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).
Nun. By the Pen and the (Record) which (men) write, -
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
You (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), by the Grace of your Lord, are not mad.
Thou art not, by the Grace of thy Lord, mad or possessed.
Thou art not, for thy Lord's favour unto thee, a madman.
مَا أَنتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُونٍ
And Verily, for you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) will be an endless reward.
Nay, verily for thee is a Reward unfailing:
And lo! thine verily will be a reward unfailing.
وَإِنَّ لَكَ لَأَجْرًا غَيْرَ مَمْنُونٍ
And Verily, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) are on an exalted (standard of) character.
And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character.
And lo! thou art of a tremendous nature.
وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ
You will see, and they will see,
Soon wilt thou see, and they will see,
And thou wilt see and they will see
فَسَتُبْصِرُ وَيُبْصِرُونَ
Which of you is afflicted with madness.
Which of you is afflicted with madness.
Which of you is the demented.
بِأَييِّكُمُ الْمَفْتُونُ
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.
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.
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
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]
So hearken not to those who deny (the Truth).
Therefor obey not thou the rejecters
فَلَا تُطِعِ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ
They wish that you should compromise (in religion out of courtesy) with them: so they (too) would compromise with you.
Their desire is that thou shouldst be pliant: so would they be pliant.
Who would have had thee compromise, that they may compromise.
وَدُّوا لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُونَ
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]
Heed not the type of despicable men, - ready with oaths,
Neither obey thou each feeble oath - monger,
وَلَا تُطِعْ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ مَّهِينٍ
A slanderer, going about with calumnies,
A slanderer, going about with calumnies,
Detracter, spreader abroad of slanders,
هَمَّازٍ مَّشَّاءٍ بِنَمِيمٍ
Hinderer of the good, transgressor, sinful,
(Habitually) hindering (all) good, transgressing beyond bounds, deep in sin,
Hinderer of the good, transgressor, malefactor
مَّنَّاعٍ لِّلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيمٍ
Cruel, and moreover base-born (of illegitimate birth).
Violent (and cruel), - with all that, base - born, -
Greedy therewithal, intrusive.
عُتُلٍّ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ زَنِيمٍ
(He was so) because he had wealth and children.
Because he possesses wealth and (numerous) sons.
It is because he is possessed of wealth and children
أَن كَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَبَنِينَ
When Our Verses (of the Qur'an) are recited to him, he says: "Tales of the men of old!"
When to him are rehearsed Our Signs, "Tales of the ancients", he cries!
That, when Our revelations are recited unto him, he saith: Mere fables of the men of old.
إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ آيَاتُنَا قَالَ أَسَاطِيرُ الْأَوَّلِينَ
We shall brand him on the snout (nose)!
Soon shall We brand (the beast) on the snout!
We shall brand him on the nose.
سَنَسِمُهُ عَلَى الْخُرْطُومِ
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,
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.
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
Without saying: Insha' Allah (If Allah wills).
But made no reservation, ("If it be Allah's Will").
And made no exception (for the Will of Allah);
وَلَا يَسْتَثْنُونَ
Then there passed by on the (garden) a visitation (fire) from your Lord at night and burnt it while they were asleep.
Then there came on the (garden) a visitation from thy Lord, (which swept away) all around, while they were asleep.
Then a visitation from thy Lord came upon it while they slept
فَطَافَ عَلَيْهَا طَائِفٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ وَهُمْ نَائِمُونَ
So the (garden) became black by the morning, like a pitch dark night (in complete ruins).
So the (garden) became, by the morning, like a dark and desolate spot, (whose fruit had been gathered).
And in the morning it was as if plucked.
فَأَصْبَحَتْ كَالصَّرِيمِ
Then they called out one to another as soon as the morning broke.
As the morning broke, they called out, one to another, -
And they cried out one unto another in the morning,
فَتَنَادَوْا مُصْبِحِينَ
Saying: "Go to your tilth in the morning, if you would pluck the fruits."
"Go ye to your tilth (betimes) in the morning, if ye would gather the fruits."
Saying: Run unto your field if ye would pluck (the fruit).
أَنِ اغْدُوا عَلَىٰ حَرْثِكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَارِمِينَ
So they departed, conversing in secret low tones (saying):
So they departed, conversing in secret low tones, (saying) -
So they went off, saying one unto another in low tones:
فَانطَلَقُوا وَهُمْ يَتَخَافَتُونَ
"No Miskin (poor man) shall enter upon you into it today."
"Let not a single indigent person break in upon you into the (garden) this day."
No needy man shall enter it to - day against you.
أَن لَّا يَدْخُلَنَّهَا الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكُم مِّسْكِينٌ
And they went in the morning with strong intention, thinking that they have power (to prevent the poor taking anything of the fruits therefrom).
And they opened the morning, strong in an (unjust) resolve.
They went betimes, strong in (this) purpose.
وَغَدَوْا عَلَىٰ حَرْدٍ قَادِرِينَ
But when they saw the (garden), they said: "Verily, we have gone astray."
But when they saw the (garden), they said: "We have surely lost our way:
But when they saw it, they said: Lo! we are in error!
فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهَا قَالُوا إِنَّا لَضَالُّونَ
(Then they said): "Nay! Indeed we are deprived of (the fruits)!"
"Indeed we are shut out (of the fruits of our labour)!"
Nay, but we are desolate!
بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ
The best among them said: "Did I not tell you: why say you not: Insha' Allah (If Allah wills)."
Said one of them, more just (than the rest): "Did I not say to you, 'Why not glorify (Allah)?'"
The best among them said: Said I not unto you: Why glorify ye not (Allah) ?
قَالَ أَوْسَطُهُمْ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ لَوْلَا تُسَبِّحُونَ
They said: "Glory to Our Lord! Verily, we have been Zalimun (wrong-doers)."
They said: "Glory to our Lord! Verily we have been doing wrong!"
They said: Glorified be our Lord! Lo! we have been wrong - doers.
قَالُوا سُبْحَانَ رَبِّنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَالِمِينَ
Then they turned one against another, blaming.
Then they turned, one against another, in reproach.
Then some of them drew near unto others, self - reproaching.
فَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ يَتَلَاوَمُونَ
They said: "Woe to us! Verily, we were Taghun (transgressors and disobedient)
They said: "Alas for us! We have indeed transgressed!
They said: Alas for us! In truth we were outrageous.
قَالُوا يَا وَيْلَنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا طَاغِينَ
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 in exchange a better (garden) than this: for we do turn to Him (in repentance)!"
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
Such is the punishment (in this life), but truly, the punishment of the Hereafter is greater if they but knew.
Such is the Punishment (in this life); but greater is the Punishment in the Hereafter, - if only they 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
Verily, for the Muttaqun (the pious - See V.2:2) are Gardens of delight (Paradise) with their Lord.
Verily, for the Righteous, are Gardens of Delight, in the Presence of their Lord.
Lo! for those who keep from evil are gardens of bliss with their Lord.
إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ
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 the People of Faith like the People of Sin?
Shall We then treat those who have surrendered as We treat the guilty ?
أَفَنَجْعَلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ كَالْمُجْرِمِينَ
What is the matter with you? How judge you?
What is the matter with you? How judge ye?
What aileth you ? How foolishly ye judge!
مَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ
Or have you a Book wherein you learn,
Or have ye a book through which ye learn -
Or have ye a scripture wherein ye learn
أَمْ لَكُمْ كِتَابٌ فِيهِ تَدْرُسُونَ
That you shall therein have all that you choose?
That ye shall have, through it whatever ye choose?
That ye shall indeed have all that ye choose ?
إِنَّ لَكُمْ فِيهِ لَمَا تَخَيَّرُونَ
Or have you oaths from Us, reaching to the Day of Resurrection, that yours will be what 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?
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
Ask them, which of them will stand surety for that!
Ask thou of them, which of them will stand surety for that!
Ask them (O Muhammad) which of them will vouch for that!
سَلْهُمْ أَيُّهُم بِذَٰلِكَ زَعِيمٌ
Or have they "partners"? Then let them bring their "partners" if they are truthful!
Or have they some "Partners" (in Allahhead)? Then let them produce 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
(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.
The Day that the shin shall be laid bare, and they shall be summoned to bow in adoration, but they shall not be able, -
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
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).
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).
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
Then leave Me Alone with such as belie this Qur'an. We shall punish them gradually from directions they perceive not.
Then leave Me alone with such as reject this Message: by degrees shall We punish them 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
And I will grant them a respite. Verily, My Plan is strong.
A (long) respite will I grant them: truly powerful is My Plan.
Yet I bear with them, for lo! My scheme is firm.
وَأُمْلِي لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ
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 it that thou dost ask them for a reward, so that they are burdened with a load of debt? -
Or dost thou (Muhammad) ask a fee from them so that they are heavily taxed ?
أَمْ تَسْأَلُهُمْ أَجْرًا فَهُم مِّن مَّغْرَمٍ مُّثْقَلُونَ
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 that the Unseen 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
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).
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.
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
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 not Grace from his Lord reached him, he would indeed have been cast off on the naked shore, in disgrace.
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
Then 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.
But his Lord chose him and placed him among the righteous.
فَاجْتَبَاهُ رَبُّهُ فَجَعَلَهُ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
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 the Unbelievers would almost trip thee up with their eyes when they hear the Message; and they say: "Surely he is possessed!"
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
But it is nothing else than a Reminder to all the 'Alamin (mankind, and jinn).
But it is nothing less than a Message to all the worlds.
When it is naught else than a Reminder to creation.
وَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَالَمِينَ