1
وَٱلنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَىٰ
Sahih International
By the star when it descends,
The Clear Quran
By the stars when they fade away!
Surah 53
Layered Translations
النجم
An-Najm | The Star | 62 verses
Sahih International The Clear Quran
2
مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَىٰ
Sahih International
Your companion [i.e., Muḥammad] has not strayed, nor has he erred,
The Clear Quran
Your fellow man1 is neither misguided nor astray.
3
وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلْهَوَىٰٓ
Sahih International
Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination.
The Clear Quran
Nor does he speak of his own whims.
4
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْىٌ يُوحَىٰ
Sahih International
It is not but a revelation revealed,
The Clear Quran
It is only a revelation sent down ˹to him˺.
5
عَلَّمَهُۥ شَدِيدُ ٱلْقُوَىٰ
Sahih International
Taught to him by one intense in strength [i.e., Gabriel] -
The Clear Quran
He has been taught by one ˹angel˺ of mighty power1
6
ذُو مِرَّةٍ فَٱسْتَوَىٰ
Sahih International
One of soundness.1 And he rose to [his] true form2
The Clear Quran
and great perfection, who once rose to ˹his˺ true form1
7
وَهُوَ بِٱلْأُفُقِ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ
Sahih International
While he was in the higher [part of the] horizon.1
The Clear Quran
while on the highest point above the horizon,
8
ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّىٰ
Sahih International
Then he approached and descended
The Clear Quran
then he approached ˹the Prophet˺, coming so close
9
فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَىٰ
Sahih International
And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer.
The Clear Quran
that he was only two arms-lengths away or even less.1
10
فَأَوْحَىٰٓ إِلَىٰ عَبْدِهِۦ مَآ أَوْحَىٰ
Sahih International
And he revealed to His Servant1 what he revealed [i.e., conveyed].
The Clear Quran
Then Allah revealed to His servant what He revealed ˹through Gabriel˺.
11
مَا كَذَبَ ٱلْفُؤَادُ مَا رَأَىٰٓ
Sahih International
The heart1 did not lie [about] what it saw.
The Clear Quran
The ˹Prophet’s˺ heart did not doubt what he saw.
12
أَفَتُمَـٰرُونَهُۥ عَلَىٰ مَا يَرَىٰ
Sahih International
So will you dispute with him over what he saw?
The Clear Quran
How can you ˹O pagans˺ then dispute with him regarding what he saw?
13
وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَىٰ
Sahih International
And he certainly saw him in another descent1
The Clear Quran
And he certainly saw that ˹angel descend˺ a second time
14
عِندَ سِدْرَةِ ٱلْمُنتَهَىٰ
Sahih International
At the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary -
The Clear Quran
at the Lote Tree of the most extreme limit ˹in the seventh heaven˺—
15
عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰٓ
Sahih International
Near it is the Garden of Refuge [i.e., Paradise] -
The Clear Quran
near which is the Garden of ˹Eternal˺ Residence—
16
إِذْ يَغْشَى ٱلسِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَىٰ
Sahih International
When there covered the Lote Tree that which covered [it].1
The Clear Quran
while the Lote Tree was overwhelmed with ˹heavenly˺ splendours!
17
مَا زَاغَ ٱلْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَىٰ
Sahih International
The sight [of the Prophet (ﷺ)] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit].
The Clear Quran
The ˹Prophet’s˺ sight never wandered, nor did it overreach.
18
لَقَدْ رَأَىٰ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰٓ
Sahih International
He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.
The Clear Quran
He certainly saw some of his Lord’s greatest signs.1
19
أَفَرَءَيْتُمُ ٱللَّـٰتَ وَٱلْعُزَّىٰ
Sahih International
So have you considered al-Lāt and al-ʿUzzā?
