Surah An Najm in English Translation with Explain

Surah An-Najm (Arabic: النجم) is the 53rd chapter of the Qur'an, consisting of 62 verses. It is a Meccan surah, and its name, "An-Najm," means "The Star," which refers to the star mentioned in the first verse. The surah focuses on the themes of revelation, the greatness of Allah, the rejection of polytheism, the stories of the prophets, and the fate of those who deny the truth.

The surah stresses the importance of following divine guidance, as well as the consequences of rejecting it. It also emphasizes the superiority of Allah and the significance of His revelation, which was brought to humanity through the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

English Translation and Explanation of Key Verses:

1. Verse 1:

"By the star when it descends," The surah begins with an oath by "the star," which is a reference to the natural phenomenon of stars, symbolizing light and guidance. The descent of the star could also symbolize divine revelation coming down from the heavens. It is a reminder of the greatness of Allah and His power.

2. Verse 2:

"Your companion [Muhammad] has not strayed, nor has he erred." This verse serves as a reassurance to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that he is not misguided or confused in delivering the message. It refutes the accusations of the disbelievers who claimed that he was a magician or a madman. His guidance is based on divine revelation, not on personal error.

3. Verse 3:

"Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination." This verse further emphasizes that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) does not speak according to his personal desires or whims. Every word he speaks is a direct revelation from Allah, and he is only delivering Allah’s message to the people.

4. Verse 4:

"It is not but a revelation revealed." The Prophet’s words are not his own, but a divine revelation given to him. This establishes the Quran as the direct word of Allah, distinguishing it from any human speech.

5. Verse 5:

"Taught to him by one intense in strength." The "one intense in strength" refers to the Angel Jibril (Gabriel), who brought the revelation to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with great strength. The angel is a powerful being chosen by Allah to convey His messages.

6. Verse 6:

"One of soundness. And he rose to [his] true form." This verse describes Angel Jibril as being of great soundness and perfect form. He is not a mere messenger but a strong, trustworthy being who serves as the intermediary between Allah and His prophets.

7. Verse 7:

"While he was in the higher [part of the] horizon." The verse highlights Jibril’s elevated position, where he was in the higher realms of existence, far removed from the earthly domain. It suggests the celestial nature of the revelation and the status of the angel.

8. Verse 8:

"Then he approached and descended." This refers to the angel’s approach and descent to deliver the revelation to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The closeness of the angel to the Prophet shows the intimacy of the communication between them.

9. Verse 9:

"And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer." This indicates how close Jibril was to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) when delivering the message. The phrase "two bow lengths" is a metaphor for an intimate and close communication between the angel and the Prophet.

10. Verse 10:

"And He revealed to His servant what He revealed." This verse emphasizes that Allah revealed the message to His servant, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This highlights the role of the Prophet as a servant and messenger of Allah, receiving the divine message to convey to the people.

11. Verse 11:

"The heart did not lie [about] what it saw." This verse reassures that the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) vision of the angel and the divine revelation was true. His heart was not in error in what it perceived, affirming the authenticity of his experience.

12. Verse 12:

"Will you dispute with him over what he saw?" This verse challenges the disbelievers who questioned or rejected the Prophet’s experiences. It asks them whether they would dispute the truth of what he saw and received from Allah, even though they cannot comprehend the divine revelation themselves.

13. Verse 13:

"And he certainly saw him in another descent." This refers to a second vision of the angel Jibril, further affirming the reality of the Prophet’s experience with divine revelation. This was not a one-time event but an ongoing process of receiving Allah’s guidance.

14. Verse 14:

"At the Lote tree of the utmost boundary." The "Lote tree of the utmost boundary" refers to the Sidrat al-Muntaha, the tree at the furthest boundary of creation, beyond which no creation can go. This marks a point of great significance in the Prophet’s ascension during the Isra and Mi'raj (Night Journey and Ascension).

15. Verse 15:

"Near it is the Garden of Refuge." The verse refers to a place of great peace and safety near the Sidrat al-Muntaha, where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) experienced the nearness of Allah during his miraculous journey.

