Surah 20 of 114 · Makki · 135 ayat
Taha طه
Ta-Ha
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ طه
PickthallTa. Ha.
Yusuf AliTa-Ha.
The agreed readingṬā Hā — two disconnected letters, whose meaning the commentaries leave with God and do not undertake to settle.
مَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِتَشْقَىٰٓ
PickthallWe have not revealed unto thee (Muhammad) this Qur'an that thou shouldst be distressed,
Yusuf AliWe have not sent down the Qur'an to thee to be (an occasion) for thy distress,
The agreed readingWe have not sent the Recitation down to you to make you wretched — the commentaries read it against the long nights of standing in prayer, and note that the Book was not sent to break the one carrying it.
إِلَّا تَذْكِرَةً لِّمَن يَخْشَىٰ
PickthallBut as a reminder unto him who feareth,
Yusuf AliBut only as an admonition to those who fear (Allah),-
The agreed readingBut as a reminder for whoever fears God. The commentaries note who the Book is said to work on: not everyone who hears it, but the one in whom there is already some fear to be reminded.
تَنزِيلًا مِّمَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ ٱلْعُلَى
PickthallA revelation from Him Who created the earth and the high heavens,
Yusuf AliA revelation from Him Who created the earth and the heavens on high.
The agreed readingSent down from the One who created the earth and the high heavens. The commentaries note that the sender is described by what He made, so that the weight of the Book is taken from the weight of its source.
ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱسْتَوَىٰ
PickthallThe Beneficent One, Who is established on the Throne.
Yusuf Ali(Allah) Most Gracious is firmly established on the throne (of authority).
The agreed readingThe Compassionate, established over the Throne — and the commentaries are one in refusing any bodily sense to the word, each saying only what does not reduce Him to a thing seated.
لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَمَا تَحْتَ ٱلثَّرَىٰ
PickthallUnto Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, and whatsoever is between them, and whatsoever is beneath the sod.
Yusuf AliTo Him belongs what is in the heavens and on earth, and all between them, and all beneath the soil.
The agreed readingTo Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth and whatever is between them and whatever is under the soil.
وَإِن تَجْهَرْ بِٱلْقَوْلِ فَإِنَّهُۥ يَعْلَمُ ٱلسِّرَّ وَأَخْفَى
PickthallAnd if thou speakest aloud, then lo! He knoweth the secret (thought) and (that which is yet) more hidden.
Yusuf AliIf thou pronounce the word aloud, (it is no matter): for verily He knoweth what is secret and what is yet more hidden.
The agreed readingAnd if you speak aloud — He knows the secret, and what is more hidden than the secret. The commentaries note that speaking aloud is not needed for Him to hear, since what is below hearing is already known.
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ لَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ
PickthallAllah! There is no Allah save Him. His are the most beautiful names.
Yusuf AliAllah! there is no god but He! To Him belong the most Beautiful Names.
The agreed readingGod — there is no god but He. To Him belong the most beautiful names. The commentaries note that the denial of any other comes first, and the names are given to Him after nothing is left beside Him.
وَهَلْ أَتَىٰكَ حَدِيثُ مُوسَىٰٓ
PickthallHath there come unto thee the story of Moses?
Yusuf AliHas the story of Moses reached thee?
The agreed readingAnd has the account of Moses come to you? The commentaries read the question as an opening rather than an enquiry, and as consolation: what is about to be told happened to a messenger before him.
إِذْ رَءَا نَارًا فَقَالَ لِأَهْلِهِ ٱمْكُثُوٓا۟ إِنِّىٓ ءَانَسْتُ نَارًا لَّعَلِّىٓ ءَاتِيكُم مِّنْهَا بِقَبَسٍ أَوْ أَجِدُ عَلَى ٱلنَّارِ هُدًى
PickthallWhen he saw a fire and said unto his folk: Lo! Wait! I see a fire afar off. Peradventure I may bring you a brand therefrom or may find guidance at the fire.
Yusuf AliBehold, he saw a fire: So he said to his family, "Tarry ye; I perceive a fire; perhaps I can bring you some burning brand therefrom, or find some guidance at the fire."
The agreed readingWhen he saw a fire and said to his family: stay here; I have seen a fire. Perhaps I will bring you a brand from it, or find guidance at the fire. The commentaries note what he was looking for — warmth and the way — and what he was given instead.
فَلَمَّآ أَتَىٰهَا نُودِىَ يَٰمُوسَىٰٓ
PickthallAnd when he reached it, he was called by name: O Moses!
Yusuf AliBut when he came to the fire, a voice was heard: "O Moses!
The agreed readingSo when he came to it, he was called: Moses. The commentaries note that he went towards a fire for an ordinary need and was answered by his own name.
إِنِّىٓ أَنَا۠ رَبُّكَ فَٱخْلَعْ نَعْلَيْكَ إِنَّكَ بِٱلْوَادِ ٱلْمُقَدَّسِ طُوًى
PickthallLo! I, even I, am thy Lord, So take off thy shoes, for lo! thou art in the holy valley of Tuwa.
Yusuf Ali"Verily I am thy Lord! therefore (in My presence) put off thy shoes: thou art in the sacred valley Tuwa.
The agreed readingI am your Lord, so take off your sandals. You are in the holy valley of Ṭuwā — the sandals coming off, as the commentaries gloss it, for the ground he was standing on.
وَأَنَا ٱخْتَرْتُكَ فَٱسْتَمِعْ لِمَا يُوحَىٰٓ
PickthallAnd I have chosen thee, so hearken unto that which is inspired.
Yusuf Ali"I have chosen thee: listen, then, to the inspiration (sent to thee).
The agreed readingAnd I have chosen you, so listen to what is being revealed. The commentaries note that the choosing is stated as already done, before anything is asked of him.
إِنَّنِىٓ أَنَا ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدْنِى وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِذِكْرِىٓ
PickthallLo! I, even I, am Allah, There is no Allah save Me. So serve Me and establish worship for My remembrance.
Yusuf Ali"Verily, I am Allah: There is no god but I: So serve thou Me (only), and establish regular prayer for celebrating My praise.
The agreed readingI am God. There is no god but I. So serve Me, and establish the prayer for My remembrance. The commentaries note that the first command given after the naming is the prayer, and the reason given for it is remembrance.
إِنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ ءَاتِيَةٌ أَكَادُ أُخْفِيهَا لِتُجْزَىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍۭ بِمَا تَسْعَىٰ
PickthallLo! the Hour is surely coming. But I will to keep it hidden, that every soul may be rewarded for that which it striveth (to achieve).
Yusuf Ali"Verily the Hour is coming - My design is to keep it hidden - for every soul to receive its reward by the measure of its Endeavour.
The agreed readingThe Hour is coming — I keep it all but hidden — so that every soul may be repaid for what it strives at. The commentaries take the hiding as the condition of the striving: an hour that could be counted down to would be prepared for rather than lived towards.
فَلَا يَصُدَّنَّكَ عَنْهَا مَن لَّا يُؤْمِنُ بِهَا وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ فَتَرْدَىٰ
PickthallTherefor, let not him turn thee aside from (the thought of) it who believeth not therein but followeth his own desire, lest thou perish.
Yusuf Ali"Therefore let not such as believe not therein but follow their own lusts, divert thee therefrom, lest thou perish!"..
The agreed readingSo do not let one who does not believe in it and follows his own desire turn you away from it, or you will be ruined.
وَمَا تِلْكَ بِيَمِينِكَ يَٰمُوسَىٰ
PickthallAnd what is that in thy right hand, O Moses?
Yusuf Ali"And what is that in the right hand, O Moses?"
The agreed readingAnd what is that in your right hand, Moses? The commentaries read the question as put not for information but to fix his attention on the ordinary thing he was holding, before it was made a sign.
قَالَ هِىَ عَصَاىَ أَتَوَكَّؤُا۟ عَلَيْهَا وَأَهُشُّ بِهَا عَلَىٰ غَنَمِى وَلِىَ فِيهَا مَـَٔارِبُ أُخْرَىٰ
PickthallHe said: This is my staff whereon I lean, and wherewith I bear down branches for my sheep, and wherein I find other uses.
Yusuf AliHe said, "It is my rod: on it I lean; with it I beat down fodder for my flocks; and in it I find other uses."
The agreed readingHe said: it is my staff. I lean on it, and I beat down leaves with it for my sheep, and I have other uses for it. The commentaries note the length of the answer to a question that needed one word, and read it as a man talking on because of who is asking.
قَالَ أَلْقِهَا يَٰمُوسَىٰ
PickthallHe said: Cast it down, O Moses!
Yusuf Ali(Allah) said, "Throw it, O Moses!"
The agreed readingHe said: throw it down, Moses — and the commentaries note that nothing is explained to him first; he is told only to let go of what he was leaning on.
فَأَلْقَىٰهَا فَإِذَا هِىَ حَيَّةٌ تَسْعَىٰ
PickthallSo he cast it down, and lo! it was a serpent, gliding.
Yusuf AliHe threw it, and behold! It was a snake, active in motion.
The agreed readingSo he threw it down, and there it was, a snake, moving fast — glossed as a great serpent, moving with the speed of something running.
