L'étoile (An-najm, النجم), sourate n°53 du Coran

Par l'étoile à son déclin !

وَٱلنَّجْمِ إِذَا هَوَىٰ

Wa An-Najmi 'Idhā Hawá

By the stars when they fade away!

Votre compagnon ne s'est pas égaré et n'a pas été induit en erreur

مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَىٰ

Mā Đalla Şāĥibukum Wa Mā Ghawá

Your fellow man n2 Muḥammad (ﷺ). is neither misguided nor astray.

et il ne prononce rien sous l'effet de la passion ;

وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلْهَوَىٰٓ

Wa Mā Yanţiqu `Ani Al-Hawá

Nor does he speak of his own whims.

ce n'est rien d'autre qu'une révélation inspirée.

إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْىٌۭ يُوحَىٰ

'In Huwa 'Illā Waĥyun Yūĥá

It is only a revelation sent down ˹to him˺.

que lui a enseigné [L'archange Gabriel] : à la force prodigieuse,

عَلَّمَهُۥ شَدِيدُ ٱلْقُوَىٰ

`Allamahu Shadīdu Al-Quwá

He has been taught by one ˹angel˺ of mighty power n3The angel Gabriel.

doué de sagacité ; c'est alors qu'il se montra sous sa forme réelle [angélique],

ذُو مِرَّةٍۢ فَٱسْتَوَىٰ

Dhū Mirratin Fāstawá

and great perfection, who once rose to ˹his˺ true form n4 Gabriel used to come to the Prophet in a human form. But he appeared to him (ﷺ) twice in his angelic form: once at the beginning of the Prophet’s mission (when the angel manifested himself, filling the horizon, the Prophet (ﷺ) lost his consciousness), and another time during the Prophet’s Night Journey to the seventh heaven to receive the order to pray directly from Allah (see 17:1).

alors qu'il se trouvait à l'horizon supérieur.

وَهُوَ بِٱلْأُفُقِ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ

Wa Huwa Bil-'Ufuqi Al-'A`lá

while on the highest point above the horizon,

Puis il se rapprocha et descendit encore plus bas,

ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّىٰ

Thumma Danā Fatadallá

then he approached ˹the Prophet˺, coming so close

et fut à deux portées d'arc, ou plus près encore.

فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَىٰ

Fakāna Qāba Qawsayni 'Aw 'Adná

that he was only two arms-lengths away or even less n5 lit., he was only two bow-draws away.

Il révéla à Son serviteur ce qu'Il révéla.

فَأَوْحَىٰٓ إِلَىٰ عَبْدِهِۦ مَآ أَوْحَىٰ

Fa'awĥá 'Ilá `Abdihi Mā 'Awĥá

Then Allah revealed to His servant what He revealed ˹through Gabriel˺.

Le cœur n'a pas menti en ce qu'il a vu.

مَا كَذَبَ ٱلْفُؤَادُ مَا رَأَىٰٓ

Mā Kadhaba Al-Fu'uādu Mā Ra'á

The ˹Prophet’s˺ heart did not doubt what he saw.

Lui contestez-vous donc ce qu'il voit ?

أَفَتُمَٰرُونَهُۥ عَلَىٰ مَا يَرَىٰ

'Afatumārūnahu `Alá Mā Yará

How can you ˹O pagans˺ then dispute with him regarding what he saw?

Il l'a pourtant vu, lors d'une autre descente,

وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَىٰ

Wa Laqad Ra'āhu Nazlatan 'Ukhrá

And he certainly saw that ˹angel descend˺ a second time

près de la Sidrat-ul-Muntaha,

عِندَ سِدْرَةِ ٱلْمُنتَهَىٰ

`Inda Sidrati Al-Muntahá

at the Lote Tree of the most extreme limit ˹in the seventh heaven˺—

près d'elle se trouve le jardin de Maawa :

عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰٓ

`Indahā Jannatu Al-Ma'wá

near which is the Garden of ˹Eternal˺ Residence—

au moment où le lotus était couvert de ce qui le couvrait.

إِذْ يَغْشَى ٱلسِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَىٰ

'Idh Yaghshá As-Sidrata Mā Yaghshá

while the Lote Tree was overwhelmed with ˹heavenly˺ splendours!

La vue n'a nullement dévié ni outrepassé la mesure.

