Kitab

Al Qalam

Chapter 68, 52 verses

  • Shakir
  • Hilali & Muhsin Khan
  • Yusuf Ali
Shakir

Noon. I swear by the pen and what the angels write,

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

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).

Yusuf Ali

Nun. By the Pen and the (Record) which (men) write, -

Shakir

By the grace of your Lord you are not mad.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

You (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), by the Grace of your Lord, are not mad.

Yusuf Ali

Thou art not, by the Grace of thy Lord, mad or possessed.

Shakir

And most surely you shall have a reward never to be cut off.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

And Verily, for you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) will be an endless reward.

Yusuf Ali

Nay, verily for thee is a Reward unfailing:

Shakir

And most surely you conform (yourself) to sublime morality.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

And Verily, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) are on an exalted (standard of) character.

Yusuf Ali

And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character.

Shakir

So you shall see, and they (too) shall see,

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

You will see, and they will see,

Yusuf Ali

Soon wilt thou see, and they will see,

Shakir

Which of you is afflicted with madness.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

Which of you is afflicted with madness.

Yusuf Ali

Which of you is afflicted with madness.

Shakir

Surely your Lord best knows him who errs from His way, and He best knows the followers of the right course.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

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.

Yusuf Ali

Verily it is thy Lord that knoweth best, which (among men) hath strayed from His Path: and He knoweth best those who receive (true) Guidance.

Shakir

So do not yield to the rejecters.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

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]

Yusuf Ali

So hearken not to those who deny (the Truth).

Shakir

They wish that you should be pliant so they (too) would be pliant.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

They wish that you should compromise (in religion out of courtesy) with them: so they (too) would compromise with you.

Yusuf Ali

Their desire is that thou shouldst be pliant: so would they be pliant.

Shakir

And yield not to any mean swearer

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

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]

Yusuf Ali

Heed not the type of despicable men, - ready with oaths,

Shakir

Defamer, going about with slander

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

A slanderer, going about with calumnies,

Yusuf Ali

A slanderer, going about with calumnies,

Shakir

Forbidder of good, outstepping the limits, sinful,

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

Hinderer of the good, transgressor, sinful,

Yusuf Ali

(Habitually) hindering (all) good, transgressing beyond bounds, deep in sin,

Shakir

Ignoble, besides all that, base - born;

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

Cruel, and moreover base-born (of illegitimate birth).

Yusuf Ali

Violent (and cruel), - with all that, base - born, -

Shakir

Because he possesses wealth and sons.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

(He was so) because he had wealth and children.

Yusuf Ali

Because he possesses wealth and (numerous) sons.

Shakir

When Our communications are recited to him, he says: Stories of those of yore.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

When Our Verses (of the Qur'an) are recited to him, he says: "Tales of the men of old!"

Yusuf Ali

When to him are rehearsed Our Signs, "Tales of the ancients", he cries!

Shakir

We will brand him on the nose.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

We shall brand him on the snout (nose)!

Yusuf Ali

Soon shall We brand (the beast) on the snout!

Shakir

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,

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

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,

Yusuf Ali

Verily We have tried them as We tried the People of the Garden, when they resolved to gather the fruits of the (garden) in the morning.

Shakir

And were not willing to set aside a portion (for the poor).

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

Without saying: Insha' Allah (If Allah wills).

Yusuf Ali

But made no reservation, ("If it be Allah's Will").

Shakir

Then there encompassed it a visitation from your Lord while they were sleeping.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

Then there passed by on the (garden) a visitation (fire) from your Lord at night and burnt it while they were asleep.

Yusuf Ali

Then there came on the (garden) a visitation from thy Lord, (which swept away) all around, while they were asleep.

Shakir

So it became as black, barren land.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

So the (garden) became black by the morning, like a pitch dark night (in complete ruins).

Yusuf Ali

So the (garden) became, by the morning, like a dark and desolate spot, (whose fruit had been gathered).

Shakir

And they called out to each other in the morning,

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

Then they called out one to another as soon as the morning broke.

Yusuf Ali

As the morning broke, they called out, one to another, -

Shakir

Saying: Go early to your tilth if you would cut (the produce).

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

Saying: "Go to your tilth in the morning, if you would pluck the fruits."

Yusuf Ali

"Go ye to your tilth (betimes) in the morning, if ye would gather the fruits."

Shakir

So they went, while they consulted together secretly,

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

So they departed, conversing in secret low tones (saying):

Yusuf Ali

So they departed, conversing in secret low tones, (saying) -

Shakir

Saying: No poor man shall enter it today upon you.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

"No Miskin (poor man) shall enter upon you into it today."

Yusuf Ali

"Let not a single indigent person break in upon you into the (garden) this day."

Shakir

And in the morning they went, having the power to prevent.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

And they went in the morning with strong intention, thinking that they have power (to prevent the poor taking anything of the fruits therefrom).

Yusuf Ali

And they opened the morning, strong in an (unjust) resolve.

Shakir

But when they saw it, they said: Most surely we have gone astray

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

But when they saw the (garden), they said: "Verily, we have gone astray."

Yusuf Ali

But when they saw the (garden), they said: "We have surely lost our way:

Shakir

Nay! we are made to suffer privation.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

(Then they said): "Nay! Indeed we are deprived of (the fruits)!"

Yusuf Ali

"Indeed we are shut out (of the fruits of our labour)!"

Shakir

The best of them said: Did I not say to you, Why do you not glorify (Allah)?

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

The best among them said: "Did I not tell you: why say you not: Insha' Allah (If Allah wills)."

Yusuf Ali

Said one of them, more just (than the rest): "Did I not say to you, 'Why not glorify (Allah)?'"

