About Surah An-Najm

When the polytheists of early Makkah accused the Prophet of fabricating the Quran, revelation answered with Wa-al-Najm (The Star). Arriving 23rd in the chronological order, its initial recitation carried such weight it culminated in the Prophet's first public prostration (sajdah)—an event where even the opposing polytheists nearby were overcome and fell to the ground with him.

The text opens by anchoring the Prophet’s speech as pure revelation, detailing the Angel Gabriel’s descent to prove the Quran's divine origin. It then pivots to dismantle local idolatry, invalidating the deities al-Lāt, al-ʿUzzā, and Manāt, while refuting the claim that angels are Allah's daughters. Moving forward, the verses console the Prophet by tracing the core truths of his message back to the older scriptures of Moses and Abraham.

As you read its 62 verses—or 61 in the majority counting tradition—notice how the argument builds toward the absolute certainty of the Resurrection. The chapter moves rapidly from the heights of Gabriel's strength to the falsehood of earthly idols, demanding a physical response in its final ayah: a command to prostrate.

Surah 53 Juz 27 62 verses

An-Najm

The Star Meccan

053

Surah Info Reflections Layers

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

By the star when it sets!

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

Your companion has not strayed; he is not deluded;

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

he does not speak from his own desire.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

The Quran is nothing less than a revelation that is sent to him.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

It was taught to him by [an angel] with mighty powers

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

and great strength, who stood

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

on the highest horizon

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

and then approached––coming down

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

until he was two bow-lengths away or even closer––

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

and revealed to God’s servant what He revealed.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

[The Prophet’s] own heart did not distort what he saw.

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

Are you going to dispute with him what he saw with his own eyes?

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

A second time he saw him:

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

by the lote tree beyond which none may pass

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

near the Garden of Restfulness,

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when the tree was covered in nameless [splendour].

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

His sight never wavered, nor was it too bold,

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

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

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

[Disbelievers], consider al-Lat and al-Uzza,

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

and the third one, Manat––

M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

End of An-Najm

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