Surah Al-Qalam — The Pen

نۤ ۚوَالْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُوْنَۙ

Nūn, wal-qalami wa mā yasṭurūn(a).

Nūn. By the pen and what they inscribe,

مَآ اَنْتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُوْنٍ

Mā anta bini‘mati rabbika bimajnūn(in).

You are not, [O Muḥammad], by the favor of your Lord, a madman.

وَاِنَّ لَكَ لَاَجْرًا غَيْرَ مَمْنُوْنٍۚ

Wa inna laka la'ajran gaira mamnūn(in).

And indeed, for you is a reward uninterrupted.

وَاِنَّكَ لَعَلٰى خُلُقٍ عَظِيْمٍ

Wa innaka la‘alā khuluqin ‘aẓīm(in).

And indeed, you are of a great moral character.

فَسَتُبْصِرُ وَيُبْصِرُوْنَۙ

Fasatubṣiru wa yubṣirūn(a).

So you will see and they will see.

بِاَيِّىكُمُ الْمَفْتُوْنُ

Bi'ayyikumul-maftūn(u).

Which of you is the afflicted [by a devil].

اِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ اَعْلَمُ بِمَنْ ضَلَّ عَنْ سَبِيْلِهٖۖ وَهُوَ اَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِيْنَ

Inna rabbaka huwa a‘lamu biman ḍalla ‘an sabīlih(ī), wa huwa a‘lamu bil-muhtadīn(a).

Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has gone astray from His way, and He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

فَلَا تُطِعِ الْمُكَذِّبِيْنَ

Falā tuṭi‘il-mukażżibīn(a).

Then do not obey the deniers.

وَدُّوْا لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُوْنَۚ

Waddū lau tudhinu fayudhinūn(a).

They wish that you would soften [in your position], so they would soften [toward you].

وَلَا تُطِعْ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ مَّهِيْنٍۙ

Wa lā tuṭi‘ kulla ḥallāfim mahīn(in).

And do not obey every worthless habitual swearer

هَمَّازٍ مَّشَّاۤءٍۢ بِنَمِيْمٍۙ

Hammāzim masysyā'im binamīm(in).

[And] scorner, going about with malicious gossip -

مَّنَّاعٍ لِّلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ اَثِيْمٍۙ

Mannā‘il lil-khairi mu‘tadin aṡīm(in).

A preventer of good, transgressing and sinful,

عُتُلٍّۢ بَعْدَ ذٰلِكَ زَنِيْمٍۙ

‘Utullim ba‘da żālika zanīm(in).

Cruel, moreover, and an illegitimate pretender.

اَنْ كَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَّبَنِيْنَۗ

An kāna żā māliw wa banīn(a).

Because he is a possessor of wealth and children,

اِذَا تُتْلٰى عَلَيْهِ اٰيٰتُنَا قَالَ اَسَاطِيْرُ الْاَوَّلِيْنَۗ

Iżā tutlā ‘alaihi āyātunā qāla asāṭīrul-awwalīn(a).

When Our verses are recited to him, he says, "Legends of the former peoples."

سَنَسِمُهٗ عَلَى الْخُرْطُوْمِ

Sanasimuhū ‘alal-khurṭūm(i).

We will brand him upon the snout.

اِنَّا بَلَوْنٰهُمْ كَمَا بَلَوْنَآ اَصْحٰبَ الْجَنَّةِۚ اِذْ اَقْسَمُوْا لَيَصْرِمُنَّهَا مُصْبِحِيْنَۙ

Innā balaunāhum kamā balaunā aṣḥābal-jannah(ti), iż aqsamū layaṣrimunnahā muṣbiḥīn(a).

Indeed, We have tried them as We tried the companions of the garden, when they swore to cut its fruit in the [early] morning

وَلَا يَسْتَثْنُوْنَ

Wa lā yastaṡnūn(a).

Without making exception.

فَطَافَ عَلَيْهَا طَاۤىِٕفٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّكَ وَهُمْ نَاۤىِٕمُوْنَ

Fa ṭāfa ‘alaihā ṭā'ifum mir rabbika wa hum nā'imūn(a).

So there came upon it [i.e., the garden] an affliction from your Lord while they were asleep.

فَاَصْبَحَتْ كَالصَّرِيْمِۙ

Fa aṣbaḥat kaṣ-ṣarīm(i).

And it became as though reaped.

فَتَنَادَوْا مُصْبِحِيْنَۙ

Fa tanādau muṣbiḥīn(a).

