Chapter 68, 52 verses
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).
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
Nun. By the pen and what they inscribe,
You (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), by the Grace of your Lord, are not mad.
Thou art not, for thy Lord's favour unto thee, a madman.
مَا أَنتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُونٍ
You are not, [O Muhammad], by the favor of your Lord, a madman.
And Verily, for you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) will be an endless reward.
And lo! thine verily will be a reward unfailing.
وَإِنَّ لَكَ لَأَجْرًا غَيْرَ مَمْنُونٍ
And indeed, for you is a reward uninterrupted.
And Verily, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) are on an exalted (standard of) character.
And lo! thou art of a tremendous nature.
وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ
And indeed, you are of a great moral character.
You will see, and they will see,
And thou wilt see and they will see
فَسَتُبْصِرُ وَيُبْصِرُونَ
So you will see and they will see
Which of you is afflicted with madness.
Which of you is the demented.
بِأَييِّكُمُ الْمَفْتُونُ
Which of you is the afflicted [by a devil].
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.
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
Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has gone astray from His way, and He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.
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]
Therefor obey not thou the rejecters
فَلَا تُطِعِ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ
Then do not obey the deniers.
They wish that you should compromise (in religion out of courtesy) with them: so they (too) would compromise with you.
Who would have had thee compromise, that they may compromise.
وَدُّوا لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُونَ
They wish that you would soften [in your position], so they would soften [toward you].
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]
Neither obey thou each feeble oath - monger,
وَلَا تُطِعْ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ مَّهِينٍ
And do not obey every worthless habitual swearer
A slanderer, going about with calumnies,
Detracter, spreader abroad of slanders,
هَمَّازٍ مَّشَّاءٍ بِنَمِيمٍ
[And] scorner, going about with malicious gossip -
Hinderer of the good, transgressor, sinful,
Hinderer of the good, transgressor, malefactor
مَّنَّاعٍ لِّلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيمٍ
A preventer of good, transgressing and sinful,
Cruel, and moreover base-born (of illegitimate birth).
Greedy therewithal, intrusive.
عُتُلٍّ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ زَنِيمٍ
Cruel, moreover, and an illegitimate pretender.
(He was so) because he had wealth and children.
It is because he is possessed of wealth and children
أَن كَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَبَنِينَ
Because he is a possessor of wealth and children,
When Our Verses (of the Qur'an) are recited to him, he says: "Tales of the men of old!"
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 verses are recited to him, he says, "Legends of the former peoples."
We shall brand him on the snout (nose)!
We shall brand him on the nose.
سَنَسِمُهُ عَلَى الْخُرْطُومِ
We will brand him upon the snout.
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,
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
Indeed, We have tried them as We tried the companions of the garden, when they swore to cut its fruit in the [early] morning
Without saying: Insha' Allah (If Allah wills).
And made no exception (for the Will of Allah);
وَلَا يَسْتَثْنُونَ
Without making exception.
Then there passed by on the (garden) a visitation (fire) from your Lord at night and burnt it while they were asleep.
Then a visitation from thy Lord came upon it while they slept
فَطَافَ عَلَيْهَا طَائِفٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ وَهُمْ نَائِمُونَ
So there came upon the garden an affliction from your Lord while they were asleep.
So the (garden) became black by the morning, like a pitch dark night (in complete ruins).
And in the morning it was as if plucked.
فَأَصْبَحَتْ كَالصَّرِيمِ
And it became as though reaped.
Then they called out one to another as soon as the morning broke.
And they cried out one unto another in the morning,
فَتَنَادَوْا مُصْبِحِينَ
And they called one another at morning,
Saying: "Go to your tilth in the morning, if you would pluck the fruits."
Saying: Run unto your field if ye would pluck (the fruit).
أَنِ اغْدُوا عَلَىٰ حَرْثِكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَارِمِينَ
[Saying], "Go early to your crop if you would cut the fruit."
So they departed, conversing in secret low tones (saying):
So they went off, saying one unto another in low tones:
فَانطَلَقُوا وَهُمْ يَتَخَافَتُونَ
So they set out, while lowering their voices,
"No Miskin (poor man) shall enter upon you into it today."
No needy man shall enter it to - day against you.
أَن لَّا يَدْخُلَنَّهَا الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكُم مِّسْكِينٌ
[Saying], "There will surely not enter it today upon you [any] poor person."
And they went in the morning with strong intention, thinking that they have power (to prevent the poor taking anything of the fruits therefrom).
They went betimes, strong in (this) purpose.
وَغَدَوْا عَلَىٰ حَرْدٍ قَادِرِينَ
And they went early in determination, [assuming themselves] able.
But when they saw the (garden), they said: "Verily, we have gone astray."
