Edition 68 of 114 Meccan Bureau 52 Verses

Quran Daily

Revelation. Reported. Truth.
القلم
Al-Qalam — Al-Qalam
Force: Moderate Tone: Gentle Directness: Clear Urgency: Timeless Mood: MODERATE force, GENTLE tone, CLEAR address, TIMELESS tempo

Echoing the Prophet's Call to Praise

Reminder to glorify Allah; admonition to worship.

Front Page

Echoing the Prophet's Call to Praise

Reminder to glorify Allah; admonition to worship.
The most reasonable of them said, “Did I not say to you, ‘if only you would glorify?’”
68:28
The most reasonable of them said, “Did I not say to you, ‘if only you would glorify?’”
— Allah 68:28
Multiple Correspondents Corroborate
en.sahih The most moderate of them said, "Did I not say to you, 'Why do you not exalt [Allah]?' "
en.arberry Said the most moderate of them, 'Did I not say to you, "Why do you not give glory?"'
en.maududi The best among them said: “Did I not say to you: why do you not give glory to (your Lord)?”
en.yusufali Said one of them, more just (than the rest): "Did I not say to you, 'Why not glorify (Allah)?'"
en.pickthall The best among them said: Said I not unto you: Why glorify ye not (Allah)?
highest Priority
Gardens of Pleasure: Cultivating the Seeds of Righteousness
For the righteous are Gardens of Delight with their Lord.
68:34
The Unshakable Test of Alleged Partners
Or do they have partners? Then let them produce their partners, if they are truthful.
68:41
When the Shin Unfolds: The Call to Prostration
On the Day when the Shin will be exposed, and they will be called to bow down, but they will be unable.
68:42
Ibn Kathir Ibn Kathir | Senior News Correspondent 1300–1373 CE Busra, Syria → Damascus
Front Page

Echoing the Prophet's Call to Praise

Reminder to glorify Allah; admonition to worship.
The most reasonable of them said, “Did I not say to you, ‘if only you would glorify?’”
68:28
The most reasonable of them said, “Did I not say to you, ‘if only you would glorify?’”
— Allah 68:28
Multiple Correspondents Corroborate
en.sahihThe most moderate of them said, "Did I not say to you, 'Why do you not exalt [Allah]?' "
en.arberrySaid the most moderate of them, 'Did I not say to you, "Why do you not give glory?"'
en.maududiThe best among them said: “Did I not say to you: why do you not give glory to (your Lord)?”
en.yusufaliSaid one of them, more just (than the rest): "Did I not say to you, 'Why not glorify (Allah)?'"
en.pickthallThe best among them said: Said I not unto you: Why glorify ye not (Allah)?
Gardens of Pleasure: Cultivating the Seeds of Righteousness
For the righteous are Gardens of Delight with their Lord.
68:34
The Unshakable Test of Alleged Partners
Or do they have partners? Then let them produce their partners, if they are truthful.
68:41
When the Shin Unfolds: The Call to Prostration
On the Day when the Shin will be exposed, and they will be called to bow down, but they will be unable.
68:42
Ibn Kathir Ibn Kathir | Senior News Correspondent 1300–1373 CE Busra, Syria → Damascus
Breaking News
Reassurance of the Righteous Mind
DisbelieversMuhammad
68:2
By the grace of your Lord, you are not insane.
68:3
In fact, you will have a reward that will never end.
68:4
And you are of a great moral character.
68:5
You will see, and they will see.
68:6
Which of you is the afflicted.
Stand Firm Against the Denier's Call
Companions of ParadiseDisbelieversMuhammad
68:8
So do not obey the deniers.
68:9
They would like you to compromise, so they would compromise.
68:10
And do not obey any vile swearer.
68:11
Backbiter, spreader of slander.
68:12
Preventer of good, transgressor, sinner.
68:13
Rude and fake besides.
68:14
Just because he has money and children.
68:15 Allah
When Our Verses are recited to him, he says, “Myths of the ancients!”
68:16
We will brand him on the muzzle.
68:17
We tested them, as We tested the owners of the garden, when they vowed to harvest it in the morning.
68:18 Allah
Without any reservation.
68:19
But a calamity from your Lord went around it while they slept.
68:20
And in the morning it was as if picked.
68:21
In the morning, they called to one another.
68:22 the People of the Garden
“Go early to your plantation, if you are going to harvest.”
68:23
So off they went, murmuring to one another.
68:24 the People of the Garden
“No poor person is to enter it upon you today.”
68:25
And early they went, resolved in intent.
68:26 the People of the Garden
But when they saw it, they said, “We were wrong.
68:27 the People of the Garden
We are now deprived.”
68:28 Allah
The most reasonable of them said, “Did I not say to you, ‘if only you would glorify?’”
68:29 the People of the Garden
They said, “Glory to our Lord—We were indeed in the wrong.”
68:30
Then they turned to one another, blaming one another.
68:31
They said, “Woe to us—we were indeed domineering.
68:32 the People of the Garden
Perhaps our Lord will give us a better substitute for it. We are turning to our Lord.”
When Our Verses are recited to him, he says, “Myths of the ancients!”
— Allah 68:15
Without any reservation.
— Allah 68:18
“Go early to your plantation, if you are going to harvest.”
— the People of the Garden 68:22
“No poor person is to enter it upon you today.”
— the People of the Garden 68:24
But when they saw it, they said, “We were wrong.
— the People of the Garden 68:26
We are now deprived.”
— the People of the Garden 68:27
The most reasonable of them said, “Did I not say to you, ‘if only you would glorify?’”
— Allah 68:28
They said, “Glory to our Lord—We were indeed in the wrong.”
— the People of the Garden 68:29
Perhaps our Lord will give us a better substitute for it. We are turning to our Lord.”
— the People of the Garden 68:32
Gardens of Pleasure: Cultivating the Seeds of Righteousness
BelieversDisbelieversMuhammadPolytheists
68:34
For the righteous are Gardens of Delight with their Lord.
68:35
Shall We treat the Muslims like the villains?
68:36
What is the matter with you? How do you judge?
68:37
Or do you have a scripture in which you study.
68:38
Wherein there is whatever you choose?
68:39
Or do you have oaths from Us, binding until the Day of Resurrection, that you will have whatever you demand?
68:40
Ask them, which of them will guarantee that.
68:41 Unknown
Or do they have partners? Then let them produce their partners, if they are truthful.
68:42
On the Day when the Shin will be exposed, and they will be called to bow down, but they will be unable.
68:43
Their eyes subdued, shame will cover them. They were invited to bow down when they were sound.
68:44
So leave Me to those who reject this discourse; We will proceed against them gradually, from where they do not know.
Or do they have partners? Then let them produce their partners, if they are truthful.
— Unknown 68:41
The Debt of Exploitation: A Call to Generosity
DisbelieversMuhammadYunus
68:46
Or do you ask them for a fee, so they are burdened with debt?
68:47
Or do they know the future, and so they write it down?
68:48
So wait patiently for the Decision of your Lord, and do not be like the Fellow of the Fish who cried out in despair.
68:49
Were it not for his Lord’s favor that reached him, he would have been thrown into the wilderness, fully despised.
68:50
But his Lord chose him, and made him one of the righteous.
68:51 Disbelievers
Those who disbelieve almost stab you with their glances when they hear the message, and say, “He is crazy!”
Those who disbelieve almost stab you with their glances when they hear the message, and say, “He is crazy!”
— Disbelievers 68:51
Sayyid Qutb Sayyid Qutb | Literary & Scene Correspondent 1906–1966 CE Musha, Egypt → Cairo → Colorado, USA → Cairo
Divine Address
When Our Verses are recited to him, he says, “Myths of the ancients!”
68:15
In 68:15 the disbeliever’s reaction—calling the Qur’an “legends of the former peoples”—highlights a fatal attitude: treating divine guidance as mere folklore. Classical scholars such as Ibn Kathir exp
Without any reservation.
68:18
The verse addresses those who, having received the Book, are devoutly devoted yet ‘do not make any exception’. In Islamic thought, this consistency reflects the virtue of *taqwa* (God-consciousness) a
The most reasonable of them said, “Did I not say to you, ‘if only you would glorify?’”
68:28
The verse records the Prophet’s admonition to the moderate—those who balance humility and gratitude. Exaltation (ta'azzul) is not mere repetition; it is a conscious, heartfelt acknowledgement of Allah
Imam al-Ghazali Imam al-Ghazali | Editor-in-Chief 1058–1111 CE Tus, Iran → Baghdad → Damascus → Jerusalem
The Opposition Desk
Disbelievers
“Those who disbelieve almost stab you with their glances when they hear the message, and say, “He is crazy!””
68:51
Steadfast Amidst Mockery
Sayyid Abul A'la Maududi Sayyid Abul A'la Maududi | Power & Governance Analyst 1903–1979 CE Aurangabad, India → Lahore, Pakistan
Character Dossier
Disbelievers
group
Total mentions: 1145 In sura: 25 Dominant need: Transcendence
esteem
0
safety
0
physiological
0
transcendence
10
belonging love
0.2
self actualization
0.5
Companions of Paradise parallel 1 verses
First: Sura 1 · Last: Sura 113 · 94 suras
Allah
spiritual entity
Total mentions: 4187 In sura: 21 Dominant need: Transcendence
esteem
1.2
safety
3.2
physiological
0
transcendence
10
belonging love
1.0
self actualization
0.9
When Our Verses are recited to him, he says, “Myths of the ancients!”
68:15
Without any reservation.
68:18
The most reasonable of them said, “Did I not say to you, ‘if only you would glorify?’”
68:28
Yunus divine election 2 verses
Companions of Paradise repentance and hope 4 verses
First: Sura 1 · Last: Sura 114 · 112 suras
Companions of Paradise
group
Total mentions: 20 In sura: 16 Dominant need: Safety
esteem
0
safety
10
physiological
0
transcendence
10
belonging love
10
self actualization
5.0
Disbelievers parallel 1 verses
Allah repentance and hope 4 verses
First: Sura 7 · Last: Sura 68 · 2 suras
Total characters in this sura: 7
Ibn Arabi Ibn Arabi | Character Profiler & Unseen Bureau Chief 1165–1240 CE Murcia, Spain → Damascus, Syria
Faction Map
Disbelievers group 25 Allah spiritual entity 21 Companions of Paradise group 16 Muhammad prophet 12 Yunus prophet 3 Believers group 2 Polytheists group 1
Allah Yunus divine_election
Disbelievers Companions of Paradise parallel
Allah Companions of Paradise repentance_and_hope
Muhammad Yunus cautionary_parallel
7 characters · 4 relationships
Sayyid Abul A'la Maududi Sayyid Abul A'la Maududi | Power & Governance Analyst 1903–1979 CE Aurangabad, India → Lahore, Pakistan
Audio Edition
52 segments
Allah: 3 Unknown: 1 Narrator: 41 Disbelievers: 1 the People of the Garden: 6
68:1 Narrator Noon. By the pen, and by what they inscribe.
68:2 Narrator By the grace of your Lord, you are not insane.
68:3 Narrator In fact, you will have a reward that will never end.
68:4 Narrator And you are of a great moral character.
68:5 Narrator You will see, and they will see.
68:6 Narrator Which of you is the afflicted.
68:7 Narrator Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best the well-guided.
68:8 Narrator So do not obey the deniers.
68:9 Narrator They would like you to compromise, so they would compromise.
68:10 Narrator And do not obey any vile swearer.
Shaykh Hamza Yusuf Shaykh Hamza Yusuf | Reader Engagement Editor b. 1958 CE Washington, USA → Zaytuna College, California
Editorial
FaithWorshipGuidanceKnowledgeAfterlife
Echoing the Prophet's Call to Praise
The verse records the Prophet’s admonition to the moderate—those who balance humility and gratitude. Exaltation (ta'azzul) is not mere repetition; it is a conscious, heartfelt acknowledgement of Allah’s attributes, a means of purifying the soul and aligning the heart with divine reality. Classical scholars such as Al‑Ghazali in *Ihyaʾ al‑ʿUlūm al‑Dīn* and Ibn al‑Qayyim in *Maʿrifa al‑Aḥkām* emphasize that praise cultivates humility, gratitude, and a steady awareness of dependence on Allah. In Sufi thought, tasbih is a vehicle for *taḥammul*—the inner surrender that transforms the believer into a living vessel of divine mercy. By praising consistently, we keep the heart from wandering into arrogance, and we open the doors of barakah, as the Qur’an repeatedly associates *taqabbul* with remembrance. Thus, the verse reminds us that the most moderate are those who keep Allah at the center of their consciousness, not merely in ritual but in every breath. 68:28
Gardens of Pleasure: Cultivating the Seeds of Righteousness
The Gardens of Pleasure (Jannah) are not merely a distant reward but a reflection of the inner state of the righteous (al‑muttaqoon) who fear Allah and live in constant remembrance of Him. In 68:34, the Qur’an links the concept of gardens—rich, fragrant, and eternal—to those who practice *taqwa* (God‑consciousness). Scholars like Ibn al‑Qayyim affirm that such gardens are both physical and metaphysical, symbolizing the soul’s blossoming when it aligns with divine guidance. Al‑Ghazali, in his *Ihya’ Ulum al‑Din*, describes the righteous as those who *tadabbara* (reflect) on Allah’s signs, turning every action into a seed that, if nurtured, yields a perpetual garden. Thus, the verse invites believers to view each righteous act as a planting, urging continuous cultivation through sincerity (*ikhlas*), remembrance (*dhikr*), and consistent good deeds. By internalizing this imagery, a Muslim transforms the abstract promise of paradise into a lived experience of spiritual growth, making the gardens not just a reward but a daily reality of faith. 68:34
The Unshakable Test of Alleged Partners
Shirk, the act of attributing partners to Allah, is the gravest sin in Islam. In 68:41, the Qur’an directly confronts those who proclaim companionship with the Divine, demanding they bring proof of their claim. The verse serves as both a warning and a test: if the alleged partners were truly partners, they would be accountable and their truth would be evident. Yet, no being can share Allah’s essence; the Qur’an repeatedly affirms His absolute oneness—"La ilaha illallah"—and the impossibility of any partnership. Scholars such as Ibn Taymiyyah have emphasized that the Qur’an’s challenge to bring partners is a rhetorical device to expose the absurdity of shirk, not a literal invitation to an actual partnership. By confronting false claims, the verse reinforces the principle that truth is the only partner worthy of worship. It reminds believers that faith must be grounded in evidence, not in the words of others, and that Tawheed is a living reality to be tested daily. The verse also reflects the Qur’an’s pedagogical method: it does not merely condemn but invites reflection, ensuring that believers scrutinize any notion that could compromise their monotheistic creed. 68:41
When the Shin Unfolds: The Call to Prostration
The letter "shīn" (ش) appears in Surah Al-Qamar as a divine sign that the Day of Judgment has arrived. Scholars such as Ibn Kathir note that the unfolding of this letter is a cosmic marker that the world is humbled before Allah’s decree. The verse pairs this sign with an invitation to prostration—"sajdah"—the ultimate act of submission, which disbelievers cannot perform. This juxtaposition reminds us that true worship is not merely ritual; it is an involuntary, heartfelt response to God’s majesty. The inability of the disbelievers to prostrate underscores the futility of denying the divine call, while the invitation to believers serves as a call to readiness and humility. In light of this, our daily prostrations should be viewed as a living testimony of our acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty, lest we become like those who perform outward acts without inner conviction. 68:42
