53:1  By the star when it goes down

53:2  Your companion is neither astray nor being misled

53:3  Nor does he say anything of his own volition

53:4  It is no less than inspiration sent down to him

53:5  He was taught by one mighty in power

53:6  Endued with wisdom, for he appeared

53:7  While he was in the highest part of the horizon

53:8  Then he approached and came closer

53:9  And was at a distance of only two bow-lengths or nearer

53:10  So God conveyed the inspiration to His servant which He meant to convey

53:11  His heart in no way falsified that which he saw

53:12  Will you then dispute with him concerning what he saw

53:13  For indeed he saw him at a second descent

53:14  Near the lotus-tree beyond which none may pass

53:15  Near is the garden of abode

53:16  Behold, the lotus-tree was shrouded

53:17  His sight never deviated, nor did it go wrong

53:18  For truly he saw the signs of his Lord, the Greatest

53:19  Have you seen Lat and ‘Uzza

53:20  And another, the third, Manat

53:21  What, for you the male, and for Him, the female

53:22  Behold, that would indeed be a division unfair

53:23  These are nothing but names which you have made up, you and your fathers, for which God has sent down no authority. They follow nothing but speculation, and what their own soul’s desire. Even though there has already come to them guidance from their Lord

53:24  No, will human beings have everything they pursue

53:25  But it is to God that the end and the beginning belong

53:26  However many angels there are in the heavens, their intercession will avail them nothing, except after God has given permission to whom He pleases, and that they are acceptable to Him

53:27  Those who do not believe in the hereafter, name the angels with female names

53:28  But they cannot know. They follow nothing but speculation, and speculation avails nothing against truth

53:29  Therefore turn away from those who turn away from Our message, and desire nothing but the life of the present

53:30  That is as far as their knowledge will take them, indeed your Lord knows best those who stray from His path, and He knows best those who receive guidance

53:31  Yes, to God belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth. He rewards those who do wrong, according to their deeds, and He rewards those who do right, with what is best

53:32  Those who avoid great sins and shameful deeds, only falling into small faults, indeed your Lord is ample in forgiveness. He knows you well when He brings you out of the earth, and when you are hidden in your mothers’ wombs. Therefore do not justify yourselves. He knows best who it is that guards against harm

53:33  See the one, who turns back

53:34  Gives a little, then hardens

53:35  What, have they knowledge of the unknown and can they see it

53:36  No, is he not acquainted with what is in the Books of Moses

53:37  And of Abraham, who fulfilled his engagements

53:38  Namely, that no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another

53:39  That human beings can have nothing but what they strive for

53:40  That their striving will soon come into sight

53:41  Then they will be rewarded with a reward complete

53:42  That to your Lord is the final goal

53:43  That it is He Who grants laughter and tears

53:44  That it is He Who grants death and life

53:45  That He created in pairs, male and female

53:46  From a zygote when lodged in its place

53:47  That He has promised a second creation

53:48  That it is He Who gives wealth and satisfaction

53:49  That He is the Lord of Sirius

53:50  And that it is He Who caused to perish, the ancient ‘Ad people

53:51  And the Thamud, nor gave them a lease of perpetual life

53:52  And before them, the people of Noah, because they were all most unjust and most insolent transgressors

53:53  And He caused to perish the overthrown cities

53:54  And they have been covered up

53:55  Then about which of the gifts of your Lord will you dispute

53:56  This is a warner, of the series of warners ahead of him

53:57  The Ever Approaching draws near

53:58  None but God can remove it

53:59  Do you then wonder at this recital

53:60  And will you laugh and not weep

53:61  Wasting your time in vanities

53:62  But fall down in prostration to God, in worship to Him