By the Star when it goes down (and sets)—
Your Companion (the Prophet) is not in evil ways and (he is) not being misled
And he does not say (anything) from (his own) desire
It is nothing less than Revelation sent down to him
He was taught by one (Angel Gabriel, who is) mighty in power
Gifted with wisdom, because he came clearly (in a noble way from limit of understanding to High Throne of Allah.
While he was in the highest place of the horizon (in the distant skies)
Then he approached (nearer) and came closer
And was at a distance of only two bow-lengths (of spiritual union) or even nearer
Like this (Allah) brought the Revelation (and the Message) to His servant (the Prophet)— (made known) what He (wanted) to reveal
The (mind and) heart (of the Prophet) in no way lied about what he saw
Then will you disagree with him about what he saw
And indeed, he (the Prophet) truly saw him (Gabriel) as (he) came down second (time)
Near the lote-tree (a thorny but a fruit bearing tree in Middle East beyond which none may pass: Symbolically, it is the limit of human understanding)
Near it is the Garden of Abode (Allah’s Divine Presence and His Paradise.
When the lote-tree was covered (in mystic wisdom that cannot be spoken!
The (Prophet’s) vision (of Angel Gabriel) was never broken and it did not go wrong
Indeed he (the Prophet) saw, from the Signs of his Lord, the Greatest
Have you seen Al-Lat and Al-Uzza, (two forms of pagan Arabs goddesses in human forms
And another, the third (goddess), Manat
What (silliness)! For you (yourselves) the male sex, and for Him, the female
That indeed, such a division will truly be most unjust
These are nothing (at all) except names that you have made up— You and your fathers— For which Allah has not sent down any authority (whatever). They follow nothing but their own guesswork and what their own souls wish! Even though, already there has come to them guidance from their Lord
No! Shall man have anything (just because) he wishes for it
But it is Allah to Whom the end and the beginning (of everything) belong
And there are many angels in the heavens, their pleading will be of no use except after Allah has given permission for whom He pleases and that he is acceptable to Him
Verily, those who do not believe in the Hereafter, give names to the angels that are female name
But they do not have knowledge about it. They follow nothing except (their) guesswork; And, surely, guesswork is of no use against Truth
Therefore keep away from those who turn away from Our Message and (those who) want nothing except the life of this world
That is as far as knowledge will reach them. Surely, your Lord knows best those who wander away from His Path, and He knows best those who receive guidance
And, to Allah belongs all there is in the heavens and on earth: So He rewards those who do evil, according to their actions, and He rewards those who do good, with what is best
Those who keep away from great sins and shameful deeds, only (being caught up in) small faults— Surely, your Lord is plentiful in forgiveness. He knows you well when he creates you out of the earth (your chromosomes), and when you are hidden in your mothers’ wombs. Therefore do not justify yourselves: He knows best who it is who keeps away evil
Do you see the one who turns back (from Faith)
Gives (in) a little then hardens his heart (and his feelings)
Does he have knowledge about the unseen so that he can see
No! Is he not familiar with what is in the books of Musa (Moses)—
And of Ibrahim (Abraham) who filled his promises
Namely, that no bearer of burdens can carry the burden of another
And that man can have nothing except what he works (hard) for
That (the fruit of) his work will soon come in sight
Then will he be rewarded with a complete reward
And that the final Goal is to your Lord
That it is He Who gives laughter and tears
That it is He Who causes death and gives life (again)
And that He created in pairs— Male and female
From a seed when placed (finally in the womb)
And that He has promised a second Creation (by raising the dead at Resurrection)
And that it is He Who gives wealth and satisfaction
That He is the Lord of Sirius (Shi'ra, the Mighty Star in the constellation of Canis Major
And that it is He Who destroyed the (powerful) 'Ad (people) of the old
And the Samood (Thamud), and (He) did not grant them an eternal life
And before them, the people of Nuh (Noah) because they were (all) most unjust and most arrogant (people) exceeding their limits
And He destroyed the defeated Cities (of Sodom and Gomorrah)
So that (soil and debris) have covered them up
Then which of the gifts of your Lord (O man) will you question
This is a warner (the Prophet), from the (number of) warners of old
The (Judgment) ever approaching comes nearer
None besides Allah, can alter (the timing of) it
Then, do you wonder at (the recitation of) this message
And will you laugh and not weep—
Wasting your time in useless things
But you fall down in prostration to Allah, and (adoringly) worship (Him)