English - Chapter 68 - Al-Qalam

Nun , by the pen and what they write

with the grace of your Lord, you are not insane

And you are surely on an excellent standard of character

So, you will see, and they will see

which of you is demented

Surely your Lord knows best who has strayed from his way, and He is well aware of those who are on the right path

So, do not obey those who reject (the true faith)

They wish that you become flexible (in your faith), so that they should become flexible (in their hostile attitude)

And do not obey any contemptible one who swears much

a slanderer who goes about with calumnies

one who prevents good, (and who is) transgressor, sinful

harsh, (and) after all that, notorious

(do not obey such a person merely) because he is a man of wealth and sons

When Our verses are recited to him, he says, .(These are) the tales of the ancient

We will soon brand him on the snout

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

and did not make any exception (by saying insha‘allah)

Then, there whirled around it a whirl (of calamity) from your Lord, while they were asleep

Thus, on the next morning, it was like a harvested field

So, they called out each other as the morning broke

saying, .Set out early, if you are going to pluck (the fruits)

So they set out while they were whispering to each other

saying, .Let no poor man enter into it upon you today

And in early hours they rushed quickly, while they were (assuming themselves) powerful (to pluck the fruits and prevent the poor)

But when they saw it (the place of the ruined garden), they said, .We have missed the way

(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)

Said he who was the best among them, .Did I not say to you, ‘Why do you not pronounce tasbiH (Allah‘s purity)

They said, .We pronounce the purity of our Lord. No doubt, we were wrongdoers

Then, (at the beginning,) they started reproaching one another

(and at last,) they said, .Woe to us! In fact, we (all) were outrageous

We hope that our Lord will give us in exchange something better than this. Truly we turn to Allah

In this way the punishment comes. And, of course, the punishment of the Hereafter is even greater, if they but realize

Surely, for the God-fearing there are gardens of bliss

Otherwise, shall We make the obedient like the sinners

What has happened to you? How do you judge

Do you have a book in which you read

that for you there is what you choose

Or do you have oaths sworn by Us, remaining effective up to the Day of Judgment, that you will get what you decide

Ask them which of them stands surety for that

Or do they have associate-gods (who have guaranteed safety for them)? Then, let them bring their associate-gods, if they are true

On the Day when the Shin will be exposed, and they will be called upon to prostrate themselves, they will not be able to

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)

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

And I give them respite. Indeed, My plan is firm

Is it that you ask them for a fee, due to which they are burdened with debt

Or do they have the (knowledge of the) Unseen, and they write it down

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

Had not a favour from His Lord come to his help, he would have been cast in the wilderness in a reproachable state

Then his Lord chose him, and made him one of the righteous

And indeed the disbelievers seem to trip you up with their glances when they hear the Reminder, and say, .He is a madman indeed

And it is nothing else but a Reminder for all the worlds