Chapter 68, 52 verses
Noon. I swear by the pen and what the angels write,
Nun. By the pen and what they inscribe,
Nun. By the Pen and the (Record) which (men) write, -
نٓ وَٱلْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُونَ
By the grace of your Lord you are not mad.
You are not, [O Muhammad], by the favor of your Lord, a madman.
Thou art not, by the Grace of thy Lord, mad or possessed.
مَآ أَنتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُونٍ
And most surely you shall have a reward never to be cut off.
And indeed, for you is a reward uninterrupted.
Nay, verily for thee is a Reward unfailing:
وَإِنَّ لَكَ لَأَجْرًا غَيْرَ مَمْنُونٍ
And most surely you conform (yourself) to sublime morality.
And indeed, you are of a great moral character.
And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character.
وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ
So you shall see, and they (too) shall see,
So you will see and they will see
Soon wilt thou see, and they will see,
فَسَتُبْصِرُ وَيُبْصِرُونَ
Which of you is afflicted with madness.
Which of you is the afflicted [by a devil].
Which of you is afflicted with madness.
بِأَييِّكُمُ ٱلْمَفْتُونُ
Surely your Lord best knows him who errs from His way, and He best knows the followers of the right course.
Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has gone astray from His way, and He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.
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.
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ
So do not yield to the rejecters.
Then do not obey the deniers.
So hearken not to those who deny (the Truth).
فَلَا تُطِعِ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
They wish that you should be pliant so they (too) would be pliant.
They wish that you would soften [in your position], so they would soften [toward you].
Their desire is that thou shouldst be pliant: so would they be pliant.
وَدُّوا۟ لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُونَ
And yield not to any mean swearer
And do not obey every worthless habitual swearer
Heed not the type of despicable men, - ready with oaths,
وَلَا تُطِعْ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ مَّهِينٍ
Defamer, going about with slander
[And] scorner, going about with malicious gossip -
A slanderer, going about with calumnies,
هَمَّازٍ مَّشَّآءٍۭ بِنَمِيمٍ
Forbidder of good, outstepping the limits, sinful,
A preventer of good, transgressing and sinful,
(Habitually) hindering (all) good, transgressing beyond bounds, deep in sin,
مَّنَّاعٍ لِّلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيمٍ
Ignoble, besides all that, base - born;
Cruel, moreover, and an illegitimate pretender.
Violent (and cruel), - with all that, base - born, -
عُتُلٍّۭ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ زَنِيمٍ
Because he possesses wealth and sons.
Because he is a possessor of wealth and children,
Because he possesses wealth and (numerous) sons.
أَن كَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَبَنِينَ
When Our communications are recited to him, he says: Stories of those of yore.
When Our verses are recited to him, he says, "Legends of the former peoples."
When to him are rehearsed Our Signs, "Tales of the ancients", he cries!
إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَٰتُنَا قَالَ أَسَٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
We will brand him on the nose.
We will brand him upon the snout.
Soon shall We brand (the beast) on the snout!
سَنَسِمُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلْخُرْطُومِ
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,
Indeed, We have tried them as We tried the companions of the garden, when they swore to cut its fruit in the [early] morning
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.
إِنَّا بَلَوْنَٰهُمْ كَمَا بَلَوْنَآ أَصْحَٰبَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ إِذْ أَقْسَمُوا۟ لَيَصْرِمُنَّهَا مُصْبِحِينَ
And were not willing to set aside a portion (for the poor).
Without making exception.
But made no reservation, ("If it be Allah's Will").
وَلَا يَسْتَثْنُونَ
Then there encompassed it a visitation from your Lord while they were sleeping.
So there came upon the garden an affliction from your Lord while they were asleep.
Then there came on the (garden) a visitation from thy Lord, (which swept away) all around, while they were asleep.
فَطَافَ عَلَيْهَا طَآئِفٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ وَهُمْ نَآئِمُونَ
So it became as black, barren land.
And it became as though reaped.
So the (garden) became, by the morning, like a dark and desolate spot, (whose fruit had been gathered).
فَأَصْبَحَتْ كَٱلصَّرِيمِ
And they called out to each other in the morning,
And they called one another at morning,
As the morning broke, they called out, one to another, -
فَتَنَادَوْا۟ مُصْبِحِينَ
Saying: Go early to your tilth if you would cut (the produce).
