53: An-Najm النجم

Text and Translation

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

BISMIL LAAHIR RAHMAANIR RAHEEM

In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful

وَالنَّجْمِ اِذَا هَوٰىۙ‏(1)

WAN NAJME EZAA HAWAA.

By the star when it sets:

مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوٰى‌ۚ‏(2)

MAA ZALLA SAAHEBOKUM WA MAA GHAWAA.

your companion has neither gone astray, nor amiss.

وَمَا يَنْطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوٰىؕ‏(3)

WA MAA YANTEQO A’NIL HAWAA.

Nor does he speak out of [his own] desire:

اِنْ هُوَ اِلَّا وَحْىٌ يُّوْحٰىۙ‏(4)

IN HOWA ILLAA WAHYUN-Y YOOHAA.

it is just a revelation that is revealed [to him],

عَلَّمَهٗ شَدِيْدُ الْقُوٰىۙ‏(5)

A’LLAMAHU SHADEEDUL QOWAA.

taught him by one of great powers,

ذُوْ مِرَّةٍؕ فَاسْتَوٰىۙ‏(6)

ZOO MIRRAH, FASTAWAA.

possessed of sound judgement. He settled,

وَهُوَ بِالْاُفُقِ الْاَعْلٰى ؕ‏(7)

WA HOWA BIL-OFOQIL A-A’LAA.

while he was on the highest horizon.

ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلّٰىۙ‏(8)

SUMMA DANAA FA-TADALLAA.

Then he drew nearer and nearer

فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ اَوْ اَدْنٰى‌ۚ‏(9)

FA-KAANA QAABA QAWSAYNE AW ADNAA.

until he was within two bows’ length or even nearer,

فَاَوْحٰۤى الٰى عَبْدِهٖ مَاۤ اَوْحٰىؕ‏(10)

FA-AWHAA ELAA A’BDEHI MAA AWHAA.

whereat He revealed to His servant whatever He revealed.

مَا كَذَبَ الْفُؤَادُ مَا رَاٰى‏(11)

MAA KAZABAL FO-AADO MAA RA-AA.

The heart did not deny what it saw.

اَفَتُمٰرُوْنَهٗ عَلٰى مَا يَرٰى‏(12)

AFA-TOMAAROONAHU A’LAA MAA YARAA.

Will you then dispute with him about what he saw?!

وَلَقَدْ رَاٰهُ نَزْلَةً اُخْرٰىۙ‏(13)

WA LAQAD RA-AAHO NAZLATAN UKHRAA.

Certainly he saw it yet another time,

عِنْدَ سِدْرَةِ الْمُنْتَهٰى‏(14)

I’NDA SIDRATIL MUNTAHAA.

by the Lote Tree of the Ultimate Boundary,

عِنْدَهَا جَنَّةُ الْمَاْوٰىؕ‏(15)

I’NDAHAA JANNATUL MAAWAA.

near which is the Garden of the Abode,

اِذْ يَغْشَى السِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشٰىۙ‏(16)

IZ YAGHSHAS SIDRATA MAA YAGHSHAA.

when there covered the Lote Tree what covered it.

مَا زَاغَ الْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغٰى‏(17)

MAA ZAAGHAL BASARO WA MAA TAGHAA.

His gaze did not swerve, nor did it overstep the bounds.

لَقَدْ رَاٰى مِنْ اٰيٰتِ رَبِّهِ الْكُبْرٰى‏(18)

LAQAD RA-AA MIN AAYAATE RABBEHIL KUBRAA.

Certainly he saw some of the greatest signs of his Lord.

اَفَرَءَيْتُمُ اللّٰتَ وَالْعُزّٰىۙ‏(19)

AFA-RA-AYTOMUL LAATA WAL U’ZZAA.

Have you considered Lat and ‘Uzza?

وَمَنٰوةَ الثَّالِثَةَ الْاُخْرٰى‏(20)

WA MANAATAS SAALESATAL UKHRAA.

and Manat, the third one?

اَلَكُمُ الذَّكَرُ وَلَهُ الْاُنْثٰى‏(21)

ALAKOMUZ ZAKARO WA LAHUL UNSAA.

Are you to have males and He females?

تِلْكَ اِذًا قِسْمَةٌ ضِيْزٰى‏(22)

TILKA EZAN QISMATUN ZEEZAA.

That, then, will be an unfair division!