And they called one another at morning,

اَنِ اغْدُوْا عَلٰى حَرْثِكُمْ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ صٰرِمِيْنَ

Anigdū ‘alā ḥarṡikum in kuntum ṣārimīn(a).

[Saying], "Go early to your crop if you would cut the fruit."

فَانْطَلَقُوْا وَهُمْ يَتَخَافَتُوْنَۙ

Fanṭalaqū wa hum yatakhāfatūn(a).

So they set out, while lowering their voices,

اَنْ لَّا يَدْخُلَنَّهَا الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِّسْكِيْنٌۙ

Allā yadkhulannahal-yauma ‘alaikum miskīn(un).

[Saying], "There will surely not enter it today upon you [any] poor person."

وَّغَدَوْا عَلٰى حَرْدٍ قٰدِرِيْنَ

Wa gadau ‘alā ḥardin qādirīn(a).

And they went early in determination, [assuming themselves] able.

فَلَمَّا رَاَوْهَا قَالُوْٓا اِنَّا لَضَاۤلُّوْنَۙ

Falammā ra'auhā qālū innā laḍāllūn(a).

But when they saw it, they said, "Indeed, we are lost;

بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُوْمُوْنَ

Bal naḥnu maḥrūmūn(a).

Rather, we have been deprived."

قَالَ اَوْسَطُهُمْ اَلَمْ اَقُلْ لَّكُمْ لَوْلَا تُسَبِّحُوْنَ

Qāla ausaṭuhum alam aqul lakum lau lā tusabbiḥūn(a).

The most moderate of them said, "Did I not say to you, 'Why do you not exalt [Allāh]?'"

قَالُوْا سُبْحٰنَ رَبِّنَآ اِنَّا كُنَّا ظٰلِمِيْنَ

Qālū subḥāna rabbinā innā kunnā ẓālimīn(a).

They said, "Exalted is our Lord! Indeed, we were wrongdoers."

فَاَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلٰى بَعْضٍ يَّتَلَاوَمُوْنَ

Fa'aqbala ba‘ḍuhum ‘alā ba‘ḍiy yatalāwamūn(a).

Then they approached one another, blaming each other.

قَالُوْا يٰوَيْلَنَآ اِنَّا كُنَّا طٰغِيْنَ

Qālū yā wailanā innā kunnā ṭāgīn(a).

They said, "O woe to us; indeed we were transgressors.

عَسٰى رَبُّنَآ اَنْ يُّبْدِلَنَا خَيْرًا مِّنْهَآ اِنَّآ اِلٰى رَبِّنَا رٰغِبُوْنَ

‘Asā rabbunā ay yubdilanā khairam minhā innā ilā rabbinā rāgibūn(a).

Perhaps our Lord will substitute for us [one] better than it. Indeed, we are toward our Lord desirous."

كَذٰلِكَ الْعَذَابُۗ وَلَعَذَابُ الْاٰخِرَةِ اَكْبَرُۘ لَوْ كَانُوْا يَعْلَمُوْنَ ࣖ

Każālikal-‘ażāb(u), wa la‘ażābul-ākhirati akbar(u), lau kānū ya‘lamūn(a).

Such is the punishment [of this world]. And the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew.

اِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِيْنَ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنّٰتِ النَّعِيْمِ

Inna lil-muttaqīna ‘inda rabbihim jannātin-na‘īm(i).

Indeed, for the righteous with their Lord are the Gardens of Pleasure.

اَفَنَجْعَلُ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ كَالْمُجْرِمِيْنَۗ

Afanaj‘alul-muslimīna kal-mujrimīn(a).

Then will We treat the Muslims like the criminals?

مَا لَكُمْۗ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُوْنَۚ

Mā lakum, kaifa taḥkumūn(a).

What is [the matter] with you? How do you judge?

اَمْ لَكُمْ كِتٰبٌ فِيْهِ تَدْرُسُوْنَۙ

Am lakum kitābun fīhi tadrusūn(a).

Or do you have a scripture in which you learn

اِنَّ لَكُمْ فِيْهِ لَمَا تَخَيَّرُوْنَۚ

Inna lakum fīhi lamā takhayyarūn(a).

That indeed for you is whatever you choose?

اَمْ لَكُمْ اَيْمَانٌ عَلَيْنَا بَالِغَةٌ اِلٰى يَوْمِ الْقِيٰمَةِۙ اِنَّ لَكُمْ لَمَا تَحْكُمُوْنَۚ

Am lakum aimānun ‘alainā bāligatun ilā yaumil-qiyāmah(ti), inna lakum lamā taḥkumūn(a).