The Clear Quran
Now, have you considered ˹the idols of˺ Lât and ’Uzza,
20
وَمَنَوٰةَ ٱلثَّالِثَةَ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰٓ
Sahih International
And Manāt, the third - the other one?1
The Clear Quran
and the third one, Manât, as well?
21
أَلَكُمُ ٱلذَّكَرُ وَلَهُ ٱلْأُنثَىٰ
Sahih International
Is the male for you and for Him the female?
The Clear Quran
Do you ˹prefer to˺ have sons while ˹you attribute˺ to Him daughters?1
22
تِلْكَ إِذًا قِسْمَةٌ ضِيزَىٰٓ
Sahih International
That, then, is an unjust division.1
The Clear Quran
Then this is ˹truly˺ a biased distribution!
23
إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّآ أَسْمَآءٌ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَـٰنٍ ۚ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ وَمَا تَهْوَى ٱلْأَنفُسُ ۖ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُم مِّن رَّبِّهِمُ ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ
Sahih International
They are not but [mere] names you have named them - you and your forefathers - for which Allāh has sent down no authority. They follow not except assumption and what [their] souls desire, and there has already come to them from their Lord guidance.
The Clear Quran
These ˹idols˺ are mere names that you and your forefathers have made up1—a practice Allah has never authorized. They follow nothing but ˹inherited˺ assumptions and whatever ˹their˺ souls desire, although ˹true˺ guidance has already come to them from their Lord.
24
أَمْ لِلْإِنسَـٰنِ مَا تَمَنَّىٰ
Sahih International
Or is there for man whatever he wishes?
The Clear Quran
Or should every person ˹simply˺ have whatever ˹intercessors˺ they desire?1
25
فَلِلَّهِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةُ وَٱلْأُولَىٰ
Sahih International
Rather, to Allāh belongs the Hereafter and the first [life].
The Clear Quran
In fact, to Allah ˹alone˺ belongs this world and the next.
26
۞ وَكَم مِّن مَّلَكٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ لَا تُغْنِى شَفَـٰعَتُهُمْ شَيْـًٔا إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ أَن يَأْذَنَ ٱللَّهُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَرْضَىٰٓ
Sahih International
And how many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession will not avail at all except [only] after Allāh has permitted [it] to whom He wills and approves.
The Clear Quran
˹Imagine˺ how many ˹noble˺ angels are in the heavens! ˹Even˺ their intercession would be of no benefit whatsoever, until Allah gives permission to whoever He wills and ˹only for the people He˺ approves.
27
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ لَيُسَمُّونَ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةَ تَسْمِيَةَ ٱلْأُنثَىٰ
Sahih International
Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter name the angels female names,
The Clear Quran
Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter label angels as female,
28
وَمَا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍ ۖ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ ۖ وَإِنَّ ٱلظَّنَّ لَا يُغْنِى مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ شَيْـًٔا
Sahih International
And they have thereof no knowledge. They follow not except assumption, and indeed, assumption avails not against the truth at all.
The Clear Quran
although they have no knowledge ˹in support˺ of this. They follow nothing but ˹inherited˺ assumptions. And surely assumptions can in no way replace the truth.
29
فَأَعْرِضْ عَن مَّن تَوَلَّىٰ عَن ذِكْرِنَا وَلَمْ يُرِدْ إِلَّا ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا
Sahih International
So turn away from whoever turns his back on Our message and desires not except the worldly life.
The Clear Quran
So turn away ˹O Prophet˺ from whoever has shunned Our Reminder,1 only seeking the ˹fleeting˺ life of this world.
30
ذَٰلِكَ مَبْلَغُهُم مِّنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ
Sahih International
That is their sum of knowledge. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who strays from His way, and He is most knowing of who is guided.
The Clear Quran
This is the extent of their knowledge. Surely your Lord knows best who has strayed from His Way and who is ˹rightly˺ guided.
