Surah 68. Al-Qalam The Pen - English Translation

View all 114 Quran Surahs
Verses : 52
القلم
Facebook send X send WhatsApp send

Listen and Read Surah Al-Qalam in Arabic & English

Arabic Below the verses
Arabic Only

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

bookmark 1. Noon. By the pen, and by what they inscribe.

1. نٓ ۚ وَٱلْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُونَ

bookmark 2. By the grace of your Lord, you are not insane.

2. مَآ أَنتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُونٍۢ

bookmark 3. In fact, you will have a reward that will never end.

3. وَإِنَّ لَكَ لَأَجْرًا غَيْرَ مَمْنُونٍۢ

bookmark 4. And you are of a great moral character.

4. وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍۢ

bookmark 5. You will see, and they will see.

5. فَسَتُبْصِرُ وَيُبْصِرُونَ

bookmark 6. Which of you is the afflicted.

6. بِأَييِّكُمُ ٱلْمَفْتُونُ

bookmark 7. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best the well-guided.

7. إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ

bookmark 8. So do not obey the deniers.

8. فَلَا تُطِعِ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

bookmark 9. They would like you to compromise, so they would compromise.

9. وَدُّوا۟ لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُونَ

bookmark 10. And do not obey any vile swearer.

10. وَلَا تُطِعْ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍۢ مَّهِينٍ

bookmark 11. Backbiter, spreader of slander.

11. هَمَّازٍۢ مَّشَّآءٍۭ بِنَمِيمٍۢ

bookmark 12. Preventer of good, transgressor, sinner.

12. مَّنَّاعٍۢ لِّلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيمٍ

bookmark 13. Rude and fake besides.

13. عُتُلٍّۭ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ زَنِيمٍ

bookmark 14. Just because he has money and children.

14. أَن كَانَ ذَا مَالٍۢ وَبَنِينَ

bookmark 15. When Our Verses are recited to him, he says, “Myths of the ancients!”

15. إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَٰتُنَا قَالَ أَسَٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

bookmark 16. We will brand him on the muzzle.

16. سَنَسِمُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلْخُرْطُومِ

bookmark 17. We tested them, as We tested the owners of the garden, when they vowed to harvest it in the morning.

17. إِنَّا بَلَوْنَٰهُمْ كَمَا بَلَوْنَآ أَصْحَٰبَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ إِذْ أَقْسَمُوا۟ لَيَصْرِمُنَّهَا مُصْبِحِينَ

bookmark 18. Without any reservation.

18. وَلَا يَسْتَثْنُونَ

bookmark 19. But a calamity from your Lord went around it while they slept.

19. فَطَافَ عَلَيْهَا طَآئِفٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكَ وَهُمْ نَآئِمُونَ

bookmark 20. And in the morning it was as if picked.

20. فَأَصْبَحَتْ كَٱلصَّرِيمِ

bookmark 21. In the morning, they called to one another.

21. فَتَنَادَوْا۟ مُصْبِحِينَ

bookmark 22. “Go early to your plantation, if you are going to harvest.”

22. أَنِ ٱغْدُوا۟ عَلَىٰ حَرْثِكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰرِمِينَ

bookmark 23. So off they went, murmuring to one another.

23. فَٱنطَلَقُوا۟ وَهُمْ يَتَخَٰفَتُونَ

bookmark 24. “No poor person is to enter it upon you today.”

24. أَن لَّا يَدْخُلَنَّهَا ٱلْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكُم مِّسْكِينٌۭ

bookmark 25. And early they went, resolved in intent.

25. وَغَدَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ حَرْدٍۢ قَٰدِرِينَ

bookmark 26. But when they saw it, they said, “We were wrong.

26. فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهَا قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لَضَآلُّونَ

bookmark 27. We are now deprived.”

27. بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ

bookmark 28. The most reasonable of them said, “Did I not say to you, ‘if only you would glorify?’”

28. قَالَ أَوْسَطُهُمْ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ لَوْلَا تُسَبِّحُونَ

bookmark 29. They said, “Glory to our Lord—We were indeed in the wrong.”

29. قَالُوا۟ سُبْحَٰنَ رَبِّنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَٰلِمِينَ

bookmark 30. Then they turned to one another, blaming one another.

30. فَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍۢ يَتَلَٰوَمُونَ

bookmark 31. They said, “Woe to us—we were indeed domineering.

31. قَالُوا۟ يَٰوَيْلَنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا طَٰغِينَ

bookmark 32. Perhaps our Lord will give us a better substitute for it. We are turning to our Lord.”

32. عَسَىٰ رَبُّنَآ أَن يُبْدِلَنَا خَيْرًۭا مِّنْهَآ إِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا رَٰغِبُونَ

bookmark 33. Such is the punishment; but the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew.

33. كَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْعَذَابُ ۖ وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ

bookmark 34. For the righteous are Gardens of Delight with their Lord.

34. إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ

bookmark 35. Shall We treat the Muslims like the villains?

35. أَفَنَجْعَلُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ كَٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ

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

36. مَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ

bookmark 37. Or do you have a scripture in which you study.

37. أَمْ لَكُمْ كِتَٰبٌۭ فِيهِ تَدْرُسُونَ

bookmark 38. Wherein there is whatever you choose?

38. إِنَّ لَكُمْ فِيهِ لَمَا تَخَيَّرُونَ

bookmark 39. Or do you have oaths from Us, binding until the Day of Resurrection, that you will have whatever you demand?

39. أَمْ لَكُمْ أَيْمَٰنٌ عَلَيْنَا بَٰلِغَةٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ ۙ إِنَّ لَكُمْ لَمَا تَحْكُمُونَ

bookmark 40. Ask them, which of them will guarantee that.

