Chapter 68, 52 verses
Nun. By the pen and what they inscribe,
Noon waalqalami wama yasturoona
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم ن ۚ والقلم وما يسطرون
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).
نٓ وَٱلْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُونَ
You are not, [O Muhammad], by the favor of your Lord, a madman.
Ma anta biniAAmati rabbika bimajnoonin
ما أنت بنعمة ربك بمجنون
You (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), by the Grace of your Lord, are not mad.
مَآ أَنتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُونٍ
And indeed, for you is a reward uninterrupted.
Wainna laka laajran ghayra mamnoonin
وإن لك لأجرا غير ممنون
And Verily, for you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) will be an endless reward.
وَإِنَّ لَكَ لَأَجْرًا غَيْرَ مَمْنُونٍ
And indeed, you are of a great moral character.
Wainnaka laAAala khuluqin AAatheemin
وإنك لعلى خلق عظيم
And Verily, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) are on an exalted (standard of) character.
وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ
So you will see and they will see
Fasatubsiru wayubsiroona
فستبصر ويبصرون
You will see, and they will see,
فَسَتُبْصِرُ وَيُبْصِرُونَ
Which of you is the afflicted [by a devil].
Biayyikumu almaftoonu
بأييكم المفتون
Which of you is afflicted with madness.
بِأَييِّكُمُ ٱلْمَفْتُونُ
Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has gone astray from His way, and He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.
Inna rabbaka huwa aAAlamu biman dalla AAan sabeelihi wahuwa aAAlamu bialmuhtadeena
إن ربك هو أعلم بمن ضل عن سبيله وهو أعلم بالمهتدين
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.
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ
Then do not obey the deniers.
Fala tutiAAi almukaththibeena
فلا تطع المكذبين
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]
فَلَا تُطِعِ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
They wish that you would soften [in your position], so they would soften [toward you].
Waddoo law tudhinu fayudhinoona
ودوا لو تدهن فيدهنون
They wish that you should compromise (in religion out of courtesy) with them: so they (too) would compromise with you.
وَدُّوا۟ لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُونَ
And do not obey every worthless habitual swearer
Wala tutiAA kulla hallafin maheenin
ولا تطع كل حلاف مهين
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]
وَلَا تُطِعْ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ مَّهِينٍ
[And] scorner, going about with malicious gossip -
Hammazin mashshain binameemin
هماز مشاء بنميم
A slanderer, going about with calumnies,
هَمَّازٍ مَّشَّآءٍۭ بِنَمِيمٍ
A preventer of good, transgressing and sinful,
MannaAAin lilkhayri muAAtadin atheemin
مناع للخير معتد أثيم
Hinderer of the good, transgressor, sinful,
مَّنَّاعٍ لِّلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيمٍ
Cruel, moreover, and an illegitimate pretender.
AAutullin baAAda thalika zaneemin
عتل بعد ذلك زنيم
Cruel, and moreover base-born (of illegitimate birth).
عُتُلٍّۭ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ زَنِيمٍ
Because he is a possessor of wealth and children,
An kana tha malin wabaneena
أن كان ذا مال وبنين
(He was so) because he had wealth and children.
أَن كَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَبَنِينَ
When Our verses are recited to him, he says, "Legends of the former peoples."
Itha tutla AAalayhi ayatuna qala asateeru alawwaleena
إذا تتلى عليه آياتنا قال أساطير الأولين
When Our Verses (of the Qur'an) are recited to him, he says: "Tales of the men of old!"
إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَٰتُنَا قَالَ أَسَٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
We will brand him upon the snout.
Sanasimuhu AAala alkhurtoomi
سنسمه على الخرطوم
We shall brand him on the snout (nose)!
سَنَسِمُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلْخُرْطُومِ
Indeed, We have tried them as We tried the companions of the garden, when they swore to cut its fruit in the [early] morning
Inna balawnahum kama balawna ashaba aljannati ith aqsamoo layasrimunnaha musbiheena
إنا بلوناهم كما بلونا أصحاب الجنة إذ أقسموا ليصرمنها مصبحين
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,
إِنَّا بَلَوْنَٰهُمْ كَمَا بَلَوْنَآ أَصْحَٰبَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ إِذْ أَقْسَمُوا۟ لَيَصْرِمُنَّهَا مُصْبِحِينَ
Without making exception.
Wala yastathnoona
ولا يستثنون
Without saying: Insha' Allah (If Allah wills).
وَلَا يَسْتَثْنُونَ
So there came upon the garden an affliction from your Lord while they were asleep.
Fatafa AAalayha taifun min rabbika wahum naimoona
فطاف عليها طائف من ربك وهم نائمون
Then there passed by on the (garden) a visitation (fire) from your Lord at night and burnt it while they were asleep.
فَطَافَ عَلَيْهَا طَآئِفٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ وَهُمْ نَآئِمُونَ
And it became as though reaped.
Faasbahat kaalssareemi
فأصبحت كالصريم
So the (garden) became black by the morning, like a pitch dark night (in complete ruins).
فَأَصْبَحَتْ كَٱلصَّرِيمِ
And they called one another at morning,
Fatanadaw musbiheena
فتنادوا مصبحين
Then they called out one to another as soon as the morning broke.
فَتَنَادَوْا۟ مُصْبِحِينَ
[Saying], "Go early to your crop if you would cut the fruit."
Ani ighdoo AAala harthikum in kuntum sarimeena
أن اغدوا على حرثكم إن كنتم صارمين
Saying: "Go to your tilth in the morning, if you would pluck the fruits."
أَنِ ٱغْدُوا۟ عَلَىٰ حَرْثِكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰرِمِينَ
So they set out, while lowering their voices,
Faintalaqoo wahum yatakhafatoona
فانطلقوا وهم يتخافتون
So they departed, conversing in secret low tones (saying):
فَٱنطَلَقُوا۟ وَهُمْ يَتَخَٰفَتُونَ
[Saying], "There will surely not enter it today upon you [any] poor person."
An la yadkhulannaha alyawma AAalaykum miskeenun
أن لا يدخلنها اليوم عليكم مسكين
"No Miskin (poor man) shall enter upon you into it today."
أَن لَّا يَدْخُلَنَّهَا ٱلْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكُم مِّسْكِينٌ
And they went early in determination, [assuming themselves] able.
Waghadaw AAala hardin qadireena
وغدوا على حرد قادرين
And they went in the morning with strong intention, thinking that they have power (to prevent the poor taking anything of the fruits therefrom).
وَغَدَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ حَرْدٍ قَٰدِرِينَ
But when they saw it, they said, "Indeed, we are lost;
Falamma raawha qaloo inna ladalloona
فلما رأوها قالوا إنا لضالون
But when they saw the (garden), they said: "Verily, we have gone astray."
فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهَا قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لَضَآلُّونَ
Rather, we have been deprived."
Bal nahnu mahroomoona
بل نحن محرومون
(Then they said): "Nay! Indeed we are deprived of (the fruits)!"
بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ
The most moderate of them said, "Did I not say to you, 'Why do you not exalt [Allah]?' "
Qala awsatuhum alam aqul lakum lawla tusabbihoona
قال أوسطهم ألم أقل لكم لولا تسبحون
The best among them said: "Did I not tell you: why say you not: Insha' Allah (If Allah wills)."
قَالَ أَوْسَطُهُمْ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ لَوْلَا تُسَبِّحُونَ
They said, "Exalted is our Lord! Indeed, we were wrongdoers."
Qaloo subhana rabbina inna kunna thalimeena
قالوا سبحان ربنا إنا كنا ظالمين
They said: "Glory to Our Lord! Verily, we have been Zalimun (wrong-doers)."
قَالُوا۟ سُبْحَٰنَ رَبِّنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَٰلِمِينَ
Then they approached one another, blaming each other.
Faaqbala baAAduhum AAala baAAdin yatalawamoona
فأقبل بعضهم على بعض يتلاومون
Then they turned one against another, blaming.
فَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ يَتَلَٰوَمُونَ
They said, "O woe to us; indeed we were transgressors.
Qaloo ya waylana inna kunna tagheena
قالوا يا ويلنا إنا كنا طاغين
They said: "Woe to us! Verily, we were Taghun (transgressors and disobedient)
قَالُوا۟ يَٰوَيْلَنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا طَٰغِينَ
Perhaps our Lord will substitute for us [one] better than it. Indeed, we are toward our Lord desirous."
AAasa rabbuna an yubdilana khayran minha inna ila rabbina raghiboona
عسى ربنا أن يبدلنا خيرا منها إنا إلى ربنا راغبون
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).
عَسَىٰ رَبُّنَآ أَن يُبْدِلَنَا خَيْرًا مِّنْهَآ إِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا رَٰغِبُونَ
Such is the punishment [of this world]. And the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew.
Kathalika alAAathabu walaAAathabu alakhirati akbaru law kanoo yaAAlamoona
كذلك العذاب ۖ ولعذاب الآخرة أكبر ۚ لو كانوا يعلمون
Such is the punishment (in this life), but truly, the punishment of the Hereafter is greater if they but knew.
كَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ
Indeed, for the righteous with their Lord are the Gardens of Pleasure.
Inna lilmuttaqeena AAinda rabbihim jannati alnnaAAeemi
إن للمتقين عند ربهم جنات النعيم
Verily, for the Muttaqun (the pious - See V.2:2) are Gardens of delight (Paradise) with their Lord.
إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ
Then will We treat the Muslims like the criminals?
AfanajAAalu almuslimeena kaalmujrimeena
أفنجعل المسلمين كالمجرمين
Shall We then treat the Muslims (believers of Islamic Monotheism, doers of righteous deeds) like the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists and disbelievers, etc.)?
أَفَنَجْعَلُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ كَٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
What is [the matter] with you? How do you judge?
Ma lakum kayfa tahkumoona
ما لكم كيف تحكمون
What is the matter with you? How judge you?
مَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ
Or do you have a scripture in which you learn
Am lakum kitabun feehi tadrusoona
أم لكم كتاب فيه تدرسون
Or have you a Book wherein you learn,
أَمْ لَكُمْ كِتَٰبٌ فِيهِ تَدْرُسُونَ
That indeed for you is whatever you choose?
Inna lakum feehi lama takhayyaroona
إن لكم فيه لما تخيرون
That you shall therein have all that you choose?
إِنَّ لَكُمْ فِيهِ لَمَا تَخَيَّرُونَ
Or do you have oaths [binding] upon Us, extending until the Day of Resurrection, that indeed for you is whatever you judge?
Am lakum aymanun AAalayna balighatun ila yawmi alqiyamati inna lakum lama tahkumoona
أم لكم أيمان علينا بالغة إلى يوم القيامة ۙ إن لكم لما تحكمون
Or have you oaths from Us, reaching to the Day of Resurrection, that yours will be what you judge?
أَمْ لَكُمْ أَيْمَٰنٌ عَلَيْنَا بَٰلِغَةٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ إِنَّ لَكُمْ لَمَا تَحْكُمُونَ
Ask them which of them, for that [claim], is responsible.
Salhum ayyuhum bithalika zaAAeemun
سلهم أيهم بذلك زعيم
Ask them, which of them will stand surety for that!
سَلْهُمْ أَيُّهُم بِذَٰلِكَ زَعِيمٌ
Or do they have partners? Then let them bring their partners, if they should be truthful.
Am lahum shurakao falyatoo bishurakaihim in kanoo sadiqeena
أم لهم شركاء فليأتوا بشركائهم إن كانوا صادقين
Or have they "partners"? Then let them bring their "partners" if they are truthful!
أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَآءُ فَلْيَأْتُوا۟ بِشُرَكَآئِهِمْ إِن كَانُوا۟ صَٰدِقِينَ
The Day the shin will be uncovered and they are invited to prostration but the disbelievers will not be able,
Yawma yukshafu AAan saqin wayudAAawna ila alssujoodi fala yastateeAAoona
يوم يكشف عن ساق ويدعون إلى السجود فلا يستطيعون
(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.
يَوْمَ يُكْشَفُ عَن سَاقٍ وَيُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى ٱلسُّجُودِ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ
Their eyes humbled, humiliation will cover them. And they used to be invited to prostration while they were sound.
KhashiAAatan absaruhum tarhaquhum thillatun waqad kanoo yudAAawna ila alssujoodi wahum salimoona
خاشعة أبصارهم ترهقهم ذلة ۖ وقد كانوا يدعون إلى السجود وهم سالمون
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).
خَٰشِعَةً أَبْصَٰرُهُمْ تَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌ وَقَدْ كَانُوا۟ يُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى ٱلسُّجُودِ وَهُمْ سَٰلِمُونَ
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.
Fatharnee waman yukaththibu bihatha alhadeethi sanastadrijuhum min haythu la yaAAlamoona
فذرني ومن يكذب بهذا الحديث ۖ سنستدرجهم من حيث لا يعلمون
Then leave Me Alone with such as belie this Qur'an. We shall punish them gradually from directions they perceive not.
فَذَرْنِى وَمَن يُكَذِّبُ بِهَٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And I will give them time. Indeed, My plan is firm.
Waomlee lahum inna kaydee mateenun
وأملي لهم ۚ إن كيدي متين
And I will grant them a respite. Verily, My Plan is strong.
وَأُمْلِى لَهُمْ إِنَّ كَيْدِى مَتِينٌ
Or do you ask of them a payment, so they are by debt burdened down?
Am tasaluhum ajran fahum min maghramin muthqaloona
أم تسألهم أجرا فهم من مغرم مثقلون
Or is it that you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) ask them a wage, so that they are heavily burdened with debt?
أَمْ تَسْـَٔلُهُمْ أَجْرًا فَهُم مِّن مَّغْرَمٍ مُّثْقَلُونَ
Or have they [knowledge of] the unseen, so they write [it] down?
Am AAindahumu alghaybu fahum yaktuboona
أم عندهم الغيب فهم يكتبون
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?
أَمْ عِندَهُمُ ٱلْغَيْبُ فَهُمْ يَكْتُبُونَ
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.
Faisbir lihukmi rabbika wala takun kasahibi alhooti ith nada wahuwa makthoomun
فاصبر لحكم ربك ولا تكن كصاحب الحوت إذ نادى وهو مكظوم
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).
فَٱصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تَكُن كَصَاحِبِ ٱلْحُوتِ إِذْ نَادَىٰ وَهُوَ مَكْظُومٌ
If not that a favor from his Lord overtook him, he would have been thrown onto the naked shore while he was censured.
Lawla an tadarakahu niAAmatun min rabbihi lanubitha bialAAarai wahuwa mathmoomun
لولا أن تداركه نعمة من ربه لنبذ بالعراء وهو مذموم
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.
لَّوْلَآ أَن تَدَٰرَكَهُۥ نِعْمَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ لَنُبِذَ بِٱلْعَرَآءِ وَهُوَ مَذْمُومٌ
And his Lord chose him and made him of the righteous.
Faijtabahu rabbuhu fajaAAalahu mina alssaliheena
فاجتباه ربه فجعله من الصالحين
Then his Lord chose him and made him of the righteous.
فَٱجْتَبَٰهُ رَبُّهُۥ فَجَعَلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ
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."
Wain yakadu allatheena kafaroo layuzliqoonaka biabsarihim lamma samiAAoo alththikra wayaqooloona innahu lamajnoonun
وإن يكاد الذين كفروا ليزلقونك بأبصارهم لما سمعوا الذكر ويقولون إنه لمجنون
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!"
وَإِن يَكَادُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَيُزْلِقُونَكَ بِأَبْصَٰرِهِمْ لَمَّا سَمِعُوا۟ ٱلذِّكْرَ وَيَقُولُونَ إِنَّهُۥ لَمَجْنُونٌ
But it is not except a reminder to the worlds.
Wama huwa illa thikrun lilAAalameena
وما هو إلا ذكر للعالمين
But it is nothing else than a Reminder to all the 'Alamin (mankind, and jinn).
وَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَٰلَمِينَ