Chapter 68, 52 verses
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Nun. By the pen and that which they write (therewith),
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ن ۚ وَالْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُونَ
Noon. I swear by the pen and what the angels write,
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).
Thou art not, for thy Lord's favour unto thee, a madman.
مَا أَنتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُونٍ
By the grace of your Lord you are not mad.
You (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), by the Grace of your Lord, are not mad.
And lo! thine verily will be a reward unfailing.
وَإِنَّ لَكَ لَأَجْرًا غَيْرَ مَمْنُونٍ
And most surely you shall have a reward never to be cut off.
And Verily, for you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) will be an endless reward.
And lo! thou art of a tremendous nature.
وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ
And most surely you conform (yourself) to sublime morality.
And Verily, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) are on an exalted (standard of) character.
And thou wilt see and they will see
فَسَتُبْصِرُ وَيُبْصِرُونَ
So you shall see, and they (too) shall see,
You will see, and they will see,
Which of you is the demented.
بِأَييِّكُمُ الْمَفْتُونُ
Which of you is afflicted with madness.
Which of you is afflicted with madness.
Lo! thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayeth from His way, and He is Best Aware of those who walk aright.
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِينَ
Surely your Lord best knows him who errs from His way, and He best knows the followers of the right course.
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.
Therefor obey not thou the rejecters
فَلَا تُطِعِ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ
So do not yield to 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]
Who would have had thee compromise, that they may compromise.
وَدُّوا لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُونَ
They wish that you should be pliant so they (too) would be pliant.
They wish that you should compromise (in religion out of courtesy) with them: so they (too) would compromise with you.
Neither obey thou each feeble oath - monger,
وَلَا تُطِعْ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ مَّهِينٍ
And yield not to any mean swearer
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]
Detracter, spreader abroad of slanders,
هَمَّازٍ مَّشَّاءٍ بِنَمِيمٍ
Defamer, going about with slander
A slanderer, going about with calumnies,
Hinderer of the good, transgressor, malefactor
مَّنَّاعٍ لِّلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيمٍ
Forbidder of good, outstepping the limits, sinful,
Hinderer of the good, transgressor, sinful,
Greedy therewithal, intrusive.
عُتُلٍّ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ زَنِيمٍ
Ignoble, besides all that, base - born;
Cruel, and moreover base-born (of illegitimate birth).
It is because he is possessed of wealth and children
أَن كَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَبَنِينَ
Because he possesses wealth and sons.
(He was so) because he had wealth and children.
That, when Our revelations are recited unto him, he saith: Mere fables of the men of old.
إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ آيَاتُنَا قَالَ أَسَاطِيرُ الْأَوَّلِينَ
When Our communications are recited to him, he says: Stories of those of yore.
When Our Verses (of the Qur'an) are recited to him, he says: "Tales of the men of old!"
We shall brand him on the nose.
سَنَسِمُهُ عَلَى الْخُرْطُومِ
We will brand him on the nose.
We shall brand him on the snout (nose)!
Lo! We have tried them as We tried the owners of the garden when they vowed that they would pluck its fruit next morning,
إِنَّا بَلَوْنَاهُمْ كَمَا بَلَوْنَا أَصْحَابَ الْجَنَّةِ إِذْ أَقْسَمُوا لَيَصْرِمُنَّهَا مُصْبِحِينَ
Surely We will try them as We tried the owners of the garden, when they swore that they would certainly cut off the produce in the 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,
And made no exception (for the Will of Allah);
وَلَا يَسْتَثْنُونَ
And were not willing to set aside a portion (for the poor).
Without saying: Insha' Allah (If Allah wills).
Then a visitation from thy Lord came upon it while they slept
فَطَافَ عَلَيْهَا طَائِفٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ وَهُمْ نَائِمُونَ
Then there encompassed it a visitation from your Lord while they were sleeping.
Then there passed by on the (garden) a visitation (fire) from your Lord at night and burnt it while they were asleep.
And in the morning it was as if plucked.
فَأَصْبَحَتْ كَالصَّرِيمِ
So it became as black, barren land.
So the (garden) became black by the morning, like a pitch dark night (in complete ruins).
And they cried out one unto another in the morning,
فَتَنَادَوْا مُصْبِحِينَ
And they called out to each other in the morning,
Then they called out one to another as soon as the morning broke.