40. سَلْهُمْ أَيُّهُم بِذَٰلِكَ زَعِيمٌ

bookmark 41. Or do they have partners? Then let them produce their partners, if they are truthful.

41. أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَآءُ فَلْيَأْتُوا۟ بِشُرَكَآئِهِمْ إِن كَانُوا۟ صَٰدِقِينَ

bookmark 42. On the Day when the Shin will be exposed, and they will be called to bow down, but they will be unable.

42. يَوْمَ يُكْشَفُ عَن سَاقٍۢ وَيُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى ٱلسُّجُودِ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ

bookmark 43. Their eyes subdued, shame will cover them. They were invited to bow down when they were sound.

43. خَٰشِعَةً أَبْصَٰرُهُمْ تَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌۭ ۖ وَقَدْ كَانُوا۟ يُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى ٱلسُّجُودِ وَهُمْ سَٰلِمُونَ

bookmark 44. So leave Me to those who reject this discourse; We will proceed against them gradually, from where they do not know.

44. فَذَرْنِى وَمَن يُكَذِّبُ بِهَٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ ۖ سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

bookmark 45. And I will give them respite. My plan is firm.

45. وَأُمْلِى لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِى مَتِينٌ

bookmark 46. Or do you ask them for a fee, so they are burdened with debt?

46. أَمْ تَسْـَٔلُهُمْ أَجْرًۭا فَهُم مِّن مَّغْرَمٍۢ مُّثْقَلُونَ

bookmark 47. Or do they know the future, and so they write it down?

47. أَمْ عِندَهُمُ ٱلْغَيْبُ فَهُمْ يَكْتُبُونَ

bookmark 48. So wait patiently for the Decision of your Lord, and do not be like the Fellow of the Fish who cried out in despair.

48. فَٱصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تَكُن كَصَاحِبِ ٱلْحُوتِ إِذْ نَادَىٰ وَهُوَ مَكْظُومٌۭ

bookmark 49. Were it not for his Lord’s favor that reached him, he would have been thrown into the wilderness, fully despised.

49. لَّوْلَآ أَن تَدَٰرَكَهُۥ نِعْمَةٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ لَنُبِذَ بِٱلْعَرَآءِ وَهُوَ مَذْمُومٌۭ

bookmark 50. But his Lord chose him, and made him one of the righteous.

50. فَٱجْتَبَٰهُ رَبُّهُۥ فَجَعَلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ

bookmark 51. Those who disbelieve almost stab you with their glances when they hear the message, and say, “He is crazy!”

51. وَإِن يَكَادُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَيُزْلِقُونَكَ بِأَبْصَٰرِهِمْ لَمَّا سَمِعُوا۟ ٱلذِّكْرَ وَيَقُولُونَ إِنَّهُۥ لَمَجْنُونٌۭ

bookmark 52. But it is no less than a reminder to all the Worlds.

52. وَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌۭ لِّلْعَٰلَمِينَ

Context of Revelation

Surah Al-Qalam (The Pen) is a Meccan surah consisting of 52 verses. It is among the earliest revelations to the Prophet ﷺ, revealed soon after Surah Al-‘Alaq. The name “Al-Qalam” refers to the “Pen” mentioned in the first verse — a symbol of knowledge, revelation, and divine wisdom.

Revealed during a time when the Quraysh accused the Prophet ﷺ of madness, this surah serves as a divine vindication of his integrity, exalting the value of knowledge and the moral superiority of faith.

Main Teachings and Key Insights

Surah Al-Qalam highlights the virtue of knowledge, moral integrity, and accountability of human actions. Its main teachings include:

  • Divine defense of the Prophet ﷺ — God affirms his noble character. (vv. 1–4)
  • The sanctity of knowledge and writing — the pen as a symbol of learning and divine guidance. (v. 1)
  • The parable of the garden owners — a lesson against greed and ingratitude toward God’s blessings. (vv. 17–33)
  • The distinction between the righteous and the corrupt — every soul is rewarded according to its deeds. (vv. 34–52)
  • Reaffirmation of the Day of Judgment and the eternal reward of the faithful. (v. 35 onward)

The surah connects faith with ethical conduct and personal responsibility, condemning arrogance and injustice while emphasizing God’s protection of His Messenger ﷺ.

Structure and Main Themes

  • Introduction (vv. 1–4): The exaltation of knowledge and praise of the Prophet’s moral excellence.
  • Rebuttal of false accusations (vv. 5–16): Warning against arrogance, denial, and moral corruption.
  • The parable of the garden owners (vv. 17–33): Illustration of divine justice and the consequences of selfishness.
  • Final judgment and distinction (vv. 34–52): Separation between believers and deniers, and reminder of past nations’ fate.

The tone of the surah is moral and resolute: it upholds the Prophet’s integrity, exalts the pursuit of knowledge, and warns against the decay of ethical values.

Key Verse

The central verse of the surah is verse 4:

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ

And indeed, you are of a noble character.

Why this verse is key:

  • It serves as a divine testimony to the Prophet’s ﷺ moral greatness — a direct affirmation from God.
  • It defines the ethical foundation of Islam: faith is inseparable from moral excellence and compassion.
  • It stands as a timeless model of virtue for believers, illustrating that character is the essence of true faith.

In summary, Surah Al-Qalam champions knowledge, moral integrity, and sincere faith. It defends the Prophet’s mission against false accusations, reminds of divine justice, and teaches that true nobility lies in righteousness, humility, and awareness of God.

Surah Al-Qalam
0:00 0:00
Pick up where you left off?