Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali, Muhammad Muhsin Khan — 565

68:17 17. Verily, We have tried them as We tried the people of the garden, when they swore to pluck the fruits of the (garden) in the morning,

68:18 18. Without saying: Inshâ’ Allâh (If Allâh wills).

68:19 19. Then there passed by on the (garden) a visitation (fire) from your Lord at night and burnt it while they were asleep.

68:20 20. So the (garden) became black by the morning, like a pitch dark night (in complete ruins).

68:21 21. Then they called out one to another as soon as the morning broke.

68:22 22. Saying: "Go to your tilth in the morning, if you would pluck the fruits."

68:23 23. So they departed, conversing in secret low tones (saying):

68:24 24. "No Miskîn (poor man) shall enter upon you into it today."

68:25 25. And they went in the morning with strong intention, thinking that they have power (to prevent the poor taking anything of the fruits therefrom).

68:26 26. But when they saw the (garden), they said: "Verily, we have gone astray."

68:27 27. (Then they said): "Nay! Indeed we are deprived of (the fruits)!"

68:28 28. The best among them said: "Did I not tell you: why say you not: Inshâ’ Allâh (If Allâh wills)."

68:29 29. They said: "Glory to Our Lord! Verily, we have been Zâlimûn (wrong-doers)."

68:30 30. Then they turned one against another, blaming.

68:31 31. They said: "Woe to us! Verily, we were Tâghûn (transgressors and disobedient)

68:32 32. We hope that our Lord will give us in exchange a better (garden) than this. Truly, we turn to our Lord (wishing for good that He may forgive our sins and reward us in the Hereafter).

68:33 33. Such is the punishment (in this life), but truly, the punishment of the Hereafter is greater if they but knew.

68:34 34. Verily, for the Muttaqûn (the pious - See V.2:2) are Gardens of delight (Paradise) with their Lord.

68:35 35. Shall We then treat the Muslims (believers of Islamic Monotheism, doers of righteous deeds) like the Mujrimûn (criminals, polytheists and disbelievers, etc.)?

68:36 36. What is the matter with you? How judge you?

68:37 37. Or have you a Book wherein you learn,

68:38 38. That you shall therein have all that you choose?

68:39 39. Or have you oaths from Us, reaching to the Day of Resurrection, that yours will be what you judge?

68:40 40. Ask them, which of them will stand surety for that!

68:41 41. Or have they "partners"? Then let them bring their "partners" if they are truthful!

68:42 42. (Remember) the Day when the Shin[2] shall be laid bare (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) and they shall be called to prostrate themselves (to Allâh), but they (hypocrites) shall not be able to do so.