But when they saw it, they said: Lo! we are in error!
فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهَا قَالُوا إِنَّا لَضَالُّونَ
But when they saw it, they said, "Indeed, we are lost;
(Then they said): "Nay! Indeed we are deprived of (the fruits)!"
Nay, but we are desolate!
بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ
Rather, we have been deprived."
The best among them said: "Did I not tell you: why say you not: Insha' Allah (If Allah wills)."
The best among them said: Said I not unto you: Why glorify ye not (Allah) ?
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: "Glory to Our Lord! Verily, we have been Zalimun (wrong-doers)."
They said: Glorified be our Lord! Lo! we have been wrong - doers.
قَالُوا سُبْحَانَ رَبِّنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَالِمِينَ
They said, "Exalted is our Lord! Indeed, we were wrongdoers."
Then they turned one against another, blaming.
Then some of them drew near unto others, self - reproaching.
فَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ يَتَلَاوَمُونَ
Then they approached one another, blaming each other.
They said: "Woe to us! Verily, we were Taghun (transgressors and disobedient)
They said: Alas for us! In truth we were outrageous.
قَالُوا يَا وَيْلَنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا طَاغِينَ
They said, "O woe to us; indeed we were transgressors.
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).
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
Perhaps our Lord will substitute for us [one] better than it. Indeed, we are toward our Lord desirous."
Such is the punishment (in this life), but truly, the punishment of the Hereafter is greater if they but knew.
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 punishment [of this world]. And the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew.
Verily, for the Muttaqun (the pious - See V.2:2) are Gardens of delight (Paradise) with their Lord.
Lo! for those who keep from evil are gardens of bliss 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 the Muslims (believers of Islamic Monotheism, doers of righteous deeds) like the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists and disbelievers, etc.)?
Shall We then treat those who have surrendered as We treat the guilty ?
أَفَنَجْعَلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ كَالْمُجْرِمِينَ
Then will We treat the Muslims like the criminals?
What is the matter with you? How judge you?
What aileth you ? How foolishly ye judge!
مَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ
What is [the matter] with you? How do you judge?
Or have you a Book wherein you learn,
Or have ye a scripture wherein ye learn
أَمْ لَكُمْ كِتَابٌ فِيهِ تَدْرُسُونَ
Or do you have a scripture in which you learn
That you shall therein have all that you choose?
That ye shall indeed have all that ye choose ?
إِنَّ لَكُمْ فِيهِ لَمَا تَخَيَّرُونَ
That indeed for you is whatever you choose?
Or have you oaths from Us, reaching to the Day of Resurrection, that yours will be what you judge?
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 do you have oaths [binding] upon Us, extending until the Day of Resurrection, that indeed for you is whatever you judge?
Ask them, which of them will stand surety for that!
Ask them (O Muhammad) which of them will vouch for that!
سَلْهُمْ أَيُّهُم بِذَٰلِكَ زَعِيمٌ
Ask them which of them, for that [claim], is responsible.
Or have they "partners"? Then let them bring their "partners" if they are truthful!
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 do they have partners? Then let them bring their partners, if they should be truthful.
(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.
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
The Day the shin will be uncovered and they are invited to prostration but the disbelievers will not be able,
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).
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 eyes humbled, humiliation will cover them. And they used to be invited to prostration while they were sound.
Then leave Me Alone with such as belie this Qur'an. We shall punish them gradually from directions they perceive 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, [O Muhammad], with [the matter of] whoever denies the Qur'an. We will progressively lead them [to punishment] from where they do not know.
And I will grant them a respite. Verily, My Plan is strong.
Yet I bear with them, for lo! My scheme is firm.
وَأُمْلِي لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ
And I will give them time. Indeed, My plan is firm.
Or is it that you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) ask them a wage, so that they are heavily burdened with debt?
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 of them a payment, so they are by debt burdened 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?
Or is the Unseen theirs that they can write (thereof) ?
أَمْ عِندَهُمُ الْغَيْبُ فَهُمْ يَكْتُبُونَ
Or have they [knowledge of] the unseen, so they write [it] down?
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).
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
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 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.
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
If not that a favor from his Lord overtook him, he would have been thrown onto the naked shore while he was censured.
Then his Lord chose him and made him of the righteous.
But his Lord chose him and placed him among the righteous.
فَاجْتَبَاهُ رَبُّهُ فَجَعَلَهُ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
And his Lord chose him and made him of the righteous.
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!"
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 indeed, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes when they hear the message, and they say, "Indeed, he is mad."
But it is nothing else than a Reminder to all the 'Alamin (mankind, and jinn).
When it is naught else than a Reminder to creation.
وَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
But it is not except a reminder to the worlds.