مَا زَاغَ ٱلْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَىٰ

Mā Zāgha Al-Başaru Wa Mā Ţaghá

The ˹Prophet’s˺ sight never wandered, nor did it overreach.

Il a bien vu certaines des grandes merveilles de son Seigneur.

لَقَدْ رَأَىٰ مِنْ ءَايَٰتِ رَبِّهِ ٱلْكُبْرَىٰٓ

Laqad Ra'á Min 'Āyāti Rabbihi Al-Kubrá

He certainly saw some of his Lord’s greatest signs n6 The Prophet was taken to heaven to see some of Allah’s magnificent signs. He only saw what he was told to see

Que vous en semble [des divinités] Lat et Uzza,

أَفَرَءَيْتُمُ ٱللَّٰتَ وَٱلْعُزَّىٰ

'Afara'aytumu Al-Lāta Wa Al-`Uzzá

Now, have you considered ˹the idols of˺ Lât and ’Uzza,

ainsi que Manat, cette troisième autre ?

وَمَنَوٰةَ ٱلثَّالِثَةَ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰٓ

Wa Manāata Ath-Thālithata Al-'Ukhrá

and the third one, Manât, as well?

Sera-ce à vous le garçon et à Lui n7Dieu les filles ?

أَلَكُمُ ٱلذَّكَرُ وَلَهُ ٱلْأُنثَىٰ

'Alakumu Adh-Dhakaru Wa Lahu Al-'Unthá

Do you ˹prefer to˺ have sons while ˹you attribute˺ to Him daughters? n8See footnote for 52:39.

Que voilà donc un partage injuste !

تِلْكَ إِذًۭا قِسْمَةٌۭ ضِيزَىٰٓ

Tilka 'Idhāan Qismatun Đīzá

Then this is ˹truly˺ a biased distribution!

Ce ne sont que des noms que vous avez inventés, vous et vos ancêtres. Dieu n'a fait descendre aucune preuve à leur sujet. Ils ne suivent que la conjecture et les passions de [leurs] âmes, alors que la guidée leur est venue de leur Seigneur.

إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّآ أَسْمَآءٌۭ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَٰنٍ ۚ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ وَمَا تَهْوَى ٱلْأَنفُسُ ۖ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُم مِّن رَّبِّهِمُ ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ

'In Hiya 'Illā 'Asmā'un Sammaytumūhā 'Antum Wa 'Ābā'uukum Mā 'Anzala Allāhu Bihā Min Sulţānin 'In Yattabi`ūna 'Illā Až-Žanna Wa Mā Tahwá Al-'Anfusu Wa Laqad Jā'ahum Min Rabbihimu Al-Hudá

These ˹idols˺ are mere names that you and your forefathers have made up1—a practice Allah has never authorized. They follow nothing but ˹inherited˺ assumptions and whatever ˹their˺ souls desire, although ˹true˺ guidance has already come to them from their Lord.

Ou bien l'homme aura-t-il tout ce qu'il désire ?

أَمْ لِلْإِنسَٰنِ مَا تَمَنَّىٰ

'Am Lil'insāni Mā Tamanná

Or should every person ˹simply˺ have whatever ˹intercessors˺ they desire? n10Arab pagans took these idols as intermediaries to intercede for them on the Day of Judgment (see 39:3)

À Dieu appartiennent la vie future et la vie d'ici-bas.

فَلِلَّهِ ٱلْءَاخِرَةُ وَٱلْأُولَىٰ

Falillāhi Al-'Ākhiratu Wa Al-'Ūlá

In fact, to Allah ˹alone˺ belongs this world and the next.

Et que d'Anges dans les cieux dont l'intercession ne sert à rien, sinon qu'après que Dieu l'autre permis, en faveur de qui Il veut et qu'Il agrée.

۞ وَكَم مِّن مَّلَكٍۢ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ لَا تُغْنِى شَفَٰعَتُهُمْ شَيْـًٔا إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ أَن يَأْذَنَ ٱللَّهُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَرْضَىٰٓ

Wa Kam Min Malakin Fī As-Samāwāti Lā Tughnī Shafā`atuhum Shay'āan 'Illā Min Ba`di 'An Ya'dhana Allāhu Liman Yashā'u Wa Yarđá

˹Imagine˺ how many ˹noble˺ angels are in the heavens! ˹Even˺ their intercession would be of no benefit whatsoever, until Allah gives permission to whoever He wills and ˹only for the people He˺ approves.

