Surah 53. An-Najm The Star - English Translation

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Verses : 62
النجم
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In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

bookmark 1. By the star as it goes down.

1. وَٱلنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَىٰ

bookmark 2. Your friend has not gone astray, nor has he erred.

2. مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَىٰ

bookmark 3. Nor does he speak out of desire.

3. وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلْهَوَىٰٓ

bookmark 4. It is but a revelation revealed.

4. إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْىٌۭ يُوحَىٰ

bookmark 5. Taught to him by the Extremely Powerful.

5. عَلَّمَهُۥ شَدِيدُ ٱلْقُوَىٰ

bookmark 6. The one of vigor. He settled.

6. ذُو مِرَّةٍۢ فَٱسْتَوَىٰ

bookmark 7. While he was at the highest horizon.

7. وَهُوَ بِٱلْأُفُقِ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ

bookmark 8. Then he came near, and hovered around.

8. ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّىٰ

bookmark 9. He was within two bows’ length, or closer.

9. فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَىٰ

bookmark 10. Then He revealed to His servant what He revealed.

10. فَأَوْحَىٰٓ إِلَىٰ عَبْدِهِۦ مَآ أَوْحَىٰ

bookmark 11. The heart did not lie about what it saw.

11. مَا كَذَبَ ٱلْفُؤَادُ مَا رَأَىٰٓ

bookmark 12. Will you dispute with him concerning what he saw?

12. أَفَتُمَٰرُونَهُۥ عَلَىٰ مَا يَرَىٰ

bookmark 13. He saw him on another descent.

13. وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَىٰ

bookmark 14. At the Lotus Tree of the Extremity.

14. عِندَ سِدْرَةِ ٱلْمُنتَهَىٰ

bookmark 15. Near which is the Garden of Repose.

15. عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰٓ

bookmark 16. As there covered the Lotus Tree what covered it.

16. إِذْ يَغْشَى ٱلسِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَىٰ

bookmark 17. The sight did not waver, nor did it exceed.

17. مَا زَاغَ ٱلْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَىٰ

bookmark 18. He saw some of the Great Signs of his Lord.

18. لَقَدْ رَأَىٰ مِنْ ءَايَٰتِ رَبِّهِ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰٓ

bookmark 19. Have you considered al-Lat and al-Uzza?

19. أَفَرَءَيْتُمُ ٱللَّٰتَ وَٱلْعُزَّىٰ

bookmark 20. And Manat, the third one, the other?

20. وَمَنَوٰةَ ٱلثَّالِثَةَ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰٓ

bookmark 21. Are you to have the males, and He the females?

21. أَلَكُمُ ٱلذَّكَرُ وَلَهُ ٱلْأُنثَىٰ

bookmark 22. What a bizarre distribution.

22. تِلْكَ إِذًۭا قِسْمَةٌۭ ضِيزَىٰٓ

bookmark 23. These are nothing but names, which you have devised, you and your ancestors, for which God sent down no authority. They follow nothing but assumptions, and what the ego desires, even though guidance has come to them from their Lord.

23. إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّآ أَسْمَآءٌۭ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَٰنٍ ۚ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ وَمَا تَهْوَى ٱلْأَنفُسُ ۖ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُم مِّن رَّبِّهِمُ ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ

bookmark 24. Or is the human being to have whatever he desires?

24. أَمْ لِلْإِنسَٰنِ مَا تَمَنَّىٰ

bookmark 25. To God belong the Last and the First.

25. فَلِلَّهِ ٱلْءَاخِرَةُ وَٱلْأُولَىٰ

bookmark 26. How many an angel is there in the heavens whose intercession avails nothing, except after God gives permission to whomever He wills, and approves?

26. ۞ وَكَم مِّن مَّلَكٍۢ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ لَا تُغْنِى شَفَٰعَتُهُمْ شَيْـًٔا إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ أَن يَأْذَنَ ٱللَّهُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَرْضَىٰٓ

bookmark 27. Those who do not believe in the Hereafter give the angels the names of females.

27. إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ لَيُسَمُّونَ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةَ تَسْمِيَةَ ٱلْأُنثَىٰ

bookmark 28. They have no knowledge of that. They only follow assumptions, and assumptions are no substitute for the truth.