اِنْ هِىَ اِلَّاۤ اَسْمَآءٌ سَمَّيْتُمُوْهَاۤ اَنْتُمْ وَاٰبَآؤُكُمْ مَّاۤ اَنْزَلَ اللّٰهُ بِهَا مِنْ سُلْطٰنٍ‌ؕ اِنْ يَّتَّبِعُوْنَ اِلَّا الظَّنَّ وَمَا تَهْوَى الْاَنْفُسُ‌ۚ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُمْ مِّنْ رَّبِّهِمُ الْهُدٰىؕ‏(23)

IN HEYA ILLAA ASMAAA-UN SAMMAYTOMOOHAA ANTUM WA AABAAA-OKUM MAA ANZALAL LAAHO BEHAA MIN SULTAAN, IN-Y YATTABE-O’ONA ILLAZ ZANNA WA MAA TAHWAL ANFOS, WA LAQAD JAAA-AHUM MIR RABBEHEMUL HODAA.

These are but names, which you have coined—you and your fathers—for which Allah has not sent down any authority. They follow nothing but conjectures and the desires of the [lower] soul, while there has already come to them the guidance from their Lord.

اَمْ لِلْاِنْسَانِ مَا تَمَنّٰى  ۖ‏(24)

AM LIL-INSAANE MAA TAMANNAA.

Shall man have whatever he yearns for?

فَلِلّٰهِ الْاٰخِرَةُ وَالْاُوْلٰى‏(25)

FALILLAAHIL AAKHERATO WAL OOLAA.

Yet to Allah belong this world and the Hereafter.

وَكَمْ مِّنْ مَّلَكٍ فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ لَا تُغْنِىْ شَفَاعَتُهُمْ شَيْئًا اِلَّا مِنْۢ بَعْدِ اَنْ يَّاْذَنَ اللّٰهُ لِمَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَيَرْضٰى‏(26)

WA KAM MIM MALAKIN FIS SAMAAWAATE LAA TUGHNEE SHAFAA-A’TOHUM SHAY-AN ILLAA MIM BA’DE AN-Y YAAZANAL LAAHO LEMAN-Y YASHAAA-O WA YARZAA.

How many an angel there is in the heavens whose intercession is of not any avail, except after Allah permits whomever He wishes and approves of!

اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ لَا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِالْاٰخِرَةِ لَيُسَمُّوْنَ الْمَلٰٓئِكَةَ تَسْمِيَةَ الْاُنْثٰى‏(27)

INNAL LAZEENA LAA YOAMENOONA BIL-AAKHERATE LAYOSAMMOONAL MALAAA-EKATA TASMEYATAL UNSAA.

Indeed those who do not believe in the Hereafter give female names to the angels.

وَمَا لَهُمْ بِهٖ مِنْ عِلْمٍ‌ؕ اِنْ يَّتَّبِعُوْنَ اِلَّا الظَّنَّ‌ۚ وَاِنَّ الظَّنَّ لَا يُغْنِىْ مِنَ الْحَقِّ شَيْئًاۚ‏(28)

WA MAA LAHUM BEHI MIN I’LM, IN-Y YATTABE-O’ONA ILLAZ ZAN, WA INNAZ ZANNA LAA YUGHNEE MENAL HAQQE SHAY-AA.

They do not have any knowledge of that. They follow nothing but conjectures, and conjecture is no substitute for the truth.

فَاَعْرِضْ عَنْ مَّنْ تَوَلّٰى ۙ عَنْ ذِكْرِنَا وَلَمْ يُرِدْ اِلَّا الْحَيٰوةَ الدُّنْيَا ؕ‏(29)

FA-A-A’RIZ A’M MAN TAWALLAA, A’N ZIKRENAA WA LAM YORID ILLAL HAYAATAD DUNYAA.

So avoid those who turn away from Our remembrance and desire nothing but the life of the world.

ذٰ لِكَ مَبْلَغُهُمْ مِّنَ الْعِلْمِ‌ ؕ اِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ اَعْلَمُ بِمَنْ ضَلَّ عَنْ سَبِيْلِهٖ ۙ وَهُوَ اَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ اهْتَدٰى‏(30)

ZAALEKA MABLAGHOHUM MENAL I’LM, INNA RABBAKA HOWA A-A’LAMO BEMAN ZALLA A’N SABEELEHI, WA HOWA A-A’LAMO BEMANEH TADAA.

That is the ultimate reach of their knowledge. Indeed your Lord knows best those who stray from His way, and He knows best those who are [rightly] guided.