[Saying], "Go early to your crop if you would cut the fruit."
"Go ye to your tilth (betimes) in the morning, if ye would gather the fruits."
أَنِ ٱغْدُوا۟ عَلَىٰ حَرْثِكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰرِمِينَ
So they went, while they consulted together secretly,
So they set out, while lowering their voices,
So they departed, conversing in secret low tones, (saying) -
فَٱنطَلَقُوا۟ وَهُمْ يَتَخَٰفَتُونَ
Saying: No poor man shall enter it today upon you.
[Saying], "There will surely not enter it today upon you [any] poor person."
"Let not a single indigent person break in upon you into the (garden) this day."
أَن لَّا يَدْخُلَنَّهَا ٱلْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكُم مِّسْكِينٌ
And in the morning they went, having the power to prevent.
And they went early in determination, [assuming themselves] able.
And they opened the morning, strong in an (unjust) resolve.
وَغَدَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ حَرْدٍ قَٰدِرِينَ
But when they saw it, they said: Most surely we have gone astray
But when they saw it, they said, "Indeed, we are lost;
But when they saw the (garden), they said: "We have surely lost our way:
فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهَا قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لَضَآلُّونَ
Nay! we are made to suffer privation.
Rather, we have been deprived."
"Indeed we are shut out (of the fruits of our labour)!"
بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ
The best of them said: Did I not say to you, Why do you not glorify (Allah)?
The most moderate of them said, "Did I not say to you, 'Why do you not exalt [Allah]?' "
Said one of them, more just (than the rest): "Did I not say to you, 'Why not glorify (Allah)?'"
قَالَ أَوْسَطُهُمْ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ لَوْلَا تُسَبِّحُونَ
They said: Glory be to our Lord, surely we were unjust.
They said, "Exalted is our Lord! Indeed, we were wrongdoers."
They said: "Glory to our Lord! Verily we have been doing wrong!"
قَالُوا۟ سُبْحَٰنَ رَبِّنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَٰلِمِينَ
Then some of them advanced against others, blaming each other.
Then they approached one another, blaming each other.
Then they turned, one against another, in reproach.
فَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ يَتَلَٰوَمُونَ
Said they: O woe to us! surely we were inordinate:
They said, "O woe to us; indeed we were transgressors.
They said: "Alas for us! We have indeed transgressed!
قَالُوا۟ يَٰوَيْلَنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا طَٰغِينَ
Maybe, our Lord will give us instead one better than it; surely to our Lord do we make our humble petition.
Perhaps our Lord will substitute for us [one] better than it. Indeed, we are toward our Lord desirous."
"It may be that our Lord will give us in exchange a better (garden) than this: for we do turn to Him (in repentance)!"
عَسَىٰ رَبُّنَآ أَن يُبْدِلَنَا خَيْرًا مِّنْهَآ إِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا رَٰغِبُونَ
Such is the chastisement, and certainly the chastisement of the hereafter is greater, did they but know!
Such is the punishment [of this world]. And the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew.
Such is the Punishment (in this life); but greater is the Punishment in the Hereafter, - if only they knew!
كَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ
Surely those who guard (against evil) shall have with their Lord gardens of bliss.
Indeed, for the righteous with their Lord are the Gardens of Pleasure.
Verily, for the Righteous, are Gardens of Delight, in the Presence of their Lord.
إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ
What! shall We then make (that is, treat) those who submit as the guilty?
Then will We treat the Muslims like the criminals?
Shall We then treat the People of Faith like the People of Sin?
أَفَنَجْعَلُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ كَٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
What has happened to you? How do you judge?
What is [the matter] with you? How do you judge?
What is the matter with you? How judge ye?
مَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ
Or have you a book wherein you read,
Or do you have a scripture in which you learn
Or have ye a book through which ye learn -
أَمْ لَكُمْ كِتَٰبٌ فِيهِ تَدْرُسُونَ
That you have surely therein what you choose?
That indeed for you is whatever you choose?
That ye shall have, through it whatever ye choose?
إِنَّ لَكُمْ فِيهِ لَمَا تَخَيَّرُونَ
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 do you have oaths [binding] upon Us, extending until the Day of Resurrection, that indeed for you is whatever you judge?
