Sūrah al-Qalam

This is Sūrah Nūn. The pen bears witness and whatever [the scribes] are writing [from it] that you are not, by the grace of your Lord, mad and that certainly for you is a reward unending, and you are of a lofty character. So, it will not be long before you will also see and they too will see with which among you groups is the one put to trial. Your Lord only best knows those who have strayed from His path, and only He best knows those who are rightly guided.

Therefore, pay no heed to anything these disbelievers say. They desire that you be a little flexible, then they will also become flexible. Come what may, heed not any person who swears a lot, is despicable, makes evil gestures, goes about sowing seeds of dissension, forbids good, transgresses bounds, usurps rights, is stone-hearted and moreover does not belong to the lineage he poses. This is because he has a lot of wealth and sons. When Our revelations are recited to him, he cries out: “These are but tales of the ancients.” [He thinks that he has a big nose.] Soon on this snout, shall We brand him.

We have tested them in the same way as We had tested the owners of the orchard when they swore that they would surely pluck the fruit of their orchard in the morning and would not leave anything [for the poor and the needy]. Then whilst they were asleep, a mover from your Lord moved through it and that blossoming orchard of theirs became like a crop harvested. So, at daybreak, they began calling out to one another: “Go early in the morning to your plantation if you are to pick its fruit.” Then off they went whispering to one another: “Let no needy person come to you in the orchard today.” They set off very excitedly thinking that everything was under their control. But when they saw the orchard, they cried out: “We have definitely lost our way; no, in fact, we have been ruined.” Said the most upright among them: “Did I not tell you: ‘Why do you not glorify the Lord?’” They cried out: “Glory be to our Lord; indeed, it was we who were the wrongdoers.” Then they started mutually blaming one another. They cried: “Woe to us! It is we who remained rebellious! It may well be that our Lord give us a better orchard in its place. To our Lord, do we now turn.” [O People!] In such a way shall the punishment come, and the punishment of the Hereafter shall be much greater than this. Alas! If these people only knew.

For those, however, who fear this punishment there are gardens of bliss with their Lord. [You reckon that this would never be.] So, will We regard as equal those who submit to Us and those who transgress? What is the matter with you? What kind of judgement do you make? Do you have a scripture in which you read that you will have there whatever you desire? Do you have oaths with Us binding until the Day of Judgement that you will have whatever you yourselves ordain? Ask them as to who among them will take responsibility of this? Do they have some associates [set up by them who will take this responsibility]? So, let them bring these associates if what they say be true.

They must remember the day when a great tumult will take place, and they will be called to bow in adoration but will not be able to do so. Downcast shall be their looks; ignominy shall cover them. [These wrongdoers! their backs have now become stiff;] they also used to be called to bow in adoration when they were capable.

For this reason, leave Me with those who are denying this discourse. We are leading them step by step [to their ruin] from where they know not. And I am giving them respite so that they can do all what they can because very sound is My scheme.

[Why do they not listen?] Are you demanding some payment from them so that they are burdened with its cost? Or is it that they have knowledge of the Unseen [that they only will be successful in the Hereafter] and they are writing it down? [No, nothing of this sort.] So, [O Prophet!] with perseverance wait for the judgement of your Lord and [with regard to your nation] be not like [Jonah] the companion of the fish when he called [from its belly] and he was in great anguish. At that time, had not the favour of His Lord found him, he [as a result of his hastiness] would have been cast in disgrace in the very wilderness [in which the fish had ejaculated him. But he repented]. So, His Lord chose him [once again] and included him among His righteous servants.

[So, remain steadfast.] When these disbelievers hear this reminder [from you], it seems as if they will almost stumble you with their eyes and they say: “He surely is a mad person.” Yet it is only a reminder to all people of the world.