An-Najm | The Star
[53:1] By the star when it goes down to set,
[53:2] your fellow (the Holy Prophet) has neither missed the way, nor did he deviate.
[53:3] He does not speak out of (his own) desire.
[53:4] It is but revelation revealed (to him).
[53:5] It is taught to him by one (angel) of strong faculties,
[53:6] the one of vigour. So he stood poised,
[53:7] while he was on the upper horizon.
[53:8] Then he drew near, and came down,
[53:9] so as he was at a distance like that of two bows (joined together), rather even nearer.
[53:10] Thus He (Allah) revealed to His slave what He revealed.
[53:11] The heart did not err in what he saw.
[53:12] Do you quarrel with him in what he sees?
[53:13] Indeed he saw him another time
[53:14] by Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (the lote-tree in the upper realm),
[53:15] near which there is Jannat-ul-Ma‘wa (the Paradise of Abode),
[53:16] when the lote-tree was covered by that which covered it.
[53:17] The eye neither went wrong nor did exceed the limit.
[53:18] He has indeed seen a part of the biggest signs of your Lord.
[53:19] Have you ever considered about the (idols of) Lat and Uzza,
[53:20] and about the other, the third (idol), namely, Manat?,
[53:21] Is it that you have males and He (Allah) has females?
[53:22] If so, it is a bizarre division.
[53:23]
These are nothing but names you and your fathers have invented; Allah has sent down no authority attached to them. They are following nothing but conjecture and what their own souls desire, while guidance from their Lord has surely reached them.
[53:24] Is it that man can get whatever he wishes?
[53:25] (No,) because to Allah alone belongs the (good of) the Hereafter and the former life (of this world).
[53:26] How many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession cannot benefit (anyone) at all, but after Allah allows (it) for whomsoever He wills and pleases.
[53:27] Those who do not believe in the Hereafter call the angels by the names of females.
[53:28] They do not have knowledge about it. They follow nothing but conjecture, and conjecture is of no avail in (the matter of) Truth.
[53:29] So, turn away from him who turns away from Our advice, and seeks nothing but (pleasure of) the worldly life.
[53:30] That is the limit of their access to knowledge. Indeed only your Lord knows well about the one who has gone astray from his way, and He knows well about the one who has adopted the right path.
[53:31] To Allah belongs whatever there is in the heavens and whatever there is in the earth, so that He gives punishment to evildoers for what they did, and gives good reward to those who did good,
[53:32] those who abstain from the major sins and from shameful acts, except minor involvements. Indeed your Lord is extensive in forgiveness. He knows you more than anyone else (from a time) when He created you from the earth and when you were embryos in the wombs of your mothers. So, do not claim purity (from faults) for your selves. He knows best who is God-fearing.
[53:33] Did you see the one who turned away,
[53:34] and gave a little, and stopped?
[53:35] Does he have knowledge of the Unseen whereby he sees (what he believes)?
[53:36]
Has he not been told of what was (revealed) in the scriptures of Musa
[53:37] and of Ibrahim who fulfilled (his duties)?
[53:38] (It was) that no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of the other,
[53:39] and that a man shall not deserve but (the reward of) his own effort,
[53:40] and that his effort will soon be seen,
[53:41] then he will be recompensed for it in full,
[53:42] and that to your Lord is the end (of everyone),
[53:43] and that He is the One who makes (one) laugh and makes (him) weep,
[53:44] and that He is the One who gives death and gives life,
[53:45] and that He creates the pairs, male and female,
[53:46] from a sperm-drop when it is poured (into a womb),
[53:47] and that the second creation is undertaken by Him,
[53:48] and that He is the One who gives wealth and preserves (it),
[53:49] and that He is the One who is the Lord of Sirius (the star worshipped by pagans),
[53:50] and that He has destroyed the earlier Ad,
[53:51] and Thamud, so spared none,
[53:52] and (destroyed) the people of Nuh even earlier. Surely they were more unjust and more rebellious.
[53:53] And He destroyed the overturned towns (of the people of Lut) also,
[53:54] so enveloped they were by that which enveloped.
