(The Pen) The Sixty-Eighth Surah of the Qur'aan

1. Nn.

[These letters (Nn, etc.) are one of the miracles of the Qur'n, and none but Allh (Alone) knows their meanings].

By the pen and what the (angels) write (in the Records of men).

2. You (O Muhammad ) are not, by the Grace of your Lord, a madman.

3. And verily, for you (O Muhammad ) will be an endless reward.

4. And verily, you (O Muhammad ) are on an exalted standard of character.

5. You will see, and they will see,

6. Which of you is afflicted with madness.

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

8. So (O Muhammad ) obey not the deniers [(of Islmic Monotheism those who belie the Verses of Allh), the Oneness of Allh, and the Messenger of Allh (Muhammad ), etc.]

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

10. And obey not everyone who swears much, and is considered worthless,

11. A slanderer, going about with calumnies,

12. Hinderer of the good, transgressor, sinful,

13. Cruel, after all that base-born (of illegitimate birth),

14. (He was so) because he had wealth and children.

15. When Our Verses (of the Qur'n) are recited to him, he says: "Tales of the men of old!"

16. We shall brand him over the nose!

17. 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. Without saying: Insh' Allh (If Allh will).

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

20. So the (garden) became black by the morning, like a pitch dark night (in complete ruins).

21. Then they called out one to another as soon as the morning broke,

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

23. So they departed, conversing in secret low tones (saying),

24. No Miskn (poor man) shall enter upon you into it today.

25. 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. But when they saw the (garden), they said: "Verily, we have gone astray,"

27. (Then they said): "Nay! Indeed we are deprived of (the fruits)!"

28. The best among them said: "Did I not tell you: why do you not say: Insh' Allh (If Allh will)."

29. They said: "Glory to Our Lord! Verily, we have been Zlimn (wrong-doers, etc.)."

30. Then they turned, one against another, in blaming.

31. They said: "Woe to us! Verily, we were Tghn (transgressors and disobedient, etc.)

32. 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. Such is the punishment (in this life), but truly, the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they but knew.

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

35. Shall We then treat the (submitting) Muslims like the Mujrimn (criminals, polytheists and disbelievers, etc.)?

36. What is the matter with you? How judge you?

37. Or have you a Book through which you learn.

38. That you shall have all that you choose?

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

40. Ask them, which of them will stand surety for that!

41. Or have they "partners"? Then let them bring their "partners" if they are truthful!

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

43. Their eyes will be cast down, ignominy will cover them; they used to be called to prostrate (offer prayers), while they were healthy and
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