Al-Qalam

نٓ ۚ وَٱلْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُونَ۝١

Saheeh InternationalNūn. By the pen and what they inscribe,

Abdel HaleemNun By the pen! By all they write!

مَآ أَنتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُونٍ۝٢

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

Abdel HaleemYour Lord’s grace does not make you [Prophet] a madman:

وَإِنَّ لَكَ لَأَجْرًا غَيْرَ مَمْنُونٍ۝٣

Saheeh InternationalAnd indeed, for you is a reward uninterrupted.

Abdel Haleemyou will have a never-ending reward––

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ۝٤

Saheeh InternationalAnd indeed, you are of a great moral character.

Abdel Haleemtruly you have a strong character––

فَسَتُبْصِرُ وَيُبْصِرُونَ۝٥

Saheeh InternationalSo you will see and they will see.

Abdel Haleemand soon you will see, as will they,

بِأَييِّكُمُ ٱلْمَفْتُونُ۝٦

Saheeh InternationalWhich of you is the afflicted [by a devil].

Abdel Haleemwhich of you is afflicted with madness.

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ۝٧

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

Abdel HaleemYour Lord knows best who strays from His path and who is rightly guided.

فَلَا تُطِعِ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ۝٨

Saheeh InternationalThen do not obey the deniers.

Abdel HaleemSo do not yield to those who deny the truth––

وَدُّوا۟ لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُونَ۝٩

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

Abdel Haleemthey want you to compromise with them and then they will compromise with you––

وَلَا تُطِعْ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ مَّهِينٍ۝١٠

Saheeh InternationalAnd do not obey every worthless habitual swearer

Abdel Haleemdo not yield to any contemptible swearer,

هَمَّازٍ مَّشَّآءٍۭ بِنَمِيمٍ۝١١

Saheeh International[And] scorner, going about with malicious gossip -

Abdel Haleemto any backbiter, slander-monger,

مَّنَّاعٍ لِّلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيمٍ۝١٢

Saheeh InternationalA preventer of good, transgressing and sinful,

Abdel Haleemor hinderer of good, to anyone who is sinful, aggressive,

عُتُلٍّۭ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ زَنِيمٍ۝١٣

Saheeh InternationalCruel, moreover, and an illegitimate pretender.

Abdel Haleemcoarse, and on top of all that, an imposter.

أَن كَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَبَنِينَ۝١٤

Saheeh InternationalBecause he is a possessor of wealth and children,

Abdel HaleemJust because he has wealth and sons,

إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَـٰتُنَا قَالَ أَسَـٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ۝١٥

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

Abdel Haleemwhen our revelations are recited to him, he says, ‘These are just ancient fables.’

سَنَسِمُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلْخُرْطُومِ۝١٦

Saheeh InternationalWe will brand him upon the snout.

Abdel HaleemWe shall brand him on the snout!

إِنَّا بَلَوْنَـٰهُمْ كَمَا بَلَوْنَآ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ إِذْ أَقْسَمُوا۟ لَيَصْرِمُنَّهَا مُصْبِحِينَ۝١٧

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

Abdel HaleemWe have tried them as We tried the owners of a certain garden, who swore that they would harvest its fruits in the morning

وَلَا يَسْتَثْنُونَ۝١٨

Saheeh InternationalWithout making exception.

Abdel Haleemand made no allowance [for the Will of God]:

فَطَافَ عَلَيْهَا طَآئِفٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ وَهُمْ نَآئِمُونَ۝١٩

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

Abdel Haleema disaster from your Lord struck the garden as they slept

فَأَصْبَحَتْ كَٱلصَّرِيمِ۝٢٠

Saheeh InternationalAnd it became as though reaped.

Abdel Haleemand by morning it was stripped bare, a desolate land.

فَتَنَادَوْا۟ مُصْبِحِينَ۝٢١

Saheeh InternationalAnd they called one another at morning,

Abdel HaleemStill they called each other at daybreak,

أَنِ ٱغْدُوا۟ عَلَىٰ حَرْثِكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰرِمِينَ۝٢٢

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

Abdel Haleem‘Go early to your field if you wish to gather all its fruits,’

فَٱنطَلَقُوا۟ وَهُمْ يَتَخَـٰفَتُونَ۝٢٣

Saheeh InternationalSo they set out, while lowering their voices,

Abdel Haleemand went off, whispering,

أَن لَّا يَدْخُلَنَّهَا ٱلْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكُم مِّسْكِينٌ۝٢٤

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

Abdel Haleem‘Make sure no poor person enters the garden today!’––

وَغَدَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ حَرْدٍ قَـٰدِرِينَ۝٢٥

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

Abdel Haleemthey left early, bent on their purpose-

فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهَا قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لَضَآلُّونَ۝٢٦

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

Abdel Haleembut when they saw the garden, they said, ‘We must have lost our way!

بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ۝٢٧

Saheeh InternationalRather, we have been deprived."

Abdel HaleemNo- we are ruined!’

قَالَ أَوْسَطُهُمْ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ لَوْلَا تُسَبِّحُونَ۝٢٨

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

Abdel HaleemThe wisest of them said, ‘Did I not say to you, “Will you not glorify God?”’-

قَالُوا۟ سُبْحَـٰنَ رَبِّنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَـٰلِمِينَ۝٢٩

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

Abdel Haleemthey said, ‘Glory be to God, Our Lord! Truly, we were doing wrong!’-

فَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ يَتَلَـٰوَمُونَ۝٣٠

Saheeh InternationalThen they approached one another, blaming each other.

Abdel Haleemand then they turned to each other in mutual reproach.

قَالُوا۟ يَـٰوَيْلَنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا طَـٰغِينَ۝٣١

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

Abdel HaleemThey said, ‘Alas for us! We have done terrible wrong,

عَسَىٰ رَبُّنَآ أَن يُبْدِلَنَا خَيْرًا مِّنْهَآ إِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا رَٰغِبُونَ۝٣٢

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

Abdel Haleembut maybe our Lord will give us something better in its place: we truly turn to Him in hope.’

كَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْعَذَابُ ۖ وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ۝٣٣

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

Abdel HaleemSuch is the punishment [in this life], but greater still is the punishment in the Hereafter, if only they knew.

إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّـٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ۝٣٤

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

Abdel HaleemThere will be Gardens of bliss for those who are mindful of God.

أَفَنَجْعَلُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ كَٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ۝٣٥

Saheeh InternationalThen will We treat the Muslims like the criminals?

Abdel HaleemShould We treat those who submit to Us as We treat those who do evil?

مَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ۝٣٦

Saheeh InternationalWhat is [the matter] with you? How do you judge?

Abdel HaleemWhat is the matter with you? On what basis do you judge?

أَمْ لَكُمْ كِتَـٰبٌ فِيهِ تَدْرُسُونَ۝٣٧

Saheeh InternationalOr do you have a scripture in which you learn

Abdel HaleemDo you have a Scripture that tells you

إِنَّ لَكُمْ فِيهِ لَمَا تَخَيَّرُونَ۝٣٨

Saheeh InternationalThat indeed for you is whatever you choose?

Abdel Haleemthat you will be granted whatever you choose?

أَمْ لَكُمْ أَيْمَـٰنٌ عَلَيْنَا بَـٰلِغَةٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۙ إِنَّ لَكُمْ لَمَا تَحْكُمُونَ۝٣٩

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

Abdel HaleemHave you received from Us solemn oaths, binding to the Day of Resurrection, that you will get whatever you yourselves decide?

سَلْهُمْ أَيُّهُم بِذَٰلِكَ زَعِيمٌ۝٤٠

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

Abdel HaleemAsk them [Prophet] which of them will guarantee this.

أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَآءُ فَلْيَأْتُوا۟ بِشُرَكَآئِهِمْ إِن كَانُوا۟ صَـٰدِقِينَ۝٤١

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

Abdel HaleemDo they have ‘partners’ [besides God]? Let them produce their ‘partners’, if what they say is true.

يَوْمَ يُكْشَفُ عَن سَاقٍ وَيُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى ٱلسُّجُودِ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ۝٤٢

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

Abdel HaleemOn the Day when matters become dire, they will be invited to prostrate themselves but will be prevented from doing so,

خَـٰشِعَةً أَبْصَـٰرُهُمْ تَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌ ۖ وَقَدْ كَانُوا۟ يُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى ٱلسُّجُودِ وَهُمْ سَـٰلِمُونَ۝٤٣

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

Abdel Haleemand their eyes will be downcast and they will be overwhelmed with shame: they were invited to prostrate themselves when they were safe [but refused].

فَذَرْنِى وَمَن يُكَذِّبُ بِهَـٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ ۖ سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ۝٤٤

Saheeh InternationalSo 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.

Abdel HaleemSo [Prophet] leave those who reject this revelation to Me: We shall lead them on, step by step, in ways beyond their knowledge;

وَأُمْلِى لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِى مَتِينٌ۝٤٥

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

Abdel HaleemI will allow them more time, for My plan is powerful.

أَمْ تَسْـَٔلُهُمْ أَجْرًا فَهُم مِّن مَّغْرَمٍ مُّثْقَلُونَ۝٤٦

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

Abdel HaleemDo you demand some reward from them that would burden them with debt?

أَمْ عِندَهُمُ ٱلْغَيْبُ فَهُمْ يَكْتُبُونَ۝٤٧

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

Abdel HaleemDo they have knowledge of the unseen that enables them to write it down?

فَٱصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تَكُن كَصَاحِبِ ٱلْحُوتِ إِذْ نَادَىٰ وَهُوَ مَكْظُومٌ۝٤٨

Saheeh InternationalThen 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.

Abdel HaleemWait patiently [Prophet] for your Lord’s judgement: do not be like the man in the whale who called out in distress:

لَّوْلَآ أَن تَدَٰرَكَهُۥ نِعْمَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ لَنُبِذَ بِٱلْعَرَآءِ وَهُوَ مَذْمُومٌ۝٤٩

Saheeh InternationalIf 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.

Abdel Haleemif his Lord’s grace had not reached him, he would have been left, abandoned and blameworthy, on the barren shore,

فَٱجْتَبَـٰهُ رَبُّهُۥ فَجَعَلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ۝٥٠

Saheeh InternationalAnd his Lord chose him and made him of the righteous.

Abdel Haleembut his Lord chose him and made him one of the Righteous.

وَإِن يَكَادُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَيُزْلِقُونَكَ بِأَبْصَـٰرِهِمْ لَمَّا سَمِعُوا۟ ٱلذِّكْرَ وَيَقُولُونَ إِنَّهُۥ لَمَجْنُونٌ۝٥١

Saheeh InternationalAnd 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."

Abdel HaleemThe disbelievers almost strike you down with their looks when they hear the Quran. They say, ‘He must be mad!’

وَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ۝٥٢

Saheeh InternationalBut it is not except a reminder to the worlds.

Abdel Haleembut truly it is nothing other than a Reminder for all peoples.