1
نٓ ۚ وَٱلْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُونَ
Sahih International
Nūn.1 By the pen and what they inscribe,
The Clear Quran
Nũn. By the pen and what everyone writes!
Surah 68
Layered Translations
القلم
Al-Qalam | The Pen | 52 versets
Sahih International The Clear Quran
2
مَآ أَنتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُونٍ
Sahih International
You are not, [O Muḥammad], by the favor of your Lord, a madman.
The Clear Quran
By the grace of your Lord, you ˹O Prophet˺ are not insane.
3
وَإِنَّ لَكَ لَأَجْرًا غَيْرَ مَمْنُونٍ
Sahih International
And indeed, for you is a reward uninterrupted.
The Clear Quran
You will certainly have a never-ending reward.
4
وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ
Sahih International
And indeed, you are of a great moral character.
The Clear Quran
And you are truly ˹a man˺ of outstanding character.
5
فَسَتُبْصِرُ وَيُبْصِرُونَ
Sahih International
So you will see and they will see.
The Clear Quran
Soon you and the pagans will see,
6
بِأَييِّكُمُ ٱلْمَفْتُونُ
Sahih International
Which of you is the afflicted [by a devil].
The Clear Quran
which of you is mad.
7
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ
Sahih International
Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has gone astray from His way, and He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.
The Clear Quran
Surely your Lord ˹alone˺ knows best who has strayed from His Way and who is ˹rightly˺ guided.
8
فَلَا تُطِعِ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
Sahih International
Then do not obey the deniers.
The Clear Quran
So do not give in to the deniers.
9
وَدُّوا۟ لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُونَ
Sahih International
They wish that you would soften [in your position], so they would soften [toward you].
The Clear Quran
They wish you would compromise so they would yield ˹to you˺.
10
وَلَا تُطِعْ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ مَّهِينٍ
Sahih International
And do not obey every worthless habitual swearer
The Clear Quran
And do not obey the despicable, vain oath-taker,
11
هَمَّازٍ مَّشَّآءٍۭ بِنَمِيمٍ
Sahih International
[And] scorner, going about with malicious gossip -
The Clear Quran
slanderer, gossip-monger,
12
مَّنَّاعٍ لِّلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيمٍ
Sahih International
A preventer of good, transgressing and sinful,
The Clear Quran
withholder of good, transgressor, evildoer,
13
عُتُلٍّۭ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ زَنِيمٍ
Sahih International
Cruel, moreover, and an illegitimate pretender.1
The Clear Quran
brute, and—on top of all that—an illegitimate child.
14
أَن كَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَبَنِينَ
Sahih International
Because he is a possessor of wealth and children,
The Clear Quran
Now, ˹simply˺ because he has been blessed with ˹abundant˺ wealth and children,
15
إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَـٰتُنَا قَالَ أَسَـٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
Sahih International
When Our verses are recited to him, he says, "Legends of the former peoples."
The Clear Quran
whenever Our revelations are recited to him, he says, “Ancient fables!”
16
سَنَسِمُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلْخُرْطُومِ
Sahih International
We will brand him upon the snout.1
The Clear Quran
We will soon mark his snout.1
17
إِنَّا بَلَوْنَـٰهُمْ كَمَا بَلَوْنَآ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ إِذْ أَقْسَمُوا۟ لَيَصْرِمُنَّهَا مُصْبِحِينَ
Sahih International
Indeed, We have tried them as We tried the companions of the garden, when they swore to cut its fruit in the [early] morning
The Clear Quran
Indeed, We have tested those ˹Meccans˺ as We tested the owners of the garden—when they swore they would surely harvest ˹all˺ its fruit in the early morning,
18
وَلَا يَسْتَثْنُونَ
Sahih International
Without making exception.1
The Clear Quran
leaving no thought for Allah’s Will.1
19
فَطَافَ عَلَيْهَا طَآئِفٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ وَهُمْ نَآئِمُونَ
Sahih International
So there came upon it [i.e., the garden] an affliction from your Lord while they were asleep.
The Clear Quran
Then it was struck by a torment from your Lord while they slept,
20
فَأَصْبَحَتْ كَٱلصَّرِيمِ
Sahih International
And it became as though reaped.
The Clear Quran
so it was reduced to ashes.