Saying: Run unto your field if ye would pluck (the fruit).
أَنِ اغْدُوا عَلَىٰ حَرْثِكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَارِمِينَ
Saying: Go early to your tilth if you would cut (the produce).
Saying: "Go to your tilth in the morning, if you would pluck the fruits."
So they went off, saying one unto another in low tones:
فَانطَلَقُوا وَهُمْ يَتَخَافَتُونَ
So they went, while they consulted together secretly,
So they departed, conversing in secret low tones (saying):
No needy man shall enter it to - day against you.
أَن لَّا يَدْخُلَنَّهَا الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكُم مِّسْكِينٌ
Saying: No poor man shall enter it today upon you.
"No Miskin (poor man) shall enter upon you into it today."
They went betimes, strong in (this) purpose.
وَغَدَوْا عَلَىٰ حَرْدٍ قَادِرِينَ
And in the morning they went, having the power to prevent.
And they went in the morning with strong intention, thinking that they have power (to prevent the poor taking anything of the fruits therefrom).
But when they saw it, they said: Lo! we are in error!
فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهَا قَالُوا إِنَّا لَضَالُّونَ
But when they saw it, they said: Most surely we have gone astray
But when they saw the (garden), they said: "Verily, we have gone astray."
Nay, but we are desolate!
بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ
Nay! we are made to suffer privation.
(Then they said): "Nay! Indeed we are deprived of (the fruits)!"
The best among them said: Said I not unto you: Why glorify ye not (Allah) ?
قَالَ أَوْسَطُهُمْ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ لَوْلَا تُسَبِّحُونَ
The best of them said: Did I not say to you, Why do you not glorify (Allah)?
The best among them said: "Did I not tell you: why say you not: Insha' Allah (If Allah wills)."
They said: Glorified be our Lord! Lo! we have been wrong - doers.
قَالُوا سُبْحَانَ رَبِّنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَالِمِينَ
They said: Glory be to our Lord, surely we were unjust.
They said: "Glory to Our Lord! Verily, we have been Zalimun (wrong-doers)."
Then some of them drew near unto others, self - reproaching.
فَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ يَتَلَاوَمُونَ
Then some of them advanced against others, blaming each other.
Then they turned one against another, blaming.
They said: Alas for us! In truth we were outrageous.
قَالُوا يَا وَيْلَنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا طَاغِينَ
Said they: O woe to us! surely we were inordinate:
They said: "Woe to us! Verily, we were Taghun (transgressors and disobedient)
It may be that our Lord will give us better than this in place thereof. Lo! we beseech our Lord.
عَسَىٰ رَبُّنَا أَن يُبْدِلَنَا خَيْرًا مِّنْهَا إِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا رَاغِبُونَ
Maybe, our Lord will give us instead one better than it; surely to our Lord do we make our humble petition.
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).
Such was the punishment. And verily the punishment of the Hereafter is greater if they did but know.
كَذَٰلِكَ الْعَذَابُ ۖ وَلَعَذَابُ الْآخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ
Such is the chastisement, and certainly the chastisement of the hereafter is greater, did they but know!
Such is the punishment (in this life), but truly, the punishment of the Hereafter is greater if they but knew.
Lo! for those who keep from evil are gardens of bliss with their Lord.
إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ
Surely those who guard (against evil) shall have with their Lord gardens of bliss.
Verily, for the Muttaqun (the pious - See V.2:2) are Gardens of delight (Paradise) with their Lord.
Shall We then treat those who have surrendered as We treat the guilty ?
أَفَنَجْعَلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ كَالْمُجْرِمِينَ
What! shall We then make (that is, treat) those who submit as the guilty?
Shall We then treat the Muslims (believers of Islamic Monotheism, doers of righteous deeds) like the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists and disbelievers, etc.)?
What aileth you ? How foolishly ye judge!
مَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ
What has happened to you? How do you judge?
What is the matter with you? How judge you?
Or have ye a scripture wherein ye learn
أَمْ لَكُمْ كِتَابٌ فِيهِ تَدْرُسُونَ
Or have you a book wherein you read,
Or have you a Book wherein you learn,
That ye shall indeed have all that ye choose ?
إِنَّ لَكُمْ فِيهِ لَمَا تَخَيَّرُونَ
That you have surely therein what you choose?