وَلِلّٰهِ مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِى الْاَرْضِۙ لِيَجْزِىَ الَّذِيْنَ اَسَآءُوْا بِمَا عَمِلُوْا وَيَجْزِىَ الَّذِيْنَ اَحْسَنُوْا بِالْحُسْنٰى‌ ۚ‏(31)

WA LILLAAHE MAA FIS SAMAAWAATE WA MAA FIL ARZE, LE-YAJZEYAL LAZEENA ASAAA-OO BEMAA A’MELOO WA YAJZEYAL LAZEENA AHSANOO BIL-HUSNAA.

To Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, that He may requite those who do evil for what they have done, and reward those who do good with the best [of rewards].

اَلَّذِيْنَ يَجْتَنِبُوْنَ كَبٰٓئِرَ الْاِثْمِ وَالْفوَاحِشَ اِلَّا اللَّمَمَ‌ؕ اِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَاسِعُ الْمَغْفِرَةِ‌ؕ هُوَ اَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ اِذْ اَنْشَاَكُمْ مِّنَ الْاَرْضِ وَاِذْ اَنْتُمْ اَجِنَّةٌ فِىْ بُطُوْنِ اُمَّهٰتِكُمْ‌ۚ فَلَا تُزَكُّوْۤا اَنْفُسَكُمْ‌ ؕ هُوَ اَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ اتَّقٰى‏(32)

LAZEENA YAJTANEBOONA KABAAA-ERAL ISME WAL FAWAAHESHA ILLAL LAMAM, INNA RABBAKA WAASE-U’L MAGHFERAH, HOWA A-A’LAMO BEKUM IZ ANSHA-AKUM MENAL ARZE WA IZ ANTUM AJINNATUN FEE BOTOONE UMMAHAATEKUM, FALAA TOZAKKOO ANFOSAKUM, HOWA A-A’LAMO BEMANIT TAQAA.

Those who avoid major sins and indecencies, apart from [minor and occasional] lapses. Indeed your Lord is expansive in [His] forgiveness. He knows you best since [the time] He produced you from the earth and since you were foetuses in the bellies of your mothers. So do not flaunt your piety: He knows best those who are Godwary.

اَفَرَءَيْتَ الَّذِىْ تَوَلّٰىۙ‏(33)

AFA-RA-AYTAL LAZEE TAWALLAA.

Did you see him who turned away,

وَاَعْطٰى قَلِيْلًا وَّاَكْدٰى‏(34)

WA A-A’TAA QALEELANW WA AKDAA.

gave a little and held off?

اَعِنْدَهٗ عِلْمُ الْغَيْبِ فَهُوَ يَرٰى‏(35)

A-I’NDAHU I’LMUL GHAYBE FAHOWA YARAA.

Does he have the knowledge of the Unseen so that he sees?

اَمْ لَمْ يُنَبَّاْ بِمَا فِىْ صُحُفِ مُوْسٰىۙ‏(36)

AM LAM YONABBAA BEMAA FEE SOHOFE MOOSAA.

Has he not been informed of what is in the scriptures of Moses,

وَاِبْرٰهِيْمَ الَّذِىْ وَفّٰىٓ ۙ‏(37)

WA IBRAAHEEMAL LAZEE WAFFAA.

and of Abraham, who fulfilled [his summons]:

اَلَّا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِّزْرَ اُخْرٰىۙ‏(38)

ALLAA TAZERO WAAZERATUNW WIZRA UKHRAA.

that no bearer shall bear another’s burden,

وَاَنْ لَّيْسَ لِلْاِنْسَانِ اِلَّا مَا سَعٰىۙ‏(39)

WA AL LAYSA LIL-INSAANE ILLAA MAA SA-A’A.

that nothing belongs to man except what he strives for,

وَاَنَّ سَعْيَهٗ سَوْفَ يُرٰى‏(40)

WA ANNA SA’YAHU SAWFA YORAA.

and that he will soon be shown his endeavour,

ثُمَّ يُجْزٰٮهُ الْجَزَآءَ الْاَوْفٰىۙ‏(41)

SUMMA YUJZAAHUL JAZAAA-AL AWFAA.

then he will be rewarded for it with the fullest reward;

وَاَنَّ اِلٰى رَبِّكَ الْمُنْتَهٰىۙ‏(42)

WA ANNA ELAA RABBEKAL MUNTAHAA.