28. وَمَا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍ ۖ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ ۖ وَإِنَّ ٱلظَّنَّ لَا يُغْنِى مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ شَيْـًۭٔا

bookmark 29. So avoid him who has turned away from Our remembrance, and desires nothing but the present life.

29. فَأَعْرِضْ عَن مَّن تَوَلَّىٰ عَن ذِكْرِنَا وَلَمْ يُرِدْ إِلَّا ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا

bookmark 30. That is the extent of their knowledge. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best who has accepted guidance.

30. ذَٰلِكَ مَبْلَغُهُم مِّنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ

bookmark 31. To God belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. He will repay those who do evil according to their deeds, and recompense those who do good with the best.

31. وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لِيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَٰٓـُٔوا۟ بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ بِٱلْحُسْنَى

bookmark 32. Those who avoid gross sins and indecencies—except for minor lapses—your Lord is of Vast Forgiveness. He knows you well, ever since He created you from the earth, and ever since you were embryos in your mothers’ wombs. So do not acclaim your own virtue; He is fully aware of the righteous.

32. ٱلَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبَٰٓئِرَ ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْفَوَٰحِشَ إِلَّا ٱللَّمَمَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَٰسِعُ ٱلْمَغْفِرَةِ ۚ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ إِذْ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِذْ أَنتُمْ أَجِنَّةٌۭ فِى بُطُونِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمْ ۖ فَلَا تُزَكُّوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۖ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰٓ

bookmark 33. Have you considered him who turned away?

33. أَفَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى تَوَلَّىٰ

bookmark 34. And gave a little, and held back?

34. وَأَعْطَىٰ قَلِيلًۭا وَأَكْدَىٰٓ

bookmark 35. Does he possess knowledge of the unseen, and can therefore foresee?

35. أَعِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ فَهُوَ يَرَىٰٓ

bookmark 36. Or was he not informed of what is in the Scrolls of Moses?

36. أَمْ لَمْ يُنَبَّأْ بِمَا فِى صُحُفِ مُوسَىٰ

bookmark 37. And of Abraham, who fulfilled?

37. وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ ٱلَّذِى وَفَّىٰٓ

bookmark 38. That no soul bears the burdens of another soul.

38. أَلَّا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌۭ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ

bookmark 39. And that the human being attains only what he strives for.

39. وَأَن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَٰنِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰ

bookmark 40. And that his efforts will be witnessed.

40. وَأَنَّ سَعْيَهُۥ سَوْفَ يُرَىٰ

bookmark 41. Then he will be rewarded for it the fullest reward.

41. ثُمَّ يُجْزَىٰهُ ٱلْجَزَآءَ ٱلْأَوْفَىٰ

bookmark 42. And that to your Lord is the finality.

42. وَأَنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ ٱلْمُنتَهَىٰ

bookmark 43. And that it is He who causes laughter and weeping.

43. وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ أَضْحَكَ وَأَبْكَىٰ

bookmark 44. And that it is He who gives death and life.

44. وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ أَمَاتَ وَأَحْيَا

bookmark 45. And that it is He who created the two kinds—the male and the female.

45. وَأَنَّهُۥ خَلَقَ ٱلزَّوْجَيْنِ ٱلذَّكَرَ وَٱلْأُنثَىٰ

bookmark 46. From a sperm drop, when emitted.

46. مِن نُّطْفَةٍ إِذَا تُمْنَىٰ

bookmark 47. And that upon Him is the next existence.

47. وَأَنَّ عَلَيْهِ ٱلنَّشْأَةَ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰ

bookmark 48. And that it is He who enriches and impoverishes.

48. وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ أَغْنَىٰ وَأَقْنَىٰ

bookmark 49. And that it is He who is the Lord of Sirius.

49. وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلشِّعْرَىٰ

bookmark 50. And that it is He who destroyed the first Aad.

50. وَأَنَّهُۥٓ أَهْلَكَ عَادًا ٱلْأُولَىٰ

bookmark 51. And Thamood, sparing no one.

51. وَثَمُودَا۟ فَمَآ أَبْقَىٰ

bookmark 52. And the people of Noah before that; for they were most unjust and most oppressive.

