QURAN · SURAH 5 · AL-MĀ’IDA
Introduction
Al-Mā’ida, “The Table”, is the fifth surah of the Quran. It comprises 120 verses and is classified as Medinan. Tradition places it among the revelations of the later phase of the mission of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Its title comes from the heavenly table requested by Jesus’ disciples, recounted in verses 112–115.
The surah opens with a command that runs through its entire teaching: fulfil your commitments. The relationship with GOD is expressed in faithfulness to the covenant, honesty in testimony, care in worship, and justice towards others. Instructions concerning food, purification, and pilgrimage are interwoven with the story of Adam’s sons, the remembrance of Moses, and the testimony of Jesus.
The relationship with the People of the Scripture occupies a central place. The Torah and the Gospel are recalled as bearers of guidance and light; at the same time, the text expresses warnings and theological disagreements that must be read without softening them or separating them from their context. Within this framework comes the invitation to compete in good deeds (Quran 5, 48).
In ASH’s reflection, the guiding thread is the believer’s responsibility: faithfulness to GOD must become just conduct, even when the other person is perceived as an adversary. The surah thus calls for a faith that honours commitments, recognises the gifts received, and seeks the ways of peace.
Structure of the surah
This thematic outline is an editorial reading guide: it follows the order of the text and covers every verse, without replacing the traditional divisions of the Quran.
- Verses 1–11 · The covenant, nourishment, and justiceCommitments, food, purification, and justice even towards those who arouse hostility.
- Verses 12–19 · The covenant and the People of the ScriptureResponsibility in preserving revelation and the invitation to the ways of peace.
- Verses 20–26 · Moses and the Holy LandThe trust required of the people and the consequences of refusal.
- Verses 27–34 · Adam’s sons and the value of lifeThe first fratricide, the protection of life, and penalties against destructive violence.
- Verses 35–43 · Repentance and fair judgementSeeking nearness to GOD, responsibility for actions, and fairness in judgement.
- Verses 44–50 · Torah, Gospel, and QuranGuidance and light in the Scriptures; responsibility in judgement and competition in good deeds.
- Verses 51–56 · Loyalty and belongingThe community’s alliances and the mutual love between GOD and those faithful to Him.
- Verses 57–66 · Mockery, corruption, and faithfulness to ScriptureRespect for faith and the denunciation of abuses, with distinctions within communities.
- Verses 67–77 · The mission and the oneness of GODConveying the message, faith and deeds; the Messiah in the Quranic perspective.
- Verses 78–86 · Responsibility and recognition of the truthThe duty to oppose evil and the portrayal of humble believers among Christians.
- Verses 87–93 · Moderation, oaths, and sobrietyWhat is lawful, expiation for oaths, and the prohibition of intoxicants and gambling.
- Verses 94–100 · Pilgrimage and discernmentHunting, sacred places, and the distinction between what is good and what is harmful.
- Verses 101–108 · Traditions and testimonyQuestions, customs not prescribed by GOD, and safeguards for testimony concerning wills.
- Verses 109–115 · Jesus and the table from heavenThe gifts received by Jesus, the disciples’ faith, and the request for the table.
- Verses 116–120 · The testimony of Jesus and judgementWorship directed to GOD, the truthfulness of the sincere, and the Creator’s sovereignty.
Audio of the entire surah
Listen to Al-Mā’ida and follow the reading in the text below.
Complete interlinear table
Quran 5, 1–120. Each row contains one complete verse: Arabic, transliteration, Maulana Muhammad Ali’s English translation, and the ASH English study rendering. The comparison is arranged verse by verse, rather than word by word.
Reading approach. The ASH column is an English version of the ASH Italian study rendering, distinct from Maulana Muhammad Ali’s translation. Interpretative choices are explained in notes outside the table. The simplified transliteration uses ā, ī, and ū for long vowels, ʿ for the consonant ʿayn, and signs such as ḥ, ṣ, ḍ, ṭ, and ẓ; it does not represent every detail of recitation. The opening basmala is separate from the 120 numbered verses.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Bismi Allāhi ar-Raḥmāni ar-Raḥīm.
In the name of GOD, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Verses 1–11 · The covenant, nourishment, and justice
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَوْفُوا۟ بِٱلْعُقُودِ ۚ أُحِلَّتْ لَكُم بَهِيمَةُ ٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ إِلَّا مَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ غَيْرَ مُحِلِّى ٱلصَّيْدِ وَأَنتُمْ حُرُمٌ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحْكُمُ مَا يُرِيدُ | Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū awfū bilʿuqūdi uḥillat lakum bahīmatu alanʿāmi illā mā yutlā ʿalaykum ghayra muḥillī aṣṣaydi waʾantum ḥurumun inna Allāha yaḥkumu mā yurīd. | O you who believe, fulfil the obligations. The cattle quadrupeds are allowed to you except that which is recited to you, not violating the prohibition against game when you are on the pilgrimage. Surely GOD orders what He pleases. | O you who believe, fulfil your commitments. Livestock animals are made lawful for you, except what will be recited to you; hunting, however, is not permitted while you are in the state of consecration for pilgrimage. GOD decrees whatever He wills. |
| 2 | يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تُحِلُّوا۟ شَعَٰٓئِرَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا ٱلشَّهْرَ ٱلْحَرَامَ وَلَا ٱلْهَدْىَ وَلَا ٱلْقَلَٰٓئِدَ وَلَآ ءَآمِّينَ ٱلْبَيْتَ ٱلْحَرَامَ يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلًۭا مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرِضْوَٰنًۭا ۚ وَإِذَا حَلَلْتُمْ فَٱصْطَادُوا۟ ۚ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوْمٍ أَن صَدُّوكُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ أَن تَعْتَدُوا۟ ۘ وَتَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلْبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ | Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū lā tuḥillū shaʿāʾira Allāhi walā ashshahra alḥarāma walā alhadya walā alqalāʾida walā āmmīna albayta alḥarāma yabtaghūna faḍlan min rabbihim wariḍwānan waidhā ḥalaltum faṣṭādū walā yajrimannakum shanaʾānu qawmin an ṣaddūkum ʿani almasjidi alḥarāmi an taʿtadū wataʿāwanū ʿalā albirri wattaqwā walā taʿāwanū ʿalā alithmi walʿudwāni wattaqū Allāha inna Allāha shadīdu alʿiqāb. | O you who believe, violate not the signs of GOD, nor the Sacred Month, nor the offerings, nor the victims with garlands, nor those repairing to the Sacred House seeking the grace and pleasure of their LORD. And when you are free from pilgrimage obligations, then hunt. And let not hatred of a people -- because they hindered you from the Sacred Mosque incite you to transgress. And help one another in righteousness and piety, and help not one another in sin and aggression, and keep your duty to GOD. Surely GOD is severe in requiting (evil). | O you who believe, do not profane GOD’s sacred signs, nor the sacred month, nor the sacrificial offerings, nor the animals marked with garlands, nor those travelling to the Sacred House seeking their LORD’s bounty and approval. Once you have left the state of consecration, you may hunt. Do not let hostility towards a people who barred you from the Sacred Mosque lead you to transgress. Help one another in goodness and awareness of GOD, and do not help one another in sin and aggression. Fear GOD: GOD is severe in punishment. |
| 3 | حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَيْتَةُ وَٱلدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ ٱلْخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦ وَٱلْمُنْخَنِقَةُ وَٱلْمَوْقُوذَةُ وَٱلْمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَٱلنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَآ أَكَلَ ٱلسَّبُعُ إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيْتُمْ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَى ٱلنُّصُبِ وَأَن تَسْتَقْسِمُوا۟ بِٱلْأَزْلَٰمِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ فِسْقٌ ۗ ٱلْيَوْمَ يَئِسَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن دِينِكُمْ فَلَا تَخْشَوْهُمْ وَٱخْشَوْنِ ۚ ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلْإِسْلَٰمَ دِينًۭا ۚ فَمَنِ ٱضْطُرَّ فِى مَخْمَصَةٍ غَيْرَ مُتَجَانِفٍۢ لِّإِثْمٍۢ ۙ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ | Ḥurrimat ʿalaykumu almaytatu waddamu walaḥmu alkhinzīri wamā uhilla lighayri Allāhi bihi walmunkhaniqatu walmawqūdhatu walmutaraddiyatu wannaṭīḥatu wamā akala assabuʿu illā mā dhakkaytum wamā dhubiḥa ʿalā annuṣubi waʾan tastaqsimū bilazlāmi dhālikum fisqun alyawma yaisa alladhīna kafarū min dīnikum falā takhshawhum wakhshawni alyawma akmaltu lakum dīnakum waʾatmamtu ʿalaykum niʿmatī waraḍītu lakumu alislāma dīnan famani iḍṭurra fī makhmaṣatin ghayra mutajānifin liithmin fainna Allāha ghafūrun raḥīm. | Forbidden to you is that which dies of itself, and blood, and flesh of swine, and that on which any other name than that of GOD has been invoked, and the strangled (animal), and that beaten to death, and that killed by a fall, and that killed by goring with the horn, and that which wild beasts have eaten -- except what you slaughter; and that which is sacrificed on stones set up (for idols), and that you seek to divine by arrows; that is a transgression. This day have those who disbelieve despaired of your religion, so fear them not, and fear Me. This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favour to you and chosen for you Islam as a religion. But whoever is compelled by hunger, not inclining wilfully to sin, then surely GOD is Forgiving, Merciful. | Forbidden to you are carrion, blood, pork, that over which a name other than GOD’s has been invoked, an animal strangled, beaten to death, killed by a fall, gored to death, or mauled by a wild beast, except what you are able to slaughter ritually before it dies; also forbidden are what is sacrificed on idolatrous altars and the use of divining arrows to determine your course. All this is transgression. Today those who disbelieve have lost hope of prevailing over your religion: do not fear them, but fear Me. Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and chosen Islam as your religion. But whoever is compelled by hunger, without wilfully inclining towards sin, should know that GOD is forgiving, merciful. |
| 4 | يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ مَاذَآ أُحِلَّ لَهُمْ ۖ قُلْ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتُ ۙ وَمَا عَلَّمْتُم مِّنَ ٱلْجَوَارِحِ مُكَلِّبِينَ تُعَلِّمُونَهُنَّ مِمَّا عَلَّمَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۖ فَكُلُوا۟ مِمَّآ أَمْسَكْنَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ | Yasalūnaka mādhā uḥilla lahum qul uḥilla lakumu aṭṭayyibātu wamā ʿallamtum mina aljawāriḥi mukallibīna tuʿallimūnahunna mimmā ʿallamakumu Allāhu fakulū mimmā amsakna ʿalaykum wadhkurū isma Allāhi ʿalayhi wattaqū Allāha inna Allāha sarīʿu alḥisāb. | They ask thee as to what is allowed them. Say: The good things are allowed to you, and what you have taught the beasts and birds of prey, training them to hunt -- you teach them of what GOD has taught you; so eat of that which they catch for you and mention the name of GOD over it; and keep your duty to GOD. Surely GOD is Swift in reckoning. | They ask you what is lawful for them. Say: “Lawful for you are good things and what trained hunting animals catch for you: you teach them from what GOD has taught you. Eat, then, what they have caught for you, and pronounce GOD’s name over it. Fear GOD: GOD is swift in reckoning.” |
| 5 | ٱلْيَوْمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتُ ۖ وَطَعَامُ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ حِلٌّۭ لَّكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلٌّۭ لَّهُمْ ۖ وَٱلْمُحْصَنَٰتُ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ وَٱلْمُحْصَنَٰتُ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ إِذَآ ءَاتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ مُحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَٰفِحِينَ وَلَا مُتَّخِذِىٓ أَخْدَانٍۢ ۗ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِٱلْإِيمَٰنِ فَقَدْ حَبِطَ عَمَلُهُۥ وَهُوَ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلْخَٰسِرِينَ | Alyawma uḥilla lakumu aṭṭayyibātu waṭaʿāmu alladhīna ūtū alkitāba ḥillun lakum waṭaʿāmukum ḥillun lahum walmuḥṣanātu mina almumināti walmuḥṣanātu mina alladhīna ūtū alkitāba min qablikum idhā ātaytumūhunna ujūrahunna muḥṣinīna ghayra musāfiḥīna walā muttakhidhī akhdānin waman yakfur bilīmāni faqad ḥabiṭa ʿamaluhu wahuwa fī alākhirati mina alkhāsirīn. | This day (all) good things are made lawful for you. And the food of those who have been given the Book is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. And so are the chaste from among the believing women and the chaste from among those who have been given the Book before you, when you give them their dowries, taking (them) in marriage, not fornicating nor taking them for paramours in secret. And whoever denies faith, his work indeed is vain; and in the Hereafter he is of the losers. | Today good things are made lawful for you. The food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them. Lawful for you are chaste women among the believers and chaste women among those who were given the Scripture before you, provided you give them their bridal gifts, seeking a chaste union, without fornication or secret affairs. Whoever rejects faith renders their deeds fruitless and, in the life to come, will be among those who have lost. |
| 6 | يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ فَٱغْسِلُوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْمَرَافِقِ وَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْكَعْبَيْنِ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًۭا فَٱطَّهَّرُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰٓ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَآءَ أَحَدٌۭ مِّنكُم مِّنَ ٱلْغَآئِطِ أَوْ لَٰمَسْتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا۟ مَآءًۭ فَتَيَمَّمُوا۟ صَعِيدًۭا طَيِّبًۭا فَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْ حَرَجٍۢ وَلَٰكِن يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهِّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُۥ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ | Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū idhā qumtum ilā aṣṣalāti faghsilū wujūhakum waʾaydiyakum ilā almarāfiqi wamsaḥū biruʾūsikum waʾarjulakum ilā alkaʿbayni wain kuntum junuban faṭṭahharū wain kuntum marḍā aw ʿalā safarin aw jāʾa aḥadun minkum mina alghāʾiṭi aw lāmastumu annisāʾa falam tajidū māʾan fatayammamū ṣaʿīdan ṭayyiban famsaḥū biwujūhikum waʾaydīkum minhu mā yurīdu Allāhu liyajʿala ʿalaykum min ḥarajin walākin yurīdu liyuṭahhirakum waliyutimma niʿmatahu ʿalaykum laʿallakum tashkurūn. | O you who believe, when you rise up for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands up to the elbows, and wipe your heads, and (wash) your feet up to the ankles. And if you are under an obligation, then wash (yourselves). And if you are sick or on a journey, or one of you comes from the privy, or you have had contact with women and you cannot find water, betake yourselves to pure earth and wipe your faces and your hands therewith. GOD desires not to place a burden on you but He wishes to purify you, and that He may complete His favour on you, so that you may give thanks. | O you who believe, when you prepare for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads with wet hands, and wash your feet up to the ankles. If you are in a state of major impurity, purify yourselves. If you are ill or travelling, or one of you comes from relieving themselves, or you have had contact with women and find no water, resort to clean earth and wipe your faces and hands with it. GOD does not wish to impose hardship upon you, but wishes to purify you and complete His favour upon you, so that you may be grateful. |
| 7 | وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَةَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَمِيثَٰقَهُ ٱلَّذِى وَاثَقَكُم بِهِۦٓ إِذْ قُلْتُمْ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ | Wadhkurū niʿmata Allāhi ʿalaykum wamīthāqahu alladhī wāthaqakum bihi idh qultum samiʿnā waʾaṭaʿnā wattaqū Allāha inna Allāha ʿalīmun bidhāti aṣṣudūr. | And remember GOD's favour on you and His covenant with which He bound you when you said: We have heard and we obey. And keep your duty to GOD. Surely GOD knows what is in the breasts. | Remember GOD’s favour towards you and the covenant by which He bound you, when you said: “We have heard and we obey.” Fear GOD: GOD knows what is within your hearts. |
| 8 | يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَدَآءَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ ٱعْدِلُوا۟ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ | Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū kūnū qawwāmīna lillāhi shuhadāʾa bilqisṭi walā yajrimannakum shanaʾānu qawmin ʿalā allā taʿdilū iʿdilū huwa aqrabu littaqwā wattaqū Allāha inna Allāha khabīrun bimā taʿmalūn. | O you who believe, be upright for GOD, bearers of witness with justice; and let not hatred of a people incite you not to act equitably. Be just; that is nearer to observance of duty. And keep your duty to GOD. Surely GOD is Aware of what you do. | O you who believe, stand firm for GOD, bearing witness with justice. Do not let hostility towards a people lead you to be unjust. Be just: that is closer to awareness of GOD. Fear GOD: GOD is fully informed of what you do. |
| 9 | وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ ۙ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌۭ وَأَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌۭ | Waʿada Allāhu alladhīna āmanū waʿamilū aṣṣāliḥāti lahum maghfiratun waʾajrun ʿaẓīm. | GOD has promised to those who believe and do good deeds: For them is forgiveness and a mighty reward. | GOD has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds forgiveness and an immense reward. |
| 10 | وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْجَحِيمِ | Walladhīna kafarū wakadhdhabū biāyātinā ulāʾika aṣḥābu aljaḥīm. | And those who disbelieve and reject Our messages, such are the companions of the flaming fire. | But those who disbelieve and deny Our signs are the companions of the blazing Fire. |
| 11 | يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ هَمَّ قَوْمٌ أَن يَبْسُطُوٓا۟ إِلَيْكُمْ أَيْدِيَهُمْ فَكَفَّ أَيْدِيَهُمْ عَنكُمْ ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ | Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū udhkurū niʿmata Allāhi ʿalaykum idh hamma qawmun an yabsuṭū ilaykum aydiyahum fakaffa aydiyahum ʿankum wattaqū Allāha waʿalā Allāhi falyatawakkali almuminūn. | O you who believe, remember GOD's favour on you when a people had determined to stretch out their hands against you, but He withheld their hands from you; and keep your duty to GOD. And on GOD let the believers rely. | O you who believe, remember GOD’s favour towards you, when some people intended to stretch out their hands against you and He restrained their hands from you. Fear GOD, and let believers put their trust in GOD. |
Justice and worship. The call in Quran 5, 8 does not depend on liking another person: hostility does not authorise injustice. In 5, 6 the ASH rendering follows the reading that prescribes washing the feet; the syntax of the passage and traditions concerning purification have also given rise to the practice of wiping them.
Verses 12–19 · The covenant and the People of the Scripture
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | ۞ وَلَقَدْ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَٰقَ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَبَعَثْنَا مِنْهُمُ ٱثْنَىْ عَشَرَ نَقِيبًۭا ۖ وَقَالَ ٱللَّهُ إِنِّى مَعَكُمْ ۖ لَئِنْ أَقَمْتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَيْتُمُ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَءَامَنتُم بِرُسُلِى وَعَزَّرْتُمُوهُمْ وَأَقْرَضْتُمُ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًۭا لَّأُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنكُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمْ وَلَأُدْخِلَنَّكُمْ جَنَّٰتٍۢ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ ۚ فَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ مِنكُمْ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ سَوَآءَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ | Walaqad akhadha Allāhu mīthāqa banī Isrāʾīla wabaʿathnā minhumu ithnay ʿashara naqīban waqāla Allāhu innī maʿakum lain aqamtumu aṣṣalāta waātaytumu azzakāta waāmantum birusulī waʿazzartumūhum waʾaqraḍtumu Allāha qarḍan ḥasanan laukaffiranna ʿankum sayyiātikum walaudkhilannakum jannātin tajrī min taḥtihā alanhāru faman kafara baʿda dhālika minkum faqad ḍalla sawāʾa assabīl. | And certainly GOD made a covenant with the Children of Israel, and We raised up among them twelve chieftains. And GOD said: Surely I am with you. If you keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate and believe in My messengers and assist them and offer to GOD a goodly gift, I will certainly cover your evil deeds, and cause you to enter Gardens wherein rivers flow. But whoever among you disbelieves after that, he indeed strays from the right way. | GOD made a covenant with the Children of Israel and raised up twelve leaders among them. GOD said: “I am with you. If you maintain prayer, give the prescribed alms, believe in My messengers and support them, and lend GOD a generous loan, I shall certainly erase your evil deeds and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow. Whoever among you rejects faith after this will have strayed from the straight path.” |
| 13 | فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَٰقَهُمْ لَعَنَّٰهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا قُلُوبَهُمْ قَٰسِيَةًۭ ۖ يُحَرِّفُونَ ٱلْكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِۦ ۙ وَنَسُوا۟ حَظًّۭا مِّمَّا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهِۦ ۚ وَلَا تَزَالُ تَطَّلِعُ عَلَىٰ خَآئِنَةٍۢ مِّنْهُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًۭا مِّنْهُمْ ۖ فَٱعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَٱصْفَحْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ | Fabimā naqḍihim mīthāqahum laʿannāhum wajaʿalnā qulūbahum qāsiyatan yuḥarrifūna alkalima ʿan mawāḍiʿihi wanasū ḥaẓẓan mimmā dhukkirū bihi walā tazālu taṭṭaliʿu ʿalā khāʾinatin minhum illā qalīlan minhum faʿfu ʿanhum waṣfaḥ inna Allāha yuḥibbu almuḥsinīn. | But on account of their breaking their covenant We cursed them and hardened their hearts. They alter the words from their places and neglect a portion of that whereof they were reminded. And thou wilt always discover treachery in them excepting a few of them so pardon them and forgive. Surely GOD loves those who do good (to others). | Because they broke their covenant, We banished them from Our mercy and hardened their hearts. They move words from their proper places and have forgotten a portion of what they were reminded of. You will continue to discover betrayals on their part, except for a few of them. Pardon them and overlook their offences: GOD loves those who do good. |
| 14 | وَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا نَصَٰرَىٰٓ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَٰقَهُمْ فَنَسُوا۟ حَظًّۭا مِّمَّا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهِۦ فَأَغْرَيْنَا بَيْنَهُمُ ٱلْعَدَاوَةَ وَٱلْبَغْضَآءَ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ ۚ وَسَوْفَ يُنَبِّئُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَصْنَعُونَ | Wamina alladhīna qālū innā naṣārā akhadhnā mīthāqahum fanasū ḥaẓẓan mimmā dhukkirū bihi faʾaghraynā baynahumu alʿadāwata walbaghḍāʾa ilā yawmi alqiyāmati wasawfa yunabbiuhumu Allāhu bimā kānū yaṣnaʿūn. | And with those who say, We are Christians, We made a covenant, but they neglected a portion of that whereof they were reminded so We stirred up enmity and hatred among them to the day of Resurrection. And GOD will soon inform them of what they did. | We also made a covenant with those who say: “We are Christians”; but they forgot a portion of what they were reminded of. We therefore stirred up enmity and hatred among them until the Day of Resurrection. GOD will inform them of what they used to do. |
| 15 | يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ قَدْ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمْ كَثِيرًۭا مِّمَّا كُنتُمْ تُخْفُونَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَيَعْفُوا۟ عَن كَثِيرٍۢ ۚ قَدْ جَآءَكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ نُورٌۭ وَكِتَٰبٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ | Yā ahla alkitābi qad jāʾakum rasūlunā yubayyinu lakum kathīran mimmā kuntum tukhfūna mina alkitābi wayaʿfū ʿan kathīrin qad jāʾakum mina Allāhi nūrun wakitābun mubīn. | O People of the Book, indeed Our Messenger has come to you, making clear to you much of that which you concealed of the Book and passing over much. Indeed, there has come to you from GOD, a Light and a clear Book, | O People of the Scripture, Our Messenger has come to you, making clear to you much of the Scripture that you kept hidden and passing over much else. A light and a clear Book have come to you from GOD. |
| 16 | يَهْدِى بِهِ ٱللَّهُ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ رِضْوَٰنَهُۥ سُبُلَ ٱلسَّلَٰمِ وَيُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ بِإِذْنِهِۦ وَيَهْدِيهِمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍۢ مُّسْتَقِيمٍۢ | Yahdī bihi Allāhu mani ittabaʿa riḍwānahu subula assalāmi wayukhrijuhum mina aẓẓulumāti ilā annūri biidhnihi wayahdīhim ilā ṣirāṭin mustaqīm. | Whereby GOD guides such as follow His pleasure into the ways of peace, and brings them out of darkness into light by His will, and guides them to the right path. | Through it GOD guides those who seek His approval along the ways of peace; by His permission He brings them out of darkness into light and guides them on a straight path. |
| 17 | لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْمَسِيحُ ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ ۚ قُلْ فَمَن يَمْلِكُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا إِنْ أَرَادَ أَن يُهْلِكَ ٱلْمَسِيحَ ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَأُمَّهُۥ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًۭا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ۚ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ | Laqad kafara alladhīna qālū inna Allāha huwa almasīḥu ibnu maryama qul faman yamliku mina Allāhi shayan in arāda an yuhlika almasīḥa ibna maryama waummahu waman fī alarḍi jamīʿan walillāhi mulku assamāwāti walarḍi wamā baynahumā yakhluqu mā yashāʾu wallāhu ʿalā kulli shayin qadīr. | They indeed disbelieve who say: Surely, GOD He is the Messiah, son of Mary. Say: Who then could control anything as against GOD when He wished to destroy the Messiah, son of Mary, and his mother and all those on the earth? And GOD's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and what is between them. He creates what He pleases. And GOD is Possessor of power over all things. | Those who say: “GOD is the Messiah, son of Mary” have certainly rejected faith. Say: “Who could oppose GOD in anything if He wished to cause the Messiah, son of Mary, his mother, and everyone on earth to perish?” To GOD belongs the kingdom of the heavens, the earth, and all that lies between them. He creates whatever He wills, and GOD has power over all things. |
| 18 | وَقَالَتِ ٱلْيَهُودُ وَٱلنَّصَٰرَىٰ نَحْنُ أَبْنَٰٓؤُا۟ ٱللَّهِ وَأَحِبَّٰٓؤُهُۥ ۚ قُلْ فَلِمَ يُعَذِّبُكُم بِذُنُوبِكُم ۖ بَلْ أَنتُم بَشَرٌۭ مِّمَّنْ خَلَقَ ۚ يَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ۖ وَإِلَيْهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ | Waqālati alyahūdu wannaṣārā naḥnu abnāʾu Allāhi waʾaḥibbāʾuhu qul falima yuʿadhdhibukum bidhunūbikum bal antum basharun mimman khalaqa yaghfiru liman yashāʾu wayuʿadhdhibu man yashāʾu walillāhi mulku assamāwāti walarḍi wamā baynahumā wailayhi almaṣīr. | And the Jews and the Christians say: We are the sons of GOD and His beloved ones. Say: Why does He then chastise you for your sins? Nay, you are mortals from among those whom He has created. He forgives whom He pleases and chastises whom He pleases. And GOD's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, and to Him is the eventual coming. | The Jews and the Christians say: “We are GOD’s children and His beloved.” Say: “Why, then, does He punish you for your sins? Rather, you are human beings among those He has created. He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills.” To GOD belongs the kingdom of the heavens, the earth, and all that lies between them; to Him is the return. |
| 19 | يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ قَدْ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمْ عَلَىٰ فَتْرَةٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلرُّسُلِ أَن تَقُولُوا۟ مَا جَآءَنَا مِنۢ بَشِيرٍۢ وَلَا نَذِيرٍۢ ۖ فَقَدْ جَآءَكُم بَشِيرٌۭ وَنَذِيرٌۭ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ | Yā ahla alkitābi qad jāʾakum rasūlunā yubayyinu lakum ʿalā fatratin mina arrusuli an taqūlū mā jāʾanā min bashīrin walā nadhīrin faqad jāʾakum bashīrun wanadhīrun wallāhu ʿalā kulli shayin qadīr. | O People of the Book, indeed Our Apostle has come to you explaining to you after a cessation of the messengers, lest you say: There came not to us a bearer of good news nor a warner. So indeed a bearer of good news and a warner has come to you. And GOD is Possessor of power over all things. | O People of the Scripture, Our Messenger has come to you to make things clear, after an interval between messengers, lest you say: “No bearer of good news or warner has come to us.” Now a bearer of good news and a warner have come to you. GOD has power over all things. |
Verses 20–26 · Moses and the Holy Land
