68. Surah Al-Qalam (The Pen)

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

1

YUSUFALI : Nun. By the Pen and the (Record) which (men) write,-

PICKTHAL : Nun. By the pen and that which they write (therewith),

SHAKIR : Noon. I swear by the pen and what the angels write,

M& HILALI : 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 what the (angels) write (in the Records of men).

2

YUSUFALI : Thou art not, by the Grace of thy Lord, mad or possessed.

PICKTHAL : Thou art not, for thy Lord's favour unto thee, a madman.

SHAKIR : By the grace of your Lord you are not mad.

M& HILALI : You (O Muhammad [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam]) are not, by the Grace of your Lord, a madman.

3

YUSUFALI : Nay, verily for thee is a Reward unfailing:

PICKTHAL : And lo! thine verily will be a reward unfailing.

SHAKIR : And most surely you shall have a reward never to be cut off.

M& HILALI : And verily, for you (O Muhammad [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam]) will be an endless reward.

4

YUSUFALI : And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character.

PICKTHAL : And lo! thou art of a tremendous nature.

SHAKIR : And most surely you conform (yourself) to sublime morality.

M& HILALI : And verily, you (O Muhammad [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam]) are on an exalted standard of character.

5

YUSUFALI : Soon wilt thou see, and they will see,

PICKTHAL : And thou wilt see and they will see

SHAKIR : So you shall see, and they (too) shall see,

M& HILALI : You will see, and they will see,

6

YUSUFALI : Which of you is afflicted with madness.

PICKTHAL : Which of you is the demented.

SHAKIR : Which of you is afflicted with madness.

M& HILALI : Which of you is afflicted with madness.

7

YUSUFALI : 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.

PICKTHAL : Lo! thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayeth from His way, and He is Best Aware of those who walk aright.

SHAKIR : Surely your Lord best knows him who errs from His way, and He best knows the followers of the right course.

M& HILALI : Verily, your Lord knows better, who (among men) has gone astray from His Path, and He knows better those who are guided.

8

YUSUFALI : So hearken not to those who deny (the Truth).

PICKTHAL : Therefor obey not thou the rejecters

SHAKIR : So do not yield to the rejecters.

M& HILALI : So (O Muhammad [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam]) obey not the deniers [(of Islamic Monotheism those who belie the Verses of Allah), the Oneness of Allah, and the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam]), etc.]

9

YUSUFALI : Their desire is that thou shouldst be pliant: so would they be pliant.

PICKTHAL : Who would have had thee compromise, that they may compromise.

SHAKIR : They wish that you should be pliant so they (too) would be pliant.

M& HILALI : They wish that you should compromise (in religion out of courtesy) with them, so they (too) would compromise with you.

10

YUSUFALI : Heed not the type of despicable men,- ready with oaths,

PICKTHAL : Neither obey thou each feeble oath-monger,

SHAKIR : And yield not to any mean swearer

M& HILALI : And obey not everyone who swears much, and is considered worthless,

11

YUSUFALI : A slanderer, going about with calumnies,

PICKTHAL : Detracter, spreader abroad of slanders,

SHAKIR : Defamer, going about with slander

M& HILALI : A slanderer, going about with calumnies,

12

YUSUFALI : (Habitually) hindering (all) good, transgressing beyond bounds, deep in sin,

PICKTHAL : Hinderer of the good, transgressor, malefactor

SHAKIR : Forbidder of good, outstepping the limits, sinful,

M& HILALI : Hinderer of the good, transgressor, sinful,

13

YUSUFALI : Violent (and cruel),- with all that, base-born,-

PICKTHAL : Greedy therewithal, intrusive.

SHAKIR : Ignoble, besides all that, base-born;

M& HILALI : Cruel, after all that base-born (of illegitimate birth),

14

YUSUFALI : Because he possesses wealth and (numerous) sons.

PICKTHAL : It is because he is possessed of wealth and children

SHAKIR : Because he possesses wealth and sons.

M& HILALI : (He was so) because he had wealth and children.

15

YUSUFALI : When to him are rehearsed Our Signs, "Tales of the ancients", he cries!

PICKTHAL : That, when Our revelations are recited unto him, he saith: Mere fables of the men of old.

SHAKIR : When Our communications are recited to him, he says: Stories of those of yore.

M& HILALI : When Our Verses (of the Qur'an) are recited to him, he says: "Tales of the men of old!"

16

YUSUFALI : Soon shall We brand (the beast) on the snout!

PICKTHAL : We shall brand him on the nose.

SHAKIR : We will brand him on the nose.

M& HILALI : We shall brand him over the nose!

17

YUSUFALI : 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.

PICKTHAL : Lo! We have tried them as We tried the owners of the garden when they vowed that they would pluck its fruit next morning,

SHAKIR : Surely We will try them as We tried the owners of the garden, when they swore that they would certainly cut off the produce in the morning,

M& HILALI : 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,

18

YUSUFALI : But made no reservation, ("If it be Allah's Will").

PICKTHAL : And made no exception (for the Will of Allah);

SHAKIR : And were not willing to set aside a portion (for the poor).

M& HILALI : Without saying: Insha' Allah (If Allah will).

19

YUSUFALI : Then there came on the (garden) a visitation from thy Lord, (which swept away) all around, while they were asleep.

PICKTHAL : Then a visitation from thy Lord came upon it while they slept

SHAKIR : Then there encompassed it a visitation from your Lord while they were sleeping.

M& HILALI : Then there passed by on the (garden) something (fire) from your Lord at night and burnt it while they were asleep.

20

YUSUFALI : So the (garden) became, by the morning, like a dark and desolate spot, (whose fruit had been gathered).

PICKTHAL : And in the morning it was as if plucked.

SHAKIR : So it became as black, barren land.

M& HILALI : So the (garden) became black by the morning, like a pitch dark night (in complete ruins).

21

YUSUFALI : As the morning broke, they called out, one to another,-

PICKTHAL : And they cried out one unto another in the morning,

SHAKIR : And they called out to each other in the morning,

M& HILALI : Then they called out one to another as soon as the morning broke,

22

YUSUFALI : "Go ye to your tilth (betimes) in the morning, if ye would gather the fruits."

PICKTHAL : Saying: Run unto your field if ye would pluck (the fruit).

SHAKIR : Saying: Go early to your tilth if you would cut (the produce).

M& HILALI : Saying: "Go to your tilth in the morning, if you would pluck the fruits."

23

YUSUFALI : So they departed, conversing in secret low tones, (saying)-

PICKTHAL : So they went off, saying one unto another in low tones:

SHAKIR : So they went, while they consulted together secretly,

M& HILALI : So they departed, conversing in secret low tones (saying),

24

YUSUFALI : "Let not a single indigent person break in upon you into the (garden) this day."

PICKTHAL : No needy man shall enter it to-day against you.

SHAKIR : Saying: No poor man shall enter it today upon you.

M& HILALI : No Miskin (poor man) shall enter upon you into it today.

25

YUSUFALI : And they opened the morning, strong in an (unjust) resolve.

PICKTHAL : They went betimes, strong in (this) purpose.

SHAKIR : And in the morning they went, having the power to prevent.

M& HILALI : And they went in the morning with strong intention, thinking that they have power (to prevent the poor taking anything of the fruits therefrom).

26

YUSUFALI : But when they saw the (garden), they said: "We have surely lost our way:

PICKTHAL : But when they saw it, they said: Lo! we are in error!

SHAKIR : But when they saw it, they said: Most surely we have gone astray

M& HILALI : But when they saw the (garden), they said: "Verily, we have gone astray,"

27

YUSUFALI : "Indeed we are shut out (of the fruits of our labour)!"

PICKTHAL : Nay, but we are desolate!

SHAKIR : Nay! we are made to suffer privation.

M& HILALI : (Then they said): "Nay! Indeed we are deprived of (the fruits)!"

28

YUSUFALI : Said one of them, more just (than the rest): "Did I not say to you, 'Why not glorify (Allah)?'"

PICKTHAL : The best among them said: Said I not unto you: Why glorify ye not (Allah)?

SHAKIR : The best of them said: Did I not say to you, Why do you not glorify (Allah)?

M& HILALI : The best among them said: "Did I not tell you: why do you not say: Insha' Allah (If Allah will)."

29

YUSUFALI : They said: "Glory to our Lord! Verily we have been doing wrong!"

PICKTHAL : They said: Glorified be our Lord! Lo! we have been wrong-doers.

SHAKIR : They said: Glory be to our Lord, surely we were unjust.

M& HILALI : They said: "Glory to Our Lord! Verily, we have been Zalimun (wrong-doers, etc.)."

30

YUSUFALI : Then they turned, one against another, in reproach.

PICKTHAL : Then some of them drew near unto others, self-reproaching.

SHAKIR : Then some of them advanced against others, blaming each other.

M& HILALI : Then they turned, one against another, in blaming.

31

YUSUFALI : They said: "Alas for us! We have indeed transgressed!

PICKTHAL : They said: Alas for us! In truth we were outrageous.

SHAKIR : Said they: O woe to us! surely we were inordinate:

M& HILALI : They said: "Woe to us! Verily, we were Taghun (transgressors and disobedient, etc.)

32

YUSUFALI : "It may be that our Lord will give us in exchange a better (garden) than this: for we do turn to Him (in repentance)!"

PICKTHAL : It may be that our Lord will give us better than this in place thereof. Lo! we beseech our Lord.

SHAKIR : Maybe, our Lord will give us instead one better than it; surely to our Lord do we make our humble petition.

M& HILALI : 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)."

33

YUSUFALI : Such is the Punishment (in this life); but greater is the Punishment in the Hereafter,- if only they knew!

PICKTHAL : Such was the punishment. And verily the punishment of the Hereafter is greater if they did but know.

SHAKIR : Such is the chastisement, and certainly the chastisement of the hereafter is greater, did they but know!

M& HILALI : Such is the punishment (in this life), but truly, the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they but knew.

34

YUSUFALI : Verily, for the Righteous, are Gardens of Delight, in the Presence of their Lord.

PICKTHAL : Lo! for those who keep from evil are gardens of bliss with their Lord.

SHAKIR : Surely those who guard (against evil) shall have with their Lord gardens of bliss.

M& HILALI : Verily, for the Muttaqun (pious and righteous persons - see V.2:2) are Gardens of delight (Paradise) with their Lord.

35

YUSUFALI : Shall We then treat the People of Faith like the People of Sin?

PICKTHAL : Shall We then treat those who have surrendered as We treat the guilty?

SHAKIR : What! shall We then make (that is, treat) those who submit as the guilty?

M& HILALI : Shall We then treat the (submitting) Muslims like the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists and disbelievers, etc.)?

36

YUSUFALI : What is the matter with you? How judge ye?

PICKTHAL : What aileth you? How foolishly ye judge!

SHAKIR : What has happened to you? How do you judge?

M& HILALI : What is the matter with you? How judge you?

37

YUSUFALI : Or have ye a book through which ye learn-

PICKTHAL : Or have ye a scripture wherein ye learn

SHAKIR : Or have you a book wherein you read,

M& HILALI : Or have you a Book through which you learn.

38

YUSUFALI : That ye shall have, through it whatever ye choose?

PICKTHAL : That ye shall indeed have all that ye choose?

SHAKIR : That you have surely therein what you choose?

M& HILALI : That you shall have all that you choose?

39

YUSUFALI : Or have ye Covenants with Us to oath, reaching to the Day of Judgment, (providing) that ye shall have whatever ye shall demand?

PICKTHAL : Or have ye a covenant on oath from Us that reacheth to the Day of Judgment, that yours shall be all that ye ordain?

SHAKIR : Or have you received from Us an agreement confirmed by an oath extending to the day of resurrection that you shall surely have what you demand?

M& HILALI : Or you have oaths from Us, reaching to the Day of Resurrection that yours will be what you judge.

40

YUSUFALI : Ask thou of them, which of them will stand surety for that!

PICKTHAL : Ask them (O Muhammad [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam]) which of them will vouch for that!

SHAKIR : Ask them which of them will vouch for that,

M& HILALI : Ask them, which of them will stand surety for that!

41

YUSUFALI : Or have they some "Partners" (in Allahhead)? Then let them produce their "partners", if they are truthful!

PICKTHAL : Or have they other gods? Then let them bring their other gods if they are truthful

SHAKIR : Or have they associates if they are truthful.