Or do you have oaths [binding] upon Us, extending until the Day of Resurrection, that indeed for you is whatever you judge?

سَلْهُمْ اَيُّهُمْ بِذٰلِكَ زَعِيْمٌۚ

Salhum ayyuhum biżālika za‘īm(un).

Ask them which of them, for that [claim], is responsible.

اَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَاۤءُۚ فَلْيَأْتُوْا بِشُرَكَاۤىِٕهِمْ اِنْ كَانُوْا صٰدِقِيْنَ

Am lahum syurakā'(u), falya'tū bisyurakā'ihim in kānū ṣādiqīn(a).

Or do they have partners? Then let them bring their partners, if they should be truthful.

يَوْمَ يُكْشَفُ عَنْ سَاقٍ وَّيُدْعَوْنَ اِلَى السُّجُوْدِ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيْعُوْنَۙ

Yauma yuksyafu ‘an sāqiw wa yud‘auna ilas-sujūdi falā yastaṭī‘ūn(a).

The Day the shin will be uncovered and they are invited to prostration but they [i.e., the disbelievers] will not be able,

خَاشِعَةً اَبْصَارُهُمْ تَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌ ۗوَقَدْ كَانُوْا يُدْعَوْنَ اِلَى السُّجُوْدِ وَهُمْ سٰلِمُوْنَ

Khāsyi‘atan abṣāruhum tarhaquhum żillah(tun), wa qad kānū yud‘auna ilas-sujūdi wa hum sālimun(a).

Their eyes humbled, humiliation will cover them. And they used to be invited to prostration while they were sound.

فَذَرْنِيْ وَمَنْ يُّكَذِّبُ بِهٰذَا الْحَدِيْثِۗ سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُمْ مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَۙ

Fażarnī wa may yukażżibu bihāżal-ḥadīṡi sanastadrijuhum min ḥaiṡu lā ya‘lamūn(a).

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.

وَاُمْلِيْ لَهُمْۗ اِنَّ كَيْدِيْ مَتِيْنٌ

Wa umlī lahum, inna kaidī matīn(un).

And I will give them time. Indeed, My plan is firm.

اَمْ تَسْـَٔلُهُمْ اَجْرًا فَهُمْ مِّنْ مَّغْرَمٍ مُّثْقَلُوْنَۚ

Am tas'aluhum ajran fahum mim magramim muṡqalūn(a).

Or do you ask of them a payment, so they are by debt burdened down?

اَمْ عِنْدَهُمُ الْغَيْبُ فَهُمْ يَكْتُبُوْنَ

Am ‘indahumul-gaibu fahum yaktubūn(a).

Or have they [knowledge of] the unseen, so they write [it] down?

فَاصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تَكُنْ كَصَاحِبِ الْحُوْتِۘ اِذْ نَادٰى وَهُوَ مَكْظُوْمٌۗ

Faṣbir liḥukmi rabbika wa lā takun kaṣāḥibil-ḥūt(i), iż nādā wa huwa makẓūm(un).

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.

لَوْلَآ اَنْ تَدٰرَكَهٗ نِعْمَةٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّهٖ لَنُبِذَ بِالْعَرَاۤءِ وَهُوَ مَذْمُوْمٌ

Lau lā an tadārakahū ni‘matum mir rabbihī lanubiża bil-‘arā'i wa huwa mażmūm(un).

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.

فَاجْتَبٰىهُ رَبُّهٗ فَجَعَلَهٗ مِنَ الصّٰلِحِيْنَ

Fajtabāhu rabbuhū faja‘alahū minaṣ-ṣāliḥīn(a).

And his Lord chose him and made him of the righteous.

وَاِنْ يَّكَادُ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا لَيُزْلِقُوْنَكَ بِاَبْصَارِهِمْ لَمَّا سَمِعُوا الذِّكْرَ وَيَقُوْلُوْنَ اِنَّهٗ لَمَجْنُوْنٌ ۘ

Wa iy yakādul-lażīna kafarū layuzliqūnaka bi'abṣārihim lammā sami‘uż żikra wa yaqūlūna innahū lamajnūn(un).

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."

وَمَا هُوَ اِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعٰلَمِيْنَ ࣖ

Wa mā huwa illā żikrul lil-‘ālamīn(a).

But it is not except a reminder to the worlds.