21
فَتَنَادَوْا۟ مُصْبِحِينَ
Sahih International
And they called one another at morning,
The Clear Quran
Then by daybreak they called out to each other,
22
أَنِ ٱغْدُوا۟ عَلَىٰ حَرْثِكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰرِمِينَ
Sahih International
[Saying], "Go early to your crop if you would cut the fruit."
The Clear Quran
˹saying,˺ “Go early to your harvest, if you want to pick ˹all˺ the fruit.”
23
فَٱنطَلَقُوا۟ وَهُمْ يَتَخَـٰفَتُونَ
Sahih International
So they set out, while lowering their voices,
The Clear Quran
So they went off, whispering to one another,
24
أَن لَّا يَدْخُلَنَّهَا ٱلْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكُم مِّسْكِينٌ
Sahih International
[Saying], "There will surely not enter it today upon you [any] poor person."
The Clear Quran
“Do not let any poor person enter your garden today.”
25
وَغَدَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ حَرْدٍ قَـٰدِرِينَ
Sahih International
And they went early in determination, [assuming themselves] able.1
The Clear Quran
And they proceeded early, totally fixated on their purpose.
26
فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهَا قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لَضَآلُّونَ
Sahih International
But when they saw it, they said, "Indeed, we are lost;
The Clear Quran
But when they saw it ˹devastated˺, they cried, “We must have lost ˹our˺ way!
27
بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ
Sahih International
Rather, we have been deprived."
The Clear Quran
In fact, we have been deprived ˹of our livelihood˺.”
28
قَالَ أَوْسَطُهُمْ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ لَوْلَا تُسَبِّحُونَ
Sahih International
The most moderate of them said, "Did I not say to you, 'Why do you not exalt [Allāh]?'"1
The Clear Quran
The most sensible of them said, “Did I not urge you to say, ‘Allah willing.’?”
29
قَالُوا۟ سُبْحَـٰنَ رَبِّنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَـٰلِمِينَ
Sahih International
They said, "Exalted is our Lord! Indeed, we were wrongdoers."
The Clear Quran
They replied, “Glory be to our Lord! We have truly been wrongdoers.”
30
فَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ يَتَلَـٰوَمُونَ
Sahih International
Then they approached one another, blaming each other.
The Clear Quran
Then they turned on each other, throwing blame.
31
قَالُوا۟ يَـٰوَيْلَنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا طَـٰغِينَ
Sahih International
They said, "O woe to us; indeed we were transgressors.
The Clear Quran
They said, “Woe to us! We have certainly been transgressors.
32
عَسَىٰ رَبُّنَآ أَن يُبْدِلَنَا خَيْرًا مِّنْهَآ إِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا رَٰغِبُونَ
Sahih International
Perhaps our Lord will substitute for us [one] better than it. Indeed, we are toward our Lord desirous."1
The Clear Quran
We trust our Lord will give us a better garden than this, ˹for˺ we are indeed turning to our Lord with hope.”1
33
كَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْعَذَابُ ۖ وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ
Sahih International
Such is the punishment [of this world]. And the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew.
The Clear Quran
That is the ˹way of Our˺ punishment ˹in this world˺. But the punishment of the Hereafter is certainly far worse, if only they knew.1
34
إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّـٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ
Sahih International
Indeed, for the righteous with their Lord are the Gardens of Pleasure.
The Clear Quran
Indeed, the righteous will have the Gardens of Bliss with their Lord.
35
أَفَنَجْعَلُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ كَٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
Sahih International
Then will We treat the Muslims like the criminals?
The Clear Quran
Should We then treat those who have submitted like the wicked?
36
مَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ
Sahih International
What is [the matter] with you? How do you judge?
The Clear Quran
What is the matter with you? How do you judge?
37
أَمْ لَكُمْ كِتَـٰبٌ فِيهِ تَدْرُسُونَ
Sahih International
Or do you have a scripture in which you learn
The Clear Quran
Or do you have a scripture, in which you read
38
إِنَّ لَكُمْ فِيهِ لَمَا تَخَيَّرُونَ
Sahih International
That indeed for you is whatever you choose?
The Clear Quran
that you will have whatever you choose?
39
أَمْ لَكُمْ أَيْمَـٰنٌ عَلَيْنَا بَـٰلِغَةٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۙ إِنَّ لَكُمْ لَمَا تَحْكُمُونَ
Sahih International
Or do you have oaths [binding] upon Us, extending until the Day of Resurrection, that indeed for you is whatever you judge?