That you shall therein have all that 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 ?
أَمْ لَكُمْ أَيْمَانٌ عَلَيْنَا بَالِغَةٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ۙ إِنَّ لَكُمْ لَمَا تَحْكُمُونَ
Or have you received from Us an agreement confirmed by an oath extending to the day of resurrection that you shall surely have what you demand?
Or have you oaths from Us, reaching to the Day of Resurrection, that yours will be what you judge?
Ask them (O Muhammad) which of them will vouch for that!
سَلْهُمْ أَيُّهُم بِذَٰلِكَ زَعِيمٌ
Ask them which of them will vouch for that,
Ask them, which of them will stand surety for that!
Or have they other gods ? Then let them bring their other gods if they are truthful
أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَاءُ فَلْيَأْتُوا بِشُرَكَائِهِمْ إِن كَانُوا صَادِقِينَ
Or have they associates if they are truthful.
Or have they "partners"? Then let them bring their "partners" if they are truthful!
On the day when it befalleth in earnest, and they are ordered to prostrate themselves but are not able,
يَوْمَ يُكْشَفُ عَن سَاقٍ وَيُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى السُّجُودِ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ
On the day when there shall be a severe affliction, and they shall be called upon to make obeisance, but they shall not be 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.
With eyes downcast, abasement stupefying them. And they had been summoned to prostrate themselves while they were yet unhurt.
خَاشِعَةً أَبْصَارُهُمْ تَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌ ۖ وَقَدْ كَانُوا يُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى السُّجُودِ وَهُمْ سَالِمُونَ
Their looks cast down, abasement shall overtake them; and they were called upon to make obeisance indeed while yet they were safe.
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).
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.
فَذَرْنِي وَمَن يُكَذِّبُ بِهَٰذَا الْحَدِيثِ ۖ سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
So leave Me and him who rejects this announcement; We will overtake them by degrees, from whence they perceive not:
Then leave Me Alone with such as belie this Qur'an. We shall punish them gradually from directions they perceive not.
Yet I bear with them, for lo! My scheme is firm.
وَأُمْلِي لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ
And I do bear with them, surely My plan is firm.
And I will grant them a respite. Verily, My Plan is strong.
Or dost thou (Muhammad) ask a fee from them so that they are heavily taxed ?
أَمْ تَسْأَلُهُمْ أَجْرًا فَهُم مِّن مَّغْرَمٍ مُّثْقَلُونَ
Or do you ask from them a reward, so that they are burdened with debt?
Or is it that you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) ask them a wage, so that they are heavily burdened with debt?
Or is the Unseen theirs that they can write (thereof) ?
أَمْ عِندَهُمُ الْغَيْبُ فَهُمْ يَكْتُبُونَ
Or have they (the knowledge of) the unseen, so that they write (it) down?
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?
But wait thou for thy Lord's decree, and be not like him of the fish, who cried out in despair.
فَاصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تَكُن كَصَاحِبِ الْحُوتِ إِذْ نَادَىٰ وَهُوَ مَكْظُومٌ
So wait patiently for the judgment of your Lord, and be not like the companion of the fish, when he cried while he was in distress.
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).
Had it not been that favour from his Lord had reached him he surely had been cast into the wilderness while he was reprobate.
لَّوْلَا أَن تَدَارَكَهُ نِعْمَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ لَنُبِذَ بِالْعَرَاءِ وَهُوَ مَذْمُومٌ
Were it not that favor from his Lord had overtaken him, he would certainly have been cast down upon the naked Found while he was blamed.
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.
But his Lord chose him and placed him among the righteous.
فَاجْتَبَاهُ رَبُّهُ فَجَعَلَهُ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
Then his Lord chose him, and He made him of the good.
Then 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;
وَإِن يَكَادُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَيُزْلِقُونَكَ بِأَبْصَارِهِمْ لَمَّا سَمِعُوا الذِّكْرَ وَيَقُولُونَ إِنَّهُ لَمَجْنُونٌ
And those who disbelieve would almost smite you with their eyes when they hear the reminder, and they say: Most surely he is 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!"
When it is naught else than a Reminder to creation.
وَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
And it is naught but a reminder to the nations.
But it is nothing else than a Reminder to all the 'Alamin (mankind, and jinn).