قَالَ خُذْهَا وَلَا تَخَفْ سَنُعِيدُهَا سِيرَتَهَا ٱلْأُولَىٰ
PickthallHe said: Grasp it and fear not. We shall return it to its former state.
Yusuf Ali(Allah) said, "Seize it, and fear not: We shall return it at once to its former condition"..
The agreed readingHe said: take hold of it, and do not fear. We will return it to what it was. The commentaries note the order of the two commands: the taking hold comes before the fear is answered.
وَٱضْمُمْ يَدَكَ إِلَىٰ جَنَاحِكَ تَخْرُجْ بَيْضَآءَ مِنْ غَيْرِ سُوٓءٍ ءَايَةً أُخْرَىٰ
PickthallAnd thrust thy hand within thine armpit, it will come forth white without hurt. (That will be) another token.
Yusuf Ali"Now draw thy hand close to thy side: It shall come forth white (and shining), without harm (or stain),- as another Sign,-
The agreed readingAnd draw your hand to your side: it will come out white, without harm — another sign. The commentaries gloss the harmlessness as the whiteness being no disease.
لِنُرِيَكَ مِنْ ءَايَٰتِنَا ٱلْكُبْرَى
PickthallThat We may show thee (some) of Our greater portents,
Yusuf Ali"In order that We may show thee (two) of our Greater Signs.
The agreed readingSo that We may show you some of Our greatest signs. The commentaries attach the clause back to both signs together, the staff and the hand, as two of a larger number.
ٱذْهَبْ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُۥ طَغَىٰ
PickthallGo thou unto Pharaoh! Lo! he hath transgressed (the bounds).
Yusuf Ali"Go thou to Pharaoh, for he has indeed transgressed all bounds."
The agreed readingGo to Pharaoh. He has gone beyond all bounds — the errand is given in one line, and the commentaries note that the reason given is not what Pharaoh had done to Moses but what he had become.
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱشْرَحْ لِى صَدْرِى
Pickthall(Moses) said: My Lord! relieve my mind
Yusuf Ali(Moses) said: "O my Lord! expand me my breast;
The agreed readingHe said: my Lord, open up my breast for me — glossed as a widening to carry what has just been laid on him.
وَيَسِّرْ لِىٓ أَمْرِى
PickthallAnd ease my task for me;
Yusuf Ali"Ease my task for me;
The agreed readingAnd make my task easy for me — the commentaries note that he does not ask for the task to be smaller, only for it to be made passable.
وَٱحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِى
PickthallAnd loose a knot from my tongue,
Yusuf Ali"And remove the impediment from my speech,
The agreed readingAnd loosen a knot from my tongue — a knot, as the commentaries have it, of speech, so that what he says can be followed.
يَفْقَهُوا۟ قَوْلِى
PickthallThat they may understand my saying.
Yusuf Ali"So they may understand what I say:
The agreed readingso that they may understand what I say. The commentaries note the reason attached to the third request: it is asked for the sake of the hearers, not for his own ease in speaking.
وَٱجْعَل لِّى وَزِيرًا مِّنْ أَهْلِى
PickthallAppoint for me a henchman from my folk,
Yusuf Ali"And give me a Minister from my family,
The agreed readingAnd appoint for me a helper from my own family. The commentaries note that the help asked for is named before the person is, so the request is for the office and not the man.
هَٰرُونَ أَخِى
PickthallAaron, my brother.
Yusuf Ali"Aaron, my brother;
The agreed readingAaron, my brother. The commentaries note the naming, coming after the office has been asked for, and that the whole of the request is answered in the next breath.
ٱشْدُدْ بِهِۦٓ أَزْرِى
PickthallConfirm my strength with him
Yusuf Ali"Add to my strength through him,
The agreed readingStrengthen my back with him — the commentaries gloss the word as the part of a man that carries the load.
وَأَشْرِكْهُ فِىٓ أَمْرِى
PickthallAnd let him share my task,
Yusuf Ali"And make him share my task:
The agreed readingAnd let him share in my task — and the commentaries note what is being asked to be shared: the errand itself, not the help with it.
كَىْ نُسَبِّحَكَ كَثِيرًا
PickthallThat we may glorify Thee much
Yusuf Ali"That we may celebrate Thy praise without stint,
The agreed readingSo that we may glorify You much — the reason given for the whole request, and the commentaries note it is put in the plural from here on.
وَنَذْكُرَكَ كَثِيرًا
PickthallAnd much remember Thee.
Yusuf Ali"And remember Thee without stint:
The agreed readingAnd remember You much. The commentaries note that the two purposes he names for wanting help are both about God and neither about the load.
إِنَّكَ كُنتَ بِنَا بَصِيرًا
PickthallLo! Thou art ever Seeing us.
Yusuf Ali"For Thou art He that (ever) regardeth us."
The agreed readingYou have always been watching us. The commentaries note where the supplication ends: not on what he needs, but on what God already is towards him.
قَالَ قَدْ أُوتِيتَ سُؤْلَكَ يَٰمُوسَىٰ
PickthallHe said: Thou art granted thy request, O Moses.
Yusuf Ali(Allah) said: "Granted is thy prayer, O Moses!"
The agreed readingHe said: you have been given what you asked for, Moses. The commentaries note that the whole run of requests is granted in one sentence and without conditions.
وَلَقَدْ مَنَنَّا عَلَيْكَ مَرَّةً أُخْرَىٰٓ
PickthallAnd indeed, another time, already We have shown thee favour,
Yusuf Ali"And indeed We conferred a favour on thee another time (before).
The agreed readingAnd We had already shown you favour another time — the commentaries note that the granting is followed at once by a reminder of an earlier granting he had not asked for.
إِذْ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمِّكَ مَا يُوحَىٰٓ
PickthallWhen we inspired in thy mother that which is inspired,
Yusuf Ali"Behold! We sent to thy mother, by inspiration, the message:
The agreed readingWhen We revealed to your mother what was revealed. The commentaries gloss the revealing to her as something put into her, by a dream or by a certainty, rather than a message brought.
أَنِ ٱقْذِفِيهِ فِى ٱلتَّابُوتِ فَٱقْذِفِيهِ فِى ٱلْيَمِّ فَلْيُلْقِهِ ٱلْيَمُّ بِٱلسَّاحِلِ يَأْخُذْهُ عَدُوٌّ لِّى وَعَدُوٌّ لَّهُۥ وَأَلْقَيْتُ عَلَيْكَ مَحَبَّةً مِّنِّى وَلِتُصْنَعَ عَلَىٰ عَيْنِىٓ
PickthallSaying: Throw him into the ark, and throw it into the river, then the river shall throw it on to the bank, and there an enemy to Me and an enemy to him shall take him. And I endued thee with love from Me that thou mightest be trained according to My will,
Yusuf Ali"'Throw (the child) into the chest, and throw (the chest) into the river: the river will cast him up on the bank, and he will be taken up by one who is an enemy to Me and an enemy to him': But I cast (the garment of) love over thee from Me: and (this) in order that thou mayest be reared under Mine eye.
The agreed readingput him in the chest and put it into the river, and the river will throw it onto the bank, and an enemy of Mine and an enemy of his will take him up. And I cast love from Myself over you, so that you would be brought up under My eye.
إِذْ تَمْشِىٓ أُخْتُكَ فَتَقُولُ هَلْ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ مَن يَكْفُلُهُۥ فَرَجَعْنَٰكَ إِلَىٰٓ أُمِّكَ كَىْ تَقَرَّ عَيْنُهَا وَلَا تَحْزَنَ وَقَتَلْتَ نَفْسًا فَنَجَّيْنَٰكَ مِنَ ٱلْغَمِّ وَفَتَنَّٰكَ فُتُونًا فَلَبِثْتَ سِنِينَ فِىٓ أَهْلِ مَدْيَنَ ثُمَّ جِئْتَ عَلَىٰ قَدَرٍ يَٰمُوسَىٰ
PickthallWhen thy sister went and said: Shall I show you one who will nurse him? and we restored thee to thy mother that her eyes might be refreshed and might not sorrow. And thou didst kill a man and We delivered thee from great distress, and tried thee with a heavy trial. And thou didst tarry years among the folk of Midian. Then camest thou (hither) by (My) providence, O Moses,
Yusuf Ali"Behold! thy sister goeth forth and saith, 'shall I show you one who will nurse and rear the (child)?' So We brought thee back to thy mother, that her eye might be cooled and she should not grieve. Then thou didst slay a man, but We saved thee from trouble, and We tried thee in various ways. Then didst thou tarry a number of years with the people of Midian. Then didst thou come hither as ordained, O Moses!
The agreed readingWhen your sister was walking along and said: shall I show you someone who will nurse him? So We returned you to your mother, so that her eye might be cooled and she would not grieve. And you killed a man, and We saved you from the distress, and We tested you thoroughly. Then you stayed years among the people of Midian, and then you came, Moses, at a time already set.
وَٱصْطَنَعْتُكَ لِنَفْسِى
PickthallAnd I have attached thee to Myself.
Yusuf Ali"And I have prepared thee for Myself (for service)"..
