from the earth and while you were (still) fetuses in the wombs of your mothers. So do not (falsely) elevate yourselves. He knows best who is (truly) righteous.
وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لِيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَـٰٓـُٔوا بِمَا عَمِلُوا وَيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا بِٱلْحُسْنَى
٣١
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 تُزَكُّوٓا أَنفُسَكُمْ ۖ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰٓ٣٢
Surah 53 - An-Najm (The Stars) - Verses 31-32
Full text of Surah An-Najm with translation
Surah An-Najm, verse 2
مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَىٰYour fellow man is neither misguided nor astray.
Surah An-Najm, verse 3
وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلْهَوَىٰٓNor does he speak of his own whims.
Surah An-Najm, verse 4
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْىٌ يُوحَىٰIt is only a revelation sent down (to him).
Surah An-Najm, verse 5
عَلَّمَهُۥ شَدِيدُ ٱلْقُوَىٰHe has been taught by one (angel) of mighty power
Surah An-Najm, verse 6
ذُو مِرَّةٍ فَٱسْتَوَىٰand great perfection, who once rose to (his) true form
Surah An-Najm, verse 7
وَهُوَ بِٱلْأُفُقِ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰwhile on the highest point above the horizon,
Surah An-Najm, verse 8
ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّىٰthen he approached (the Prophet), coming so close
Surah An-Najm, verse 9
فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَىٰthat he was only two arms-lengths away or even less.
Surah An-Najm, verse 10
فَأَوْحَىٰٓ إِلَىٰ عَبْدِهِۦ مَآ أَوْحَىٰThen Allah revealed to His servant what He revealed (through Gabriel).
Surah An-Najm, verse 11
مَا كَذَبَ ٱلْفُؤَادُ مَا رَأَىٰٓThe (Prophet’s) heart did not doubt what he saw.
Surah An-Najm, verse 12
أَفَتُمَـٰرُونَهُۥ عَلَىٰ مَا يَرَىٰHow can you (O pagans) then dispute with him regarding what he saw?
Surah An-Najm, verse 13
وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَىٰAnd he certainly saw that (angel descend) a second time
Surah An-Najm, verse 14
عِندَ سِدْرَةِ ٱلْمُنتَهَىٰat the Lote Tree of the most extreme limit (in the seventh heaven)
Surah An-Najm, verse 15
عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰٓnear which is the Garden of (Eternal) Residence
Surah An-Najm, verse 16
إِذْ يَغْشَى ٱلسِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَىٰwhile the Lote Tree was overwhelmed with (heavenly) splendours!
Surah An-Najm, verse 17
مَا زَاغَ ٱلْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَىٰThe (Prophet’s) sight never wandered, nor did it overreach.
Surah An-Najm, verse 18
لَقَدْ رَأَىٰ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰٓHe certainly saw some of his Lord’s greatest signs.
Surah An-Najm, verse 19
أَفَرَءَيْتُمُ ٱللَّـٰتَ وَٱلْعُزَّىٰNow, have you considered (the idols of) Lât and ’Uzza,
Surah An-Najm, verse 20
وَمَنَوٰةَ ٱلثَّالِثَةَ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰٓand the third one, Manât, as well?
Surah An-Najm, verse 21
أَلَكُمُ ٱلذَّكَرُ وَلَهُ ٱلْأُنثَىٰDo you (prefer to) have sons while (you attribute) to Him daughters?
Surah An-Najm, verse 22
تِلْكَ إِذًا قِسْمَةٌ ضِيزَىٰٓThen this is (truly) a biased distribution!
Surah An-Najm, verse 23
إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّآ أَسْمَآءٌ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَـٰنٍ ۚ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ وَمَا تَهْوَى ٱلْأَنفُسُ ۖ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُم مِّن رَّبِّهِمُ ٱلْهُدَىٰٓThese (idols) are mere names that you and your forefathers have made up —a practice Allah has never authorized. They follow nothing but (inherited) assumptions and whatever (their) souls desire, although (true) guidance has already come to them from their Lord.
Surah An-Najm, verse 24
أَمْ لِلْإِنسَـٰنِ مَا تَمَنَّىٰOr should every person (simply) have whatever (intercessors) they desire?
Surah An-Najm, verse 25
فَلِلَّهِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةُ وَٱلْأُولَىٰIn fact, to Allah (alone) belongs this world and the next.
Surah An-Najm, verse 26
۞ وَكَم مِّن مَّلَكٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ لَا تُغْنِى شَفَـٰعَتُهُمْ شَيْـًٔا إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ أَن يَأْذَنَ ٱللَّهُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَرْضَىٰٓ(Imagine) how many (noble) angels are in the heavens! (Even) their intercession would be of no benefit whatsoever, until Allah gives permission to whoever He wills and (only for the people He) approves.
Surah An-Najm, verse 27
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ لَيُسَمُّونَ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةَ تَسْمِيَةَ ٱلْأُنثَىٰIndeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter label angels as female,
Surah An-Najm, verse 28
وَمَا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍ ۖ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ ۖ وَإِنَّ ٱلظَّنَّ لَا يُغْنِى مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ شَيْـًٔاalthough they have no knowledge (in support) of this. They follow nothing but (inherited) assumptions. And surely assumptions can in no way replace the truth.
Surah An-Najm, verse 29
فَأَعْرِضْ عَن مَّن تَوَلَّىٰ عَن ذِكْرِنَا وَلَمْ يُرِدْ إِلَّا ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَاSo turn away (O Prophet) from whoever has shunned Our Reminder, only seeking the (fleeting) life of this world.