[53:55] Then concerning which of your Lord‘s bounties would you remain in doubt?
[53:56] This (Prophet) is a warner from the (genus of the) previous warners.
[53:57] The Imminent (Hour of Judgment) has approached.
[53:58] There is no one, besides Allah, to remove it.
[53:59] Do you then wonder at this discourse,
[53:60] and laugh (at it), and not weep,
[53:61] while you are engaged in vain play?
[53:62] Now, fall down in prostration and worship (Allah).
[53:1] By the star when it goes down to set,
[53:2] your fellow (the Holy Prophet) has neither missed the way, nor did he deviate.
[53:3] He does not speak out of (his own) desire.
[53:4] It is but revelation revealed (to him).
[53:5] It is taught to him by one (angel) of strong faculties,
[53:6] the one of vigour. So he stood poised,
[53:7] while he was on the upper horizon.
[53:8] Then he drew near, and came down,
[53:9] so as he was at a distance like that of two bows (joined together), rather even nearer.
[53:10] Thus He (Allah) revealed to His slave what He revealed.
[53:11] The heart did not err in what he saw.
[53:12] Do you quarrel with him in what he sees?
[53:13] Indeed he saw him another time
[53:14] by Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (the lote-tree in the upper realm),
[53:15] near which there is Jannat-ul-Ma‘wa (the Paradise of Abode),
[53:16] when the lote-tree was covered by that which covered it.
[53:17] The eye neither went wrong nor did exceed the limit.
[53:18] He has indeed seen a part of the biggest signs of your Lord.
[53:19] Have you ever considered about the (idols of) Lat and Uzza,
[53:20] and about the other, the third (idol), namely, Manat?,
[53:21] Is it that you have males and He (Allah) has females?
[53:22] If so, it is a bizarre division.
[53:23]
These are nothing but names you and your fathers have invented; Allah has sent down no authority attached to them. They are following nothing but conjecture and what their own souls desire, while guidance from their Lord has surely reached them.
[53:24] Is it that man can get whatever he wishes?
[53:25] (No,) because to Allah alone belongs the (good of) the Hereafter and the former life (of this world).
[53:26] How many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession cannot benefit (anyone) at all, but after Allah allows (it) for whomsoever He wills and pleases.
[53:27] Those who do not believe in the Hereafter call the angels by the names of females.
[53:28] They do not have knowledge about it. They follow nothing but conjecture, and conjecture is of no avail in (the matter of) Truth.
[53:29] So, turn away from him who turns away from Our advice, and seeks nothing but (pleasure of) the worldly life.
[53:30] That is the limit of their access to knowledge. Indeed only your Lord knows well about the one who has gone astray from his way, and He knows well about the one who has adopted the right path.
[53:31] To Allah belongs whatever there is in the heavens and whatever there is in the earth, so that He gives punishment to evildoers for what they did, and gives good reward to those who did good,
[53:32] those who abstain from the major sins and from shameful acts, except minor involvements. Indeed your Lord is extensive in forgiveness. He knows you more than anyone else (from a time) when He created you from the earth and when you were embryos in the wombs of your mothers. So, do not claim purity (from faults) for your selves. He knows best who is God-fearing.
[53:33] Did you see the one who turned away,
[53:34] and gave a little, and stopped?
[53:35] Does he have knowledge of the Unseen whereby he sees (what he believes)?
[53:36]
Has he not been told of what was (revealed) in the scriptures of Musa
[53:37] and of Ibrahim who fulfilled (his duties)?
[53:38] (It was) that no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of the other,
[53:39] and that a man shall not deserve but (the reward of) his own effort,
[53:40] and that his effort will soon be seen,
[53:41] then he will be recompensed for it in full,
[53:42] and that to your Lord is the end (of everyone),
[53:43] and that He is the One who makes (one) laugh and makes (him) weep,
[53:44] and that He is the One who gives death and gives life,
[53:45] and that He creates the pairs, male and female,
[53:46] from a sperm-drop when it is poured (into a womb),
[53:47] and that the second creation is undertaken by Him,
[53:48] and that He is the One who gives wealth and preserves (it),
[53:49] and that He is the One who is the Lord of Sirius (the star worshipped by pagans),
[53:50] and that He has destroyed the earlier Ad,
[53:51] and Thamud, so spared none,
[53:52] and (destroyed) the people of Nuh even earlier. Surely they were more unjust and more rebellious.
