The invention relates to an objective for a microscope for dark field microscopy having alternating illumination with grazing incidence. A dark field objective is shown having a front lens for receiving light from a sample and having a dark field illumination device for guiding illumination light onto the sample, the dark field illumination device comprising at least one pair of light decoupling elements, which are each situated in pairs around the front lens opposite to the optical axis for counter parallel illumination of the sample.