16. Verse 16:

"When there covered the Lote tree that which covered it." This verse describes the awe-inspiring scene when the Sidrat al-Muntaha was enveloped in a magnificent veil of divine light, representing the overwhelming power and majesty of Allah.

17. Verse 17:

"The sight did not swerve, nor did it transgress." This highlights that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not falter or make mistakes in his vision of the divine. His sight remained steady, and he fully understood the significance of the revelation he received.

18. Verse 18:

"He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord." This is a reference to the Prophet’s vision of the mighty signs of Allah, including his ascension to the heavens, his encounter with the angel, and the divine revelations he received.

19. Verse 19:

"Have you considered al-Lat and al-‘Uzza?" The surah now addresses the disbelievers and their worship of idols, questioning their reverence for the idols al-Lat and al-‘Uzza. These were two prominent deities worshipped by the Quraysh in Mecca.

20. Verse 20:

"And Manat, the third – the other one?" This continues the questioning, highlighting the futility of worshipping idols such as Manat. Allah challenges the disbelievers, questioning the validity of their idol worship.

21. Verse 21:

"Is for you the male and for Him the female?" This verse criticizes the false belief of the disbelievers that Allah has daughters (represented by the idols). It challenges this notion, saying that such a belief is baseless and contradictory to the greatness of Allah.

22. Verse 22:

"That, then, is an unjust division." This highlights the unjust nature of attributing such characteristics to Allah, such as assigning daughters to Him, which is a false and unjust division that goes against the fundamental understanding of Allah’s purity.

23. Verse 23:

"They are not but mere names you have named them, you and your forefathers, for which Allah has not sent down any authority." This verse emphasizes that the idols and their names are inventions of human beings, with no divine authority to back their worship. They are mere names created by the disbelievers.

24. Verse 24:

"They follow not except assumption and what [their] souls desire." The disbelievers follow only assumptions, baseless beliefs, and their own desires rather than divine truth. This criticism underscores the misguided nature of their actions.

25. Verse 25:

"And there has already come to them from their Lord guidance." Despite the false beliefs and desires, Allah has already sent guidance to them through the prophets and revelations. The guidance is clear, but they have chosen to ignore it.

26. Verse 26:

"Or does man have what he wishes?" This verse asks if human beings are in complete control of their destiny or desires. It points to the reality that Allah is the true controller of all things and humans have no power over divine decrees.

27. Verse 27:

"Rather, to Allah belongs the Hereafter and the first [life]." This verse reaffirms that ultimate authority and control belong to Allah, both in the present world (the first life) and the Hereafter. Humans should submit to His will.

Key Lessons and Themes from Surah An-Najm:

The Authenticity of Divine Revelation: The surah stresses that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is not misguided and that his message is true and from Allah. His guidance is not based on personal desire but on divine revelation delivered through the angel Jibril.
Rejection of Idol Worship: The surah condemns the worship of idols like al-Lat, al-‘Uzza, and Manat, calling them baseless inventions with no authority from Allah. It emphasizes that only Allah deserves worship.
Allah’s Supremacy: Allah is portrayed as the ultimate authority, with control over both the present world and the Hereafter. Humans cannot dictate their fate but must submit to Allah's will.
The Prophet’s Miracles and Ascension: The surah mentions the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) miraculous experiences, such as his vision of Jibril and his ascension to the heavens (Isra and Mi'raj), reinforcing his status as the true messenger of Allah.
Humanity’s Desire for Guidance: The surah highlights that despite the rejection of divine guidance by some, Allah has sent guidance to humanity, and those who follow it will be successful.

Conclusion:

Surah An-Najm calls people to reflect on the greatness of Allah, the authenticity of the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) message, and the futility of idol worship. It provides a reminder that human desires and assumptions should not dictate belief, but rather the divine guidance revealed through Allah’s messengers. The surah stresses that ultimate authority and control belong to Allah, and submission to His will leads to true success.