{"collection":"Islam","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/isl/pick/068.htm","path":"isl/pick/068.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/isl/pick/068.htm","text":"The Meaning of the Glorious Qur'\u00e2n, by M.M. Pickthall\n 68. al-Qalam: The Pen\n 1\u00a0Nun. By the pen and that which they write (therewith), \n 2\u00a0Thou art not, for thy Lord's favour unto thee, a madman. \n 3\u00a0And lo! thine verily will be a reward unfailing. \n 4\u00a0And lo! thou art of a tremendous nature. \n 5\u00a0And thou wilt see and they will see \n 6\u00a0Which of you is the demented. \n 7\u00a0Lo! thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayeth from His way, and He is Best Aware of those who walk aright. \n 8\u00a0Therefor obey not thou the rejecters \n 9\u00a0Who would have had thee compromise, that they may compromise. \n 10\u00a0Neither obey thou each feeble oath-monger, \n 11\u00a0Detracter, spreader abroad of slanders, \n 12\u00a0Hinderer of the good, transgressor, malefactor \n 13\u00a0Greedy therewithal, intrusive. \n 14\u00a0It is because he is possessed of wealth and children \n 15\u00a0That, when Our revelations are recited unto him, he saith: Mere fables of the men of old. \n 16\u00a0We shall brand him on the nose. \n 17\u00a0Lo! We have tried them as We tried the owners of the garden when they vowed that they would pluck its fruit next morning, \n 18\u00a0And made no exception (for the Will of Allah); \n 19\u00a0Then a visitation from thy Lord came upon it while they slept \n 20\u00a0And in the morning it was as if plucked. \n 21\u00a0And they cried out one unto another in the morning, \n 22\u00a0Saying: Run unto your field if ye would pluck (the fruit). \n 23\u00a0So they went off, saying one unto another in low tones: \n 24\u00a0No needy man shall enter it to-day against you. \n 25\u00a0They went betimes, strong in (this) purpose. \n 26\u00a0But when they saw it, they said: Lo! we are in error! \n 27\u00a0Nay, but we are desolate! \n 28\u00a0The best among them said: Said I not unto you: Why glorify ye not (Allah) ? \n 29\u00a0They said: Glorified be our Lord! Lo! we have been wrong-doers. \n 30\u00a0Then some of them drew near unto others, self-reproaching. \n 31\u00a0They said: Alas for us! In truth we were outrageous. \n 32\u00a0It may be that our Lord will give us better than this in place thereof. Lo! we beseech our Lord. \n 33\u00a0Such was the punishment. And verily the punishment of the Hereafter is greater if they did but know. \n 34\u00a0Lo! for those who keep from evil are gardens of bliss with their Lord. \n 35\u00a0Shall We then treat those who have surrendered as We treat the guilty ? \n 36\u00a0What aileth you ? How foolishly ye judge! \n 37\u00a0Or have ye a scripture wherein ye learn \n 38\u00a0That ye shall indeed have all that ye choose ? \n 39\u00a0Or have ye a covenant on oath from Us that reacheth to the Day of Judgment, that yours shall be all that ye ordain ? \n 40\u00a0Ask them (O Muhammad) which of them will vouch for that! \n 41\u00a0Or have they other gods ? Then let them bring their other gods if they are truthful \n 42\u00a0On the day when it befalleth in earnest, and they are ordered to prostrate themselves but are not able, \n 43\u00a0With eyes downcast, abasement stupefying them. And they had been summoned to prostrate themselves while they were yet unhurt. \n 44\u00a0Leave Me (to deal) with those who give the lie to this pronouncement. We shall lead them on by steps from whence they know not. \n 45\u00a0Yet I bear with them, for lo! My scheme is firm. \n 46\u00a0Or dost thou (Muhammad) ask a fee from them so that they are heavily taxed ? \n 47\u00a0Or is the Unseen theirs that they can write (thereof) ? \n 48\u00a0But wait thou for thy Lord's decree, and be not like him of the fish, who cried out in despair. \n 49\u00a0Had it not been that favour from his Lord had reached him he surely had been cast into the wilderness while he was reprobate. \n 50\u00a0But his Lord chose him and placed him among the righteous. \n 51\u00a0And lo! those who disbelieve would fain disconcert thee with their eyes when they hear the Reminder, and they say: Lo! he is indeed mad; \n 52\u00a0When it is naught else than a Reminder to creation.","title":"The Meaning of the Glorious Qur'\u00e2n,: 68. al-Qalam: The Pen","type":"page"}