31
وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لِيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَـٰٓـُٔوا۟ بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ بِٱلْحُسْنَى
Sahih International
And to Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth - that He may recompense those who do evil with [the penalty of] what they have done and recompense those who do good with the best [reward] -
The Clear Quran
To Allah ˹alone˺ belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth so that He may reward the evildoers according to what they did, and reward the good-doers with the finest reward1—
32
ٱلَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبَـٰٓئِرَ ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْفَوَٰحِشَ إِلَّا ٱللَّمَمَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَٰسِعُ ٱلْمَغْفِرَةِ ۚ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ إِذْ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِذْ أَنتُمْ أَجِنَّةٌ فِى بُطُونِ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمْ ۖ فَلَا تُزَكُّوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۖ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰٓ
Sahih International
Those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, only [committing] slight ones. Indeed, your Lord is vast in forgiveness. He was most knowing of you when He produced you from the earth and when you were fetuses in the wombs of your mothers. So do not claim yourselves to be pure; He is most knowing of who fears Him.
The Clear Quran
those who avoid major sins and shameful deeds, despite ˹stumbling on˺ minor sins. Surely your Lord is infinite in forgiveness. He knew well what would become of you as He created you from the earth1 and while you were ˹still˺ fetuses in the wombs of your mothers.2 So do not ˹falsely˺ elevate yourselves. He knows best who is ˹truly˺ righteous.
33
أَفَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى تَوَلَّىٰ
Sahih International
Have you seen the one who turned away
The Clear Quran
Have you seen the one who turned away ˹from Islam,˺
34
وَأَعْطَىٰ قَلِيلًا وَأَكْدَىٰٓ
Sahih International
And gave a little and [then] refrained?
The Clear Quran
and ˹initially˺ paid a little ˹for his salvation˺, and then stopped?
35
أَعِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ فَهُوَ يَرَىٰٓ
Sahih International
Does he have knowledge of the unseen, so he sees?1
The Clear Quran
Does he have the knowledge of the unseen so that he sees ˹the Hereafter˺?
36
أَمْ لَمْ يُنَبَّأْ بِمَا فِى صُحُفِ مُوسَىٰ
Sahih International
Or has he not been informed of what was in the scriptures of Moses
The Clear Quran
Or has he not been informed of what is in the Scripture of Moses,
37
وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ ٱلَّذِى وَفَّىٰٓ
Sahih International
And [of] Abraham, who fulfilled [his obligations] -
The Clear Quran
and ˹that of˺ Abraham, who ˹perfectly˺ fulfilled ˹his covenant˺?
38
أَلَّا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ
Sahih International
That no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another
The Clear Quran
˹They state˺ that no soul burdened with sin will bear the burden of another,
39
وَأَن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَـٰنِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰ
Sahih International
And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives
The Clear Quran
and that each person will only have what they endeavoured towards,
40
وَأَنَّ سَعْيَهُۥ سَوْفَ يُرَىٰ
Sahih International
And that his effort is going to be seen -
The Clear Quran
and that ˹the outcome of˺ their endeavours will be seen ˹in their record˺,
41
ثُمَّ يُجْزَىٰهُ ٱلْجَزَآءَ ٱلْأَوْفَىٰ
Sahih International
Then he will be recompensed for it with the fullest recompense -
The Clear Quran
then they will be fully rewarded,
42
وَأَنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ ٱلْمُنتَهَىٰ
Sahih International
And that to your Lord is the finality
The Clear Quran
and that to your Lord ˹alone˺ is the ultimate return ˹of all things˺.
43
وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ أَضْحَكَ وَأَبْكَىٰ
Sahih International
And that it is He who makes [one] laugh and weep
The Clear Quran
Moreover, He is the One Who brings about joy and sadness.1
44
وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ أَمَاتَ وَأَحْيَا
Sahih International
And that it is He who causes death and gives life
The Clear Quran
And He is the One Who gives life and causes death.
45
وَأَنَّهُۥ خَلَقَ ٱلزَّوْجَيْنِ ٱلذَّكَرَ وَٱلْأُنثَىٰ
Sahih International
And that He creates the two mates - the male and female -
The Clear Quran
And He created the pairs—males and females—
46
مِن نُّطْفَةٍ إِذَا تُمْنَىٰ
Sahih International
From a sperm-drop when it is emitted
The Clear Quran
from a sperm-drop when it is emitted.
47
وَأَنَّ عَلَيْهِ ٱلنَّشْأَةَ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰ
Sahih International
And that [incumbent] upon Him is the other [i.e., next] creation.
The Clear Quran
And it is upon Him to bring about re-creation.
48
وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ أَغْنَىٰ وَأَقْنَىٰ
Sahih International
And that it is He who enriches and suffices
The Clear Quran
And He is the One Who enriches and impoverishes.
49
وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلشِّعْرَىٰ
Sahih International
And that it is He who is the Lord of Sirius1.
The Clear Quran
And He alone is the Lord of Sirius.1
50
وَأَنَّهُۥٓ أَهْلَكَ عَادًا ٱلْأُولَىٰ
Sahih International
And that He destroyed the first [people of] ʿAad.
The Clear Quran
And He destroyed the first ˹people of˺ ’Ȃd,
51
وَثَمُودَا۟ فَمَآ أَبْقَىٰ
Sahih International
And Thamūd - and He did not spare [them] -
The Clear Quran
and ˹then˺ Thamûd,1 sparing no one.
52
وَقَوْمَ نُوحٍ مِّن قَبْلُ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ هُمْ أَظْلَمَ وَأَطْغَىٰ
Sahih International
And the people of Noah before. Indeed, it was they who were [even] more unjust and oppressing.
The Clear Quran
And before ˹that He destroyed˺ the people of Noah, who were truly far worse in wrongdoing and transgression.
53
وَٱلْمُؤْتَفِكَةَ أَهْوَىٰ
Sahih International
And the overturned towns1 He hurled down.
The Clear Quran
And ˹it was˺ He ˹Who˺ turned the cities ˹of Sodom and Gomorrah˺ upside down.
54
فَغَشَّىٰهَا مَا غَشَّىٰ
Sahih International
And covered them by that which He covered.1
The Clear Quran
How overwhelming was what covered ˹them˺!1
55
فَبِأَىِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكَ تَتَمَارَىٰ
Sahih International
Then which of the favors of your Lord do you doubt?
The Clear Quran
Now, which of your Lord’s favours will you dispute?
56
هَـٰذَا نَذِيرٌ مِّنَ ٱلنُّذُرِ ٱلْأُولَىٰٓ
Sahih International
This [Prophet (ﷺ)] is a warner from [i.e., like] the former warners.
The Clear Quran
This ˹Prophet˺ is a warner like earlier ones.
57
أَزِفَتِ ٱلْـَٔازِفَةُ
Sahih International
The Approaching Day has approached.
The Clear Quran
The approaching ˹Hour˺ has drawn near.
58
لَيْسَ لَهَا مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ كَاشِفَةٌ
Sahih International
Of it, [from those] besides Allāh, there is no remover.
The Clear Quran
None but Allah can disclose it.
59
أَفَمِنْ هَـٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ تَعْجَبُونَ
Sahih International
Then at this statement do you wonder?
The Clear Quran
Do you find this revelation astonishing,
60
وَتَضْحَكُونَ وَلَا تَبْكُونَ
Sahih International
And you laugh and do not weep
The Clear Quran
laughing ˹at it˺ and not weeping ˹in awe˺,
61
وَأَنتُمْ سَـٰمِدُونَ
Sahih International
While you are proudly sporting?1
The Clear Quran
while persisting in heedlessness?
62
فَٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ ۩
Sahih International
So prostrate to Allāh and worship [Him].
The Clear Quran
Instead, prostrate to Allah and worship ˹Him alone˺!