Qaf Verse 18

not a word does a person utter without having a ˹vigilant˺ observer ready ˹to write it down˺.[[ The angel to the right records the good deeds of each person, while the one to the left records every evil deed. They always accompany the person at all times, except when one uses the toilet or is intimate with their spouse. ]] 

Not a single word he utters but there is with him a vigilant watcher, ready [to record it].

not a word he utters, but by him is an observer ready.

he does not utter a single word without an ever-present watcher.

Not a word he uttereth but there is with him a watcher ready.

Not a word does he utter but there is a sentinel by him, ready (to note it).

He utters not a word, but there is a vigilant watcher at hand.

There is not a word he utters but an observer is ready (to make note of it).

He does not utter a single word, without a ready recorder seated next to him.

he says no word but that there is a ready observer beside him.

Not a word does he utter but there is a watcher by him, ever-present.

He utters not a word but (it is noted down by) a guardian (angel of his who) stands ready by his side (to record his words).

Nothing emits/vocalizes from a word except at Him (is a) prepared/made ready observer/guard .

He does not utter a single word, without a ready recorder seated next to him.

He utters not a word but there is by him a watcher (sentinel, one who censors) at hand.

Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).

When the two receivers receive, sitting on the right and on the left,

He utters not a word but there is by him a watcher at hand.

He uttereth no word but there is with him an observer ready.

The human being will certainly experience the agony of death

whatever phrase he utters, an observer is present.

Not a word does he (or she) utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).

each word he utters shall be noted down by a vigilant guardian.

Not a word does he utter, but there is a watcher by him, ready.

he does not utter a word but that there is beside him a watcher, a guardian, [who is] ready, present (both [raqbun, `watcher', and `atdun, `ready'] are meant to indicate the dual).

مَا يَلْفِظُ

whatever he utters,

(in reference to the human),

مِن قَوْلٍ

of a word,

means any word that he or she speaks,

إِلاَّ لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ



but there is a watcher by him ready.

means, but there is a scribe whose job is to record it, leaving no word or movement unrecorded.

Allah the Exalted said,

وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ لَحَـفِظِينَ

كِرَاماً كَـتِبِينَ

يَعْلَمُونَ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ

But verily, over you (are appointed angels) to watch you, Kiraman (honorable) Katibin writing down (your deeds), they know all that you do. (82;10-12)

Therefore, the scribe records every word that is spoken, according to the explanation of Al-Hasan and Qatadah.

This is also the apparent meaning of this Ayah.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Bilal bin Al-Harith Al-Muzani said,

"The Messenger of Allah said,

إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَتَكَلَّمُ بِالْكَلِمَةِ مِنْ رِضْوَانِ اللهِ تَعَالَى مَا يَظُنُّ أَنْ تَبْلُغَ مَا بَلَغَتْ يَكْتُبُ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَهُ بِهَا رِضْوَانَهُ إِلَى يَوْمِ يَلْقَاهُ

وَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَتَكَلَّمُ بِالْكَلِمَةِ مِنْ سَخَطِ اللهِ تَعَالَى مَا يَظُنُّ أَنْ تَبْلُغَ مَا بَلَغَتْ يَكْتُبُ اللهُ تَعَالَى عَلَيْهِ بِهَا سَخَطَهُ إِلَى يَوْمِ يَلْقَاه

Verily, a man might utter a word that pleases Allah the Exalted, unaware of how highly it will be regarded, and on its account Allah the Exalted and Most Honored decrees His pleasure of him until the Day he meets Him.

A man might indeed utter a word that angers Allah the Exalted, unaware of how dreadful it will be and on its account Allah the Exalted decrees for him His anger until the Day he meets Him."

Alqamah used to say,

"How many words did I not utter because of the Hadith that Bilal bin Al-Harith narrated."

At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah collected this Hadith. At-Tirmidhi said, "Hasan Sahih."

There is a Hadith similar to this in the Sahih.
Reminding Mankind of the Stupor of Death, the Blast of the Trumpet and the Day of Gathering

Allah the Exalted and Most High said,

وَجَاءتْ سَكْرَةُ الْمَوْتِ بِالْحَقِّ ذَلِكَ مَا كُنتَ مِنْهُ تَحِيدُ