Translations of the Qur'an, Chapter 53:

# AN-NAJM (THE STAR)

Total Verses: 62
Revealed At: MAKKA
Maududi's introduction

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

053.001
YUSUFALI: By the Star when it goes down,-
PICKTHAL: By the Star when it setteth,
SHAKIR: I swear by the star when it goes down.

053.002
YUSUFALI: Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled.
PICKTHAL: Your comrade erreth not, nor is deceived;
SHAKIR: Your companion does not err, nor does he go astray;

053.003
YUSUFALI: Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) Desire.
PICKTHAL: Nor doth he speak of (his own) desire.
SHAKIR: Nor does he speak out of desire.

053.004
YUSUFALI: It is no less than inspiration sent down to him:
PICKTHAL: It is naught save an inspiration that is inspired,
SHAKIR: It is naught but revelation that is revealed,

053.005
YUSUFALI: He was taught by one Mighty in Power,
PICKTHAL: Which one of mighty powers hath taught him,
SHAKIR: The Lord of Mighty Power has taught him,

053.006
YUSUFALI: Endued with Wisdom: for he appeared (in stately form);
PICKTHAL: One vigorous; and he grew clear to view
SHAKIR: The Lord of Strength; so he attained completion,

053.007
YUSUFALI: While he was in the highest part of the horizon:
PICKTHAL: When he was on the uppermost horizon.
SHAKIR: And he is in the highest part of the horizon.

053.008
YUSUFALI: Then he approached and came closer,
PICKTHAL: Then he drew nigh and came down
SHAKIR: Then he drew near, then he bowed

053.009
YUSUFALI: And was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer;
PICKTHAL: Till he was (distant) two bows' length or even nearer,
SHAKIR: So he was the measure of two bows or closer still.

053.010
YUSUFALI: So did (Allah) convey the inspiration to His Servant- (conveyed) what He (meant) to convey.
PICKTHAL: And He revealed unto His slave that which He revealed.
SHAKIR: And He revealed to His servant what He revealed.

053.011
YUSUFALI: The (Prophet's) (mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he saw.
PICKTHAL: The heart lied not (in seeing) what it saw.
SHAKIR: The heart was not untrue in (making him see) what he saw.

053.012
YUSUFALI: Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he saw?
PICKTHAL: Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he seeth?
SHAKIR: What! do you then dispute with him as to what he saw?

053.013
YUSUFALI: For indeed he saw him at a second descent,
PICKTHAL: And verily he saw him yet another time
SHAKIR: And certainly he saw him in another descent,

053.014
YUSUFALI: Near the Lote-tree beyond which none may pass:
PICKTHAL: By the lote-tree of the utmost boundary,
SHAKIR: At the farthest lote-tree;

053.015
YUSUFALI: Near it is the Garden of Abode.
PICKTHAL: Nigh unto which is the Garden of Abode.
SHAKIR: Near which is the garden, the place to be resorted to.

053.016
YUSUFALI: Behold, the Lote-tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!)
PICKTHAL: When that which shroudeth did enshroud the lote-tree,
SHAKIR: When that which covers covered the lote-tree;

053.017
YUSUFALI: (His) sight never swerved, nor did it go wrong!
PICKTHAL: The eye turned not aside nor yet was overbold.
SHAKIR: The eye did not turn aside, nor did it exceed the limit.

053.018
YUSUFALI: For truly did he see, of the Signs of his Lord, the Greatest!
PICKTHAL: Verily he saw one of the greater revelations of his Lord.
SHAKIR: Certainly he saw of the greatest signs of his Lord.

053.019
YUSUFALI: Have ye seen Lat. and 'Uzza,
PICKTHAL: Have ye thought upon Al-Lat and Al-'Uzza
SHAKIR: Have you then considered the Lat and the Uzza,

053.020
YUSUFALI: And another, the third (goddess), Manat?
PICKTHAL: And Manat, the third, the other?
SHAKIR: And Manat, the third, the last?

053.021
YUSUFALI: What! for you the male sex, and for Him, the female?
PICKTHAL: Are yours the males and His the females?
SHAKIR: What! for you the males and for Him the females!

053.022
YUSUFALI: Behold, such would be indeed a division most unfair!
PICKTHAL: That indeed were an unfair division!
SHAKIR: This indeed is an unjust division!

053.023
YUSUFALI: These are nothing but names which ye have devised,- ye and your fathers,- for which Allah has sent down no authority (whatever). They follow nothing but conjecture and what their own souls desire!- Even though there has already come to them Guidance from their Lord!
PICKTHAL: They are but names which ye have named, ye and your fathers, for which Allah hath revealed no warrant. They follow but a guess and that which (they) themselves desire. And now the guidance from their Lord hath come unto them.
SHAKIR: They are naught but names which you have named, you and your fathers; Allah has not sent for them any authority. They follow naught but conjecture and the low desires which (their) souls incline to; and certainly the guidance has come to them from their Lord.

053.024
YUSUFALI: Nay, shall man have (just) anything he hankers after?
PICKTHAL: Or shall man have what he coveteth?
SHAKIR: Or shall man have what he wishes?

053.025
YUSUFALI: But it is to Allah that the End and the Beginning (of all things) belong.
PICKTHAL: But unto Allah belongeth the after (life), and the former.
SHAKIR: Nay! for Allah is the hereafter and the former (life).

053.026
YUSUFALI: How many-so-ever be the angels in the heavens, their intercession will avail nothing except after Allah has given leave for whom He pleases and that he is acceptable to Him.
PICKTHAL: And how many angels are in the heavens whose intercession availeth naught save after Allah giveth leave to whom He chooseth and accepteth.
SHAKIR: And how many an angel is there in the heavens whose intercession does not avail at all except after Allah has given permission to whom He pleases and chooses.

053.027
YUSUFALI: Those who believe not in the Hereafter, name the angels with female names.
PICKTHAL: Lo! it is those who disbelieve in the Hereafter who name the angels with the names of females.
SHAKIR: Most surely they who do not believe in the hereafter name the angels with female names.

053.028
YUSUFALI: But they have no knowledge therein. They follow nothing but conjecture; and conjecture avails nothing against Truth.
PICKTHAL: And they have no knowledge thereof. They follow but a guess, and lo! a guess can never take the place of the truth.
SHAKIR: And they have no knowledge of it; they do not follow anything but conjecture, and surely conjecture does not avail against the truth at all.

053.029
YUSUFALI: Therefore shun those who turn away from Our Message and desire nothing but the life of this world.
PICKTHAL: Then withdraw (O Muhammad) from him who fleeth from Our remembrance and desireth but the life of the world.
SHAKIR: Therefore turn aside from him who turns his back upon Our reminder and does not desire anything but this world's life.

053.030
YUSUFALI: That is as far as knowledge will reach them. Verily thy Lord knoweth best those who stray from His Path, and He knoweth best those who receive guidance.
PICKTHAL: Such is their sum of knowledge. Lo! thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayeth, and He is Best Aware of him whom goeth right.
SHAKIR: That is their goal of knowledge; surely your Lord knows best him who goes astray from His path and He knows best him who follows the right direction.

053.031
YUSUFALI: Yea, to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth: so that He rewards those who do evil, according to their deeds, and He rewards those who do good, with what is best.
PICKTHAL: And unto Allah belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, that He may reward those who do evil with that which they have done, and reward those who do good with goodness.
SHAKIR: And Allah's is what is in the heavens and what is in the earth, that He may reward those who do evil according to what they do, and (that) He may reward those who do good with goodness.

053.032
YUSUFALI: Those who avoid great sins and shameful deeds, only (falling into) small faults,- verily thy Lord is ample in forgiveness. He knows you well when He brings you out of the earth, And when ye are hidden in your mothers' wombs. Therefore justify not yourselves: He knows best who it is that guards against evil.
PICKTHAL: Those who avoid enormities of sin and abominations, save the unwilled offences - (for them) lo! thy Lord is of vast mercy. He is Best Aware of you (from the time) when He created you from the earth, and when ye were hidden in the bellies of your mothers. Therefor ascribe not purity unto yourselves. He is Best Aware of him who wardeth off (evil).
SHAKIR: Those who keep aloof from the great sins and the indecencies but the passing idea; surely your Lord is liberal in forgiving. He knows you best when He brings you forth from the earth and when you are embryos in the wombs of your mothers; therefore do not attribute purity to your souls; He knows him best who guards (against evil).

053.033
YUSUFALI: Seest thou one who turns back,
PICKTHAL: Didst thou (O Muhammad) observe him who turned away,
SHAKIR: Have you then seen him who turns his back?

053.034
YUSUFALI: Gives a little, then hardens (his heart)?
PICKTHAL: And gave a little, then was grudging?
SHAKIR: And gives a little and (then) withholds.

053.035
YUSUFALI: What! Has he knowledge of the Unseen so that he can see?
PICKTHAL: Hath he knowledge of the Unseen so that he seeth?
SHAKIR: Has he the knowledge of the unseen so that he can see?

053.036
YUSUFALI: Nay, is he not acquainted with what is in the Books of Moses-
PICKTHAL: Or hath he not had news of what is in the books of Moses
SHAKIR: Or, has he not been informed of what is in the scriptures of Musa?

