English - Chapter 68 - Al-Qalam

Nun. By the pen and what they (angels) write (records of people)

By the Grace of your Lord you (O Muhammad) are not a madman

and surely, you (O Muhammad) will have an endless reward

And surely, you (O Muhammad) are on an exalted (standard of) character

Soon you will see and they will see

which of you is afflicted with madness

Surely, your Lord knows those better who have gone astray from His Way, and He is the Best Knower of those who are guided

So (O Muhammad) don’t yield to the deniers (of Islam)

Don’t yield to everyone who swears much and is considered worthless

a slanderer, going about with mischief

opponent of the good, transgressor, sinful

cruel, and moreover wicked (of illegitimate birth)

though he has wealth and children

When Our Verses (of the Qur’an) are recited to him, he says: “Tales of the people of old!”

We shall brand the one over the nose

Surely, We shall try them as We tried the people of the garden when they swore to pick the fruits of the garden in the morning

without saying: If Allah wills

Then something (fire) from your Lord passed by on the garden (at night and burnt it) while they were asleep

so the garden became black by the morning, like a pitch dark night (completely ruined)

Then they called out one to another as soon as the morning broke

saying: “Go to your tilth in the morning if you want to pick the fruits.”

So they departed and whispered in secret low tones (saying)

“Let no poor person enter into the garden today.”

And then they went in the morning with strong intention, thinking that they have powers (to prevent the poor from taking any of the fruits)

But when they saw the garden, they said: “Surely, we have gone astray

(then they said): Nay! Indeed we have been deprived (of the fruits)!”

The best among them said: “Did I not tell you: why do you not glorify Allah (If Allah wills)?”

They said: “Glory to our Lord! Surely, we have been wrongdoers.”

So they started blaming one another

(Later) they said: “Woe to us! Surely, we had become transgressors

We hope that our Lord will give us in exchange a better garden than this. Truly, we turn to our Lord.”

Such is the punishment (in this life) and truly, the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they but knew

Surely, the pious will be rewarded with gardens of delight (Paradise) by their Lord

Shall We then treat the Muslims like the criminals

What is the matter with you? How do you judge

Or do you have a book from which you learn

that you shall have in it all that you choose

Or do you have oaths from Us reaching to the Day of Resurrection that your will have whatever you judge

Ask if anyone of them will Promise for that

Or do they have ‘partners (other deities besides Allah)?’ Then let them bring their ‘partners’ if they are truthful

(Remember) the Day (of Judgment) when the events shall be unfolded and they shall be called to prostrate (to Allah), but they shall not be able to do so

Their eyes will be cast down, humiliation will cover them; because they used to be called to prostrate (offer prayers), and they were healthy and good (in the world, but they refused to do so)

Then (O Muhammad) leave Me Alone with those who deny this speech (Qur’an). We shall punish them gradually from where they don’t perceive

And I will (even) grant them a respite. Surely, My plan is strong

Or have you (O Muhammad) asked them a wage, so they are heavily burdened from debt

Or do they have the (knowledge of the) unseen with them, so they can write it down

So wait with patience for the decision of your Lord, and don’t be like the companion of the fish (reference to Prophet Jonah who was swallowed by a fish), who cried out (to Us) while he was in distress

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 blamed

But his Lord chose him and made him of the righteous

And surely, the disbelievers would almost make you slip with their eyes (through hatred) when they hear the reminder (the Qur’an), and they say: “Surely, he (Muhammad) is a madman!”

This (the Qur’an) is nothing but a reminder to all people of the worlds