Surah Al-Qalam — Word by Word

Nūn. By the pen and what they inscribe,

You are not, [O Muḥammad], by the favor of your Lord, a madman.

And indeed, for you is a reward uninterrupted.

And indeed, you are of a great moral character.

So you will see and they will see.

Which of you is the afflicted [by a devil].

Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has gone astray from His way, and He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

Then do not obey the deniers.

They wish that you would soften [in your position], so they would soften [toward you].

And do not obey every worthless habitual swearer

[And] scorner, going about with malicious gossip -

A preventer of good, transgressing and sinful,

Cruel, moreover, and an illegitimate pretender.

Because he is a possessor of wealth and children,

When Our verses are recited to him, he says, "Legends of the former peoples."

We will brand him upon the snout.

Indeed, We have tried them as We tried the companions of the garden, when they swore to cut its fruit in the [early] morning

Without making exception.

So there came upon it [i.e., the garden] an affliction from your Lord while they were asleep.

And it became as though reaped.