The Clear Quran
Or do you have oaths binding on Us until the Day of Judgment that you will have whatever you decide?
40
سَلْهُمْ أَيُّهُم بِذَٰلِكَ زَعِيمٌ
Sahih International
Ask them which of them, for that [claim], is responsible.
The Clear Quran
Ask them ˹O Prophet˺ which of them can guarantee all that.
41
أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَآءُ فَلْيَأْتُوا۟ بِشُرَكَآئِهِمْ إِن كَانُوا۟ صَـٰدِقِينَ
Sahih International
Or do they have partners?1 Then let them bring their partners, if they should be truthful.
The Clear Quran
Or do they have associate-gods ˹supporting this claim˺? Then let them bring forth their associate-gods, if what they say is true.
42
يَوْمَ يُكْشَفُ عَن سَاقٍ وَيُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى ٱلسُّجُودِ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ
Sahih International
The Day the shin will be uncovered1 and they are invited to prostration but they [i.e., the disbelievers] will not be able,
The Clear Quran
˹Beware of˺ the Day the Shin ˹of Allah˺ will be bared,1 and the wicked will be asked to prostrate, but they will not be able to do so,
43
خَـٰشِعَةً أَبْصَـٰرُهُمْ تَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌ ۖ وَقَدْ كَانُوا۟ يُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى ٱلسُّجُودِ وَهُمْ سَـٰلِمُونَ
Sahih International
Their eyes humbled, humiliation will cover them. And they used to be invited to prostration while they were sound.1
The Clear Quran
with eyes downcast, totally covered with disgrace. For they were ˹always˺ called to prostrate ˹in the world˺ when they were fully capable ˹but they chose not to˺.
44
فَذَرْنِى وَمَن يُكَذِّبُ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ ۖ سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
Sahih International
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.1
The Clear Quran
So leave to Me ˹O Prophet˺ those who reject this message. We will gradually draw them to destruction in ways they cannot comprehend.
45
وَأُمْلِى لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِى مَتِينٌ
Sahih International
And I will give them time. Indeed, My plan is firm.
The Clear Quran
I ˹only˺ delay their end for a while, but My planning is flawless.
46
أَمْ تَسْـَٔلُهُمْ أَجْرًا فَهُم مِّن مَّغْرَمٍ مُّثْقَلُونَ
Sahih International
Or do you ask of them a payment, so they are by debt burdened down?
The Clear Quran
Or are you asking them for a reward ˹for the message˺ so that they are overburdened by debt?
47
أَمْ عِندَهُمُ ٱلْغَيْبُ فَهُمْ يَكْتُبُونَ
Sahih International
Or have they [knowledge of] the unseen, so they write [it] down?
The Clear Quran
Or do they have access to ˹the Record in˺ the unseen, so they copy it ˹for all to see˺?
48
فَٱصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تَكُن كَصَاحِبِ ٱلْحُوتِ إِذْ نَادَىٰ وَهُوَ مَكْظُومٌ
Sahih International
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.
The Clear Quran
So be patient with your Lord’s decree, and do not be like ˹Jonah,˺ the Man of the Whale, who cried out ˹to Allah˺, in total distress.1
49
لَّوْلَآ أَن تَدَٰرَكَهُۥ نِعْمَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ لَنُبِذَ بِٱلْعَرَآءِ وَهُوَ مَذْمُومٌ
Sahih International
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.1
The Clear Quran
Had he not been shown grace by his Lord, he would have certainly been cast onto the open ˹shore˺, still blameworthy.
50
فَٱجْتَبَـٰهُ رَبُّهُۥ فَجَعَلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
Sahih International
And his Lord chose him and made him of the righteous.
The Clear Quran
Then his Lord chose him, making him one of the righteous.
51
وَإِن يَكَادُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَيُزْلِقُونَكَ بِأَبْصَـٰرِهِمْ لَمَّا سَمِعُوا۟ ٱلذِّكْرَ وَيَقُولُونَ إِنَّهُۥ لَمَجْنُونٌ
Sahih International
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."
The Clear Quran
The disbelievers would almost cut you down with their eyes when they hear ˹you recite˺ the Reminder,1 and say, “He is certainly a madman.”
52
وَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Sahih International
But it is not except a reminder to the worlds.
The Clear Quran
But it is simply a reminder to the whole world.