68. Surah Al-Qalam (The Pen)

Mecca Period 2

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

فَذَرْنِي وَمَن يُكَذِّبُ بِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ ...

68: 44.  Then leave Me alone with such as reject this message:

C5625. Notice, the transition between "Me" and "We" in this verse, and again to "I" and "My" in the next verse. The first person plural ordinarily used in the holy Quran as Allah's Word, is the plural of respect.

In Royal decrees the first person plural is always used. When the first person singular is used, it marks some special personal relation, either of Mercy or favours (as in 2:38 or 2:150) or of punishment, as here. (Cf. n. 56. to 2:38).

... سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٤٤﴾

by degrees shall We punish them from directions they perceive not.

C5626. Cf. 7:182. and n. 1154a.

We must not be impatient if we see the wicked flourish. It may be that the very appearance of flourishing here may be a part of the Punishment. There may be an eventual punishment by a sort of Cataclysm; but evolutionary punishment is gradual and sure.

Allah may punish wicked people by granting them respite and providing them worldly benefits in abundance, which encourages them in sin and transgression. So when they are finally seized by the Wrath of Allah they are caught suddenly and utterly unprepared, as it were, red handed while engrossed in disbelief, a life of impiety and open revolt against their Lord! (R).

وَأُمْلِي لَهُمْ إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ ﴿٤٥﴾

68: 45.  A (long) respite will I grant them:

truly powerful is My plan.

Asad’s Version:

68:44 Hence, leave Me alone with such as give the lie to this tiding. 23 We shall bring them low, step by step, without their perceiving how it has come about: 24

(68:45) for, behold, though I may give them rein for a while, My subtle scheme is exceedingly firm! 25