M& HILALI : Or have they "partners"? Then let them bring their "partners" if they are truthful!

42

YUSUFALI : The Day that the shin shall be laid bare, and they shall be summoned to bow in adoration, but they shall not be able,-

PICKTHAL : On the day when it befalleth in earnest, and they are ordered to prostrate themselves but are not able,

SHAKIR : On the day when there shall be a severe affliction, and they shall be called upon to make obeisance, but they shall not be able,

M& HILALI : (Remember) the Day when the Shin shall be laid bare (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) and they shall be called to prostrate (to Allah), but they (hypocrites) shall not be able to do so,

43

YUSUFALI : 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).

PICKTHAL : With eyes downcast, abasement stupefying them. And they had been summoned to prostrate themselves while they were yet unhurt.

SHAKIR : Their looks cast down, abasement shall overtake them; and they were called upon to make obeisance indeed while yet they were safe.

M& HILALI : Their eyes will be cast down, ignominy will cover them; they used to be called to prostrate (offer prayers), while they were healthy and good (in the life of the world, but they did not).

44

YUSUFALI : Then leave Me alone with such as reject this Message: by degrees shall We punish them from directions they perceive not.

PICKTHAL : 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.

SHAKIR : So leave Me and him who rejects this announcement; We will overtake them by degrees, from whence they perceive not:

M& HILALI : Then leave Me Alone with such as belie this Qur'an. We shall punish them gradually from directions they perceive not.

45

YUSUFALI : A (long) respite will I grant them: truly powerful is My Plan.

PICKTHAL : Yet I bear with them, for lo! My scheme is firm.

SHAKIR : And I do bear with them, surely My plan is firm.

M& HILALI : And I will grant them a respite. Verily, My Plan is strong.

46

YUSUFALI : Or is it that thou dost ask them for a reward, so that they are burdened with a load of debt?-

PICKTHAL : Or dost thou (Muhammad [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam]) ask a fee from them so that they are heavily taxed?

SHAKIR : Or do you ask from them a reward, so that they are burdened with debt?

M& HILALI : Or is it that you (O Muhammad [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam]) ask them a wage, so that they are heavily burdened with debt?

47

YUSUFALI : Or that the Unseen is in their hands, so that they can write it down?

PICKTHAL : Or is the Unseen theirs that they can write (thereof)?

SHAKIR : Or have they (the knowledge of) the unseen, so that they write (it) down?

M& HILALI : Or that the Ghaib (unseen here in this Verse it means Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz) is in their hands, so that they can write it down?

48

YUSUFALI : 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.

PICKTHAL : But wait thou for thy Lord's decree, and be not like him of the fish, who cried out in despair.

SHAKIR : So wait patiently for the judgment of your Lord, and be not like the companion of the fish, when he cried while he was in distress.

M& HILALI : 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).

49

YUSUFALI : Had not Grace from his Lord reached him, he would indeed have been cast off on the naked shore, in disgrace.

PICKTHAL : Had it not been that favour from his Lord had reached him he surely had been cast into the wilderness while he was reprobate.

SHAKIR : Were it not that favor from his Lord had overtaken him, he would certainly have been cast down upon the naked Found while he was blamed.

M& HILALI : 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.

50

YUSUFALI : Thus did his Lord choose him and make him of the Company of the Righteous.

PICKTHAL : But his Lord chose him and placed him among the righteous.

SHAKIR : Then his Lord chose him, and He made him of the good.

M& HILALI : But his Lord chose him and made him of the righteous.

51

YUSUFALI : And the Unbelievers would almost trip thee up with their eyes when they hear the Message; and they say: "Surely he is possessed!"

PICKTHAL : 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;

SHAKIR : And those who disbelieve would almost smite you with their eyes when they hear the reminder, and they say: Most surely he is mad.

M& HILALI : And verily, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes through hatredness when they hear the Reminder (the Qur'an), and they say: "Verily, he (Muhammad [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam]) is a madman!"

52

YUSUFALI : But it is nothing less than a Message to all the worlds.

PICKTHAL : When it is naught else than a Reminder to creation.

SHAKIR : And it is naught but a reminder to the nations.

M& HILALI : But it is nothing else than a Reminder to all the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).