52. وَقَوْمَ نُوحٍۢ مِّن قَبْلُ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ هُمْ أَظْلَمَ وَأَطْغَىٰ

bookmark 53. And He toppled the ruined cities.

53. وَٱلْمُؤْتَفِكَةَ أَهْوَىٰ

bookmark 54. And covered them with whatever covered them.

54. فَغَشَّىٰهَا مَا غَشَّىٰ

bookmark 55. So which of your Lord's marvels can you deny?

55. فَبِأَىِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكَ تَتَمَارَىٰ

bookmark 56. This is a warning, just like the first warnings.

56. هَٰذَا نَذِيرٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلنُّذُرِ ٱلْأُولَىٰٓ

bookmark 57. The inevitable is imminent.

57. أَزِفَتِ ٱلْءَازِفَةُ

bookmark 58. None besides God can unveil it.

58. لَيْسَ لَهَا مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ كَاشِفَةٌ

bookmark 59. Do you marvel at this discourse?

59. أَفَمِنْ هَٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ تَعْجَبُونَ

bookmark 60. And laugh, and do not weep?

60. وَتَضْحَكُونَ وَلَا تَبْكُونَ

bookmark 61. Lost in your frivolity?

61. وَأَنتُمْ سَٰمِدُونَ

bookmark 62. So bow down to God, and worship!

62. فَٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ ۩

Context of Revelation

Surah An-Najm (The Star) is a Meccan surah consisting of 62 verses. It was revealed in Mecca during a period when the Quraysh questioned the truth of the Prophet’s ﷺ mission. The surah takes its name from the opening verse, which swears “by the star when it descends,” a symbol of divine light guiding believers toward faith.

This is one of the earliest surahs in which the Prophet ﷺ is openly honored and defended by revelation. It powerfully affirms his authenticity and the divine origin of the Qur’an, ending with a call to prostrate before God—a command that moved all listeners to bow down upon its first recitation, including some of the disbelievers.

Main Teachings and Key Insights

Surah An-Najm emphasizes divine revelation, the Prophet’s mission, and the certainty of the Last Judgment. It corrects the idolaters’ misconceptions and reaffirms God’s greatness. Its central teachings include:

  • The truthfulness of the Prophet ﷺ: he speaks not from desire but from divine inspiration. (vv. 1–4)
  • The Prophet’s celestial vision during the Mi‘raj (spiritual ascension). (vv. 13–18)
  • The condemnation of the Meccan idols al-Lāt, al-‘Uzzā, and Manāt. (vv. 19–23)
  • The principle of moral accountability: every soul is responsible for its deeds. (vv. 38–41)
  • The affirmation of divine justice and mercy. (vv. 42–55)

The surah is renowned for its impact—its rhythm and eloquence left even the fiercest opponents awestruck, illustrating the inimitable power of the Qur’anic word.

Structure and Main Themes

  • Introduction (vv. 1–18): divine oath affirming the Prophet’s ﷺ truthfulness and his celestial vision.
  • Rejection of idolatry (vv. 19–30): critique of false deities and affirmation of God’s oneness.
  • Divine justice and responsibility (vv. 31–41): every individual will face the results of their actions.
  • Stories of past nations (vv. 42–55): reminders drawn from the destruction of former peoples.
  • Conclusion (vv. 56–62): final call to humility and prostration before the Almighty.

The tone of the surah is majestic, intense, and evocative. Its rhythm and imagery move between praise of the Prophet ﷺ and solemn warnings to those who deny the truth.

Key Verse

The central verses are verses 3–4:

وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ * إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَىٰ

He does not speak from his own desire; it is nothing but revelation sent down to him.

Why this verse is key:

  • It asserts the divine source of the Prophet’s message, refuting claims that the Qur’an was man-made.
  • It defines the foundation of Islamic prophethood: the Prophet ﷺ transmits God’s word without distortion.
  • It encapsulates the nature of the Qur’an—pure revelation, not human composition.

In summary, Surah An-Najm proclaims the truthfulness of the Prophet ﷺ, the divine purity of revelation, and the reality of the Day of Judgment. It marks a turning point in the early Meccan message through its unmatched eloquence and spiritual depth.

Surah An-Najm
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