Nūn. BY the Pen, and what they¹ write
you² are not a man possessed: thanks to the favour of your Lord
A lasting recompense awaits you
for yours is a sublime nature
You shall before long see ― as they will see ―
which of you is enchanted
Your Lord knows best those who stray from His path, as He knows best those who are rightly guided
Yield not to the disbelievers
they desire you to overlook their doings that they may overlook yours
Nor yield to the wretch of many oaths
the mischief-making slanderer
the opponent of good, the sinful transgressor
the bully who is of doubtful birth to boot
Though such a man be blessed with wealth and children
when Our revelations are recited to him, he says: ‘Fables of the ancients.‘
On the nose We will brand him
We have afflicted them³ as We afflicted the owners of the orchard who had declared that they would pluck its fruit next morning
without adding any reservation.⁴
A visitant from your Lord came down upon it while they slept
and in the morning it was as black as midnight
In the morning they called out to one another
Hurry to your orchard, if you would pick its fruit.‘
And off they went, whispering to one another
No beggar shall enter it today.‘
Thus they went out, fixed in their resolve
But when they saw it they said: ‘We have erred indeed
we are bereft.‘
The most upright among them said: ‘Did I not bid you give praise?‘
Glory be to our Lord,‘ they said. ‘We have assuredly done wrong.‘
And they began to blame one another
Woe betide us!‘ they said. ‘We have been great transgressors
Perchance Our Lord will give us a better one in its place; to Our Lord we will turn.‘
Such was their torment. But the torment of the life to come is more terrible, if they but knew it
In the Gardens of Delight the righteous shall be with their Lord
Are We to treat the Muslims and the sinners alike
What has come over you¹ that you should judge so ill
Or have you a scripture to stud
promising you whatever you choose
Or have We sworn a covenant with you ― a covenant binding till the Day of Resurrection ― that you shall have what you yourselves ordain
Ask if any of them¹ will vouch for that
Or have they other deities besides God? Let them produce their deities, if what they say be true
On the day the dread event unfolds and they are told to prostrate themselves, they will not be able
Utterly humbled, they shall stand with eyes downcast; for they had long since been bidden to prostrate themselves when they were safe and sound
Therefore leave to Me those that deny this revelation. We will lead them on step by step, in ways beyond their knowledge
I shall bear long with them: My stratagem is sure
Are you demanding pay of them, so that they are burdened with debt
Or have they knowledge of what is hidden? Can they write it down
Wait, then, the judgement of your Lord and do not act like him¹ who was swallowed by the whale when he called out in despair
Had his Lord not bestowed on him His grace, he would have been abandoned in the open to be blamed by all
But his Lord chose him for His own and made of him a righteous man
The unbelievers well-nigh devour you with their eyes when they hear the Admonition . ‘He is surely possessed,‘ they say
Yet it is but an Admonition to mankind