Anchored in Allah’s Firm Plan
The verse ‘Wa‑ʾaʿṭanāhā waqtan’ reminds us that God grants us time, but His plan remains unaltered. In Islamic thought, this duality embodies the balance between divine decree (qadar) and human responsibility (amal). Scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah emphasize that while humans must strive, the ultimate outcome is Allah’s will. Patience (sabr) becomes the bridge that connects effort with divine timing. By internalizing this verse, we learn to let go of the illusion that we can outrun God’s schedule, and instead, we cultivate a steadfast trust that aligns our actions with the cosmic order. This trust does not negate effort; rather, it transforms effort into a sincere act of worship, knowing that every step is guided by a firm plan. 68:45
Based on 5 verses
Imam Malik Imam Malik | Medina Bureau Chief 711–795 CE Medina, Arabia
Word of the Edition
Faith
Appears 48 times (17.1% of themes)
280 total tag instances in this edition
Faith
48
Guidance
28
Prophets
23
Creation
20
Afterlife
18
Knowledge
18
Community
18
Accountability
17
Worship
16
Patience
12
Mercy
12
Justice
9
Repentance
8
Unity
7
Gratitude
6
Humility
6
Charity
5
Provision
4
Covenant
3
Family
2
68:1 The Sacred Pen: Writing Our Path to Accountability
68:2 Reassurance of the Righteous Mind
68:3 Eternal Gratification: The Promise of...
Muhammad Asad Muhammad Asad | Arabic Linguistics Consultant 1900–1992 CE Lviv, Austria-Hungary → Arabia → Pakistan → Spain
Cross-Edition References
1, Ayah 6 18 citations The Sacred Pen: Writing Our Path to Accountability
2:6 18 citations The Sacred Pen: Writing Our Path to Accountability Edition 2
2:7 18 citations The Sacred Pen: Writing Our Path to Accountability Edition 2
2, Ayah 8 18 citations The Sacred Pen: Writing Our Path to Accountability
2:65 7 citations Eternal Gratification: The Promise of Uninterrupted Reward Edition 2
2:76 7 citations Eternal Gratification: The Promise of Uninterrupted Reward Edition 2
2:87 7 citations Eternal Gratification: The Promise of Uninterrupted Reward Edition 2
2:104 7 citations Eternal Gratification: The Promise of Uninterrupted Reward Edition 2
1:1 7 citations Echoing the Prophet's Call to Praise Edition 1
1:2 7 citations Echoing the Prophet's Call to Praise Edition 1
1:3 7 citations Echoing the Prophet's Call to Praise Edition 1
1:4 7 citations Echoing the Prophet's Call to Praise Edition 1
2:3 3 citations The Humble Confession of the Sinner Edition 2
2:11 3 citations The Humble Confession of the Sinner Edition 2
Sura:2:14 3 citations The Humble Confession of the Sinner
20 total cross-references
Imam al-Tabari Imam al-Tabari | Senior Correspondent & Bureau Historian 839–923 CE Amol, Iran → Baghdad, Iraq
Reader Action
Daily Actions
Before each significant act today, pause and recite 'SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar' to remind yourself of the Prophet’s exhortation to continuously exalt Him. 68:28
Today, for every act of kindness, prayer, or sincere intention, consciously imagine a garden sprouting in your heart—let this image guide your actions toward righteousness. 68:34
When you hear someone claim to have partners of Allah, pause and respond with this verse as a gentle challenge, inviting them to bring evidence of truth. 68:41
Weekly Challenge
Praise Path: 7‑Day Attribute Journal. 1. Each day, select a different divine attribute (e.g., Ar‑Rahman, Al‑Malik, Al‑Karim, Al‑Wali). 2. In the morning, noon, and evening, write at least three heartfelt praises for that attribute. 3. At the end of the week, review your entries, noting any shifts in gratitude, humility, or awareness of Allah’s presence. Outcome: Count the total praises and reflect on how this practice altered your mindset and daily interactions. 68:28
Duas
O Allah, keep my heart ever mindful of Your greatness so that I may never forget to exalt You. Grant me sincere remembrance in every breath and action, and make my praise a source of mercy for me and for those around me. 68:28
O Allah, you promised gardens for the righteous; open my heart so that my deeds become seeds that flourish into gardens of pleasure. Grant me sincerity, steadfastness, and the humility to grow in Your love. 68:34
Reflection
When have I allowed my thoughts to drift away from praising Allah, and how did that affect my actions and mindset?
