The garden owners: A plan without sharing

In the Surah Al-Qalam, the decision of the owners of a garden to harvest their crops early in the morning is recounted. They finalize their plans without mentioning the will of God. While they are sleeping at night, a disaster strikes the garden. When morning comes, the appearance of the garden has changed, but the owners are not yet aware of it.

They wake each other up early and call for the harvest. As they set out, they whisper to one another, desiring that no poor person enters upon them that day. They are confident in their ability to carry out their plans. Thus, it is understood that they resolved not only to harvest the crops but also to exclude those in need.

Upon seeing the garden, they first think that they have lost their way; then they realize that they are the ones who have been deprived. The most moderate among them asks if he had not previously reminded them that they should glorify God. Thereupon, they declare their Lord free from imperfections and admit that they have committed injustice.

After they begin to blame one another, they express that they have crossed the limits. They hope that their Lord will give them something better in exchange and state that they have turned to Him. The Quran does not state in this section that the garden was immediately returned. The story recounts the disruption of a plan that excluded others, the realization of the wrong, and the re-turning to God.