Marmaduke Pickthall, The Meaning of The Glorious Koran. An Explanatory Translation (1930)
SÛRAH LIII
An-Najm, “The Star,” takes its name from a word in the first verse.
An early Meccan Sûrah.
The Star
1. By the Star when it setteth,
2. Your comrade erreth not, nor is deceived;
3. Nor doth he speak of (his own) desire.
4. It is naught save an inspiration that is inspired,
5. Which one of mighty powers hath taught him,
6. One vigorous; and he grew clear to view 1
7. When he was on the uppermost horizon.
8. Then he drew nigh and came down
9. Till he was (distant) two bows’ length or even nearer
10. And He revealed unto His slave that which He revealed.
11. The heart lied not (in seeing) what it saw.
12. Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he seeth?
13. And verily he saw him yet another time 2
14. By the lote-tree of the utmost boundary,
15. Nigh unto which is the Garden of Abode.
1 This and the five following verses are generally accepted as referring to the Prophet’s vision on Mt. Ḥirâ.
2 This is generally accepted as a reference to the Prophet’s vision in which he ascended through the seven heavens.
