Islamic Holy Book Quran · Books · Gifts
Chapter 68·Meccan·52 verses

القَلَمِ

Surah Al-Qalam

The Pen

The noble character of the Prophet, and a warning to the arrogant.

About Surah Al-Qalam

Al-Qalam, “The Pen,” swears by the pen and testifies to the Prophet’s ﷺ sublime character, then warns through the parable of the owners of the garden who forgot Allah.

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بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

  1. 1 Al-Qalam 68:1

    بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ نٓ ۚ وَٱلْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُونَ

    Noon; walqalami wa maa yasturoon

    Nun. By the pen and what they inscribe,

  2. 2 Al-Qalam 68:2

    مَآ أَنتَ بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ بِمَجْنُونٍۢ

    Maa anta bini'mati Rabbika bimajnoon

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

  3. 3 Al-Qalam 68:3

    وَإِنَّ لَكَ لَأَجْرًا غَيْرَ مَمْنُونٍۢ

    Wa inna laka la ajran ghaira mamnoon

    And indeed, for you is a reward uninterrupted.

  4. 4 Al-Qalam 68:4

    وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍۢ

    Wa innaka la'alaa khuluqin 'azeem

    And indeed, you are of a great moral character.

  5. 5 Al-Qalam 68:5

    فَسَتُبْصِرُ وَيُبْصِرُونَ

    Fasatubsiru wa yubsiroon

    So you will see and they will see

  6. 6 Al-Qalam 68:6

    بِأَييِّكُمُ ٱلْمَفْتُونُ

    Bi ayyikumul maftoon

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

  7. 7 Al-Qalam 68:7

    إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ

    Innaa Rabbaka Huwa a'lamu biman dalla 'an sabeelihee wa Huwa a'lamu bilmuhtadeen

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

  8. 8 Al-Qalam 68:8

    فَلَا تُطِعِ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

    Falaa tuti'il mukazzibeen

    Then do not obey the deniers.

  9. 9 Al-Qalam 68:9

    وَدُّوا۟ لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُونَ

    Waddoo law tudhinu fa-yudhinoon

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

  10. 10 Al-Qalam 68:10

    وَلَا تُطِعْ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍۢ مَّهِينٍ

    Wa laa tuti' kulla hallaa fim maheen

    And do not obey every worthless habitual swearer

  11. 11 Al-Qalam 68:11

    هَمَّازٍۢ مَّشَّآءٍۭ بِنَمِيمٍۢ

    Hammaazim mash shaaa'im binameem

    [And] scorner, going about with malicious gossip -

  12. 12 Al-Qalam 68:12

    مَّنَّاعٍۢ لِّلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيمٍ

    Mannaa'il lilkhairi mu'tadin aseem

    A preventer of good, transgressing and sinful,

  13. 13 Al-Qalam 68:13

    عُتُلٍّۭ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ زَنِيمٍ

    'Utullim ba'da zaalika zaneem

    Cruel, moreover, and an illegitimate pretender.

  14. 14 Al-Qalam 68:14

    أَن كَانَ ذَا مَالٍۢ وَبَنِينَ

    An kaana zaa maalinw-wa baneen

    Because he is a possessor of wealth and children,

  15. 15 Al-Qalam 68:15

    إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَٰتُنَا قَالَ أَسَٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

    Izaa tutlaa 'alaihi aayaatunaa qaala asaateerul awwaleen

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

  16. 16 Al-Qalam 68:16

    سَنَسِمُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلْخُرْطُومِ

    Sanasimuhoo 'alal khurtoom

    We will brand him upon the snout.

  17. 17 Al-Qalam 68:17

    إِنَّا بَلَوْنَٰهُمْ كَمَا بَلَوْنَآ أَصْحَٰبَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ إِذْ أَقْسَمُوا۟ لَيَصْرِمُنَّهَا مُصْبِحِينَ

    Innaa balawnaahum kamaa balawnaaa As-haabal jannati iz 'aqsamoo la-yasri munnahaa musbiheen

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

  18. 18 Al-Qalam 68:18

    وَلَا يَسْتَثْنُونَ

    Wa laa yastasnoon

    Without making exception.

  19. 19 Al-Qalam 68:19

    فَطَافَ عَلَيْهَا طَآئِفٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكَ وَهُمْ نَآئِمُونَ

    Fataafa 'alaihaa taaa'i fum mir rabbika wa hum naaa'imoon

    So there came upon the garden an affliction from your Lord while they were asleep.

  20. 20 Al-Qalam 68:20

    فَأَصْبَحَتْ كَٱلصَّرِيمِ

    Fa asbahat kassareem

    And it became as though reaped.

  21. 21 Al-Qalam 68:21

    فَتَنَادَوْا۟ مُصْبِحِينَ

    Fatanaadaw musbiheen

    And they called one another at morning,

  22. 22 Al-Qalam 68:22

    أَنِ ٱغْدُوا۟ عَلَىٰ حَرْثِكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰرِمِينَ

    Anighdoo 'alaa harsikum in kuntum saarimeen

    [Saying], "Go early to your crop if you would cut the fruit."

  23. 23 Al-Qalam 68:23

    فَٱنطَلَقُوا۟ وَهُمْ يَتَخَٰفَتُونَ

    Fantalaqoo wa hum yatakhaafatoon

    So they set out, while lowering their voices,

  24. 24 Al-Qalam 68:24

    أَن لَّا يَدْخُلَنَّهَا ٱلْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكُم مِّسْكِينٌۭ

    Al laa yadkhulannahal yawma 'alaikum miskeen

    [Saying], "There will surely not enter it today upon you [any] poor person."

  25. 25 Al-Qalam 68:25

    وَغَدَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ حَرْدٍۢ قَٰدِرِينَ

    Wa ghadaw 'alaa hardin qaadireen

    And they went early in determination, [assuming themselves] able.

  26. 26 Al-Qalam 68:26

    فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهَا قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لَضَآلُّونَ

    Falammaa ra awhaa qaalooo innaa ladaaalloon

    But when they saw it, they said, "Indeed, we are lost;

  27. 27 Al-Qalam 68:27

    بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ

    Bal nahnu mahroomoon

    Rather, we have been deprived."

  28. 28 Al-Qalam 68:28

    قَالَ أَوْسَطُهُمْ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ لَوْلَا تُسَبِّحُونَ

    Qaala awsatuhum alam aqul lakum law laa tusabbihoon

    The most moderate of them said, "Did I not say to you, 'Why do you not exalt [Allah]?' "

  29. 29 Al-Qalam 68:29

    قَالُوا۟ سُبْحَٰنَ رَبِّنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَٰلِمِينَ

    Qaaloo subhaana rabbinaaa innaa kunnaa zaalimeen

    They said, "Exalted is our Lord! Indeed, we were wrongdoers."

  30. 30 Al-Qalam 68:30

    فَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍۢ يَتَلَٰوَمُونَ

    Fa aqbala ba'duhum 'alaa ba'diny yatalaawamoon

    Then they approached one another, blaming each other.

  31. 31 Al-Qalam 68:31

    قَالُوا۟ يَٰوَيْلَنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا طَٰغِينَ

    Qaaloo yaa wailanaaa innaa kunnaa taagheen

    They said, "O woe to us; indeed we were transgressors.

  32. 32 Al-Qalam 68:32

    عَسَىٰ رَبُّنَآ أَن يُبْدِلَنَا خَيْرًۭا مِّنْهَآ إِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا رَٰغِبُونَ

    'Asaa rabbunaaa any yubdilanaa khairam minhaaa innaaa ilaa rabbinaa raaghiboon

    Perhaps our Lord will substitute for us [one] better than it. Indeed, we are toward our Lord desirous."

  33. 33 Al-Qalam 68:33

    كَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْعَذَابُ ۖ وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ

    Kazaalikal azaab, wa la'azaabul aakhirati akbar; law kaanoo ya'lamoon

    Such is the punishment [of this world]. And the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew.

  34. 34 Al-Qalam 68:34

    إِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ

    Inna lilmuttaqeena 'inda rabbihim jannaatin na'eem

    Indeed, for the righteous with their Lord are the Gardens of Pleasure.

  35. 35 Al-Qalam 68:35

    أَفَنَجْعَلُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ كَٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ

    Afanaj'alul muslimeena kalmujrimeen

    Then will We treat the Muslims like the criminals?

  36. 36 Al-Qalam 68:36

    مَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ

    Maa lakum kaifa tahhkumoon

    What is [the matter] with you? How do you judge?

  37. 37 Al-Qalam 68:37

    أَمْ لَكُمْ كِتَٰبٌۭ فِيهِ تَدْرُسُونَ

    Am lakum kitaabun feehi tadrusoon

    Or do you have a scripture in which you learn

  38. 38 Al-Qalam 68:38

    إِنَّ لَكُمْ فِيهِ لَمَا تَخَيَّرُونَ

    Inna lakum feehi lamaa takhaiyaroon

    That indeed for you is whatever you choose?

  39. 39 Al-Qalam 68:39

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

    Am lakum aymaanun 'alainaa baalighatun ilaa yawmil qiyaamati inna lakum lamaa tahkumoon

    Or do you have oaths [binding] upon Us, extending until the Day of Resurrection, that indeed for you is whatever you judge?

  40. 40 Al-Qalam 68:40

    سَلْهُمْ أَيُّهُم بِذَٰلِكَ زَعِيمٌ

    Salhum ayyuhum bizaa lika za'eem

    Ask them which of them, for that [claim], is responsible.

  41. 41 Al-Qalam 68:41

    أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَآءُ فَلْيَأْتُوا۟ بِشُرَكَآئِهِمْ إِن كَانُوا۟ صَٰدِقِينَ

    Am lahum shurakaaa'u falyaatoo bishurakaaa 'ihim in kaanoo saadiqeen

    Or do they have partners? Then let them bring their partners, if they should be truthful.

  42. 42 Al-Qalam 68:42

    يَوْمَ يُكْشَفُ عَن سَاقٍۢ وَيُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى ٱلسُّجُودِ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ

    Yawma yukshafu 'am saaqinw wa yud'awna ilas sujoodi falaa yastatee'oon

    The Day the shin will be uncovered and they are invited to prostration but the disbelievers will not be able,

  43. 43 Al-Qalam 68:43

    خَٰشِعَةً أَبْصَٰرُهُمْ تَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌۭ ۖ وَقَدْ كَانُوا۟ يُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى ٱلسُّجُودِ وَهُمْ سَٰلِمُونَ

    Khaashi'atan absaaruhum tarhaquhum zillatunw wa qad kaanoo yud'awna ilassujoodi wa hum saalimoon

    Their eyes humbled, humiliation will cover them. And they used to be invited to prostration while they were sound.

  44. 44 Al-Qalam 68:44

    فَذَرْنِى وَمَن يُكَذِّبُ بِهَٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ ۖ سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

    Fazarnee wa many yukazzibu bihaazal hadeesi sanastad rijuhum min haisu laa ya'lamoon

    So leave Me, [O Muhammad], with [the matter of] whoever denies the Qur'an. We will progressively lead them [to punishment] from where they do not know.

  45. 45 Al-Qalam 68:45

    وَأُمْلِى لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِى مَتِينٌ

    Wa umlee lahum; inna kaidee mateen

    And I will give them time. Indeed, My plan is firm.

  46. 46 Al-Qalam 68:46

    أَمْ تَسْـَٔلُهُمْ أَجْرًۭا فَهُم مِّن مَّغْرَمٍۢ مُّثْقَلُونَ

    Am tas'aluhum ajran fahum mim maghramim musqaloon

    Or do you ask of them a payment, so they are by debt burdened down?

  47. 47 Al-Qalam 68:47

    أَمْ عِندَهُمُ ٱلْغَيْبُ فَهُمْ يَكْتُبُونَ

    Am 'indahumul ghaibu fahum yaktuboon

    Or have they [knowledge of] the unseen, so they write [it] down?

  48. 48 Al-Qalam 68:48

    فَٱصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تَكُن كَصَاحِبِ ٱلْحُوتِ إِذْ نَادَىٰ وَهُوَ مَكْظُومٌۭ

    Fasbir lihkmi rabbika wa laa takun kasaahibil boot; iz naadaa wa huwa makzoom

    Then be patient for the decision of your Lord, [O Muhammad], and be not like the companion of the fish when he called out while he was distressed.

  49. 49 Al-Qalam 68:49

    لَّوْلَآ أَن تَدَٰرَكَهُۥ نِعْمَةٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ لَنُبِذَ بِٱلْعَرَآءِ وَهُوَ مَذْمُومٌۭ

    Law laaa an tadaara kahoo ni'matum mir rabbihee lanubiza bil'araaa'i wa huwa mazmoom

    If not that a favor from his Lord overtook him, he would have been thrown onto the naked shore while he was censured.

  50. 50 Al-Qalam 68:50

    فَٱجْتَبَٰهُ رَبُّهُۥ فَجَعَلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ

    Fajtabaahu rabbuhoo faja'alahoo minas saaliheen

    And his Lord chose him and made him of the righteous.

  51. 51 Al-Qalam 68:51

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

    Wa iny-yakaadul lazeena kafaroo la-yuzliqoonaka biabsaarihim lammaa saml'uz-Zikra wa yaqooloona innahoo lamajnoon

    And indeed, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes when they hear the message, and they say, "Indeed, he is mad."

  52. 52 Al-Qalam 68:52

    وَمَا هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌۭ لِّلْعَٰلَمِينَ

    Wa maa huwa illaa zikrul lil'aalameen

    But it is not except a reminder to the worlds.

Surah Al-Qalam — frequently asked questions

What does Surah Al-Qalam mean?

“Al-Qalam” translates to “The Pen.” It is the 68th surah (chapter) of the Holy Quran.

How many verses are in Surah Al-Qalam?

Surah Al-Qalam has 52 verses (ayahs).

Is Surah Al-Qalam Meccan or Medinan?

It is a Makkah (Meccan) surah — revealed before the Prophet’s ﷺ migration (Hijrah) to Madinah.

Can I read Surah Al-Qalam in English online?

Yes. You can read Surah Al-Qalam free on this page in Arabic with a clear English translation and transliteration, so you can both understand the meaning and learn to recite it.

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