Read Surah 53: An-Najm (The Star) with English translation and insightful comments. Discover its emphasis on the truth of revelation, the Prophet’s night journey vision, rejection of false gods, and reminders of divine justice. Ideal for readers seeking Surah An-Najm translation, meaning, and reflections on faith and accountability.
Surah 53: An-Najm (The Star)
Introduction
Surah An-Najm is a Makkan Surah with 62 verses. It is named after the mention of the star in the first verse. This is also the first Surah in the Qur’an where a command to prostrate occurs at the end, and according to authentic reports, when the Prophet recited it in Makkah, all who heard it—Muslims and non-Muslims—fell in prostration.
The Surah begins by defending the truthfulness of the Propht,, declaring that he speaks only through revelation, not from his own desire. It then describes his encounter with Angel Jibreel (Gabriel), both at the beginning of revelation and during the miraculous journey of Isra’ and Mi’raj, when he saw some of the greatest signs of Allah.
It strongly rejects the false worship of idols like al-Lat, al-‘Uzza, and Manat, pointing out that these are merely names without any divine power. The Surah also corrects false beliefs about angels and the unseen, and warns against following desires instead of revelation.
The second half of the Surah reminds people of universal truths taught by earlier prophets: each soul is responsible for its own deeds, every effort will be repaid, and to Allah is the final return. It recalls the destruction of past nations that denied their prophets and ends with a powerful scene of warning—commanding everyone to prostrate and worship Allah.
Surah 53 – An-Najm (The Star): Text
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
1. By the star when it sets,
2. your companion has not strayed, nor has he been deceived.
3. He does not speak from his own desire.
4. It is nothing but a revelation revealed to him.
5. Taught to him by one of great power,
6. possessing great strength, who appeared in perfect form.
7. While he was on the highest horizon,
8. then he came nearer and descended,
9. until he was at a distance of two bow-lengths or even closer.
10. Then He revealed to His servant what He revealed.
11. The heart did not deny what it saw.
12. Will you then dispute with him about what he saw?
13. And indeed, he saw him another time,
14. near the Lote Tree of the utmost boundary,
15. near it is the Garden of Refuge,
16. when there covered the Lote Tree what covered it.
17. The sight did not swerve, nor did it go beyond limits.
18. Surely, he saw some of the greatest signs of his Lord.
19. Have you considered al-Lat and al-‘Uzza,
20. and Manat, the third one?
21. Is the male for you and the female for Him?
22. That is indeed an unfair division.
23. These are nothing but names you have named—you and your forefathers—for which Allah has sent down no authority. They follow nothing but assumption and what their souls desire, even though guidance has already come to them from their Lord.
24. Or will man have whatever he wishes?
25. But to Allah belongs the Hereafter and the first life.
26. And how many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession will be of no benefit at all, except after Allah permits it for whomever He wills and approves.
27. Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter name the angels with female names.
28. They have no knowledge of that—they follow nothing but assumption, and surely assumption is of no use against the truth.
29. So turn away from whoever turns away from Our reminder and desires only the life of this world.
30. That is the limit of their knowledge. Surely, your Lord knows best who strays from His path, and He knows best who is guided.
31. And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, so that He may reward those who do evil with what they did, and reward those who do good with the best reward.
32. Those who avoid major sins and shameful acts—except for minor faults—surely, your Lord is vast in forgiveness. He knows you well from the time He created you from the earth and when you were embryos in the wombs of your mothers. So do not consider yourselves pure—He knows best who is truly mindful of Him.
33. Have you seen the one who turned away,
34. who gave a little, then stopped?
35. Does he have knowledge of the unseen so that he sees?
36. Or has he not been informed of what is in the scriptures of Musa,
37. and of Ibrahim who fulfilled all obligations?
38. That no soul will bear the burden of another,
39. and that man will only have what he strives for,
40. and that his striving will soon be seen,
41. then he will be fully repaid for it,
42. and that to your Lord is the final return,
43. and that it is He who makes one laugh and weep,
44. and that it is He who causes death and gives life,
45. and that He created the two mates, male and female,
46. from a drop when it is emitted,
47. and that upon Him is the next creation,
48. and that it is He who enriches and grants possessions,
49. and that He is the Lord of Sirius, the bright star,
50. and that He destroyed the first people of ‘Ad,
51. and Thamud—He spared none of them,
52. and the people of Nuh before—indeed, they were even more unjust and more rebellious,
53. and the overturned cities He threw down,
54. and He covered them with whatever He covered them.