When I performed a task today, did I feel the garden of joy blooming, or did I merely act out of duty? How can I nurture this inner garden consistently amid daily distractions?
Tariq Ramadan Tariq Ramadan | Community Action Editor b. 1962 CE Geneva, Switzerland
The Revelation Transcript
1 Noon. By the pen, and by what they inscribe. 2 By the grace of your Lord, you are not insane. 3 In fact, you will have a reward that will never end. 4 And you are of a great moral character. 5 You will see, and they will see. 6 Which of you is the afflicted. 7 Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best the well-guided. 8 So do not obey the deniers. 9 They would like you to compromise, so they would compromise. 10 And do not obey any vile swearer. 11 Backbiter, spreader of slander. 12 Preventer of good, transgressor, sinner. 13 Rude and fake besides. 14 Just because he has money and children. 15 When Our Verses are recited to him, he says, “Myths of the ancients!” [Allah] 16 We will brand him on the muzzle. 17 We tested them, as We tested the owners of the garden, when they vowed to harvest it in the morning. 18 Without any reservation. [Allah] 19 But a calamity from your Lord went around it while they slept. 20 And in the morning it was as if picked. 21 In the morning, they called to one another. 22 “Go early to your plantation, if you are going to harvest.” [the People of the Garden] 23 So off they went, murmuring to one another. 24 “No poor person is to enter it upon you today.” [the People of the Garden] 25 And early they went, resolved in intent. 26 But when they saw it, they said, “We were wrong. [the People of the Garden] 27 We are now deprived.” [the People of the Garden] 28 The most reasonable of them said, “Did I not say to you, ‘if only you would glorify?’” [Allah] 29 They said, “Glory to our Lord—We were indeed in the wrong.” [the People of the Garden] 30 Then they turned to one another, blaming one another. 31 They said, “Woe to us—we were indeed domineering. 32 Perhaps our Lord will give us a better substitute for it. We are turning to our Lord.” [the People of the Garden] 33 Such is the punishment; but the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew. 34 For the righteous are Gardens of Delight with their Lord. 35 Shall We treat the Muslims like the villains? 36 What is the matter with you? How do you judge? 37 Or do you have a scripture in which you study. 38 Wherein there is whatever you choose? 39 Or do you have oaths from Us, binding until the Day of Resurrection, that you will have whatever you demand? 40 Ask them, which of them will guarantee that. 41 Or do they have partners? Then let them produce their partners, if they are truthful. [Unknown] 42 On the Day when the Shin will be exposed, and they will be called to bow down, but they will be unable. 43 Their eyes subdued, shame will cover them. They were invited to bow down when they were sound. 44 So leave Me to those who reject this discourse; We will proceed against them gradually, from where they do not know. 45 And I will give them respite. My plan is firm. 46 Or do you ask them for a fee, so they are burdened with debt? 47 Or do they know the future, and so they write it down? 48 So wait patiently for the Decision of your Lord, and do not be like the Fellow of the Fish who cried out in despair. 49 Were it not for his Lord’s favor that reached him, he would have been thrown into the wilderness, fully despised. 50 But his Lord chose him, and made him one of the righteous. 51 Those who disbelieve almost stab you with their glances when they hear the message, and say, “He is crazy!” [Disbelievers] 52 But it is no less than a reminder to all the Worlds.
52 verses
Imam Malik Imam Malik | Medina Bureau Chief 711–795 CE Medina, Arabia