Shakir

They said: Glory be to our Lord, surely we were unjust.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

They said: "Glory to Our Lord! Verily, we have been Zalimun (wrong-doers)."

Yusuf Ali

They said: "Glory to our Lord! Verily we have been doing wrong!"

Shakir

Then some of them advanced against others, blaming each other.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

Then they turned one against another, blaming.

Yusuf Ali

Then they turned, one against another, in reproach.

Shakir

Said they: O woe to us! surely we were inordinate:

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

They said: "Woe to us! Verily, we were Taghun (transgressors and disobedient)

Yusuf Ali

They said: "Alas for us! We have indeed transgressed!

Shakir

Maybe, our Lord will give us instead one better than it; surely to our Lord do we make our humble petition.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

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).

Yusuf Ali

"It may be that our Lord will give us in exchange a better (garden) than this: for we do turn to Him (in repentance)!"

Shakir

Such is the chastisement, and certainly the chastisement of the hereafter is greater, did they but know!

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

Such is the punishment (in this life), but truly, the punishment of the Hereafter is greater if they but knew.

Yusuf Ali

Such is the Punishment (in this life); but greater is the Punishment in the Hereafter, - if only they knew!

Shakir

Surely those who guard (against evil) shall have with their Lord gardens of bliss.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

Verily, for the Muttaqun (the pious - See V.2:2) are Gardens of delight (Paradise) with their Lord.

Yusuf Ali

Verily, for the Righteous, are Gardens of Delight, in the Presence of their Lord.

Shakir

What! shall We then make (that is, treat) those who submit as the guilty?

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

Shall We then treat the Muslims (believers of Islamic Monotheism, doers of righteous deeds) like the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists and disbelievers, etc.)?

Yusuf Ali

Shall We then treat the People of Faith like the People of Sin?

Shakir

What has happened to you? How do you judge?

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

What is the matter with you? How judge you?

Yusuf Ali

What is the matter with you? How judge ye?

Shakir

Or have you a book wherein you read,

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

Or have you a Book wherein you learn,

Yusuf Ali

Or have ye a book through which ye learn -

Shakir

That you have surely therein what you choose?

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

That you shall therein have all that you choose?

Yusuf Ali

That ye shall have, through it whatever ye choose?

Shakir

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?

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

Or have you oaths from Us, reaching to the Day of Resurrection, that yours will be what you judge?

Yusuf Ali

Or have ye Covenants with Us to oath, reaching to the Day of Judgment, (providing) that ye shall have whatever ye shall demand?

Shakir

Ask them which of them will vouch for that,

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

Ask them, which of them will stand surety for that!

Yusuf Ali

Ask thou of them, which of them will stand surety for that!

Shakir

Or have they associates if they are truthful.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

Or have they "partners"? Then let them bring their "partners" if they are truthful!

Yusuf Ali

Or have they some "Partners" (in Allahhead)? Then let them produce their "partners", if they are truthful!

Shakir

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,

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

(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.

Yusuf Ali

The Day that the shin shall be laid bare, and they shall be summoned to bow in adoration, but they shall not be able, -

Shakir

Their looks cast down, abasement shall overtake them; and they were called upon to make obeisance indeed while yet they were safe.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

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).

Yusuf Ali

Their eyes will be cast down, - ignominy will cover them; seeing that they had been summoned aforetime to bow in adoration, while they were whole, (and had refused).

Shakir

So leave Me and him who rejects this announcement; We will overtake them by degrees, from whence they perceive not:

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

Then leave Me Alone with such as belie this Qur'an. We shall punish them gradually from directions they perceive not.

Yusuf Ali

Then leave Me alone with such as reject this Message: by degrees shall We punish them from directions they perceive not.

Shakir

And I do bear with them, surely My plan is firm.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

And I will grant them a respite. Verily, My Plan is strong.

Yusuf Ali

A (long) respite will I grant them: truly powerful is My Plan.

Shakir

Or do you ask from them a reward, so that they are burdened with debt?

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

Or is it that you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) ask them a wage, so that they are heavily burdened with debt?

Yusuf Ali

Or is it that thou dost ask them for a reward, so that they are burdened with a load of debt? -

Shakir

Or have they (the knowledge of) the unseen, so that they write (it) down?

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

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?

Yusuf Ali

Or that the Unseen is in their hands, so that they can write it down?

Shakir

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.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

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).

Yusuf Ali

So wait with patience for the Command of thy Lord, and be not like the Companion of the Fish, - when he cried out in agony.

Shakir

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.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

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.

Yusuf Ali

Had not Grace from his Lord reached him, he would indeed have been cast off on the naked shore, in disgrace.

Shakir

Then his Lord chose him, and He made him of the good.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

Then his Lord chose him and made him of the righteous.

Yusuf Ali

Thus did his Lord choose him and make him of the Company of the Righteous.

Shakir

And those who disbelieve would almost smite you with their eyes when they hear the reminder, and they say: Most surely he is mad.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

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!"

Yusuf Ali

And the Unbelievers would almost trip thee up with their eyes when they hear the Message; and they say: "Surely he is possessed!"

Shakir

And it is naught but a reminder to the nations.

Hilali & Muhsin Khan

But it is nothing else than a Reminder to all the 'Alamin (mankind, and jinn).

Yusuf Ali

But it is nothing less than a Message to all the worlds.

Recitation

Reciters

Ticked reciters play one after another for each verse.

Repeat
Speed
Listen offline

Save this chapter’s recitation by the ticked reciters on this device.

Add a book to compare

It opens next to the books you’re reading, at the same verse.

Verse

Chapters

Dictionary

Suggest a translation

Log in to suggest a better translation. Admins review every suggestion before it changes the text.

Log in Create an account

Suggested translations

Your note

Ask AI about this chapter

Display

Theme