55. Then which of your Lord’s favours will you dispute?
56. This is a warner like the previous warners.
57. The approaching Day has drawn near.
58. None besides Allah can remove it.
59. Do you then marvel at this statement,
60. and laugh, but do not weep,
61. while you are heedless and playing?
62. So fall down in prostration to Allah and worship Him. 0 0 0
An-Najm: Comment
The opening oath “By the star when it sets” draws attention to the greatness and order of Allah’s creation, which serves as a witness to the truth of what follows. Immediately, Allah clears the Prophet from false accusations—he is not misguided, deceived, or inventing anything, but is receiving direct revelation through the angel of great power, Jibreel.
The detailed description of the meeting with Jibreel shows the reality of revelation. The imagery of the Lote Tree of the utmost boundary (Sidrat al-Muntaha) and the Garden of Refuge places the listener in the heavenly scene, emphasizing the magnitude of what the Prophet witnessed.
The Surah then strikes at the heart of idol worship. The rhetorical question—“Is the male for you and the female for Him?”—exposes the unfair and illogical thinking of the polytheists. Allah makes it clear that intercession by angels or idols is worthless without His permission.
From verse 33 onwards, the Surah shifts to moral and spiritual lessons: no soul will bear another’s burden, and every person will only receive what they strive for. It reminds us that Allah controls laughter, tears, life, death, wealth, and poverty—nothing is outside His power. Historical examples like the people of ‘Ad, Thamud, and the cities of Lut serve as warnings to those who persist in denial.
The ending is one of the most moving in the Qur’an. Allah asks why people laugh and mock instead of weeping at His words, why they remain distracted with play while ignoring their fate. The command to “fall down in prostration and worship Allah” leaves no middle ground—it is a call to humble submission before the One who controls life and destiny.
In short, Surah An-Najm is both a declaration of the truth of revelation and a warning against pride, disbelief, and blind attachment to false gods. It leaves the listener with a choice: submit to the truth now, or face the reality on the Day when no one can help. 0 0 0
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Frequently Asked Questions on Surah 53: An-Najm
1. What is Surah 53: An-Najm about?
Surah An-Najm focuses on the authenticity of the Prophet Muhammad’s revelation, the greatness of the Qur’an, and his vision of divine signs during the Night Journey. It rejects idolatry, affirms resurrection, and warns of divine judgment.
2. Why is Surah 53 called An-Najm (The Star)?
It is named An-Najm, meaning “The Star,” because it opens with an oath by the star when it sets. This symbolizes divine authority and the certainty of revelation.
3. What is the main theme of Surah An-Najm?
The main theme of Surah An-Najm is the truth of revelation and the authority of Prophet Muhammad as Allah’s Messenger. It emphasizes that he does not speak from desire but only conveys what is divinely revealed.
4. Where was Surah 53 revealed?
Surah An-Najm was revealed in Makkah, making it a Makkan Surah. It was revealed when the Quraysh strongly opposed the Prophet, affirming that his message came directly from Allah.
5. How many verses are in Surah 53: An-Najm?
Surah An-Najm contains 62 verses. Its style is poetic, powerful, and emotional, moving listeners to awe and reflection on divine truth.
6. What does Surah An-Najm say about false gods?
The Surah rejects the worship of false deities like Al-Lat, Al-‘Uzza, and Manat, declaring that they hold no power or authority. It affirms that all power belongs only to Allah.
7. What vision of the Prophet is described in Surah An-Najm?
The Surah describes the Prophet’s vision of the mighty angel Jibreel (Gabriel) and signs during the Night Journey (Mi’raj). This vision confirms the truth of revelation and his closeness to divine knowledge.
8. How does Surah 53 describe accountability?
Surah An-Najm stresses that every soul is responsible for its deeds and will be judged fairly. No one can bear the burden of another, and ultimate return is to Allah.
9. What lessons can Muslims learn from Surah An-Najm?
Muslims learn that revelation is true, idolatry is false, and accountability is certain. The Surah encourages submission to Allah alone, humility, and preparation for the Hereafter.
10. How can reciting Surah 53: An-Najm benefit a believer?
Reciting Surah An-Najm strengthens faith in the Qur’an and the Prophet’s mission. It reminds believers to stay away from arrogance, avoid false worship, and remain conscious of their responsibility before Allah. 0 0 0