Or have ye Covenants with Us to oath, reaching to the Day of Judgment, (providing) that ye shall have whatever ye shall demand?
أَمْ لَكُمْ أَيْمَٰنٌ عَلَيْنَا بَٰلِغَةٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ إِنَّ لَكُمْ لَمَا تَحْكُمُونَ
Ask them which of them will vouch for that,
Ask them which of them, for that [claim], is responsible.
Ask thou of them, which of them will stand surety for that!
سَلْهُمْ أَيُّهُم بِذَٰلِكَ زَعِيمٌ
Or have they associates if they are truthful.
Or do they have partners? Then let them bring their partners, if they should be truthful.
Or have they some "Partners" (in Allahhead)? Then let them produce their "partners", if they are truthful!
أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَآءُ فَلْيَأْتُوا۟ بِشُرَكَآئِهِمْ إِن كَانُوا۟ صَٰدِقِينَ
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,
The Day the shin will be uncovered and they are invited to prostration but the disbelievers will not be able,
The Day that the shin shall be laid bare, and they shall be summoned to bow in adoration, but they shall not be able, -
يَوْمَ يُكْشَفُ عَن سَاقٍ وَيُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى ٱلسُّجُودِ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ
Their looks cast down, abasement shall overtake them; and they were called upon to make obeisance indeed while yet they were safe.
Their eyes humbled, humiliation will cover them. And they used to be invited to prostration while they were sound.
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).
خَٰشِعَةً أَبْصَٰرُهُمْ تَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌ وَقَدْ كَانُوا۟ يُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى ٱلسُّجُودِ وَهُمْ سَٰلِمُونَ
So leave Me and him who rejects this announcement; We will overtake them by degrees, from whence they perceive not:
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.
Then leave Me alone with such as reject this Message: by degrees shall We punish them from directions they perceive not.
فَذَرْنِى وَمَن يُكَذِّبُ بِهَٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And I do bear with them, surely My plan is firm.
And I will give them time. Indeed, My plan is firm.
A (long) respite will I grant them: truly powerful is My Plan.
وَأُمْلِى لَهُمْ إِنَّ كَيْدِى مَتِينٌ
Or do you ask from them a reward, so that they are burdened with debt?
Or do you ask of them a payment, so they are by debt burdened down?
Or is it that thou dost ask them for a reward, so that they are burdened with a load of debt? -
أَمْ تَسْـَٔلُهُمْ أَجْرًا فَهُم مِّن مَّغْرَمٍ مُّثْقَلُونَ
Or have they (the knowledge of) the unseen, so that they write (it) down?
Or have they [knowledge of] the unseen, so they write [it] down?
Or that the Unseen is in their hands, so that they can write it down?
أَمْ عِندَهُمُ ٱلْغَيْبُ فَهُمْ يَكْتُبُونَ
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.
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.
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.
فَٱصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تَكُن كَصَاحِبِ ٱلْحُوتِ إِذْ نَادَىٰ وَهُوَ مَكْظُومٌ
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.
If not that a favor from his Lord overtook him, he would have been thrown onto the naked shore while he was censured.
Had not Grace from his Lord reached him, he would indeed have been cast off on the naked shore, in disgrace.
لَّوْلَآ أَن تَدَٰرَكَهُۥ نِعْمَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ لَنُبِذَ بِٱلْعَرَآءِ وَهُوَ مَذْمُومٌ
Then his Lord chose him, and He made him of the good.
And his Lord chose him and made him of the righteous.
Thus did his Lord choose him and make him of the Company of the Righteous.
فَٱجْتَبَٰهُ رَبُّهُۥ فَجَعَلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ
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 indeed, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes when they hear the message, and they say, "Indeed, he is mad."
And the Unbelievers would almost trip thee up with their eyes when they hear the Message; and they say: "Surely he is possessed!"
وَإِن يَكَادُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَيُزْلِقُونَكَ بِأَبْصَٰرِهِمْ لَمَّا سَمِعُوا۟ ٱلذِّكْرَ وَيَقُولُونَ إِنَّهُۥ لَمَجْنُونٌ
And it is naught but a reminder to the nations.
But it is not except a reminder to the worlds.
But it is nothing less than a Message to all the worlds.
وَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَٰلَمِينَ