نٓ ۚ وَٱلْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُونَ
Noon walqalami wama yasturoon
Nūn. By the pen and what they inscribe,
Nūn , by the pen and what they write,
Surah 68
Al-Qalam
The Pen
52 verses · Makkan · revealed 2nd
القلم
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
مَآ أَنتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُونٍ
Ma anta biniAAmati rabbika bimajnoon
You are not, [O Muḥammad], by the favor of your Lord, a madman.
with the grace of your Lord, you are not insane.
وَإِنَّ لَكَ لَأَجْرًا غَيْرَ مَمْنُونٍ
Wa-inna laka laajran ghayra mamnoon
And indeed, for you is a reward uninterrupted.
And you will definitely have a reward that will never end.
وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ
Wa-innaka laAAala khuluqin AAatheem
And indeed, you are of a great moral character.
And you are surely on an excellent standard of character.
فَسَتُبْصِرُ وَيُبْصِرُونَ
Fasatubsiru wayubsiroon
So you will see and they will see.
So, you will see, and they will see
بِأَييِّكُمُ ٱلْمَفْتُونُ
Bi-ayyikumu almaftoon
Which of you is the afflicted [by a devil].
which of you is demented.
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ
Inna rabbaka huwa aAAlamu biman dallaAAan sabeelihi wahuwa aAAlamu bilmuhtadeen
Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has gone astray from His way, and He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.
Surely your Lord knows best who has strayed from his way, and He is well aware of those who are on the right path.
فَلَا تُطِعِ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
Fala tutiAAi almukaththibeen
Then do not obey the deniers.
So, do not obey those who reject (the true faith.)
وَدُّوا۟ لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُونَ
Waddoo law tudhinu fayudhinoon
They wish that you would soften [in your position], so they would soften [toward you].
They wish that you become flexible (in your faith), so that they should become flexible (in their hostile attitude.)
وَلَا تُطِعْ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ مَّهِينٍ
Wala tutiAA kulla hallafinmaheen
And do not obey every worthless habitual swearer
And do not obey any contemptible one who swears much,
هَمَّازٍ مَّشَّآءٍۭ بِنَمِيمٍ
Hammazin mashsha-in binameem
[And] scorner, going about with malicious gossip -
a slanderer who goes about with calumnies,
مَّنَّاعٍ لِّلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيمٍ
MannaAAin lilkhayri muAAtadin atheem
A preventer of good, transgressing and sinful,
one who prevents good, (and who is) transgressor, sinful,
عُتُلٍّۭ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ زَنِيمٍ
AAutullin baAAda thalika zaneem
Cruel, moreover, and an illegitimate pretender.
harsh, (and) after all that, notorious,
أَن كَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَبَنِينَ
An kana tha malinwabaneen
Because he is a possessor of wealth and children,
(do not obey such a person merely) because he is a man of wealth and sons.
إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَـٰتُنَا قَالَ أَسَـٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
Itha tutla AAalayhi ayatunaqala asateeru al-awwaleen
When Our verses are recited to him, he says, "Legends of the former peoples."
When Our verses are recited to him, he says, “(These are) the tales of the ancient.”
سَنَسِمُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلْخُرْطُومِ
Sanasimuhu AAala alkhurtoom
We will brand him upon the snout.
We will soon brand him on the snout.
إِنَّا بَلَوْنَـٰهُمْ كَمَا بَلَوْنَآ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ إِذْ أَقْسَمُوا۟ لَيَصْرِمُنَّهَا مُصْبِحِينَ
Inna balawnahum kamabalawna as-haba aljannati ith aqsamoolayasrimunnaha musbiheen
Indeed, We have tried them as We tried the companions of the garden, when they swore to cut its fruit in the [early] morning
We have tested them as We had tested the Owners of the Garden, when they had sworn an oath that they would pluck its fruits on the next morning,
وَلَا يَسْتَثْنُونَ
Wala yastathnoon
Without making exception.
and did not make any exception (by saying inshā’allāh ).
فَطَافَ عَلَيْهَا طَآئِفٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ وَهُمْ نَآئِمُونَ
Fatafa AAalayha ta-ifunmin rabbika wahum na-imoon
So there came upon it [i.e., the garden] an affliction from your Lord while they were asleep.
Then, there whirled around it a whirl (of calamity) from your Lord, while they were asleep.
فَأَصْبَحَتْ كَٱلصَّرِيمِ
Faasbahat kassareem
And it became as though reaped.
Thus, on the next morning, it was like a harvested field.
فَتَنَادَوْا۟ مُصْبِحِينَ
Fatanadaw musbiheen
And they called one another at morning,
So, they called out each other as the morning broke,
أَنِ ٱغْدُوا۟ عَلَىٰ حَرْثِكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰرِمِينَ
Ani ighdoo AAala harthikum inkuntum sarimeen
[Saying], "Go early to your crop if you would cut the fruit."
saying, “Set out early, if you are going to pluck (the fruits).”
فَٱنطَلَقُوا۟ وَهُمْ يَتَخَـٰفَتُونَ
Fantalaqoo wahum yatakhafatoon
So they set out, while lowering their voices,
So they set out while they were whispering to each other,
أَن لَّا يَدْخُلَنَّهَا ٱلْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكُم مِّسْكِينٌ
An la yadkhulannaha alyawmaAAalaykum miskeen
[Saying], "There will surely not enter it today upon you [any] poor person."
saying, “Let no poor man enter into it upon you today.”
وَغَدَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ حَرْدٍ قَـٰدِرِينَ
Waghadaw AAala hardin qadireen
And they went early in determination, [assuming themselves] able.
And in early hours they rushed quickly, while they were (assuming themselves) powerful (to pluck the fruits and prevent the poor.)
فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهَا قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لَضَآلُّونَ
Falamma raawha qalooinna ladalloon
But when they saw it, they said, "Indeed, we are lost;
But when they saw it (the place of the ruined garden), they said, “We have missed the way.”
بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ
Bal nahnu mahroomoon
Rather, we have been deprived."
(Then, once they realized that the garden is the same, but it has been destroyed, they said,) “No, but we are deprived (of the fruits).”
قَالَ أَوْسَطُهُمْ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ لَوْلَا تُسَبِّحُونَ
Qala awsatuhum alam aqul lakumlawla tusabbihoon
The most moderate of them said, "Did I not say to you, 'Why do you not exalt [Allāh]?'"
Said he who was the best among them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Why do you not pronounce tasbīH (Allah’s purity)?”
قَالُوا۟ سُبْحَـٰنَ رَبِّنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَـٰلِمِينَ
Qaloo subhana rabbinainna kunna thalimeen
They said, "Exalted is our Lord! Indeed, we were wrongdoers."
They said, “We pronounce the purity of our Lord. No doubt, we were wrongdoers.”
فَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ يَتَلَـٰوَمُونَ
Faaqbala baAAduhum AAala baAAdinyatalawamoon
Then they approached one another, blaming each other.
Then, (at the beginning,) they started reproaching one another;
قَالُوا۟ يَـٰوَيْلَنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا طَـٰغِينَ
Qaloo ya waylana innakunna tagheen
They said, "O woe to us; indeed we were transgressors.
(and at last,) they said, “Woe to us! In fact, we (all) were outrageous.
عَسَىٰ رَبُّنَآ أَن يُبْدِلَنَا خَيْرًا مِّنْهَآ إِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا رَٰغِبُونَ
AAasa rabbuna an yubdilanakhayran minha inna ila rabbina raghiboon
Perhaps our Lord will substitute for us [one] better than it. Indeed, we are toward our Lord desirous."
We hope that our Lord will give us in exchange something better than this. Truly we turn to Allah.”
كَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْعَذَابُ ۖ وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ
Kathalika alAAathabu walaAAathabual-akhirati akbaru law kanoo yaAAlamoon
Such is the punishment [of this world]. And the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew.
In this way the punishment comes. And, of course, the punishment of the Hereafter is even greater, if they but realize!
إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّـٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ
Inna lilmuttaqeena AAinda rabbihim jannatiannaAAeem
Indeed, for the righteous with their Lord are the Gardens of Pleasure.
Surely, for the God-fearing there are gardens of bliss.
أَفَنَجْعَلُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ كَٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
AfanajAAalu almuslimeena kalmujrimeen
Then will We treat the Muslims like the criminals?
Otherwise, shall We make the obedient like the sinners?
مَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ
Ma lakum kayfa tahkumoon
What is [the matter] with you? How do you judge?
What has happened to you? How do you judge?
أَمْ لَكُمْ كِتَـٰبٌ فِيهِ تَدْرُسُونَ
Am lakum kitabun feehi tadrusoon
Or do you have a scripture in which you learn
Do you have a book in which you read
إِنَّ لَكُمْ فِيهِ لَمَا تَخَيَّرُونَ
Inna lakum feehi lama takhayyaroon
That indeed for you is whatever you choose?
that for you there is what you choose?
أَمْ لَكُمْ أَيْمَـٰنٌ عَلَيْنَا بَـٰلِغَةٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۙ إِنَّ لَكُمْ لَمَا تَحْكُمُونَ
Am lakum aymanun AAalayna balighatunila yawmi alqiyamati inna lakum lama tahkumoon
Or do you have oaths [binding] upon Us, extending until the Day of Resurrection, that indeed for you is whatever you judge?
Or do you have oaths sworn by Us, remaining effective up to the Day of Judgment, that you will get what you decide?
سَلْهُمْ أَيُّهُم بِذَٰلِكَ زَعِيمٌ
Salhum ayyuhum bithalika zaAAeem
Ask them which of them, for that [claim], is responsible.
Ask them which of them stands surety for that.
أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَآءُ فَلْيَأْتُوا۟ بِشُرَكَآئِهِمْ إِن كَانُوا۟ صَـٰدِقِينَ
Am lahum shurakao falya/too bishuraka-ihimin kanoo sadiqeen
Or do they have partners? Then let them bring their partners, if they should be truthful.
Or do they have associate-gods (who have guaranteed safety for them)? Then, let them bring their associate-gods, if they are true.
يَوْمَ يُكْشَفُ عَن سَاقٍ وَيُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى ٱلسُّجُودِ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ
Yawma yukshafu AAan saqin wayudAAawnaila assujoodi fala yastateeAAoon
The Day the shin will be uncovered and they are invited to prostration but they [i.e., the disbelievers] will not be able,
On the Day when the Shin will be exposed, and they will be called upon to prostrate themselves, they will not be able to.
خَـٰشِعَةً أَبْصَـٰرُهُمْ تَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌ ۖ وَقَدْ كَانُوا۟ يُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى ٱلسُّجُودِ وَهُمْ سَـٰلِمُونَ
KhashiAAatan absaruhumtarhaquhum thillatun waqad kanoo yudAAawna ilaassujoodi wahum salimoon
Their eyes humbled, humiliation will cover them. And they used to be invited to prostration while they were sound.
With their eyes downcast, they will be enveloped by ignominy. They used to be called upon to prostrate when they were healthy (but they did not.)
فَذَرْنِى وَمَن يُكَذِّبُ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ ۖ سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
Fatharnee waman yukaththibubihatha alhadeethi sanastadrijuhum min haythula yaAAlamoon
So leave Me, [O Muḥammad], with [the matter of] whoever denies this statement [i.e., the Qur’ān]. We will progressively lead them [to punishment] from where they do not know.
So, leave Me alone with those who reject this discourse. We will draw them on little by little (towards Hell) from a way they do not know.
وَأُمْلِى لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِى مَتِينٌ
Waomlee lahum inna kaydee mateen
And I will give them time. Indeed, My plan is firm.
And I give them respite. Indeed, My plan is firm.
أَمْ تَسْـَٔلُهُمْ أَجْرًا فَهُم مِّن مَّغْرَمٍ مُّثْقَلُونَ
Am tas-aluhum ajran fahum min maghraminmuthqaloon
Or do you ask of them a payment, so they are by debt burdened down?
Is it that you ask them for a fee, due to which they are burdened with debt?
أَمْ عِندَهُمُ ٱلْغَيْبُ فَهُمْ يَكْتُبُونَ
Am AAindahumu alghaybu fahum yaktuboon
Or have they [knowledge of] the unseen, so they write [it] down?
Or do they have the (knowledge of the) Unseen, and they write it down?
فَٱصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تَكُن كَصَاحِبِ ٱلْحُوتِ إِذْ نَادَىٰ وَهُوَ مَكْظُومٌ
Fasbir lihukmi rabbikawala takun kasahibi alhooti ith nadawahuwa makthoom
Then be patient for the decision of your Lord, [O Muḥammad], and be not like the companion of the fish [i.e., Jonah] when he called out while he was distressed.
So, remain patient with your Lord’s judgment, and be not like the Man of the Fish, he cried out while he was in anguish.
لَّوْلَآ أَن تَدَٰرَكَهُۥ نِعْمَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ لَنُبِذَ بِٱلْعَرَآءِ وَهُوَ مَذْمُومٌ
Lawla an tadarakahu niAAmatunmin rabbihi lanubitha bilAAara-i wahuwa mathmoom
If not that a favor [i.e., mercy] from his Lord overtook him, he would have been thrown onto the naked shore while he was censured.
Had not a favour from His Lord come to his help, he would have been cast in the wilderness in a reproachable state.
فَٱجْتَبَـٰهُ رَبُّهُۥ فَجَعَلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
Fajtabahu rabbuhu fajaAAalahumina assaliheen
And his Lord chose him and made him of the righteous.
Then his Lord chose him, and made him one of the righteous.
وَإِن يَكَادُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَيُزْلِقُونَكَ بِأَبْصَـٰرِهِمْ لَمَّا سَمِعُوا۟ ٱلذِّكْرَ وَيَقُولُونَ إِنَّهُۥ لَمَجْنُونٌ
Wa-in yakadu allatheenakafaroo layuzliqoonaka bi-absarihim lamma samiAAooaththikra wayaqooloona innahu lamajnoon
And indeed, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes [i.e., looks] when they hear the message, and they say, "Indeed, he is mad."
And indeed the disbelievers seem to trip you up with their glances when they hear the Reminder, and say, “He is a madman indeed.”
وَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Wama huwa illa thikrunlilAAalameen
But it is not except a reminder to the worlds.
And it is nothing else but a Reminder for all the worlds.