The agreed readingAnd I have made you for Myself. The commentaries gloss the making as a choosing and a shaping for the errand He was about to give him.
ٱذْهَبْ أَنتَ وَأَخُوكَ بِـَٔايَٰتِى وَلَا تَنِيَا فِى ذِكْرِى
PickthallGo, thou and thy brother, with My tokens, and be not faint in remembrance of Me.
Yusuf Ali"Go, thou and thy brother, with My Signs, and slacken not, either of you, in keeping Me in remembrance.
The agreed readingGo, you and your brother, with My signs, and do not slacken in remembering Me. The commentaries note the one thing they are warned against, which is not fear or failure but letting the remembrance drop.
ٱذْهَبَآ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُۥ طَغَىٰ
PickthallGo, both of you, unto Pharaoh. Lo! he hath transgressed (the bounds).
Yusuf Ali"Go, both of you, to Pharaoh, for he has indeed transgressed all bounds;
The agreed readingGo, the two of you, to Pharaoh. He has gone beyond all bounds — repeated now to both of them, the commentaries note, so the errand is given twice and to each.
فَقُولَا لَهُۥ قَوْلًا لَّيِّنًا لَّعَلَّهُۥ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوْ يَخْشَىٰ
PickthallAnd speak unto him a gentle word, that peradventure he may heed or fear.
Yusuf Ali"But speak to him mildly; perchance he may take warning or fear (Allah)."
The agreed readingAnd speak to him a gentle word; perhaps he will take heed, or fear. The commentaries fix on who is being spoken to and how: the man who claimed to be a lord, and the instruction is gentleness.
قَالَا رَبَّنَآ إِنَّنَا نَخَافُ أَن يَفْرُطَ عَلَيْنَآ أَوْ أَن يَطْغَىٰ
PickthallThey said: Our Lord! Lo! we fear that he may be beforehand with us or that he may play the tyrant.
Yusuf AliThey (Moses and Aaron) said: "Our Lord! We fear lest he hasten with insolence against us, or lest he transgress all bounds."
The agreed readingThey said: our Lord, we fear he will be quick against us, or that he will go too far.
قَالَ لَا تَخَافَآ إِنَّنِى مَعَكُمَآ أَسْمَعُ وَأَرَىٰ
PickthallHe said: Fear not. Lo! I am with you twain, Hearing and Seeing.
Yusuf AliHe said: "Fear not: for I am with you: I hear and see (everything).
The agreed readingHe said: do not fear. I am with the two of you; I hear and I see. The commentaries note that the fear is not argued with, it is answered by presence.
فَأْتِيَاهُ فَقُولَآ إِنَّا رَسُولَا رَبِّكَ فَأَرْسِلْ مَعَنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَلَا تُعَذِّبْهُمْ قَدْ جِئْنَٰكَ بِـَٔايَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكَ وَٱلسَّلَٰمُ عَلَىٰ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ
PickthallSo go ye unto him and say: Lo! we are two messengers of thy Lord. So let the children of Israel go with us, and torment them not. We bring thee a token from thy Lord. And peace will be for him who followeth right guidance.
Yusuf Ali"So go ye both to him, and say, 'Verily we are messengers sent by thy Lord: Send forth, therefore, the Children of Israel with us, and afflict them not: with a Sign, indeed, have we come from thy Lord! and peace to all who follow guidance!
The agreed readingSo go to him and say: we are two messengers of your Lord, so send the Children of Israel with us and do not punish them. We have brought you a sign from your Lord. And peace be on whoever follows the guidance.
إِنَّا قَدْ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْنَآ أَنَّ ٱلْعَذَابَ عَلَىٰ مَن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ
PickthallLo! it hath been revealed unto us that the doom will be for him who denieth and turneth away.
Yusuf Ali"'Verily it has been revealed to us that the Penalty (awaits) those who reject and turn away.'"
The agreed readingIt has been revealed to us that the punishment is on whoever denies and turns away.
قَالَ فَمَن رَّبُّكُمَا يَٰمُوسَىٰ
Pickthall(Pharaoh) said: Who then is the Lord of you twain, O Moses?
Yusuf Ali(When this message was delivered), (Pharaoh) said: "Who, then, O Moses, is the Lord of you two?"
The agreed readingHe said: and who is the Lord of you two, Moses? The commentaries note that the question is addressed to both and answered to one, and that it is asked by a man who claimed the title himself.
قَالَ رَبُّنَا ٱلَّذِىٓ أَعْطَىٰ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلْقَهُۥ ثُمَّ هَدَىٰ
PickthallHe said: Our Lord is He Who gave unto everything its nature, then guided it aright.
Yusuf AliHe said: "Our Lord is He Who gave to each (created) thing its form and nature, and further, gave (it) guidance."
The agreed readingHe said: our Lord is the One who gave everything its created form and then guided it. The commentaries take the answer as pointing at everything Pharaoh could see: each thing made to be what it is, and then shown how to be it.
قَالَ فَمَا بَالُ ٱلْقُرُونِ ٱلْأُولَىٰ
PickthallHe said: What then is the state of the generations of old?
Yusuf Ali(Pharaoh) said: "What then is the condition of previous generations?"
The agreed readingHe said: then what of the generations before? The commentaries read it as an attempt to move the argument onto ground where no answer could be checked.
قَالَ عِلْمُهَا عِندَ رَبِّى فِى كِتَٰبٍ لَّا يَضِلُّ رَبِّى وَلَا يَنسَى
PickthallHe said: The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a Record. My Lord neither erreth nor forgetteth,
Yusuf AliHe replied: "The knowledge of that is with my Lord, duly recorded: my Lord never errs, nor forgets,-
The agreed readingHe said: knowledge of them is with my Lord, in a Book. My Lord does not go astray and does not forget. The commentaries note the answer to a question meant to trip him: he does not claim the knowledge, he names who has it.
ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ مَهْدًا وَسَلَكَ لَكُمْ فِيهَا سُبُلًا وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِۦٓ أَزْوَٰجًا مِّن نَّبَاتٍ شَتَّىٰ
PickthallWho hath appointed the earth as a bed and hath threaded roads for you therein and hath sent down water from the sky and thereby We have brought forth divers kinds of vegetation,
Yusuf Ali"He Who has, made for you the earth like a carpet spread out; has enabled you to go about therein by roads (and channels); and has sent down water from the sky." With it have We produced diverse pairs of plants each separate from the others.
The agreed readingThe One who made the earth a bed for you and threaded paths for you through it, and sent down water from the sky, and We brought out by it kinds of plants in pairs.
كُلُوا۟ وَٱرْعَوْا۟ أَنْعَٰمَكُمْ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلنُّهَىٰ
Pickthall(Saying): Eat ye and feed your cattle. Lo! herein verily are portents for men of thought.
Yusuf AliEat (for yourselves) and pasture your cattle: verily, in this are Signs for men endued with understanding.
The agreed readingEat, and pasture your animals. In that are signs for people who have understanding.
مِنْهَا خَلَقْنَٰكُمْ وَفِيهَا نُعِيدُكُمْ وَمِنْهَا نُخْرِجُكُمْ تَارَةً أُخْرَىٰ
PickthallThereof We created you, and thereunto We return you, and thence We bring you forth a second time.
Yusuf AliFrom the (earth) did We create you, and into it shall We return you, and from it shall We bring you out once again.
The agreed readingFrom it We created you, and into it We return you, and out of it We will bring you a second time. The commentaries note the three movements named in one sentence, all of them to and from the same ground.
وَلَقَدْ أَرَيْنَٰهُ ءَايَٰتِنَا كُلَّهَا فَكَذَّبَ وَأَبَىٰ
PickthallAnd We verily did show him all Our tokens, but he denied them and refused.
Yusuf AliAnd We showed Pharaoh all Our Signs, but he did reject and refuse.
The agreed readingAnd We showed him Our signs, all of them, and he called them lies and refused. The commentaries note the two verbs: the denial, and then the refusal that came after the denial had been made impossible.
قَالَ أَجِئْتَنَا لِتُخْرِجَنَا مِنْ أَرْضِنَا بِسِحْرِكَ يَٰمُوسَىٰ
PickthallHe said: Hast come to drive us out from our land by thy magic, O Moses?
Yusuf AliHe said: "Hast thou come to drive us out of our land with thy magic, O Moses?
The agreed readingHe said: have you come to drive us out of our land with your magic, Moses? The commentaries note what he names as the threat, which is his own rule and not the truth of anything said.
فَلَنَأْتِيَنَّكَ بِسِحْرٍ مِّثْلِهِۦ فَٱجْعَلْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكَ مَوْعِدًا لَّا نُخْلِفُهُۥ نَحْنُ وَلَآ أَنتَ مَكَانًا سُوًى
PickthallBut we surely can produce for thee magic the like thereof; so appoint a tryst between us and you, which neither we nor thou shall fail to keep, at a place convenient (to us both).
Yusuf Ali"But we can surely produce magic to match thine! So make a tryst between us and thee, which we shall not fail to keep - neither we nor thou - in a place where both shall have even chances."
The agreed readingThen we will bring you magic like it. So set a meeting between us and you that neither we nor you will fail, in a place level between us.
قَالَ مَوْعِدُكُمْ يَوْمُ ٱلزِّينَةِ وَأَن يُحْشَرَ ٱلنَّاسُ ضُحًى
Pickthall(Moses) said: Your tryst shall be the day of the feast, and let the people assemble when the sun hath risen high.
Yusuf AliMoses said: "Your tryst is the Day of the Festival, and let the people be assembled when the sun is well up."
The agreed readingHe said: your meeting is the day of the festival, and let the people be gathered in the forenoon. The commentaries note the choosing of the most public day and the brightest hour.
فَتَوَلَّىٰ فِرْعَوْنُ فَجَمَعَ كَيْدَهُۥ ثُمَّ أَتَىٰ
PickthallThen Pharaoh went and gathered his strength, then came (to the appointed tryst).
Yusuf AliSo Pharaoh withdrew: He concerted his plan, and then came (back).
The agreed readingSo Pharaoh withdrew and gathered his scheme together, and then came — the scheme being, as the commentaries gloss it, the magicians themselves and everything they worked with.
قَالَ لَهُم مُّوسَىٰ وَيْلَكُمْ لَا تَفْتَرُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا فَيُسْحِتَكُم بِعَذَابٍ وَقَدْ خَابَ مَنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ
PickthallMoses said unto them: Woe unto you! Invent not a lie against Allah, lest He extirpate you by some punishment. He who lieth faileth miserably.
Yusuf AliMoses said to him: Woe to you! Forge not ye a lie against Allah, lest He destroy you (at once) utterly by chastisement: the forger must suffer frustration!"
The agreed readingMoses said to them: woe to you, do not invent a lie against God, or He will wipe you out with a punishment. Whoever invents has failed.
فَتَنَٰزَعُوٓا۟ أَمْرَهُم بَيْنَهُمْ وَأَسَرُّوا۟ ٱلنَّجْوَىٰ
PickthallThen they debated one with another what they must do, and they kept their counsel secret.
Yusuf AliSo they disputed, one with another, over their affair, but they kept their talk secret.
The agreed readingSo they disputed their affair among themselves, and kept their talk secret. The commentaries note that the dispute began after they heard Moses speak, and before anything had been thrown.
قَالُوٓا۟ إِنْ هَٰذَٰنِ لَسَٰحِرَٰنِ يُرِيدَانِ أَن يُخْرِجَاكُم مِّنْ أَرْضِكُم بِسِحْرِهِمَا وَيَذْهَبَا بِطَرِيقَتِكُمُ ٱلْمُثْلَىٰ
PickthallThey said: Lo! these are two wizards who would drive you out from your country by their magic, and destroy your best traditions;
Yusuf AliThey said: "These two are certainly (expert) magicians: their object is to drive you out from your land with their magic, and to do away with your most cherished institutions.
The agreed readingThey said: these two are magicians who want to drive you out of your land with their magic and do away with your exemplary way of life.
فَأَجْمِعُوا۟ كَيْدَكُمْ ثُمَّ ٱئْتُوا۟ صَفًّا وَقَدْ أَفْلَحَ ٱلْيَوْمَ مَنِ ٱسْتَعْلَىٰ
PickthallSo arrange your plan, and come in battle line. Whoso is uppermost this day will be indeed successful.
Yusuf Ali"Therefore concert your plan, and then assemble in (serried) ranks: He wins (all along) today who gains the upper hand."
The agreed readingSo gather your scheme and come in ranks. Whoever comes out on top today has won.
قَالُوا۟ يَٰمُوسَىٰٓ إِمَّآ أَن تُلْقِىَ وَإِمَّآ أَن نَّكُونَ أَوَّلَ مَنْ أَلْقَىٰ
PickthallThey said: O Moses! Either throw first, or let us be the first to throw?
Yusuf AliThey said: "O Moses! whether wilt thou that thou throw (first) or that we be the first to throw?"
The agreed readingThey said: Moses, either you throw, or we will be the first to throw. The commentaries note the courtesy in the offer, and read it as the first sign that his words had already reached them.
قَالَ بَلْ أَلْقُوا۟ فَإِذَا حِبَالُهُمْ وَعِصِيُّهُمْ يُخَيَّلُ إِلَيْهِ مِن سِحْرِهِمْ أَنَّهَا تَسْعَىٰ
PickthallHe said: Nay, do ye throw! Then lo! their cords and their staves, by their magic, appeared to him as though they ran.
Yusuf AliHe said, "Nay, throw ye first!" Then behold their ropes and their rods-so it seemed to him on account of their magic - began to be in lively motion!
The agreed readingHe said: no — you throw. And there were their ropes and their staffs, made to seem to him by their magic to be moving fast.
فَأَوْجَسَ فِى نَفْسِهِۦ خِيفَةً مُّوسَىٰ
PickthallAnd Moses conceived a fear in his mind.
Yusuf AliSo Moses conceived in his mind a (sort of) fear.
The agreed readingSo Moses felt a fear within himself — a fear, as the commentaries read it, not for himself but that what was thrown would be mistaken by the watching people for what he carried.
قُلْنَا لَا تَخَفْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ
PickthallWe said: Fear not! Lo! thou art the higher.
Yusuf AliWe said: "Fear not! for thou hast indeed the upper hand:
The agreed readingWe said: do not fear. You are the higher. The commentaries note that the outcome is stated to him before it happens, and stated as a fact rather than a promise.
وَأَلْقِ مَا فِى يَمِينِكَ تَلْقَفْ مَا صَنَعُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا صَنَعُوا۟ كَيْدُ سَٰحِرٍ وَلَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلسَّاحِرُ حَيْثُ أَتَىٰ
PickthallThrow that which is in thy right hand! It will eat up that which they have made. Lo! that which they have made is but a wizard's artifice, and a wizard shall not be successful to whatever point (of skill) he may attain.
Yusuf Ali"Throw that which is in thy right hand: Quickly will it swallow up that which they have faked what they have faked is but a magician's trick: and the magician thrives not, (no matter) where he goes."
The agreed readingAnd throw what is in your right hand: it will swallow what they have made. What they have made is only a magician's trick, and the magician does not succeed wherever he goes.
فَأُلْقِىَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ سُجَّدًا قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِرَبِّ هَٰرُونَ وَمُوسَىٰ
PickthallThen the wizards were (all) flung down prostrate, crying: We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses.
Yusuf AliSo the magicians were thrown down to prostration: they said, "We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses".
The agreed readingSo the magicians were thrown down prostrate. They said: we believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses. The commentaries note who understood first: the men who knew exactly what magic can and cannot do.
قَالَ ءَامَنتُمْ لَهُۥ قَبْلَ أَنْ ءَاذَنَ لَكُمْ إِنَّهُۥ لَكَبِيرُكُمُ ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَكُمُ ٱلسِّحْرَ فَلَأُقَطِّعَنَّ أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُم مِّنْ خِلَٰفٍ وَلَأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمْ فِى جُذُوعِ ٱلنَّخْلِ وَلَتَعْلَمُنَّ أَيُّنَآ أَشَدُّ عَذَابًا وَأَبْقَىٰ
Pickthall(Pharaoh) said: Ye put faith in him before I give you leave. Lo! he is your chief who taught you magic. Now surely I shall cut off your hands and your feet alternately, and I shall crucify you on the trunks of palm trees, and ye shall know for certain which of us hath sterner and more lasting punishment.
Yusuf Ali(Pharaoh) said: "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? Surely this must be your leader, who has taught you magic! be sure I will cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, and I will have you crucified on trunks of palm-trees: so shall ye know for certain, which of us can give the more severe and the more lasting punishment!"
The agreed readingHe said: you have believed in him before I gave you leave. He is your chief, who taught you the magic. I will cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you on the trunks of palm-trees, and you will know which of us is harder in punishment and more lasting.
قَالُوا۟ لَن نُّؤْثِرَكَ عَلَىٰ مَا جَآءَنَا مِنَ ٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ وَٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنَا فَٱقْضِ مَآ أَنتَ قَاضٍ إِنَّمَا تَقْضِى هَٰذِهِ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَآ
PickthallThey said: We choose thee not above the clear proofs that have come unto us, and above Him Who created us. So decree what thou wilt decree. Thou wilt end for us only this life of the world.
Yusuf AliThey said: "Never shall we regard thee as more than the Clear Signs that have come to us, or than Him Who created us! so decree whatever thou desirest to decree: for thou canst only decree (touching) the life of this world.
The agreed readingThey said: we will not prefer you over the clear proofs that have come to us, and over the One who created us. So decide whatever you are deciding. You only decide about this present life.
إِنَّآ ءَامَنَّا بِرَبِّنَا لِيَغْفِرَ لَنَا خَطَٰيَٰنَا وَمَآ أَكْرَهْتَنَا عَلَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلسِّحْرِ وَٱللَّهُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰٓ
PickthallLo! we believe in our Lord, that He may forgive us our sins and the magic unto which thou didst force us. Allah is better and more lasting.
Yusuf Ali"For us, we have believed in our Lord: may He forgive us our faults, and the magic to which thou didst compel us: for Allah is Best and Most Abiding."
The agreed readingWe have believed in our Lord, so that He may forgive us our wrongs and the magic you forced on us. And God is better and more lasting.
إِنَّهُۥ مَن يَأْتِ رَبَّهُۥ مُجْرِمًا فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ جَهَنَّمَ لَا يَمُوتُ فِيهَا وَلَا يَحْيَىٰ
PickthallLo! whoso cometh guilty unto his Lord, verily for him is hell. There he will neither die nor live.
Yusuf AliVerily he who comes to his Lord as a sinner (at Judgment),- for him is Hell: therein shall he neither die nor live.
The agreed readingWhoever comes to his Lord guilty — for him is Hell, in which he neither dies nor lives.
وَمَن يَأْتِهِۦ مُؤْمِنًا قَدْ عَمِلَ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمُ ٱلدَّرَجَٰتُ ٱلْعُلَىٰ
PickthallBut whoso cometh unto Him a believer, having done good works, for such are the high stations;
Yusuf AliBut such as come to Him as Believers who have worked righteous deeds,- for them are ranks exalted,-
The agreed readingAnd whoever comes to Him a believer, having done righteous deeds — those are the ones for whom are the highest ranks:
جَنَّٰتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا وَذَٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ
PickthallGardens of Eden underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide for ever. That is the reward of him who groweth.
Yusuf AliGardens of Eternity, beneath which flow rivers: they will dwell therein for aye: such is the reward of those who purify themselves (from evil).
The agreed readinggardens of lasting residence with rivers running beneath them, staying in them. That is the reward of one who purifies himself.
وَلَقَدْ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنْ أَسْرِ بِعِبَادِى فَٱضْرِبْ لَهُمْ طَرِيقًا فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ يَبَسًا لَّا تَخَٰفُ دَرَكًا وَلَا تَخْشَىٰ
PickthallAnd verily We inspired Moses, saying: Take away My slaves by night and strike for them a dry path in the sea, fearing not to be overtaken, neither being afraid (of the sea).
Yusuf AliWe sent an inspiration to Moses: "Travel by night with My servants, and strike a dry path for them through the sea, without fear of being overtaken (by Pharaoh) and without (any other) fear."
The agreed readingAnd We revealed to Moses: travel by night with My servants, and strike for them a dry path through the sea, not fearing being overtaken and not afraid.
فَأَتْبَعَهُمْ فِرْعَوْنُ بِجُنُودِهِۦ فَغَشِيَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْيَمِّ مَا غَشِيَهُمْ
PickthallThen Pharaoh followed them with his hosts and there covered them that which did cover them of the sea.
Yusuf AliThen Pharaoh pursued them with his forces, but the waters completely overwhelmed them and covered them up.
The agreed readingSo Pharaoh followed them with his forces, and there covered them from the sea what covered them. The commentaries note the wording that refuses to describe it, and read the refusal as the point.
وَأَضَلَّ فِرْعَوْنُ قَوْمَهُۥ وَمَا هَدَىٰ
PickthallAnd Pharaoh led his folk astray, he did not guide them.
Yusuf AliPharaoh led his people astray instead of leading them aright.
The agreed readingAnd Pharaoh led his people astray, and did not guide them. The commentaries note the sentence placed immediately after the drowning: what he had claimed to be for them is measured by where he brought them.
يَٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ قَدْ أَنجَيْنَٰكُم مِّنْ عَدُوِّكُمْ وَوَٰعَدْنَٰكُمْ جَانِبَ ٱلطُّورِ ٱلْأَيْمَنَ وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَنَّ وَٱلسَّلْوَىٰ
PickthallO Children of Israel! We delivered you from your enemy, and we made a covenant with you on the holy mountain's side, and sent down on you the manna and the quails,
Yusuf AliO ye Children of Israel! We delivered you from your enemy, and We made a Covenant with you on the right side of Mount (Sinai), and We sent down to you Manna and quails:
The agreed readingChildren of Israel, We saved you from your enemy, and We made an appointment with you on the right side of the Mount, and We sent down on you the manna and the quails.
كُلُوا۟ مِن طَيِّبَٰتِ مَا رَزَقْنَٰكُمْ وَلَا تَطْغَوْا۟ فِيهِ فَيَحِلَّ عَلَيْكُمْ غَضَبِى وَمَن يَحْلِلْ عَلَيْهِ غَضَبِى فَقَدْ هَوَىٰ
Pickthall(Saying): Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and transgress not in respect thereof lest My wrath come upon you: and he on whom My wrath cometh, he is lost indeed.
Yusuf Ali(Saying): "Eat of the good things We have provided for your sustenance, but commit no excess therein, lest My Wrath should justly descend on you: and those on whom descends My Wrath do perish indeed!
The agreed readingEat of the good things We have provided you, and do not go beyond bounds in it, or My anger will fall on you. And whoever My anger falls on has fallen.
وَإِنِّى لَغَفَّارٌ لِّمَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحًا ثُمَّ ٱهْتَدَىٰ
PickthallAnd lo! verily I am Forgiving toward him who repenteth and believeth and doeth good, and afterward walketh aright.
Yusuf Ali"But, without doubt, I am (also) He that forgives again and again, to those who repent, believe, and do right, who,- in fine, are ready to receive true guidance."
The agreed readingAnd I am ever Forgiving to whoever turns back and believes and does righteous work, and then keeps to the guidance. The commentaries note the fourth condition, which is the one that lasts.
وَمَآ أَعْجَلَكَ عَن قَوْمِكَ يَٰمُوسَىٰ
PickthallAnd (it was said): What hath made thee hasten from thy folk, O Moses?
Yusuf Ali(When Moses was up on the Mount, Allah said:) "What made thee hasten in advance of thy people, O Moses?"
The agreed readingAnd what made you hurry ahead of your people, Moses? The commentaries note that the question is asked of a man hurrying towards God, and it is still asked.
قَالَ هُمْ أُو۟لَآءِ عَلَىٰٓ أَثَرِى وَعَجِلْتُ إِلَيْكَ رَبِّ لِتَرْضَىٰ
PickthallHe said: They are close upon my track. I hastened unto Thee, my Lord, that Thou mightest be well pleased.
Yusuf AliHe replied: "Behold, they are close on my footsteps: I hastened to thee, O my Lord, to please thee."
The agreed readingHe said: they are close behind me. And I hurried to You, my Lord, so that You would be pleased.
قَالَ فَإِنَّا قَدْ فَتَنَّا قَوْمَكَ مِنۢ بَعْدِكَ وَأَضَلَّهُمُ ٱلسَّامِرِىُّ
PickthallHe said: Lo! We have tried thy folk in thine absence, and As-Samiri hath misled them.
Yusuf Ali(Allah) said: "We have tested thy people in thy absence: the Samiri has led them astray."
The agreed readingHe said: We have tested your people after you, and the Sāmirī has led them astray.
فَرَجَعَ مُوسَىٰٓ إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ غَضْبَٰنَ أَسِفًا قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ أَلَمْ يَعِدْكُمْ رَبُّكُمْ وَعْدًا حَسَنًا أَفَطَالَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْعَهْدُ أَمْ أَرَدتُّمْ أَن يَحِلَّ عَلَيْكُمْ غَضَبٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ فَأَخْلَفْتُم مَّوْعِدِى
PickthallThen Moses went back unto his folk, angry and sad. He said: O my people! Hath not your Lord promised you a fair promise? Did the time appointed then appear too long for you, or did ye wish that wrath from your Lord should come upon you, that ye broke tryst with me?
Yusuf AliSo Moses returned to his people in a state of indignation and sorrow. He said: "O my people! did not your Lord make a handsome promise to you? Did then the promise seem to you long (in coming)? Or did ye desire that Wrath should descend from your Lord on you, and so ye broke your promise to me?"
The agreed readingSo Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved. He said: my people, did your Lord not make you a good promise? Did the covenant seem long to you, or did you want anger from your Lord to fall on you, that you broke your promise to me?
قَالُوا۟ مَآ أَخْلَفْنَا مَوْعِدَكَ بِمَلْكِنَا وَلَٰكِنَّا حُمِّلْنَآ أَوْزَارًا مِّن زِينَةِ ٱلْقَوْمِ فَقَذَفْنَٰهَا فَكَذَٰلِكَ أَلْقَى ٱلسَّامِرِىُّ
PickthallThey said: We broke not tryst with thee of our own will, but we were laden with burdens of ornaments of the folk, then cast them (in the fire), for thus As-Samiri proposed.
Yusuf AliThey said: "We broke not the promise to thee, as far as lay in our power: but we were made to carry the weight of the ornaments of the (whole) people, and we threw them (into the fire), and that was what the Samiri suggested.
The agreed readingThey said: we did not break the promise to you of our own will, but we were made to carry loads of the people's ornaments, so we threw them in — and so did the Sāmirī.
فَأَخْرَجَ لَهُمْ عِجْلًا جَسَدًا لَّهُۥ خُوَارٌ فَقَالُوا۟ هَٰذَآ إِلَٰهُكُمْ وَإِلَٰهُ مُوسَىٰ فَنَسِىَ
PickthallThen he produced for them a calf, of saffron hue, which gave forth a lowing sound. And they cried: This is your god and the god of Moses, but he hath forgotten.
Yusuf Ali"Then he brought out (of the fire) before the (people) the image of a calf: It seemed to low: so they said: This is your god, and the god of Moses, but (Moses) has forgotten!"
The agreed readingThen he brought out for them a calf, a body that made a lowing sound. And they said: this is your god and the god of Moses, and he has forgotten.
أَفَلَا يَرَوْنَ أَلَّا يَرْجِعُ إِلَيْهِمْ قَوْلًا وَلَا يَمْلِكُ لَهُمْ ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا
PickthallSee they not, then, that it returneth no saying unto them and possesseth for them neither hurt nor use?
Yusuf AliCould they not see that it could not return them a word (for answer), and that it had no power either to harm them or to do them good?
The agreed readingDid they not see that it returned them no word and had no power to harm them or help them? The commentaries take the two tests as the plainest available: it cannot speak, and it cannot act.
وَلَقَدْ قَالَ لَهُمْ هَٰرُونُ مِن قَبْلُ يَٰقَوْمِ إِنَّمَا فُتِنتُم بِهِۦ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى وَأَطِيعُوٓا۟ أَمْرِى
PickthallAnd Aaron indeed had told them beforehand: O my people! Ye are but being seduced therewith, for lo! your Lord is the Beneficent, so follow me and obey my order.
Yusuf AliAaron had already, before this said to them: "O my people! ye are being tested in this: for verily your Lord is (Allah) Most Gracious; so follow me and obey my command."
The agreed readingAnd Aaron had said to them before: my people, you are only being tested by it. Your Lord is the Compassionate, so follow me and obey my command.
قَالُوا۟ لَن نَّبْرَحَ عَلَيْهِ عَٰكِفِينَ حَتَّىٰ يَرْجِعَ إِلَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ
PickthallThey said: We shall by no means cease to be its votaries till Moses return unto us.
Yusuf AliThey had said: "We will not abandon this cult, but we will devote ourselves to it until Moses returns to us."
The agreed readingThey said: we will not stop devoting ourselves to it until Moses comes back to us.
قَالَ يَٰهَٰرُونُ مَا مَنَعَكَ إِذْ رَأَيْتَهُمْ ضَلُّوٓا۟
PickthallHe (Moses) said: O Aaron! What held thee back when thou didst see them gone astray,
Yusuf Ali(Moses) said: "O Aaron! what kept thee back, when thou sawest them going wrong,
The agreed readingHe said: Aaron, what stopped you, when you saw them going astray — the commentaries note that Moses turns first to the brother he had asked for, and not to the people.
أَلَّا تَتَّبِعَنِ أَفَعَصَيْتَ أَمْرِى
PickthallThat thou followedst me not? Hast thou then disobeyed my order?
Yusuf Ali"From following me? Didst thou then disobey my order?"
The agreed readingFrom following me? Did you then disobey my command? The commentaries read the charge as being about the leaving rather than the calf: he should have come after him.
قَالَ يَبْنَؤُمَّ لَا تَأْخُذْ بِلِحْيَتِى وَلَا بِرَأْسِىٓ إِنِّى خَشِيتُ أَن تَقُولَ فَرَّقْتَ بَيْنَ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَلَمْ تَرْقُبْ قَوْلِى
PickthallHe said: O son of my mother! Clutch not my beard nor my head! I feared lest thou shouldst say: Thou hast caused division among the Children of Israel, and hast not waited for my word.
Yusuf Ali(Aaron) replied: "O son of my mother! Seize (me) not by my beard nor by (the hair of) my head! Truly I feared lest thou shouldst say, 'Thou has caused a division among the children of Israel, and thou didst not respect my word!'"
The agreed readingHe said: son of my mother, do not seize my beard or my head. I feared you would say: you have divided the Children of Israel and did not wait for my word. The commentaries note the appeal made first: not to his authority but to their one mother.
قَالَ فَمَا خَطْبُكَ يَٰسَٰمِرِىُّ
Pickthall(Moses) said: And what hast thou to say, O Samiri?
Yusuf Ali(Moses) said: "What then is thy case, O Samiri?"
The agreed readingHe said: and what was your case, Sāmirī? The commentaries note that he is asked to speak for himself, after both the people and Aaron have spoken.
قَالَ بَصُرْتُ بِمَا لَمْ يَبْصُرُوا۟ بِهِۦ فَقَبَضْتُ قَبْضَةً مِّنْ أَثَرِ ٱلرَّسُولِ فَنَبَذْتُهَا وَكَذَٰلِكَ سَوَّلَتْ لِى نَفْسِى
PickthallHe said: I perceived what they perceive not, so I seized a handful from the footsteps of the messenger, and then threw it in. Thus my soul commended to me.
Yusuf AliHe replied: "I saw what they saw not: so I took a handful (of dust) from the footprint of the Messenger, and threw it (into the calf): thus did my soul suggest to me."
The agreed readingHe said: I saw what they did not see, and I took a handful from the track of the messenger and threw it in. So my soul made it seem good to me.
قَالَ فَٱذْهَبْ فَإِنَّ لَكَ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ أَن تَقُولَ لَا مِسَاسَ وَإِنَّ لَكَ مَوْعِدًا لَّن تُخْلَفَهُۥ وَٱنظُرْ إِلَىٰٓ إِلَٰهِكَ ٱلَّذِى ظَلْتَ عَلَيْهِ عَاكِفًا لَّنُحَرِّقَنَّهُۥ ثُمَّ لَنَنسِفَنَّهُۥ فِى ٱلْيَمِّ نَسْفًا
Pickthall(Moses) said: Then go! and lo! in this life it is for thee to say: Touch me not! and lo! there is for thee a tryst thou canst not break. Now look upon thy god of which thou hast remained a votary. Verily we will burn it and will scatter its dust over the sea.
Yusuf Ali(Moses) said: "Get thee gone! but thy (punishment) in this life will be that thou wilt say, 'touch me not'; and moreover (for a future penalty) thou hast a promise that will not fail: Now look at thy god, of whom thou hast become a devoted worshipper: We will certainly (melt) it in a blazing fire and scatter it broadcast in the sea!"
The agreed readingHe said: then go. It is yours in this life to say: do not touch me. And you have an appointment you will not fail to keep. And look at your god that you stayed devoted to: we will burn it and scatter it in the sea, scattered.
إِنَّمَآ إِلَٰهُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَسِعَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ عِلْمًا
PickthallYour Allah is only Allah, than Whom there is no other Allah. He embraceth all things in His knowledge.
Yusuf AliBut the god of you all is the One Allah: there is no god but He: all things He comprehends in His knowledge.
The agreed readingYour God is only God, other than whom there is no god. He takes in everything in knowledge.
كَذَٰلِكَ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَآءِ مَا قَدْ سَبَقَ وَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَٰكَ مِن لَّدُنَّا ذِكْرًا
PickthallThus relate We unto thee (Muhammad) some tidings of that which happened of old, and We have given thee from Our presence a reminder.
Yusuf AliThus do We relate to thee some stories of what happened before: for We have sent thee a Message from Our own Presence.
The agreed readingSo We relate to you some accounts of what has already gone by. And We have given you a reminder from Ourselves.
مَّنْ أَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ فَإِنَّهُۥ يَحْمِلُ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ وِزْرًا
PickthallWhoso turneth away from it, he verily will bear a burden on the Day of Resurrection,
Yusuf AliIf any do turn away therefrom, verily they will bear a burden on the Day of judgment;
The agreed readingWhoever turns away from it will carry a burden on the Day of Resurrection — a burden, as the commentaries gloss it, that is the weight of what turning away came to.
خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهِ وَسَآءَ لَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ حِمْلًا
PickthallAbiding under it - an evil burden for them on the Day of Resurrection,
Yusuf AliThey will abide in this (state): and grievous will the burden be to them on that Day,-
The agreed readingStaying under it — and an evil load it is for them on the Day of Resurrection. The commentaries note that the staying is under the burden itself, so what was carried becomes the place.
يَوْمَ يُنفَخُ فِى ٱلصُّورِ وَنَحْشُرُ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ يَوْمَئِذٍ زُرْقًا
PickthallThe day when the Trumpet is blown. On that day we assemble the guilty white-eyed (with terror),
Yusuf AliThe Day when the Trumpet will be sounded: that Day, We shall gather the sinful, blear-eyed (with terror).
The agreed readingThe Day the Trumpet is blown, and We gather the guilty on that Day with their eyes turned pale.
يَتَخَٰفَتُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ إِن لَّبِثْتُمْ إِلَّا عَشْرًا
PickthallMurmuring among themselves: Ye have tarried but ten (days).
Yusuf AliIn whispers will they consult each other: "Yet tarried not longer than ten (Days);
The agreed readingWhispering among themselves: you stayed only ten. The commentaries note the whispering, and read the shortening of the count as what the whole of a life looks like from the far end of it.
نَّحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ إِذْ يَقُولُ أَمْثَلُهُمْ طَرِيقَةً إِن لَّبِثْتُمْ إِلَّا يَوْمًا
PickthallWe are Best Aware of what they utter when their best in conduct say: Ye have tarried but a day.
Yusuf AliWe know best what they will say, when their leader most eminent in conduct will say: "Ye tarried not longer than a day!"
The agreed readingWe know best what they say, when the most exemplary of them says: you stayed only a day. The commentaries note that both estimates are wrong and both are short: what was long while it was lived shrinks the moment it is over.
وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْجِبَالِ فَقُلْ يَنسِفُهَا رَبِّى نَسْفًا
PickthallThey will ask thee of the mountains (on that day). Say: My Lord will break them into scattered dust.
Yusuf AliThey ask thee concerning the Mountains: say, "My Lord will uproot them and scatter them as dust;
The agreed readingAnd they ask you about the mountains. Say: my Lord will scatter them into dust. The commentaries note that the question was about the most permanent thing they knew, and it is answered in five words.
فَيَذَرُهَا قَاعًا صَفْصَفًا
PickthallAnd leave it as an empty plain,
Yusuf Ali"He will leave them as plains smooth and level;
The agreed readingAnd leave it a level plain — glossed as ground spread flat and even, with nothing standing on it.
لَّا تَرَىٰ فِيهَا عِوَجًا وَلَآ أَمْتًا
PickthallWherein thou seest neither curve nor ruggedness.
Yusuf Ali"Nothing crooked or curved wilt thou see in their place."
The agreed readingin which you will see no dip and no rise. The commentaries gloss the two words as the low ground and the high, so that nothing of the landscape is left to tell one place from another.
يَوْمَئِذٍ يَتَّبِعُونَ ٱلدَّاعِىَ لَا عِوَجَ لَهُۥ وَخَشَعَتِ ٱلْأَصْوَاتُ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ فَلَا تَسْمَعُ إِلَّا هَمْسًا
PickthallOn that day they follow the summoner who deceiveth not, and voices are hushed for the Beneficent, and thou hearest but a faint murmur.
Yusuf AliOn that Day will they follow the Caller (straight): no crookedness (can they show) him: all sounds shall humble themselves in the Presence of (Allah) Most Gracious: nothing shalt thou hear but the tramp of their feet (as they march).
The agreed readingOn that Day they follow the caller, with no swerving from him, and voices are hushed before the Compassionate, and you hear nothing but a faint sound.
يَوْمَئِذٍ لَّا تَنفَعُ ٱلشَّفَٰعَةُ إِلَّا مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ وَرَضِىَ لَهُۥ قَوْلًا
PickthallOn that day no intercession availeth save (that of) him unto whom the Beneficent hath given leave and whose word He accepteth.
Yusuf AliOn that Day shall no intercession avail except for those for whom permission has been granted by (Allah) Most Gracious and whose word is acceptable to Him.
The agreed readingOn that Day intercession is of no use, except from one whom the Compassionate has given leave and whose word He is pleased with.
يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِهِۦ عِلْمًا
PickthallHe knoweth (all) that is before them and (all) that is behind them, while they cannot compass it in knowledge.
Yusuf AliHe knows what (appears to His creatures as) before or after or behind them: but they shall not compass it with their knowledge.
The agreed readingHe knows what is in front of them and what is behind them, and they do not take Him in with knowledge.
وَعَنَتِ ٱلْوُجُوهُ لِلْحَىِّ ٱلْقَيُّومِ وَقَدْ خَابَ مَنْ حَمَلَ ظُلْمًا
PickthallAnd faces humble themselves before the Living, the Eternal. And he who beareth (a burden of) wrongdoing is indeed a failure (on that day).
Yusuf Ali(All) faces shall be humbled before (Him) - the Living, the Self-Subsisting, Eternal: hopeless indeed will be the man that carries iniquity (on his back).
The agreed readingAnd faces are humbled before the Living, the One who sustains Himself and sustains everything else. And whoever carries a wrong has failed.
وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَا يَخَافُ ظُلْمًا وَلَا هَضْمًا
PickthallAnd he who hath done some good works, being a believer, he feareth not injustice nor begrudging (of his wage).
Yusuf AliBut he who works deeds of righteousness, and has faith, will have no fear of harm nor of any curtailment (of what is his due).
The agreed readingAnd whoever does righteous deeds, being a believer, fears no wrong and no shortchanging — the commentaries gloss the two as nothing added to his bad deeds and nothing taken from his good ones.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ قُرْءَانًا عَرَبِيًّا وَصَرَّفْنَا فِيهِ مِنَ ٱلْوَعِيدِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ أَوْ يُحْدِثُ لَهُمْ ذِكْرًا
PickthallThus we have revealed it as a Lecture in Arabic, and have displayed therein certain threats, that peradventure they may keep from evil or that it may cause them to take heed.
Yusuf AliThus have We sent this down - an arabic Qur'an - and explained therein in detail some of the warnings, in order that they may fear Allah, or that it may cause their remembrance (of Him).
The agreed readingAnd so We have sent it down as an Arabic Recitation, and turned about in it something of the warning, so that they may guard themselves, or it may stir up a remembrance in them.
فَتَعَٰلَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْحَقُّ وَلَا تَعْجَلْ بِٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُقْضَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ وَحْيُهُۥ وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْمًا
PickthallThen exalted be Allah, the True King! And hasten not (O Muhammad) with the Qur'an ere its revelation hath been perfected unto thee, and say: My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.
Yusuf AliHigh above all is Allah, the King, the Truth! Be not in haste with the Qur'an before its revelation to thee is completed, but say, "O my Lord! advance me in knowledge."
The agreed readingSo high above all is God, the True King. And do not hurry with the Recitation before its revelation to you is finished, and say: my Lord, increase me in knowledge.
وَلَقَدْ عَهِدْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ ءَادَمَ مِن قَبْلُ فَنَسِىَ وَلَمْ نَجِدْ لَهُۥ عَزْمًا
PickthallAnd verily We made a covenant of old with Adam, but he forgot, and We found no constancy in him.
Yusuf AliWe had already, beforehand, taken the covenant of Adam, but he forgot: and We found on his part no firm resolve.
The agreed readingAnd We had made a covenant with Adam before, and he forgot, and We found in him no firm resolve.
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِـَٔادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ
PickthallAnd when We said unto the angels: Fall prostrate before Adam, they fell prostrate (all) save Iblis; he refused.
Yusuf AliWhen We said to the angels, "Prostrate yourselves to Adam", they prostrated themselves, but not Iblis: he refused.
The agreed readingAnd when We said to the angels: prostrate to Adam — and they prostrated, except Iblis; he refused.
فَقُلْنَا يَٰٓـَٔادَمُ إِنَّ هَٰذَا عَدُوٌّ لَّكَ وَلِزَوْجِكَ فَلَا يُخْرِجَنَّكُمَا مِنَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ فَتَشْقَىٰٓ
PickthallTherefor we said: O Adam! This is an enemy unto thee and unto thy wife, so let him not drive you both out of the Garden so that thou come to toil.
Yusuf AliThen We said: "O Adam! verily, this is an enemy to thee and thy wife: so let him not get you both out of the Garden, so that thou art landed in misery.
The agreed readingSo We said: Adam, this is an enemy to you and to your wife - Iblis - so do not let him drive you both out of the Garden and bring you to hardship. The hardship named is the labour of living outside it: tilling, sowing and reaping for every meal.
إِنَّ لَكَ أَلَّا تَجُوعَ فِيهَا وَلَا تَعْرَىٰ
PickthallIt is (vouchsafed) unto thee that thou hungerest not therein nor art naked,
Yusuf Ali"There is therein (enough provision) for thee not to go hungry nor to go naked,
The agreed readingIt is yours that you will not go hungry in it, and will not be naked. The commentaries note that the guarantee is given as a possession before it is lost.
وَأَنَّكَ لَا تَظْمَؤُا۟ فِيهَا وَلَا تَضْحَىٰ
PickthallAnd that thou thirstest not therein nor art exposed to the sun's heat.
Yusuf Ali"Nor to suffer from thirst, nor from the sun's heat."
The agreed readingand that you will not thirst in it, and will not be scorched by the sun. The commentaries note the four wants named, and that all four are the plain costs of being outside.
فَوَسْوَسَ إِلَيْهِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ قَالَ يَٰٓـَٔادَمُ هَلْ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَىٰ شَجَرَةِ ٱلْخُلْدِ وَمُلْكٍ لَّا يَبْلَىٰ
PickthallBut the devil whispered to him, saying: O Adam! Shall I show thee the tree of immortality and power that wasteth not away?
Yusuf AliBut Satan whispered evil to him: he said, "O Adam! shall I lead thee to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that never decays?"
The agreed readingThen Satan whispered to him. He said: Adam, shall I show you the tree of everlasting life and a kingdom that does not wear out? The commentaries note what the offer was built on: the two things a man cannot keep.
فَأَكَلَا مِنْهَا فَبَدَتْ لَهُمَا سَوْءَٰتُهُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخْصِفَانِ عَلَيْهِمَا مِن وَرَقِ ٱلْجَنَّةِ وَعَصَىٰٓ ءَادَمُ رَبَّهُۥ فَغَوَىٰ
PickthallThen they twain ate thereof, so that their shame became apparent unto them, and they began to hide by heaping on themselves some of the leaves of the Garden. And Adam disobeyed his Lord, so went astray.
Yusuf AliIn the result, they both ate of the tree, and so their nakedness appeared to them: they began to sew together, for their covering, leaves from the Garden: thus did Adam disobey his Lord, and allow himself to be seduced.
The agreed readingSo the two of them ate from it, and their nakedness became apparent to them, and they began to stitch over themselves leaves of the Garden. And Adam disobeyed his Lord, and went wrong.
ثُمَّ ٱجْتَبَٰهُ رَبُّهُۥ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ وَهَدَىٰ
PickthallThen his Lord chose him, and relented toward him, and guided him.
Yusuf AliBut his Lord chose him (for His Grace): He turned to him, and gave him Guidance.
The agreed readingThen his Lord chose him, and turned to him, and guided him. The commentaries note the order: he is chosen first, and the turning follows the choosing rather than earning it.
قَالَ ٱهْبِطَا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًۢا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّى هُدًى فَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ هُدَاىَ فَلَا يَضِلُّ وَلَا يَشْقَىٰ
PickthallHe said: Go down hence, both of you, one of you a foe unto the other. But when there come unto you from Me a guidance, then whoso followeth My guidance, he will not go astray nor come to grief.
Yusuf AliHe said: "Get ye down, both of you,- all together, from the Garden, with enmity one to another: but if, as is sure, there comes to you Guidance from Me, whosoever follows My Guidance, will not lose his way, nor fall into misery.
The agreed readingHe said: go down from it, both of you together, some of you an enemy to others. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance will not go astray and will not come to grief.
وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَن ذِكْرِى فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ مَعِيشَةً ضَنكًا وَنَحْشُرُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ أَعْمَىٰ
PickthallBut he who turneth away from remembrance of Me, his will be a narrow life, and I shall bring him blind to the assembly on the Day of Resurrection.
Yusuf Ali"But whosoever turns away from My Message, verily for him is a life narrowed down, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment."
The agreed readingAnd whoever turns away from My remembrance — his life will be a straitened one, and We will gather him blind on the Day of Resurrection.
قَالَ رَبِّ لِمَ حَشَرْتَنِىٓ أَعْمَىٰ وَقَدْ كُنتُ بَصِيرًا
PickthallHe will say: My Lord! Wherefor hast Thou gathered me (hither) blind, when I was wont to see?
Yusuf AliHe will say: "O my Lord! why hast Thou raised me up blind, while I had sight (before)?"
The agreed readingHe will say: my Lord, why have You gathered me blind, when I used to see? The commentaries note that the complaint is about sight, from a man who had it and did not use it.
قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ أَتَتْكَ ءَايَٰتُنَا فَنَسِيتَهَا وَكَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ تُنسَىٰ
PickthallHe will say: So (it must be). Our revelations came unto thee but thou didst forget them. In like manner thou art forgotten this Day.
Yusuf Ali(Allah) will say: "Thus didst Thou, when Our Signs came unto thee, disregard them: so wilt thou, this day, be disregarded."
The agreed readingHe will say: so it is. Our signs came to you and you forgot them, and so today you are forgotten.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى مَنْ أَسْرَفَ وَلَمْ يُؤْمِنۢ بِـَٔايَٰتِ رَبِّهِۦ وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَشَدُّ وَأَبْقَىٰٓ
PickthallThus do We reward him who is prodigal and believeth not the revelations of his Lord; and verily the doom of the Hereafter will be sterner and more lasting.
Yusuf AliAnd thus do We recompense him who transgresses beyond bounds and believes not in the Signs of his Lord: and the Penalty of the Hereafter is far more grievous and more enduring.
The agreed readingAnd so We repay whoever goes to excess and does not believe in the signs of his Lord. And the punishment of the Hereafter is harder and more lasting.
أَفَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِى مَسَٰكِنِهِمْ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلنُّهَىٰ
PickthallIs it not a guidance for them (to know) how many a generation We destroyed before them, amid whose dwellings they walk? Lo! therein verily are signs for men of thought.
Yusuf AliIs it not a warning to such men (to call to mind) how many generations before them We destroyed, in whose haunts they (now) move? Verily, in this are Signs for men endued with understanding.
The agreed readingHas it not shown them the way — how many generations before them We destroyed, in whose dwellings they now walk about? In that are signs for people who have understanding.
وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَكَانَ لِزَامًا وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى
PickthallAnd but for a decree that had already gone forth from thy Lord, and a term already fixed, the judgment would have been inevitable (in this world).
Yusuf AliHad it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord, (their punishment) must necessarily have come; but there is a Term appointed (for respite).
The agreed readingAnd were it not for a word that had already gone out from your Lord, and a term already named, it would have been bound to come.
فَٱصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ ٱلشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ غُرُوبِهَا وَمِنْ ءَانَآئِ ٱلَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْ وَأَطْرَافَ ٱلنَّهَارِ لَعَلَّكَ تَرْضَىٰ
PickthallTherefor (O Muhammad), bear with what they say, and celebrate the praise of thy Lord ere the rising of the sun and ere the going down thereof. And glorify Him some hours of the night and at the two ends of the day, that thou mayst find acceptance.
Yusuf AliTherefore be patient with what they say, and celebrate (constantly) the praises of thy Lord, before the rising of the sun, and before its setting; yea, celebrate them for part of the hours of the night, and at the sides of the day: that thou mayest have (spiritual) joy.
The agreed readingSo be patient with what they say, and glorify your Lord with praise before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and glorify Him in the hours of the night and at the ends of the day, so that you may be well pleased.
وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِۦٓ أَزْوَٰجًا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ
PickthallAnd strain not thine eyes toward that which We cause some wedded pairs among them to enjoy, the flower of the life of the world, that We may try them thereby. The provision of thy Lord is better and more lasting.
Yusuf AliNor strain thine eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to parties of them, the splendour of the life of this world, through which We test them: but the provision of thy Lord is better and more enduring.
The agreed readingAnd do not strain your eyes towards what We have given some kinds of them to enjoy — the flower of the life of this world — so that We may test them by it. Your Lord's provision is better and more lasting.
وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا لَا نَسْـَٔلُكَ رِزْقًا نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكَ وَٱلْعَٰقِبَةُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ
PickthallAnd enjoin upon thy people worship, and be constant therein. We ask not of thee a provision: We provided for thee. And the sequel is for righteousness.
Yusuf AliEnjoin prayer on thy people, and be constant therein. We ask thee not to provide sustenance: We provide it for thee. But the (fruit of) the Hereafter is for righteousness.
The agreed readingAnd command your household to the prayer, and hold fast to it yourself. We do not ask you for provision; We provide for you. And the good outcome belongs to guarding oneself.
وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْلَا يَأْتِينَا بِـَٔايَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦٓ أَوَلَمْ تَأْتِهِم بَيِّنَةُ مَا فِى ٱلصُّحُفِ ٱلْأُولَىٰ
PickthallAnd they say: If only he would bring us a miracle from his Lord! Hath there not come unto them the proof of what is in the former scriptures?
Yusuf AliThey say: "Why does he not bring us a sign from his Lord?" Has not a Clear Sign come to them of all that was in the former Books of revelation?
The agreed readingAnd they said: why does he not bring us a sign from his Lord? Has the clear proof of what is in the earlier scriptures not come to them?
وَلَوْ أَنَّآ أَهْلَكْنَٰهُم بِعَذَابٍ مِّن قَبْلِهِۦ لَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا لَوْلَآ أَرْسَلْتَ إِلَيْنَا رَسُولًا فَنَتَّبِعَ ءَايَٰتِكَ مِن قَبْلِ أَن نَّذِلَّ وَنَخْزَىٰ
PickthallAnd if we had destroyed them with some punishment before it, they would assuredly have said: Our Lord! If only Thou hadst sent unto us a messenger, so that we might have followed Thy revelations before we were (thus) humbled and disgraced!
Yusuf AliAnd if We had inflicted on them a penalty before this, they would have said: "Our Lord! If only Thou hadst sent us a messenger, we should certainly have followed Thy Signs before we were humbled and put to shame."
The agreed readingAnd had We destroyed them with a punishment before it, they would have said: our Lord, why did You not send us a messenger, so that we might have followed Your signs before we were humbled and disgraced?
قُلْ كُلٌّ مُّتَرَبِّصٌ فَتَرَبَّصُوا۟ فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلصِّرَٰطِ ٱلسَّوِىِّ وَمَنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ
PickthallSay: Each is awaiting; so await ye! Ye will come to know who are the owners of the path of equity, and who is right.
Yusuf AliSay: "Each one (of us) is waiting: wait ye, therefore, and soon shall ye know who it is that is on the straight and even way, and who it is that has received Guidance."
The agreed readingSay: each is waiting, so wait. You will come to know who are the people of the even way, and who is guided. The sūrah ends by handing the question back to time, which is the only thing that settles it.