Surah An-Najm 53:2
سُورَةُ النَّجۡمِ · Meccan · Verse 2 of 62
مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَىٰ
Translation
Your companion has not strayed; he is not deluded;
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse (53:2) comes as a powerful declaration from Allah, addressing the disbelievers of Makkah, particularly Quraysh. It is a direct and absolute denial of their accusations against Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Allah Himself is speaking here, immediately after swearing by the stars (in the previous verse), emphasizing the gravity and truth of what is about to be revealed. The tone is one of divine defense and a clear statement of the Prophet's impeccable guidance.
Your Trusted Companion
The verse begins by referring to the Prophet as `صَاحِبُكُمْ` (sahibukum), meaning "your companion." This particular choice of word, as noted by Ibn Ashur, is not accidental. It serves as a subtle yet potent challenge to the disbelievers. For decades, Prophet Muhammad lived among them, known for his integrity, wisdom, and truthfulness. He was their fellow townsman, their trusted companion. How then, Allah implies, could they now accuse him of falsehood when they knew him so intimately? This intimate association makes their accusations of misguidance particularly hypocritical.
Beyond Being Lost
The core of the verse lies in its two strong negations: `مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَىٰ` (ma dall sahibukum wa ma ghawa).
The first negation, `مَا ضَلَّ` (ma dall), means "he has not strayed" or "he has not gone astray." The Arabic root for `ضَلَّ` generally implies losing one's way, being lost from the path of truth, or falling into error, similar to how one might lose their way on a journey.
The second negation, `وَمَا غَوَىٰ` (wa ma ghawa), means "nor has he been misguided" or "nor has he gone astray due to corrupt judgment." Imam al-Razi provides a deeper insight into the distinction between `ضَلَّ` and `غَوَىٰ`. He explains that `ضَلَّ` is a more general term for being lost, while `غَوَىٰ` refers to a specific kind of deviation, a lack of sound guidance, or following one's whims and desires, leading to false beliefs or corrupt reasoning. For example, al-Razi suggests `ضَلَّ` can be likened to outright disbelief, while `غَوَىٰ` is like transgression (fisq).
By using both words, Allah is offering a comprehensive denial. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was not only on the right path (`مَا ضَلَّ`), but his path was also perfectly straight and guided, free from any corruption in his judgment or any inclination towards error (`وَمَا غَوَىٰ`). He was neither lost, nor was his understanding or actions ever corrupt or misguided. This precise pairing underscores the absolute purity and correctness of his guidance, refuting every possible accusation the disbelievers could conjure.
The Power of Repetition
The repeated `مَا` (ma) acts as a powerful, unequivocal statement. It's not merely a single denial but a firm double affirmation that Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was entirely free from any form of deviation. It leaves no room for doubt or ambiguity, firmly establishing his perfect straightness on the path of truth and righteousness. The careful selection of these two distinct yet related words, coupled with their emphatic negation, paints a complete picture of the Prophet's protected and infallible guidance, affirming the divine source of his message.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jalalayn, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah An-Najm 53:2 is discussed in 6 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah An-Najm 53:2 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.