Surah 68
Al-Qalamالقلم
The Pen · 52 verses · Meccan
In plain wordsEditorial
Written by the editors. Not a translation, and
not a source. It carries the AALAMIN Editor signature and the
date it was signed, because someone has to answer for it.
Fifty-two verses opening on the pen and what they inscribe, sworn by in answer to the charge of madness. Then the owners of a garden who agreed to harvest at first light and not let a poor person in, and said nothing about God willing it, and found the place in the morning as though it had been reaped in the night. It opens with a disconnected letter.
AALAMIN Editor · signed 29 August 2026
not a scholar — what this signature means
I am not a scholar, and nothing here asks you to treat me as one. The plain words on this site are my restatement of what the five translations shown above say, together with counts derived from the text itself — nothing more. I sign them so that a named person is accountable for every sentence, not so you'll take my word for anything. The authority on this page is the text and its translators. If my words don't match theirs, mine are the ones that are wrong.
نٓ وَٱلْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُونَ
Easy-read · not authoritative
Easy-read (simplified)noon wal-qalami wamaa yasturoon
DIN 31635nūn wal-qalami wamā yasṭurūna
Noon. By the pen, and by what they inscribe.
Compare translations (4)
Nun. By the pen and that which they write (therewith)
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930
N. By the pen, and what they write
Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880
Nun. By the PEN and by what they write
John Medows Rodwell · published 1861
N. By the pen, and what they write
George Sale · published 1734
Sources
In-depth analysis →
- Talal Itani · 2012
- Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
- Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
- John Medows Rodwell · 1861
- George Sale · 1734
in a signed study →
مَآ أَنتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُونٍ
Easy-read · not authoritative
Easy-read (simplified)maa anta bini'mati rabbika bimajnoon
DIN 31635mā ʾanta biniʿmati rabbika bimaǧnūnin
The translators word this verse differently
By the grace of your Lord, you are not insane.
Compare translations (4)
Thou art not, for thy Lord's favour unto thee, a madman
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930
thou art not, by God's grace, mad
Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880
Thou, O Prophet; by the grace of thy Lord art not possessed
John Medows Rodwell · published 1861
thou, O Mohammed, through the grace of thy Lord, art not distracted
George Sale · published 1734
Sources
In-depth analysis →
- Talal Itani · 2012
- Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
- Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
- John Medows Rodwell · 1861
- George Sale · 1734
in a signed study →
وَإِنَّ لَكَ لَأَجْرًا غَيْرَ مَمْنُونٍ
Easy-read · not authoritative
Easy-read (simplified)wa'inna laka la'ajran ghayra mamnoon
DIN 31635waʾinna laka laʾaǧran ġayra mamnūnin
The translators word this verse differently
In fact, you will have a reward that will never end.
Compare translations (4)
And lo! thine verily will be a reward unfailing
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930
and, verily, thine is a hire that is not grudged
Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880
And truly a boundless recompense doth await thee
John Medows Rodwell · published 1861
Verily there is prepared for thee an everlasting reward
George Sale · published 1734
Sources
In-depth analysis →
- Talal Itani · 2012
- Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
- Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
- John Medows Rodwell · 1861
- George Sale · 1734
in a signed study →
وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ
Easy-read · not authoritative
Easy-read (simplified)wa'innaka la'alaa khuluqin 'azeem
DIN 31635waʾinnaka laʿalā ḫuluqin ʿaẓīmin
And you are of a great moral character.
Compare translations (4)
And lo! thou art of a tremendous nature
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930
and, verily, thou art of a grand nature
Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880
For thou art of a noble nature
John Medows Rodwell · published 1861
For thou art of a noble disposition
George Sale · published 1734
Sources
In-depth analysis →
- Talal Itani · 2012
- Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
- Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
- John Medows Rodwell · 1861
- George Sale · 1734
in a signed study →
فَسَتُبْصِرُ وَيُبْصِرُونَ
Easy-read · not authoritative
Easy-read (simplified)fasatubsiru wayubsiroon
DIN 31635fasatubṣiru wayubṣirūna
You will see, and they will see.
Compare translations (4)
And thou wilt see and they will see
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930
But thou shalt see and they shall see
Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880
But thou shalt see and they shall see
John Medows Rodwell · published 1861
Thou shalt see, and the infidels shall see
George Sale · published 1734
Sources
In-depth analysis →
- Talal Itani · 2012
- Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
- Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
- John Medows Rodwell · 1861
- George Sale · 1734
بِأَييِّكُمُ ٱلْمَفْتُونُ
Easy-read · not authoritative
Easy-read (simplified)bi'ayyikumu l-maftoon
DIN 31635biʾayyikumu l-maftūnu
Which of you is the afflicted.
Compare translations (4)
Which of you is the demented
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930
which of you is the infatuated
Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880
Which of you is the demented
John Medows Rodwell · published 1861
which of you are bereaved of your senses
George Sale · published 1734
Sources
In-depth analysis →
- Talal Itani · 2012
- Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
- Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
- John Medows Rodwell · 1861
- George Sale · 1734
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ
Easy-read · not authoritative
Easy-read (simplified)inna rabbaka huwa a'lamu biman dalla 'an sabeelihi wahuwa a'lamu bil-muhtadeen
DIN 31635ʾinna rabbaka huwa ʾaʿlamu biman ḍalla ʿan sabīlihi wahuwa ʾaʿlamu bil-muhtadīna
The translators word this verse differently
Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best the well-guided.
Compare translations (4)
Lo! thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayeth from His way, and He is Best Aware of those who walk aright
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930
Verily, thy Lord He knows best who errs from His way; and He knows best those who are guided
Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880
Now thy Lord! well knoweth He the man who erreth from his path, and well doth he know those who have yielded to Guidance
John Medows Rodwell · published 1861
Verily thy Lord well knoweth him who wandereth from his path; and He well knoweth those who are rightly directed
George Sale · published 1734
Sources
In-depth analysis →
- Talal Itani · 2012
- Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
- Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
- John Medows Rodwell · 1861
- George Sale · 1734
فَلَا تُطِعِ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
Easy-read · not authoritative
Easy-read (simplified)falaa tuti'i l-mukadhdhibeen
DIN 31635falā tuṭiʿi l-mukaḏḏibīna
The translators word this verse differently
So do not obey the deniers.
Compare translations (4)
Therefor obey not thou the rejecters
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930
Then obey not those who call thee liar
Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880
Give not place, therefore, to those who treat thee as a liar
John Medows Rodwell · published 1861
Wherefore obey not those who charge thee with imposture
George Sale · published 1734
Sources
In-depth analysis →
- Talal Itani · 2012
- Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
- Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
- John Medows Rodwell · 1861
- George Sale · 1734
وَدُّوا۟ لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُونَ
Easy-read · not authoritative
Easy-read (simplified)waddoo law tudhinu fayudhinoon
DIN 31635waddū law tudhinu fayudhinūna
The translators word this verse differently
They would like you to compromise, so they would compromise.
Compare translations (4)
Who would have had thee compromise, that they may compromise
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930
they would fain that thou shouldst be smooth with them, then would they be smooth with thee
Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880
They desire thee to deal smoothly with them: then would they be smooth as oil with thee
John Medows Rodwell · published 1861
They desire that thou shouldest be easy with them, and they will be easy with thee
George Sale · published 1734
Sources
In-depth analysis →
- Talal Itani · 2012
- Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
- Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
- John Medows Rodwell · 1861
- George Sale · 1734
وَلَا تُطِعْ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ مَّهِينٍ
Easy-read · not authoritative
Easy-read (simplified)walaa tuti' kulla hallaafin maheen
DIN 31635walā tuṭiʿ kulla ḥallāfin mahīnin
The translators word this verse differently
And do not obey any vile swearer.
Compare translations (4)
Neither obey thou each feeble oath-monger
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930
And obey not any mean swearer
Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880
But yield not to the man of oaths, a despicable person
John Medows Rodwell · published 1861
But obey not any who is a common swearer, a despicable fellow
George Sale · published 1734
Sources
In-depth analysis →
- Talal Itani · 2012
- Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
- Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
- John Medows Rodwell · 1861
- George Sale · 1734
هَمَّازٍ مَّشَّآءٍۭ بِنَمِيمٍ
Easy-read · not authoritative
Easy-read (simplified)hammaazin mashshaa'in binameem
DIN 31635hammāzin maššāʾin binamīmin
The translators word this verse differently
Backbiter, spreader of slander.
Compare translations (4)
Detracter, spreader abroad of slanders
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930
a back-biter, a walker about with slander
Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880
Defamer, going about with slander
John Medows Rodwell · published 1861
a defamer, going about with slander
George Sale · published 1734
Sources
In-depth analysis →
- Talal Itani · 2012
- Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
- Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
- John Medows Rodwell · 1861
- George Sale · 1734
in a signed study →
مَّنَّاعٍ لِّلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيمٍ
Easy-read · not authoritative
Easy-read (simplified)mannaa'in lilkhayri mu'tadin atheem
DIN 31635mannāʿin lilḫayri muʿtadin ʾaṯīmin
The translators word this verse differently
Preventer of good, transgressor, sinner.
Compare translations (4)
Hinderer of the good, transgressor, malefactor
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930
a forbidder of good, a transgressor, a sinner
Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880
Hinderer of the good, transgressor, criminal
John Medows Rodwell · published 1861
who forbiddeth that which is good, who is also a transgressor, a wicked person
George Sale · published 1734
Sources
In-depth analysis →
- Talal Itani · 2012
- Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
- Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
- John Medows Rodwell · 1861
- George Sale · 1734
عُتُلٍّۭ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ زَنِيمٍ
Easy-read · not authoritative
Easy-read (simplified)'utullin ba'da dhaalika zaneem
DIN 31635ʿutullin baʿda ḏālika zanīmin
The translators word this verse differently
Rude and fake besides.
