You are here: Home » Chapter 68 » Verse 1 » Translation
Sura 68
Aya 1

Chapter 68

The Penal-Qalam ( القلم )

52 verses • revealed at Meccan

»The surah that opens with the single discrete Arabic letter Nūn and the oath of the Divine One swearing by the instrument of The Pen, as well as all knowledge that people are able to preserve and communicate thereby. It takes its name from “the pen” (al-qalam) mentioned in verse 1. The surah deals with the accusation that Muḥammad was not God’s Messenger but merely mad (verse 2 ff.). The arrogance of those who assume that, because they have some of the good things in this life, they can reject the Revelation, is rebutted (verse 10 ff.). Examples are given of those who came to regret their arrogance (verse 17 ff.). The Prophet is urged to remain steadfast (verse 48 ff.).«

بِسمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمٰنِ الرَّحيمِ

Yusuf Ali: In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

1
ن ۚ وَالقَلَمِ وَما يَسطُرونَ

Yusuf Ali

Nun.5592-A### By the Pen1 and the (Record) which (men) write,-
  • The Pen and the Record are the symbolical foundations of the Revelation to man. The adjuration by the Pen disposes of the flippant charge that God’s Messenger was mad or possessed. For he spoke words of power, not incoherent, but full of meaning, and through the Record of the Pen, that meaning unfolds itself, in innumerable aspects to countless generations. Muḥammad was the living Grace and Mercy of God, and his very nature exalted him above abuse and persecution. (R).