Ceux qui ne croient pas en l'au-delà donnent aux Anges des noms de femmes,

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ لَيُسَمُّونَ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةَ تَسْمِيَةَ ٱلْأُنثَىٰ

'Inna Al-Ladhīna Lā Yu'uminūna Bil-'Ākhirati Layusammūna Al-Malā'ikata Tasmiyata Al-'Unthá

Indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter label angels as female,

alors qu'ils n'en ont aucune science : ils ne suivent que la conjecture, alors que la conjecture ne sert à rien contre la vérité.

وَمَا لَهُم بِهِۦ مِنْ عِلْمٍ ۖ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ ۖ وَإِنَّ ٱلظَّنَّ لَا يُغْنِى مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ شَيْـًۭٔا

Wa Mā Lahum Bihi Min `Ilmin 'In Yattabi`ūna 'Illā Až-Žanna Wa 'Inna Až-Žanna Lā Yughnī Mina Al-Ĥaqqi Shay'āan

although they have no knowledge ˹in support˺ of this. They follow nothing but ˹inherited˺ assumptions. And surely assumptions can in no way replace the truth.

Écarte-toi donc, de celui qui tourne le dos à Notre rappel et qui ne désire que la vie présente.

فَأَعْرِضْ عَن مَّن تَوَلَّىٰ عَن ذِكْرِنَا وَلَمْ يُرِدْ إِلَّا ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا

Fa'a`riđ `An Man Tawallá `An Dhikrinā Wa Lam Yurid 'Illā Al-Ĥayāata Ad-Dunyā

So turn away ˹O Prophet˺ from whoever has shunned Our Reminder,1 only seeking the ˹fleeting˺ life of this world.

Voilà toute la portée de leur savoir. Certes ton Seigneur connaît parfaitement celui qui s'égare de Son chemin et Il connaît parfaitement qui est bien guidé.

ذَٰلِكَ مَبْلَغُهُم مِّنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ

Dhālika Mablaghuhum Mina Al-`Ilmi 'Inna Rabbaka Huwa 'A`lamu Biman Đalla `An Sabīlihi Wa Huwa 'A`lamu Bimani Ahtadá

This is the extent of their knowledge. Surely your Lord knows best who has strayed from His Way and who is ˹rightly˺ guided.

À Dieu appartient ce qui est dans les cieux et sur la terre afin qu'Il rétribue ceux qui font le mal selon ce qu'ils œuvrent, et récompense ceux qui font le bien par la meilleure [récompense],

وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لِيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَٰٓـُٔوا۟ بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ بِٱلْحُسْنَى

Wa Lillahi Mā Fī As-Samāwāti Wa Mā Fī Al-'Arđi Liyajziya Al-Ladhīna 'Asā'ū Bimā `Amilū Wa Yajziya Al-Ladhīna 'Aĥsanū Bil-Ĥusná

To Allah ˹alone˺ belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth so that He may reward the evildoers according to what they did, and reward the good-doers with the finest reward n11i.e., Paradise.

ceux qui évitent les plus grands péchés ainsi que les turpitudes et [qui ne commettent] que des fautes légères. Certes, le pardon de Ton Seigneur est immense. C'est Lui qui vous connaît le mieux quand Il vous a produits de terre, et aussi quand vous étiez des embryons dans les ventres de vos mères. Ne vantez pas vous-mêmes votre pureté ; c'est Lui qui connaît mieux ceux qui [Le] craignent.

ٱلَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبَٰٓئِرَ ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْفَوَٰحِشَ إِلَّا ٱللَّمَمَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَٰسِعُ ٱلْمَغْفِرَةِ ۚ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ إِذْ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِذْ أَنتُمْ أَجِنَّةٌۭ فِى بُطُونِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمْ ۖ فَلَا تُزَكُّوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۖ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰٓ

Al-Ladhīna Yajtanibūna Kabā'ira Al-'Ithmi Wa Al-Fawāĥisha 'Illā Al-Lamama 'Inna Rabbaka Wāsi`u Al-Maghfirati Huwa 'A`lamu Bikum 'Idh 'Ansha'akum Mina Al-'Arđi Wa 'Idh 'Antum 'Ajinnatun Fī Buţūni 'Ummahātikum Falā Tuzakkū 'Anfusakum Huwa 'A`lamu Bimani Attaqá

those who avoid major sins and shameful deeds, despite ˹stumbling on˺ minor sins. Surely your Lord is infinite in forgiveness. He knew well what would become of you as He created you from the earth1 and while you were ˹still˺ fetuses in the wombs of your mothers.2 So do not ˹falsely˺ elevate yourselves. He knows best who is ˹truly˺ righteous.