053.037
YUSUFALI: And of Abraham who fulfilled his engagements?-
PICKTHAL: And Abraham who paid his debt:
SHAKIR: And (of) Ibrahim who fulfilled (the commandments):

053.038
YUSUFALI: Namely, that no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another;
PICKTHAL: That no laden one shall bear another's load,
SHAKIR: That no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another-

053.039
YUSUFALI: That man can have nothing but what he strives for;
PICKTHAL: And that man hath only that for which he maketh effort,
SHAKIR: And that man shall have nothing but what he strives for-

053.040
YUSUFALI: That (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight:
PICKTHAL: And that his effort will be seen.
SHAKIR: And that his striving shall soon be seen-

053.041
YUSUFALI: Then will he be rewarded with a reward complete;
PICKTHAL: And afterward he will be repaid for it with fullest payment;
SHAKIR: Then shall he be rewarded for it with the fullest reward-

053.042
YUSUFALI: That to thy Lord is the final Goal;
PICKTHAL: And that thy Lord, He is the goal;
SHAKIR: And that to your Lord is the goal-

053.043
YUSUFALI: That it is He Who granteth Laughter and Tears;
PICKTHAL: And that He it is who maketh laugh, and maketh weep,
SHAKIR: And that He it is Who makes (men) laugh and makes (them) weep;

053.044
YUSUFALI: That it is He Who granteth Death and Life;
PICKTHAL: And that He it is Who giveth death and giveth life;
SHAKIR: And that He it is Who causes death and gives life-

053.045
YUSUFALI: That He did create in pairs,- male and female,
PICKTHAL: And that He createth the two spouses, the male and the female,
SHAKIR: And that He created pairs, the male and the female

053.046
YUSUFALI: From a seed when lodged (in its place);
PICKTHAL: From a drop (of seed) when it is poured forth;
SHAKIR: From the small seed when it is adapted

053.047
YUSUFALI: That He hath promised a Second Creation (Raising of the Dead);
PICKTHAL: And that He hath ordained the second bringing forth;
SHAKIR: And that on Him is the bringing forth a second time;

053.048
YUSUFALI: That it is He Who giveth wealth and satisfaction;
PICKTHAL: And that He it is Who enricheth and contenteth;
SHAKIR: And that He it is Who enriches and gives to hold;

053.049
YUSUFALI: That He is the Lord of Sirius (the Mighty Star);
PICKTHAL: And that He it is Who is the Lord of Sirius;
SHAKIR: And that He is the Lord of the Sirius;

053.050
YUSUFALI: And that it is He Who destroyed the (powerful) ancient 'Ad (people),
PICKTHAL: And that He destroyed the former (tribe of) A'ad,
SHAKIR: And that He did destroy the Ad of old

053.051
YUSUFALI: And the Thamud nor gave them a lease of perpetual life.
PICKTHAL: And (the tribe of) Thamud He spared not;
SHAKIR: And Samood, so He spared not

053.052
YUSUFALI: And before them, the people of Noah, for that they were (all) most unjust and most insolent transgressors,
PICKTHAL: And the folk of Noah aforetime, Lo! they were more unjust and more rebellious;
SHAKIR: And the people of Nuh before; surely they were most unjust and inordinate;

053.053
YUSUFALI: And He destroyed the Overthrown Cities (of Sodom and Gomorrah).
PICKTHAL: And Al-Mu'tafikah He destroyed
SHAKIR: And the overthrown cities did He overthrow,

053.054
YUSUFALI: So that (ruins unknown) have covered them up.
PICKTHAL: So that there covered them that which did cover.
SHAKIR: So there covered them that which covered.

053.055
YUSUFALI: Then which of the gifts of thy Lord, (O man,) wilt thou dispute about?
PICKTHAL: Concerning which then, of the bounties of thy Lord, canst thou dispute?
SHAKIR: Which of your Lord's benefits will you then dispute about?

053.056
YUSUFALI: This is a Warner, of the (series of) Warners of old!
PICKTHAL: This is a warner of the warners of old.
SHAKIR: This is a warner of the warners of old.

053.057
YUSUFALI: The (Judgment) ever approaching draws nigh:
PICKTHAL: The threatened Hour is nigh.
SHAKIR: The near event draws nigh.

053.058
YUSUFALI: No (soul) but Allah can lay it bare.
PICKTHAL: None beside Allah can disclose it.
SHAKIR: There shall be none besides Allah to remove it.

053.059
YUSUFALI: Do ye then wonder at this recital?
PICKTHAL: Marvel ye then at this statement,
SHAKIR: Do you then wonder at this announcement?

053.060
YUSUFALI: And will ye laugh and not weep,-
PICKTHAL: And laugh and not weep,
SHAKIR: And will you laugh and not weep?

053.061
YUSUFALI: Wasting your time in vanities?
PICKTHAL: While ye amuse yourselves?
SHAKIR: While you are indulging in varieties.

053.062
YUSUFALI: But fall ye down in prostration to Allah, and adore (Him)!
PICKTHAL: Rather prostrate yourselves before Allah and serve Him.
SHAKIR: So make obeisance to Allah and serve (Him).

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