Conclusion from Al-Tabari’s interpretation | Episode (68)

0:00 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

0:05 A summary of the Tafsir of al-Tabari.

0:08 Abridged by Dr. ‘Aqil ibn Salim al-Shammar.

0:14 Surah al-Qalam (The Pen).

0:18 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

0:23 Nun. By the pen and what they inscribe.

0:31 “Thou art not, for thy Lord's favour unto thee, a madman.” (68:2)

0:38 “And lo! thine verily will be a reward unfailing.” (68:3)

0:44 And indeed, you are of a great moral character.

0:49 Nun.

0:52 It is one of the letters of the alphabet.

0:54 It points to many meanings.

0:57 The "pen" is the well-known instrument for writing.

1:01 However, the pen by which our Lord has sworn is among the pens—

1:05 The pen which Allah, the Exalted, created.

1:08 He commanded it, and it proceeded to record everything that will exist until the Day of Resurrection.

1:14 "And what they inscribe."

1:16 That is, what they write down and record.

1:19 It is an oath by the creation and their actions.

1:22 Or, it is an oath by their writing and what they record.

1:25 It is an oath by the pen and the writing.

1:28 “Thou art not, for thy Lord's favour unto thee, a madman.” (68:2)

1:32 Refuting the polytheists of Quraysh who said to him:

1:36 "You are a madman."

1:38 And indeed, for you, O Muhammad, is a great reward from Allah—

1:42 For your patience regarding the harm of the polytheists—

1:45 Uninterrupted and never-ending.

1:48 And indeed, O Muhammad, you are of a great moral character.

1:52 That is the discipline of the Qur’an with which Allah has disciplined you.

1:56 It is Islam and its laws.

2:00 So you will see, and they will see,

2:04 Which of you is the afflicted.

2:08 Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way,

2:15 And He is most knowing of the rightly guided.

2:20 So you will see, O Muhammad,

2:22 And the polytheists of your people who call you a madman will see,

2:26 Which of you is the madman.

2:28 Indeed, your Lord, O Muhammad, is most knowing of who has strayed from His way—

2:33 Like the straying of the disbelievers of Quraysh from the religion of Allah and the path of guidance.

2:37 And He is most knowing of who is guided, having followed the truth and drawn near to it,

2:42 Just as you were guided and followed the truth.

2:47 So do not obey the deniers.

2:51 They wish that you would compromise, so they would compromise.

2:57 Do not obey, O Muhammad, those who deny the signs of Allah and His Messenger.

3:02 These polytheists wish, O Muhammad, that you would show leniency toward them in your religion,

3:07 By your responding to their desire that you incline toward their idols,

3:11 So they would then be lenient toward you in your worship of your Lord.

3:15 “Neither obey thou each feeble oath-monger,” (68:10)

3:22 Like a slanderer, a spreader of gossip.

3:30 A preventer of good, a transgressor, a sinner.

3:36 “Greedy therewithal, intrusive.” (68:13)

3:44 And do not obey, O Muhammad, every habitual swearer of false oaths,

3:49 A contemptible backbiter who eats the flesh of people,

3:53 A spreader of gossip among people,

3:57 Who carries the speech of some to others,

4:00 A miser with wealth, withholding it from those who have rights to it,

4:04 A transgressor against people, a sinner against his Lord,

4:07 Harsh and severe in his disbelief,

4:10 Whose lineage is unknown.

4:14 “It is because he is possessed of wealth and children” (68:14)

4:19 When Our verses are recited to him,

4:23 He says, "Legends of the former peoples."

4:27 We will brand him upon the snout.

4:33 “Neither obey thou each feeble oath-monger,” (68:10)

4:36 Because he possesses wealth and children.

4:39 When the verses of Our Book are read to him,

4:43 He says, "This is merely what the ancients wrote,"

4:47 Out of mockery and denial,

4:49 That it could be from Allah.

4:52 We will mark him upon the snout.

4:54 And We will clarify his affair with a clear explanation,

4:57 So that they will know him, and it will not be hidden from them.

5:02 “Lo! We have tried them as We tried the owners of the garden when they vowed that they would pluck its fruit next morning,” (68:17)

5:08 When they swore to harvest it in the morning,

5:16 And did not make exception.

5:20 We have tested the polytheists of Quraysh,

5:24 Just as We tested the owners of the garden,

5:27 When they swore they would surely harvest its fruit in the morning,

5:31 And did not say, "If Allah wills."

5:35 “Then a visitation from thy Lord came upon it while they slept” (68:19)

5:41 While they were asleep.

5:44 So it became like a harvested field.

5:49 A calamity from the command of Allah struck the garden of these people by night,

5:52 While they were asleep.

5:56 So their garden became burnt and black,

5:59 Like the dark night.

6:02 Then they called to one another at morning,

6:06 "Go early to your crop if you would harvest."

6:13 So they set off, whispering among themselves,

6:19 "There shall not enter it today upon you any poor person."

6:25 “They went betimes, strong in (this) purpose.” (68:25)

6:32 The owners of the garden called to one another after they had awakened,

6:37 "Go early to your crop if you are to harvest your produce."

6:42 So they went to their field, whispering among themselves,

6:46 Saying to one another,

6:48 "Let no poor person enter your garden today."

6:53 They set off, having intended and resolved upon this,

6:56 Keeping it secret among themselves, confident in their ability to do so.

7:02 But when they saw it, they said, "Indeed, we are lost;

7:12 Rather, we are deprived."

7:16 When these people arrived at their garden,

7:20 And saw its produce burnt,

7:23 They denied it and doubted,

7:26 Whether it was their garden or not.

7:28 Some of them said to their companions, thinking,

7:31 That they had missed the path to their garden,

7:35 And that what they saw was not it.

7:37 "Indeed, O people, we have lost the way to our garden."

7:42 Then the one who knew it was their garden said,

7:45 And that they had not missed the way,

7:47 "Rather, we are deprived, O people.

7:50 We are deprived of the benefit of our garden because its produce is gone."

7:55 “The best among them said: Said I not unto you: Why glorify ye not (Allah)?” (68:28)

8:02 They said, "Exalted is our Lord! Indeed, we were wrongdoers."

8:11 And the most moderate of them said,

8:13 "Did you not make exception when you said, 'We will surely harvest it in the morning'?"

8:18 By saying, "If Allah wills."

8:20 The owners of the garden said,

8:22 "Exalted is our Lord!

8:24 Indeed, we were wrongdoers in our failure to make exception in our oath,

8:29 And our resolve to withhold feeding the poor from the fruit of our garden."

8:35 “Then some of them drew near unto others, self-reproaching.” (68:30)

8:41 “They said: Alas for us! In truth we were outrageous.” (68:31)

8:49 “It may be that our Lord will give us better than this in place thereof. Lo! we beseech our Lord.” (68:32)

8:54 “It may be that our Lord will give us better than this in place thereof. Lo! we beseech our Lord.” (68:32)

9:01 Then they turned to one another,

9:03 Blaming one another for their negligence in failing to make exception,

9:09 And for their resolve to withhold feeding the poor from their garden.

9:16 The owners of the garden said,

9:18 "Woe to us! Indeed, we were transgressors against the command of Allah by failing to make exception and glorify Him."

9:25 "Perhaps our Lord will substitute for us better than our garden,"

9:29 Through our repentance for the error of our previous action,

9:33 "Better than our garden."

9:35 "Indeed, we are desirous toward our Lord that He replace our garden, since it has perished, with something better."

9:43 Such is the punishment.

9:47 And the punishment of the Hereafter is greater,

9:51 If they only knew.

9:54 “Lo! for those who keep from evil are gardens of bliss with their Lord.” (68:34)

10:04 Just as We did with the garden of the owners of the garden,

10:07 We did to those who disobeyed Our command and disbelieved in Our messengers in the immediate life of this world.

10:13 And the punishment of the Hereafter for those who disobeyed their Lord and disbelieved in Him

10:17 Is greater on the Day of Resurrection than the punishment and torment of this world.

10:22 If these polytheists knew that the punishment of Allah for those who associate partners with Him

10:27 Is greater than His punishment for them in this world,

10:31 They would have desisted, repented, and turned back.

10:33 But they are ignorant of that and do not know.

10:38 Indeed, for those who fear Allah by performing His obligations and avoiding His prohibitions,

10:44 Are gardens of eternal bliss with their Lord.

10:49 Then will We treat the Muslims like the criminals?

10:53 What is the matter with you? How do you judge?

10:59 Shall We treat, O people, in My honor and bounty in the Hereafter,

11:04 Those who submitted to Me in obedience and humbled themselves to Me in servitude,

11:08 And were reverent toward My command and prohibition,

11:11 Like the criminals who acquired sins and committed acts of disobedience,

11:16 And opposed My command and prohibition?

11:18 No! Allah would never do that.

11:22 Do not equate them, for they are not equal before Allah.

11:27 Rather, the obedient one has eternal honor,

11:31 And the disobedient one has lasting disgrace.

11:34 “Or have ye a scripture wherein ye learn” (68:37)

11:40 “That ye shall indeed have all that ye choose?” (68:38)

11:46 “Or have ye a covenant on oath from Us that reacheth to the Day of Judgment, that yours shall be all that ye ordain?” (68:39)

11:52 “Or have ye a covenant on oath from Us that reacheth to the Day of Judgment, that yours shall be all that ye ordain?” (68:39)

11:57 Do you, O people, by equating the Muslims and the criminals in the honor of Allah,

12:03 Have a book that descended from Allah,

12:06 Brought to you by one of His messengers,

12:09 That you shall have whatever you choose?

12:11 Are you studying in it what you say,

12:15 And choosing matters for yourselves?

12:18 Do you have oaths from Us that you shall have your judgment?

12:23 “Ask them (O Muhammad) which of them will vouch for that!” (68:40)

12:28 Or do they have partners?

12:30 “Or have they other gods? Then let them bring their other gods if they are truthful” (68:41)

12:39 Ask, O Muhammad, these polytheists:

12:42 Which of them can guarantee that they have binding oaths from Us for their judgment?

12:48 Do these people have partners in what they say and describe,

12:52 Of the matters they claim belong to them?

12:56 Then let them bring their partners in that,

12:59 If they are truthful in what they claim regarding those partners.

13:05 “On the day when it befalleth in earnest, and they are ordered to prostrate themselves but are not able,” (68:42)

13:11 They will not be able to.

13:14 Their eyes will be humbled, and humiliation will cover them.

13:19 “With eyes downcast, abasement stupefying them. And they had been summoned to prostrate themselves while they were yet unhurt.” (68:43)

13:27 On the day when a severe matter is revealed,

13:29 And the uncovering of the Shin will call them to prostrate to Allah, the Exalted,

13:34 But they will not be able to do so.

13:36 Humiliation will cover them from the punishment of Allah.

13:39 For they used to be invited to prostrate to Him in the world while they were sound,

13:45 With nothing preventing them,

13:47 And no barrier standing between them and it.

13:52 “Leave Me (to deal) with those who give the lie to this pronouncement. We shall lead them on by steps from whence they know not.” (68:44)

13:58 We will lead them on step by step from where they do not know.

14:04 And I will give them respite; indeed, My plan is firm.

14:12 Leave, O Muhammad, the affair of these deniers of the Qur’an to Me.

14:17 We will plan against them from where they do not know.

14:20 This is by granting them the enjoyment of the world,

14:24 Until they think that what they have been granted is better for them with Allah,

14:29 So they persist in their transgression.

14:32 Then We will seize them suddenly while they are unaware.

14:35 And I will grant them a long respite in their appointed terms.

14:39 Indeed, My plan against the people of disbelief is strong and severe.

14:44 Or do you ask them for a payment?

14:47 Or do they have the unseen, so they are writing it down?

14:53 Do you ask, O Muhammad, these polytheists,

14:57 For the advice you brought them,

15:00 And the truth to which you invited them, a reward or payment?

15:04 Are they burdened by the debt of that payment,

15:08 So that performing it has weighed them down?

15:11 Do they have the knowledge of the unseen,

15:14 So that performing it has weighed them down?

15:17 Do they have the Preserved Tablet,

15:19 In which is the news of what will come to pass,

15:22 So that they are writing from it what is in it,

15:24 And arguing with you based on it?

15:26 And claiming that they, in their disbelief in their Lord,

15:30 Are in a better position before Allah than those who believe in Him?

15:35 So be patient for the decision of your Lord,

15:37 “But wait thou for thy Lord's decree, and be not like him of the fish, who cried out in despair.” (68:48)

15:40 When he called out while he was distressed.

15:44 “Had it not been that favour from his Lord had reached him he surely had been cast into the wilderness while he was reprobate.” (68:49)

15:50 “Had it not been that favour from his Lord had reached him he surely had been cast into the wilderness while he was reprobate.” (68:49)

15:55 But his Lord chose him,

15:57 And made him one of the righteous.

16:03 So be patient, O Muhammad, for the decree of your Lord,

16:05 And His judgment regarding you and these polytheists,

16:09 Concerning what you have brought them of this Qur’an and this religion.

16:14 Remain steadfast in what your Lord has commanded you.

16:16 Do not let the rejection of those you are sent to warn,

16:20 or the harm they inflict upon you, deter you from conveying what you have been ordered to convey.

16:23 Do not be like the one whom the whale held within its belly,

16:27 namely Yunus ibn Matta, peace be upon him.

16:31 Lest your Lord punish you for abandoning the delivery of that message,

16:35 just as He punished him by confining him within its belly.

16:38 He called out while he was distressed,

16:40 burdened and overwhelmed by his grief.

16:43 Had it not been for the grace of his Lord that reached the Companion of the Whale,

16:47 and had He not shown him mercy through it,

16:49 and accepted his repentance for having been angry with his Lord,

16:52 he would have been cast onto the barren shore while blameworthy.

16:56 But his Lord chose the Companion of the Whale,

16:59 and made him one of the messengers who acted

17:01 upon what their Lord commanded them,

17:04 and refrained from what He forbade them.

17:08 “And lo! those who disbelieve would fain disconcert thee with their eyes when they hear the Reminder, and they say: Lo! he is indeed mad;” (68:51)

17:12 They would almost trip you up with their gazes.

17:18 “And lo! those who disbelieve would fain disconcert thee with their eyes when they hear the Reminder, and they say: Lo! he is indeed mad;” (68:51)

17:26 “When it is naught else than a Reminder to creation.” (68:52)

17:34 Indeed, those who disbelieve, O Muhammad, are on the verge of

17:37 piercing you with their eyes due to the intensity of their enmity toward you.

17:41 They wish to displace you and cast you down when they look at you,

17:45 out of rage at hearing the Book of Allah being recited.

17:49 These polytheists, whose characteristics have been described, say:

17:54 "Muhammad is surely possessed."

17:56 Yet Muhammad is nothing but a reminder, through which Allah reminds the worlds,

18:01 both the jinn and mankind.

18:06 This is the summary from the Tafsir of al-Tabari.

Conclusion from Al-Tabari’s interpretation | Episode (68) | Surat Al-Qalam

Transcript