# The Holy Qur'an (Maulana Muhammad Ali)/68. The Pen
#### 68. The Pen (Al-Qalam)

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.l (By) the inkstand and the pen and that which they write!
$^2$ By the grace of thy Lord thou art not mad.
$^3$ And surely thine is a reward never to be cut off.
$^4$ And surely thou hast sublime morals.
$^5$ So thou wilt see, and they (too) will see,
$^6$ Which of you is mad.
$^7$ Surely thy Lord knows best who is erring from His way, and He knows best those who go aright.
$^8$ So obey not the rejectors.
$^9$ They wish that thou shouldst be pliant, so they (too) would be pliant.
$^{10}$ And obey not any mean swearer,
$^{11}$ Defamer, going about with slander,
$^{12}$ Hinderer of good, out-stepping the limits, sinful,
$^{13}$ Ignoble, besides all that, notoriously mischievous --
$^{14}$ Because he possesses wealth and sons.
$^{15}$ When Our messages are recited to him, he says: Stories of those of yore!
$^{16}$ We shall brand him on the snout.
$^{17}$ We shall try them as We tried the owners of the garden, when they swore to pluck its fruits in the morning,
$^{18}$ And would not set aside a portion (for the poor).
$^{19}$ But a visitation from thy Lord came on it, While they slept.
$^{20}$ So it became as black, barren land --
$^{21}$ Then they called out one to another in the morning,
$^{22}$ Saying: Go early to your tilth, if you would pluck (the fruit).
$^{23}$ So they went, while they said one to another in low tones:
$^{24}$ No poor man shall enter it to-day to you --
$^{25}$ And in the morning they went, having the power to prevent.
$^{26}$ But when they saw it, they said: Surely we are in error;
$^{27}$ Nay, we are made to suffer privation.
$^{28}$ The best of them said: Said I not to you, Why do you not glorify (Allah)?
$^{29}$ They said: Glory be to our Lord! surely we were unjust.
$^{30}$ Then some of them advanced against others, blaming each other.
$^{31}$ Said they: O woe to us! Surely we were inordinate --
$^{32}$ Maybe, our Lord will give us instead one better than it surely to our Lord we make petition.
$^{33}$ Such is the chastisement. And certainly the chastisement of the Hereafter is greater, did they but know!
$^{34}$ Surely the dutiful have with their Lord Gardens of bliss.
$^{35}$ Shall We then make those who submit as the guilty?
$^{36}$ What is the matter with you? How do you judge?
$^{37}$ Or have you a book wherein you read
$^{38}$ That you shall surely have therein what you choose?
$^{39}$ Or have you covenants from Us on oath, extending to the day of Resurrection, that yours is surely what you judge?
$^{40}$ Ask them which of them will vouch for that.
$^{41}$ Or have they associate-gods? Then let them bring their associates, if they are truthful.
$^{42}$ On the day when there is a severe affliction, and they are called upon to prostrate themselves, but they are not able --
$^{43}$ Their looks cast down, abasement will cover them. And they were indeed called upon to prostrate themselves, while yet they were safe.
$^{44}$ So leave Me alone with him who rejects this announcement. We shall overtake them by degrees, from whence they know not.
$^{45}$ And I bear with them, surely My plan is firm.
$^{46}$ Or dost thou ask from them a reward, so that they are burdened with debt?
$^{47}$ Or is the unseen with them so that they write (it) down?
$^{48}$ So wait patiently for the judgment of thy Lord, and be not like the Companion of the fish, when he cried while he was in distress.
$^{49}$ Had not favour from his Lord reached him, he would certainly have been cast down on naked ground, while he was blamed.
$^{50}$ Then his Lord chose him, and He made him of the righteous.
$^{51}$ And those who disbelieve would almost smite thee with their eyes when they hear the Reminder, and they say: Surely he is mad!
$^{52}$ And it is naught but a Reminder for the nations.