Chapter 68, 52 verses
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Nun. By the pen and that which they write (therewith),
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Nun. [These letters (Nun, etc.) are one of the miracles of the Qur'an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. By the pen and by what they (the angels) write (in the Records of men).
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ن ۚ وَالْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُونَ
Nun. By the pen and what they inscribe,
Thou art not, for thy Lord's favour unto thee, a madman.
You (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), by the Grace of your Lord, are not mad.
مَا أَنتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُونٍ
You are not, [O Muhammad], by the favor of your Lord, a madman.
And lo! thine verily will be a reward unfailing.
And Verily, for you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) will be an endless reward.
وَإِنَّ لَكَ لَأَجْرًا غَيْرَ مَمْنُونٍ
And indeed, for you is a reward uninterrupted.
And lo! thou art of a tremendous nature.
And Verily, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) are on an exalted (standard of) character.
وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ
And indeed, you are of a great moral character.
And thou wilt see and they will see
You will see, and they will see,
فَسَتُبْصِرُ وَيُبْصِرُونَ
So you will see and they will see
Which of you is the demented.
Which of you is afflicted with madness.
بِأَييِّكُمُ الْمَفْتُونُ
Which of you is the afflicted [by a devil].
Lo! thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayeth from His way, and He is Best Aware of those who walk aright.
Verily, your Lord is the Best Knower of him who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Knower of those who are guided.
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِينَ
Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has gone astray from His way, and He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.
Therefor obey not thou the rejecters
So (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) obey you not the deniers [(of Islamic Monotheism - those who belie the Verses of Allah), the Oneness of Allah, and the Messengership of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم]
فَلَا تُطِعِ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ
Then do not obey the deniers.
Who would have had thee compromise, that they may compromise.
They wish that you should compromise (in religion out of courtesy) with them: so they (too) would compromise with you.
وَدُّوا لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُونَ
They wish that you would soften [in your position], so they would soften [toward you].
Neither obey thou each feeble oath - monger,
And (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) obey you not everyone Hallaf Mahin (the one who swears much and is a liar or is worthless). [Tafsir At-Tabari]
وَلَا تُطِعْ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ مَّهِينٍ
And do not obey every worthless habitual swearer
Detracter, spreader abroad of slanders,
A slanderer, going about with calumnies,
هَمَّازٍ مَّشَّاءٍ بِنَمِيمٍ
[And] scorner, going about with malicious gossip -
Hinderer of the good, transgressor, malefactor
Hinderer of the good, transgressor, sinful,
مَّنَّاعٍ لِّلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيمٍ
A preventer of good, transgressing and sinful,
Greedy therewithal, intrusive.
Cruel, and moreover base-born (of illegitimate birth).
عُتُلٍّ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ زَنِيمٍ
Cruel, moreover, and an illegitimate pretender.
It is because he is possessed of wealth and children
(He was so) because he had wealth and children.
أَن كَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَبَنِينَ
Because he is a possessor of wealth and children,
That, when Our revelations are recited unto him, he saith: Mere fables of the men of old.
When Our Verses (of the Qur'an) are recited to him, he says: "Tales of the men of old!"
إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ آيَاتُنَا قَالَ أَسَاطِيرُ الْأَوَّلِينَ
When Our verses are recited to him, he says, "Legends of the former peoples."
We shall brand him on the nose.
We shall brand him on the snout (nose)!
سَنَسِمُهُ عَلَى الْخُرْطُومِ
We will brand him upon the snout.
Lo! We have tried them as We tried the owners of the garden when they vowed that they would pluck its fruit next morning,
Verily, We have tried them as We tried the people of the garden, when they swore to pluck the fruits of the (garden) in the morning,
إِنَّا بَلَوْنَاهُمْ كَمَا بَلَوْنَا أَصْحَابَ الْجَنَّةِ إِذْ أَقْسَمُوا لَيَصْرِمُنَّهَا مُصْبِحِينَ
Indeed, We have tried them as We tried the companions of the garden, when they swore to cut its fruit in the [early] morning
And made no exception (for the Will of Allah);
Without saying: Insha' Allah (If Allah wills).
وَلَا يَسْتَثْنُونَ
Without making exception.
Then a visitation from thy Lord came upon it while they slept
Then there passed by on the (garden) a visitation (fire) from your Lord at night and burnt it while they were asleep.
فَطَافَ عَلَيْهَا طَائِفٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ وَهُمْ نَائِمُونَ
So there came upon the garden an affliction from your Lord while they were asleep.
And in the morning it was as if plucked.
So the (garden) became black by the morning, like a pitch dark night (in complete ruins).
فَأَصْبَحَتْ كَالصَّرِيمِ
And it became as though reaped.
And they cried out one unto another in the morning,
Then they called out one to another as soon as the morning broke.
فَتَنَادَوْا مُصْبِحِينَ
And they called one another at morning,
Saying: Run unto your field if ye would pluck (the fruit).
Saying: "Go to your tilth in the morning, if you would pluck the fruits."
أَنِ اغْدُوا عَلَىٰ حَرْثِكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَارِمِينَ
[Saying], "Go early to your crop if you would cut the fruit."
So they went off, saying one unto another in low tones:
So they departed, conversing in secret low tones (saying):
فَانطَلَقُوا وَهُمْ يَتَخَافَتُونَ
So they set out, while lowering their voices,
No needy man shall enter it to - day against you.
"No Miskin (poor man) shall enter upon you into it today."
أَن لَّا يَدْخُلَنَّهَا الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكُم مِّسْكِينٌ
[Saying], "There will surely not enter it today upon you [any] poor person."
They went betimes, strong in (this) purpose.
And they went in the morning with strong intention, thinking that they have power (to prevent the poor taking anything of the fruits therefrom).
وَغَدَوْا عَلَىٰ حَرْدٍ قَادِرِينَ
And they went early in determination, [assuming themselves] able.
But when they saw it, they said: Lo! we are in error!
But when they saw the (garden), they said: "Verily, we have gone astray."
فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهَا قَالُوا إِنَّا لَضَالُّونَ
But when they saw it, they said, "Indeed, we are lost;
Nay, but we are desolate!
(Then they said): "Nay! Indeed we are deprived of (the fruits)!"
بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ
Rather, we have been deprived."
The best among them said: Said I not unto you: Why glorify ye not (Allah) ?
The best among them said: "Did I not tell you: why say you not: Insha' Allah (If Allah wills)."
قَالَ أَوْسَطُهُمْ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ لَوْلَا تُسَبِّحُونَ
The most moderate of them said, "Did I not say to you, 'Why do you not exalt [Allah]?' "
They said: Glorified be our Lord! Lo! we have been wrong - doers.
They said: "Glory to Our Lord! Verily, we have been Zalimun (wrong-doers)."
قَالُوا سُبْحَانَ رَبِّنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَالِمِينَ
They said, "Exalted is our Lord! Indeed, we were wrongdoers."
Then some of them drew near unto others, self - reproaching.
Then they turned one against another, blaming.
فَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ يَتَلَاوَمُونَ
Then they approached one another, blaming each other.
They said: Alas for us! In truth we were outrageous.
They said: "Woe to us! Verily, we were Taghun (transgressors and disobedient)
قَالُوا يَا وَيْلَنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا طَاغِينَ
They said, "O woe to us; indeed we were transgressors.
It may be that our Lord will give us better than this in place thereof. Lo! we beseech our Lord.
We hope that our Lord will give us in exchange a better (garden) than this. Truly, we turn to our Lord (wishing for good that He may forgive our sins and reward us in the Hereafter).
عَسَىٰ رَبُّنَا أَن يُبْدِلَنَا خَيْرًا مِّنْهَا إِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا رَاغِبُونَ
Perhaps our Lord will substitute for us [one] better than it. Indeed, we are toward our Lord desirous."
Such was the punishment. And verily the punishment of the Hereafter is greater if they did but know.
Such is the punishment (in this life), but truly, the punishment of the Hereafter is greater if they but knew.
كَذَٰلِكَ الْعَذَابُ ۖ وَلَعَذَابُ الْآخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ
Such is the punishment [of this world]. And the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew.
Lo! for those who keep from evil are gardens of bliss with their Lord.
Verily, for the Muttaqun (the pious - See V.2:2) are Gardens of delight (Paradise) with their Lord.
إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ
Indeed, for the righteous with their Lord are the Gardens of Pleasure.
Shall We then treat those who have surrendered as We treat the guilty ?
Shall We then treat the Muslims (believers of Islamic Monotheism, doers of righteous deeds) like the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists and disbelievers, etc.)?
أَفَنَجْعَلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ كَالْمُجْرِمِينَ
Then will We treat the Muslims like the criminals?
What aileth you ? How foolishly ye judge!
What is the matter with you? How judge you?
مَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ
What is [the matter] with you? How do you judge?
Or have ye a scripture wherein ye learn
Or have you a Book wherein you learn,
أَمْ لَكُمْ كِتَابٌ فِيهِ تَدْرُسُونَ
Or do you have a scripture in which you learn
That ye shall indeed have all that ye choose ?
That you shall therein have all that you choose?
إِنَّ لَكُمْ فِيهِ لَمَا تَخَيَّرُونَ
That indeed for you is whatever you choose?
Or have ye a covenant on oath from Us that reacheth to the Day of Judgment, that yours shall be all that ye ordain ?
Or have you oaths from Us, reaching to the Day of Resurrection, that yours will be what you judge?
أَمْ لَكُمْ أَيْمَانٌ عَلَيْنَا بَالِغَةٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ۙ إِنَّ لَكُمْ لَمَا تَحْكُمُونَ
Or do you have oaths [binding] upon Us, extending until the Day of Resurrection, that indeed for you is whatever you judge?
Ask them (O Muhammad) which of them will vouch for that!
Ask them, which of them will stand surety for that!
سَلْهُمْ أَيُّهُم بِذَٰلِكَ زَعِيمٌ
Ask them which of them, for that [claim], is responsible.
Or have they other gods ? Then let them bring their other gods if they are truthful
Or have they "partners"? Then let them bring their "partners" if they are truthful!
أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَاءُ فَلْيَأْتُوا بِشُرَكَائِهِمْ إِن كَانُوا صَادِقِينَ
Or do they have partners? Then let them bring their partners, if they should be truthful.
On the day when it befalleth in earnest, and they are ordered to prostrate themselves but are not able,
(Remember) the Day when the Shin shall be laid bare (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) and they shall be called to prostrate themselves (to Allah), but they (hypocrites) shall not be able to do so.
يَوْمَ يُكْشَفُ عَن سَاقٍ وَيُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى السُّجُودِ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ
The Day the shin will be uncovered and they are invited to prostration but the disbelievers will not be able,
With eyes downcast, abasement stupefying them. And they had been summoned to prostrate themselves while they were yet unhurt.
Their eyes will be cast down and ignominy will cover them; they used to be called to prostrate themselves (offer prayers), while they were healthy and good (in the life of the world, but they did not).
خَاشِعَةً أَبْصَارُهُمْ تَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌ ۖ وَقَدْ كَانُوا يُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى السُّجُودِ وَهُمْ سَالِمُونَ
Their eyes humbled, humiliation will cover them. And they used to be invited to prostration while they were sound.
Leave Me (to deal) with those who give the lie to this pronouncement. We shall lead them on by steps from whence they know not.
Then leave Me Alone with such as belie this Qur'an. We shall punish them gradually from directions they perceive not.
فَذَرْنِي وَمَن يُكَذِّبُ بِهَٰذَا الْحَدِيثِ ۖ سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
So leave Me, [O Muhammad], with [the matter of] whoever denies the Qur'an. We will progressively lead them [to punishment] from where they do not know.
Yet I bear with them, for lo! My scheme is firm.
And I will grant them a respite. Verily, My Plan is strong.
وَأُمْلِي لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ
And I will give them time. Indeed, My plan is firm.
Or dost thou (Muhammad) ask a fee from them so that they are heavily taxed ?
Or is it that you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) ask them a wage, so that they are heavily burdened with debt?
أَمْ تَسْأَلُهُمْ أَجْرًا فَهُم مِّن مَّغْرَمٍ مُّثْقَلُونَ
Or do you ask of them a payment, so they are by debt burdened down?
Or is the Unseen theirs that they can write (thereof) ?
Or that the Ghaib (the Unseen - here in this Verse it means Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz) is in their hands, so that they can write it down?
أَمْ عِندَهُمُ الْغَيْبُ فَهُمْ يَكْتُبُونَ
Or have they [knowledge of] the unseen, so they write [it] down?
But wait thou for thy Lord's decree, and be not like him of the fish, who cried out in despair.
So wait with patience for the Decision of your Lord, and be not like the Companion of the Fish - when he cried out (to Us) while he was in deep sorrow. (See the Qur'an, Verse 21:87).
فَاصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تَكُن كَصَاحِبِ الْحُوتِ إِذْ نَادَىٰ وَهُوَ مَكْظُومٌ
Then be patient for the decision of your Lord, [O Muhammad], and be not like the companion of the fish when he called out while he was distressed.
Had it not been that favour from his Lord had reached him he surely had been cast into the wilderness while he was reprobate.
Had not a Grace from his Lord reached him, he would indeed have been (left in the stomach of the fish, but We forgave him): so he was cast off on the naked shore, while he was to be blamed.
لَّوْلَا أَن تَدَارَكَهُ نِعْمَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ لَنُبِذَ بِالْعَرَاءِ وَهُوَ مَذْمُومٌ
If not that a favor from his Lord overtook him, he would have been thrown onto the naked shore while he was censured.
But his Lord chose him and placed him among the righteous.
Then his Lord chose him and made him of the righteous.
فَاجْتَبَاهُ رَبُّهُ فَجَعَلَهُ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
And his Lord chose him and made him of the righteous.
And lo! those who disbelieve would fain disconcert thee with their eyes when they hear the Reminder, and they say: Lo! he is indeed mad;
And verily, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes (through hatred) when they hear the Reminder (the Qur'an), and they say: "Verily, he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) is a madman!"
وَإِن يَكَادُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَيُزْلِقُونَكَ بِأَبْصَارِهِمْ لَمَّا سَمِعُوا الذِّكْرَ وَيَقُولُونَ إِنَّهُ لَمَجْنُونٌ
And indeed, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes when they hear the message, and they say, "Indeed, he is mad."
When it is naught else than a Reminder to creation.
But it is nothing else than a Reminder to all the 'Alamin (mankind, and jinn).
وَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
But it is not except a reminder to the worlds.