Compare translations (4)
Greedy therewithal, intrusive
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930
rude, and base-born too
Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880
Harsh - beside this, impure by birth
John Medows Rodwell · published 1861
cruel, and besides this, of spurious birth
George Sale · published 1734
Sources
In-depth analysis →
- Talal Itani · 2012
- Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
- Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
- John Medows Rodwell · 1861
- George Sale · 1734
أَن كَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَبَنِينَ
Easy-read · not authoritative
Easy-read (simplified)an kaana dhaa maalin wabaneen
DIN 31635ʾan kāna ḏā mālin wabanīna
The translators word this verse differently
Just because he has money and children.
Compare translations (4)
It is because he is possessed of wealth and children
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930
though he have wealth and sons
Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880
Though a man of riches and blessed with sons
John Medows Rodwell · published 1861
Although he be possessed of wealth and many children
George Sale · published 1734
Sources
In-depth analysis →
- Talal Itani · 2012
- Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
- Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
- John Medows Rodwell · 1861
- George Sale · 1734
إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَٰتُنَا قَالَ أَسَٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
Easy-read · not authoritative
Easy-read (simplified)idhaa tutlaa 'alayhi aayaatunaa qaala asaateeru l-'awwaleen
DIN 31635ʾiḏā tutlā ʿalayhi ʾāyātunā qāla ʾasāṭīru l-ʾawwalīna
When Our Verses are recited to him, he says, "Myths of the ancients!"
Compare translations (4)
That, when Our revelations are recited unto him, he saith: Mere fables of the men of old
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930
When our signs are recited to him he says, 'Old folks' tales
Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880
Who when our wondrous verses are recited to him saith - "Fables of the ancients
John Medows Rodwell · published 1861
When our signs are rehearsed unto him, he saith, they are fables of the ancients
George Sale · published 1734
Sources
In-depth analysis →
- Talal Itani · 2012
- Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
- Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
- John Medows Rodwell · 1861
- George Sale · 1734
in a signed study →
سَنَسِمُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلْخُرْطُومِ
Easy-read · not authoritative
Easy-read (simplified)sanasimuhu 'alaa l-khurtoom
DIN 31635sanasimuhu ʿalā l-ḫurṭūmi
We will brand him on the muzzle.
Compare translations (4)
We shall brand him on the nose
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930
We will brand him on the snout
Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880
We will brand him on the nostrils
John Medows Rodwell · published 1861
We will stigmatize him on the nose
George Sale · published 1734
Sources
In-depth analysis →
- Talal Itani · 2012
- Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
- Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
- John Medows Rodwell · 1861
- George Sale · 1734
إِنَّا بَلَوْنَٰهُمْ كَمَا بَلَوْنَآ أَصْحَٰبَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ إِذْ أَقْسَمُوا۟ لَيَصْرِمُنَّهَا مُصْبِحِينَ
Easy-read · not authoritative
Easy-read (simplified)innaa balawnaahum kamaa balawnaa ashaaba l-jannati idh aqsamoo layasrimunnahaa musbiheen
DIN 31635ʾinnā balawnāhum kamā balawnā ʾaṣḥāba l-ǧannati ʾiḏ ʾaqsamū layaṣrimunnahā muṣbiḥīna
We tested them, as We tested the owners of the garden, when they vowed to harvest it in the morning.
Compare translations (4)
Lo! We have tried them as We tried the owners of the garden when they vowed that they would pluck its fruit next morning
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930
Verily, we have tried them as we tried the fellows of the garden when they swore, 'We will cut its fruit at morn
Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880
Verily, we have proved them (the Meccans) as we proved the owners of the garden, when they swore that at morn they would cut its fruits
John Medows Rodwell · published 1861
Verily We have tried the Meccans, as We formerly tried the owners of the garden; when they swore that they would gather the fruit thereof in the morning
George Sale · published 1734
Sources
In-depth analysis →
- Talal Itani · 2012
- Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
- Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
- John Medows Rodwell · 1861
- George Sale · 1734
وَلَا يَسْتَثْنُونَ
Easy-read · not authoritative
Easy-read (simplified)walaa yastathnoon
DIN 31635walā yastaṯnūna
The translators word this verse differently
Without any reservation.
Compare translations (4)
And made no exception (for the Will of Allah)
Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930
But they made not the exception
Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880
But added no reserve
John Medows Rodwell · published 1861
and added not the exception, if it please God
George Sale · published 1734
Sources
In-depth analysis →
- Talal Itani · 2012
- Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
- Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
- John Medows Rodwell · 1861
- George Sale · 1734