Vois-tu celui qui s'est détourné,

أَفَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى تَوَلَّىٰ

'Afara'ayta Al-Ladhī Tawallá

Have you seen the one who turned away ˹from Islam,˺

donné peu et a [finalement] cessé de donner?

وَأَعْطَىٰ قَلِيلًۭا وَأَكْدَىٰٓ

Wa 'A`ţá Qalīlāan Wa 'Akdá

and ˹initially˺ paid a little ˹for his salvation˺, and then stopped?

Détient-il la science de l'Inconnaissable en sorte qu'il voit?

أَعِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ فَهُوَ يَرَىٰٓ

'A`indahu `Ilmu Al-Ghaybi Fahuwa Yará

Does he have the knowledge of the unseen so that he sees ˹the Hereafter˺?

Ne lui a-t-on pas annoncé ce qu'il y avait dans les feuilles de Moïse

أَمْ لَمْ يُنَبَّأْ بِمَا فِى صُحُفِ مُوسَىٰ

'Am Lam Yunabba' Bimā Fī Şuĥufi Mūsá

Or has he not been informed of what is in the Scripture of Moses,

et celles d'Abraham qui a tenu parfaitement [sa promesse de transmettre]

وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ ٱلَّذِى وَفَّىٰٓ

Wa 'Ibrāhīma Al-Ladhī Wa Ffá

and ˹that of˺ Abraham, who ˹perfectly˺ fulfilled ˹his covenant˺?

qu'aucune [âme]: ne portera le fardeau (le péché) d'autrui,

أَلَّا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌۭ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ

'Allā Taziru Wāziratun Wizra 'Ukhrá

˹They state˺ that no soul burdened with sin will bear the burden of another,

et qu'en vérité, l'homme n'obtient que [le fruit]: de ses efforts;

وَأَن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَٰنِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰ

Wa 'An Laysa Lil'insāni 'Illā Mā Sa`á

and that each person will only have what they endeavoured towards,

et que son effort, en vérité, lui sera présenté (le jour du Jugement).

وَأَنَّ سَعْيَهُۥ سَوْفَ يُرَىٰ

Wa 'Anna Sa`yahu Sawfa Yurá

and that ˹the outcome of˺ their endeavours will be seen ˹in their record˺,

Ensuite il en sera récompensé pleinement,

ثُمَّ يُجْزَىٰهُ ٱلْجَزَآءَ ٱلْأَوْفَىٰ

Thumma Yujzāhu Al-Jazā'a Al-'Awfá

then they will be fully rewarded,

et que tout aboutit, en vérité, vers ton Seigneur,

وَأَنَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ ٱلْمُنتَهَىٰ

Wa 'Anna 'Ilá Rabbika Al-Muntahá

and that to your Lord ˹alone˺ is the ultimate return ˹of all things˺.

et que c'est Lui qui a fait rire et qui a fait pleurer,

وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ أَضْحَكَ وَأَبْكَىٰ

Wa 'Annahu Huwa 'Ađĥaka Wa 'Abká

Moreover, He is the One Who brings about joy and sadness n12lit., laughter and weeping..

et que c'est Lui qui a fait mourir et qui a ramené à la vie,

وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ أَمَاتَ وَأَحْيَا

Wa 'Annahu Huwa 'Amāta Wa 'Aĥyā

And He is the One Who gives life and causes death.

et que c'est Lui qui a créé les deux éléments de couple, le mâle et la femelle,

وَأَنَّهُۥ خَلَقَ ٱلزَّوْجَيْنِ ٱلذَّكَرَ وَٱلْأُنثَىٰ

Wa 'Annahu Khalaqa Az-Zawjayni Adh-Dhakara Wa Al-'Unthá

And He created the pairs—males and females—

d'une goutte de sperme quand elle est éjaculée

مِن نُّطْفَةٍ إِذَا تُمْنَىٰ

Min Nuţfatin 'Idhā Tumná

from a sperm-drop when it is emitted.

et que la seconde création Lui incombe,

وَأَنَّ عَلَيْهِ ٱلنَّشْأَةَ ٱلْأُخْرَىٰ

Wa 'Anna `Alayhi An-Nash'ata Al-'Ukhrá

And it is upon Him to bring about re-creation.

et c'est Lui qui a enrichi et qui a fait acquérir.

وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ أَغْنَىٰ وَأَقْنَىٰ

Wa 'Annahu Huwa 'Aghná Wa 'Aqná

And He is the One Who enriches and impoverishes.

Et c'est Lui qui est le Seigneur de Sirius,

وَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلشِّعْرَىٰ

Wa 'Annahu Huwa Rabbu Ash-Shi`rá

And He alone is the Lord of Sirius n13A star worshipped by some ancient pagans..

et c'est Lui qui a fait périr les anciens Aad,

وَأَنَّهُۥٓ أَهْلَكَ عَادًا ٱلْأُولَىٰ

Wa 'Annahu 'Ahlaka `Ādāan Al-'Ūlá

And He destroyed the first ˹people of˺ ’Ȃd,

ainsi que les Tamud, et Il fit que rien n'en subsistât,

وَثَمُودَا۟ فَمَآ أَبْقَىٰ

Wa Thamūda Famā 'Abqá

and ˹then˺ Thamûd n14Also known as the second ’Ȃd., sparing no one.

ainsi que le peuple de Noé antérieurement, car ils étaient encore plus injustes et plus violents,

وَقَوْمَ نُوحٍۢ مِّن قَبْلُ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ هُمْ أَظْلَمَ وَأَطْغَىٰ

Wa Qawma Nūĥin Min Qablu 'Innahum Kānū Hum 'Ažlama Wa 'Aţghá

And before ˹that He destroyed˺ the people of Noah, who were truly far worse in wrongdoing and transgression.

de même qu'Il anéantit les villes renversées.

وَٱلْمُؤْتَفِكَةَ أَهْوَىٰ

Wa Al-Mu'utafikata 'Ahwá

And ˹it was˺ He ˹Who˺ turned the cities ˹of Sodom and Gomorrah˺ upside down.

Et les recouvrit de ce dont Il les recouvrit.

فَغَشَّىٰهَا مَا غَشَّىٰ

Faghashāhā Mā Ghashá

How overwhelming was what covered ˹them˺! n15The stones of baked clay that were rained upon them (see 11:82-83).

Lequel donc des bienfaits de ton Seigneur mets-tu en doute ?

فَبِأَىِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكَ تَتَمَارَىٰ

Fabi'ayyi 'Ālā'i Rabbika Tatamārá

Now, which of your Lord’s favours will you dispute?

Voici un avertisseur analogue aux avertisseurs anciens :

هَٰذَا نَذِيرٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلنُّذُرِ ٱلْأُولَىٰٓ

Hādhā Nadhīrun Mina An-Nudhuri Al-'Ūlá

This ˹Prophet˺ is a warner like earlier ones.

l'Imminente (L'heure du Jugement) s'approche.

أَزِفَتِ ٱلْءَازِفَةُ

'Azifati Al-'Āzifahu

The approaching ˹Hour˺ has drawn near.

Rien d'autre en dehors de Dieu ne peut la dévoiler.

لَيْسَ لَهَا مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ كَاشِفَةٌ

Laysa Lahā Min Dūni Allāhi Kāshifahun

None but Allah can disclose it.

Quoi ! Vous étonnez-vous de ce discours (le Coran) ?

أَفَمِنْ هَٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ تَعْجَبُونَ

'Afamin Hādhā Al-Ĥadīthi Ta`jabūna

Do you find this revelation astonishing,

Et vous [en]: riez et n'[en]: pleurez point ?

وَتَضْحَكُونَ وَلَا تَبْكُونَ

Wa Tađĥakūna Wa Lā Tabkūna

laughing ˹at it˺ and not weeping ˹in awe˺,

absorbés [que vous êtes] : par votre distraction.

وَأَنتُمْ سَٰمِدُونَ

Wa 'Antum Sāmidūna

while persisting in heedlessness?

Prosternez-vous donc à Dieu et adorez-Le.

فَٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ ۩

Fāsjudū Lillāhi Wa A`budū

Instead, prostrate to Allah and worship ˹Him alone˺!