[53:53] And He destroyed the overturned towns (of the people of Lut) also,
[53:54] so enveloped they were by that which enveloped.
[53:55] Then concerning which of your Lord‘s bounties would you remain in doubt?
[53:56] This (Prophet) is a warner from the (genus of the) previous warners.
[53:57] The Imminent (Hour of Judgment) has approached.
[53:58] There is no one, besides Allah, to remove it.
[53:59] Do you then wonder at this discourse,
[53:60] and laugh (at it), and not weep,
[53:61] while you are engaged in vain play?
[53:62] Now, fall down in prostration and worship (Allah).
Tafsir
Overview of Surah Al-Najm
- Title and Position: Surah Al-Najm is the 53rd chapter of the Quran. The title “Al-Najm” translates to “The Star,” referencing the star mentioned at the beginning of the surah.
- Verses and Structure: This surah contains 62 verses. It is notable for its emphasis on the revelation received by the Prophet Muhammad, the authenticity of the prophetic message, and the refutation of pagan practices and beliefs.
- Themes and Messages: Major themes include the confirmation of the Prophet’s experiences and revelations, the description of God’s power and knowledge, the criticism of idolatry and immoral practices, and the realities of the afterlife.
- Significance in Islamic Thought: Surah Al-Najm is significant for its affirmation of the Prophet’s visionary experiences, its call for moral and spiritual integrity, and its vivid portrayal of the consequences of belief and disbelief.
Detailed Explanation
- Prophetic Revelation: The surah opens with a confirmation of the Prophet Muhammad’s experience during his ascension (Mi’raj), affirming the authenticity and divine origin of his revelations.
- Critique of Idolatry: It strongly criticizes the practices of idol worship and the baseless myths associated with pagan deities, urging a return to the worship of the one true God.
- God’s Attributes: Surah Al-Najm describes the attributes of God, such as His knowledge, power, and wisdom, emphasizing His creation and control over the universe.
- Moral and Ethical Conduct: The surah addresses ethical and moral conduct, condemning behaviors that transgress the bounds of decency and justice.
- Afterlife and Accountability: It vividly portrays the afterlife, drawing attention to the reality of the resurrection, judgment, and the ultimate fate of individuals based on their earthly actions.
FAQs
- Why is Surah Al-Najm named “The Star”?
- The surah is named “Al-Najm” due to its opening verses that swear by the star, setting the tone for the themes of divine revelation, guidance, and the importance of following the path illuminated by God.
- How does Surah Al-Najm confirm the Prophet’s revelations?
- It emphatically confirms the experiences and revelations of the Prophet Muhammad, particularly his visionary experiences, asserting their truthfulness and divine origin.
- What does the surah say about the attributes of God?
- The surah elaborates on the knowledge, power, and wisdom of God, showcasing His majesty through the wonders of creation and His absolute authority over all matters.
- How does Surah Al-Najm address the concept of the afterlife and accountability?
- The surah provides a stark depiction of the afterlife, emphasizing the resurrection, the inevitable judgment, and the clear distinction between the outcomes for the righteous and the wrongdoers.
- The surah is named “Al-Najm” due to its opening verses that swear by the star, setting the tone for the themes of divine revelation, guidance, and the importance of following the path illuminated by God.
- It emphatically confirms the experiences and revelations of the Prophet Muhammad, particularly his visionary experiences, asserting their truthfulness and divine origin.
- The surah elaborates on the knowledge, power, and wisdom of God, showcasing His majesty through the wonders of creation and His absolute authority over all matters.
- The surah provides a stark depiction of the afterlife, emphasizing the resurrection, the inevitable judgment, and the clear distinction between the outcomes for the righteous and the wrongdoers.
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