Surah An-Najm, verse 30
ذَٰلِكَ مَبْلَغُهُم مِّنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰThis is the extent of their knowledge. Surely your Lord knows best who has strayed from His Way and who is (rightly) guided.
Surah An-Najm, verse 31
وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لِيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَـٰٓـُٔوا بِمَا عَمِلُوا وَيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا بِٱلْحُسْنَىTo Allah (alone) belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth so that He may reward the evildoers according to what they did, and reward the good-doers with the finest reward
Surah An-Najm, verse 32
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 تُزَكُّوٓا أَنفُسَكُمْ ۖ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰٓthose who avoid major sins and shameful deeds, despite (stumbling on) minor sins. Surely your Lord is infinite in forgiveness. He knew well what would become of you as He created you from the earth and while you were (still) fetuses in the wombs of your mothers. So do not (falsely) elevate yourselves. He knows best who is (truly) righteous.
Surah An-Najm, verse 33
أَفَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى تَوَلَّىٰHave you seen the one who turned away (from Islam,)
Surah An-Najm, verse 34
وَأَعْطَىٰ قَلِيلًا وَأَكْدَىٰٓand (initially) paid a little (for his salvation), and then stopped?
Surah An-Najm, verse 35
أَعِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ فَهُوَ يَرَىٰٓDoes he have the knowledge of the unseen so that he sees (the Hereafter)?
Surah An-Najm, verse 36
أَمْ لَمْ يُنَبَّأْ بِمَا فِى صُحُفِ مُوسَىٰOr has he not been informed of what is in the Scripture of Moses,
Surah An-Najm, verse 37
وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ ٱلَّذِى وَفَّىٰٓand (that of) Abraham, who (perfectly) fulfilled (his covenant)?
Surah An-Najm, verse 38
أَلَّا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ(They state) that no soul burdened with sin will bear the burden of another,
Surah An-Najm, verse 39
وَأَن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَـٰنِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰand that each person will only have what they endeavoured towards,
Surah An-Najm, verse 40
وَأَنَّ سَعْيَهُۥ سَوْفَ يُرَىٰand that (the outcome of) their endeavours will be seen (in their record),
Surah An-Najm, verse 41
ثُمَّ يُجْزَىٰهُ ٱلْجَزَآءَ ٱلْأَوْفَىٰthen they will be fully rewarded,
Surah An-Najm, verse 42
وَأَنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ ٱلْمُنتَهَىٰand that to your Lord (alone) is the ultimate return (of all things).
Surah An-Najm, verse 43
وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ أَضْحَكَ وَأَبْكَىٰMoreover, He is the One Who brings about joy and sadness.
Surah An-Najm, verse 44
وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ أَمَاتَ وَأَحْيَاAnd He is the One Who gives life and causes death.
Surah An-Najm, verse 45
وَأَنَّهُۥ خَلَقَ ٱلزَّوْجَيْنِ ٱلذَّكَرَ وَٱلْأُنثَىٰAnd He created the pairs—males and females
Surah An-Najm, verse 46
مِن نُّطْفَةٍ إِذَا تُمْنَىٰfrom a sperm-drop when it is emitted.
Surah An-Najm, verse 47
وَأَنَّ عَلَيْهِ ٱلنَّشْأَةَ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰAnd it is upon Him to bring about re-creation.
Surah An-Najm, verse 48
وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ أَغْنَىٰ وَأَقْنَىٰAnd He is the One Who enriches and impoverishes.
Surah An-Najm, verse 49
وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلشِّعْرَىٰAnd He alone is the Lord of Sirius.
Surah An-Najm, verse 50
وَأَنَّهُۥٓ أَهْلَكَ عَادًا ٱلْأُولَىٰAnd He destroyed the first (people of) ’Ȃd,
Surah An-Najm, verse 51
وَثَمُودَا فَمَآ أَبْقَىٰand (then) Thamûd, sparing no one.
Surah An-Najm, verse 52
وَقَوْمَ نُوحٍ مِّن قَبْلُ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا هُمْ أَظْلَمَ وَأَطْغَىٰAnd before (that He destroyed) the people of Noah, who were truly far worse in wrongdoing and transgression.
Surah An-Najm, verse 53
وَٱلْمُؤْتَفِكَةَ أَهْوَىٰAnd (it was) He (Who) turned the cities (of Sodom and Gomorrah) upside down.
Surah An-Najm, verse 54
فَغَشَّىٰهَا مَا غَشَّىٰHow overwhelming was what covered (them)!
Surah An-Najm, verse 55
فَبِأَىِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكَ تَتَمَارَىٰNow, which of your Lord’s favours will you dispute?
Surah An-Najm, verse 56
هَـٰذَا نَذِيرٌ مِّنَ ٱلنُّذُرِ ٱلْأُولَىٰٓThis (Prophet) is a warner like earlier ones.
Surah An-Najm, verse 57
أَزِفَتِ ٱلْـَٔازِفَةُThe approaching (Hour) has drawn near.
Surah An-Najm, verse 58
لَيْسَ لَهَا مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ كَاشِفَةٌNone but Allah can disclose it.
Surah An-Najm, verse 59
أَفَمِنْ هَـٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ تَعْجَبُونَDo you find this revelation astonishing,
Surah An-Najm, verse 60
وَتَضْحَكُونَ وَلَا تَبْكُونَlaughing (at it) and not weeping (in awe),
Surah An-Najm, verse 61
وَأَنتُمْ سَـٰمِدُونَwhile persisting in heedlessness?
Surah An-Najm, verse 62
فَٱسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ وَٱعْبُدُوا ۩Instead, prostrate to Allah and worship (Him alone)!