The Quran

سورة النّجْم

Surah Al-Najm 53:9

The Parts of the Qur‘ân · Verse 9 of 62

فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَىٰ

Abdul Mannan Omar

So that he became (as it were) one chord to two bows or closer still.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

And was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer;

Ahmed Ali

Until a space of two bow (arcs) or even less remained,

12 more translations

Ali Unal

So he was (so near that there was left only the distance between) the strings of two bows (put adjacent to each other) or even nearer (than that).

Daryabadi

Till he was two bows length off or yet nearer.

Faridul Haque

So the distance between the Spectacle and the beloved was only two arms’ length, or even less. (The Heavenly Journey of Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him – was with body and soul.)

Maulana Muhammad Ali

So he was the measure of two bows or closer still.

Maulvi Sher Ali

So that HE became, as it were, one chord to two bows, or closer still.

Muhammad Asad

until he was but two bow-lengths away, or even nearer.

Muhammad Musin Khan

And was at a distance of two bows' length or (even) nearer,

Muhammad Pickthall

Till he was (distant) two bows' length or even nearer,

Muhammad Sarwar

until he was as close to him as the distance of two bows, or even less.

Muhammed ali Shakir

So he was the measure of two bows or closer still.

Rashad Khalifa

Until He became as close as possible.

Shabbir Ahmed

Till he was but two bow-lengths away, or even closer.

Commentary 53:9 This figurative description of the Holy Prophets approach is based on an ancient Arabic figure of speech and is meant to convey the idea that the Holy…

فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَىٰ

53:9 This figurative description of the Holy Prophets approach is based on an ancient Arabic figure of speech and is meant to convey the idea that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) attained the utmost nearness to Allâh, which is possible for a human being to attain. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) scaled the heights of spiritual Ascension and sought an approach so near to Allâh, until all distance between them disappeared and became as it were, “one chord to two bows”. The proverb reminds us of an ancient Arab custom according to which two persons who pledge each other firm friendship joined their bows in such a way that they appeared as one and then they would shoot an arrow from that combined bow, symbolizing that they had become like a single person and that an attack on one would be considered an attack on the other. They say, ramai-na ann qausin wâhidرمينا عن قوس واحد meaning, “They shot at us from one bow” (Tâj). This stage has been elaborated in verse 8:17, “It was not you (the Prophet) who threw (a handful of small stones) when you did apparently, but it was Allâh who threw”. A similar message is conveyed in verse 48:10 in the words, “Those who swear allegiance to you as a matter of fact swear allegiance to Allâh”. “It is Allâh’s hand (and not the hand of the Prophet) over their hands”. In spite of this nearness, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) remains a human being (18:110) and His humble servant (see verse 10). The two bows also seem to indicate the Holy Prophets (pbuh) twofold perfection; his nearness to Allâh and his service to humanity (see verse 8).