that the terminus is toward your Lord,

وَاَنَّهٗ هُوَ اَضْحَكَ وَاَبْكٰىۙ‏(43)

WA ANNAHU HOWA AZHAKA WA ABKAA.

that it is He who makes [men] laugh, and weep,

وَاَنَّهٗ هُوَ اَمَاتَ وَ اَحْيَا ۙ‏(44)

WA ANNAHU HOWA AMAATA WA AHYAA.

that it is He who brings death and gives life,

وَاَنَّهٗ خَلَقَ الزَّوْجَيْنِ الذَّكَرَ وَالْاُنْثٰىۙ‏(45)

WA ANNAHU KHALAQAZ ZAWJAYNIZ ZAKARA WAL UNSAA.

that it is He who created the mates, the male and the female,

مِنْ نُّطْفَةٍ اِذَا تُمْنٰى‏(46)

MIN NUTFATIN EZAA TUMNAA.

from a drop of [seminal] fluid when emitted;

وَاَنَّ عَلَيْهِ النَّشْاَةَ الْاُخْرٰىۙ‏(47)

WA ANNA A’LAYHIN NASH-ATAL UKHRAA.

that with Him lies the second genesis,

وَاَنَّهٗ هُوَ اَغْنٰى وَ اَقْنٰىۙ‏(48)

WA ANNAHU HOWA AGHNAA WA AQNAA.

that it is He who enriches and grants possessions,

وَاَنَّهٗ هُوَ رَبُّ الشِّعْرٰىۙ‏(49)

WA ANNAHU HOWA RABBUSH SHE’RAA.

that it is He who is the Lord of Sirius;

وَاَنَّهٗۤ اَهْلَكَ عَادَا۟ اۨلْٮئُوْلٰى ۙ‏(50)

WA ANNAHU AHLAKA A’ADANIL OOLAA.

that it is He who destroyed the former ‘Ad,

وَثَمُوْدَا۟ فَمَاۤ اَبْقٰىۙ‏(51)

WA SAMOODA FAMAA ABQAA.

and Thamud, sparing none [of them];

وَقَوْمَ نُوْحٍ مِّنْ قَبْلُ‌ؕ اِنَّهُمْ كَانُوْا هُمْ اَظْلَمَ وَاَطْغٰىؕ‏(52)

WA QAWMA NOOHIM MIN QABL, INNAHUM KAANOO HUM AZLAMA WA ATGHAA.

and the people of Noah before that; indeed they were more unjust and rebellious;

وَالْمُؤْتَفِكَةَ اَهْوٰىۙ‏(53)

WAL MOATAFEKATA AHWAA.

and He overthrew the town that was overturned,

فَغَشّٰٮهَا مَا غَشّٰى‌ۚ‏(54)

FA-GHASH-SHAAHAA MAA GHASH-SHAA.

covering it with what covered it.

فَبِاَىِّ اٰلَاۤءِ رَبِّكَ تَتَمَارٰى‏(55)

FABE-AYYE AALAAA-E RABBEKA TATAMAARAA.

Then which of the bounties of your Lord will you dispute?

هٰذَا نَذِيْرٌ مِّنَ النُّذُرِ الْاُوْلٰٓى‏(56)

HAAZAA NAZEERUM MENAN NOZORIL OOLAA.

This is a warner, [in the tradition] of the warners of old.

اَزِفَتِ الْاٰزِفَةُ‌ۚ‏(57)

AZEFATIL AAZEFAH.

The Imminent [Hour] is near at hand.

لَيْسَ لَهَا مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ كَاشِفَةٌ ؕ‏(58)

LAYSA LAHAA MIN DOONIL LAAHE KAASHEFAH.

There is none who may unveil it besides Allah.

اَفَمِنْ هٰذَا الْحَدِيْثِ تَعْجَبُوْنَۙ‏(59)

AFAMIN HAAZAL HADEESE TA’JABOON.

Will you then wonder at this discourse,

وَتَضْحَكُوْنَ وَلَا تَبْكُوْنَۙ‏(60)

WA TAZHAKOONA WA LAA TABKOON.

and laugh and not weep,

وَاَنْتُمْ سٰمِدُوْنَ‏(61)

WA ANTUM SAAMEDOON.

while you remain heedless?!

فَاسْجُدُوْا لِلّٰهِ وَاعْبُدُوْا ۩‏(62)

FASJODOO LILLAAHE WA’BODOO.

So prostrate yourselves to Allah and worship Him!