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِۦ يَٰقَوْمِ ٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَةَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ جَعَلَ فِيكُمْ أَنۢبِيَآءَ وَجَعَلَكُم مُّلُوكًۭا وَءَاتَىٰكُم مَّا لَمْ يُؤْتِ أَحَدًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ | Waidh qāla mūsā liqawmihi yā qawmi udhkurū niʿmata Allāhi ʿalaykum idh jaʿala fīkum anbiyāʾa wajaʿalakum mulūkan waātākum mā lam yuti aḥadan mina alʿālamīn. | And when Moses said to his people: O my people, remember the favour of GOD to you when He raised prophets among you and made you kings and gave you what He gave not to any other of the nations. | When Moses said to his people: “O my people, remember GOD’s favour towards you: He raised up prophets among you, made you kings, and gave you what He had not given to any other people. |
| 21 | يَٰقَوْمِ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْضَ ٱلْمُقَدَّسَةَ ٱلَّتِى كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَلَا تَرْتَدُّوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَدْبَارِكُمْ فَتَنقَلِبُوا۟ خَٰسِرِينَ | Yā qawmi udkhulū alarḍa almuqaddasata allatī kataba Allāhu lakum walā tartaddū ʿalā adbārikum fatanqalibū khāsirīn. | O my people, enter the Holy Land which GOD has ordained for you and turn not your backs, for then you will turn back losers. | O my people, enter the Holy Land that GOD has assigned to you, and do not turn back, or you will return as losers.” |
| 22 | قَالُوا۟ يَٰمُوسَىٰٓ إِنَّ فِيهَا قَوْمًۭا جَبَّارِينَ وَإِنَّا لَن نَّدْخُلَهَا حَتَّىٰ يَخْرُجُوا۟ مِنْهَا فَإِن يَخْرُجُوا۟ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّا دَٰخِلُونَ | Qālū yā mūsā inna fīhā qawman jabbārīna wainnā lan nadkhulahā ḥattā yakhrujū minhā fain yakhrujū minhā fainnā dākhilūn. | They said: O Moses, therein are a powerful people, and we shall not enter it until they go out from it; if they go out from it, then surely we will enter. | They said: “O Moses, a powerful and oppressive people dwell in it; we shall not enter it until they leave. If they leave, then we shall enter.” |
| 23 | قَالَ رَجُلَانِ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا ٱدْخُلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْبَابَ فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُمُوهُ فَإِنَّكُمْ غَٰلِبُونَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُوٓا۟ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ | Qāla rajulāni mina alladhīna yakhāfūna anʿama Allāhu ʿalayhimā udkhulū ʿalayhimu albāba faidhā dakhaltumūhu fainnakum ghālibūna waʿalā Allāhi fatawakkalū in kuntum muminīn. | Two men of those who feared, on whom GOD had bestowed a favour, said: Enter upon them by the gate, for when you enter it you will surely be victorious; and put your trust in GOD, if you are believers. | Two men among those who feared GOD, to whom GOD had granted His favour, said: “Enter against them through the gate. Once you have entered, you will be victorious. Put your trust in GOD, if you are believers.” |
| 24 | قَالُوا۟ يَٰمُوسَىٰٓ إِنَّا لَن نَّدْخُلَهَآ أَبَدًۭا مَّا دَامُوا۟ فِيهَا ۖ فَٱذْهَبْ أَنتَ وَرَبُّكَ فَقَٰتِلَآ إِنَّا هَٰهُنَا قَٰعِدُونَ | Qālū yā mūsā innā lan nadkhulahā abadan mā dāmū fīhā faidhhab anta warabbuka faqātilā innā hāhunā qāʿidūn. | They said: O Moses, we will never enter it so long as they are in it; go therefore thou and thy LORD, and fight; surely here we sit. | They said: “O Moses, we shall never enter it while they remain there. Go, you and your LORD, and fight: we shall remain sitting here.” |
| 25 | قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى لَآ أَمْلِكُ إِلَّا نَفْسِى وَأَخِى ۖ فَٱفْرُقْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْفَٰسِقِينَ | Qāla rabbi innī lā amliku illā nafsī waʾakhī fafruq baynanā wabayna alqawmi alfāsiqīn. | He said: My LORD, I have control of none but my own self and my brother; so distinguish between us and the transgressing people. | He said: “My LORD, I have authority over none but myself and my brother. Separate us, then, from this transgressing people.” |
| 26 | قَالَ فَإِنَّهَا مُحَرَّمَةٌ عَلَيْهِمْ ۛ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةًۭ ۛ يَتِيهُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ فَلَا تَأْسَ عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْفَٰسِقِينَ | Qāla fainnahā muḥarramatun ʿalayhim arbaʿīna sanatan yatīhūna fī alarḍi falā tasa ʿalā alqawmi alfāsiqīn. | He said: It will surely be forbidden to them for forty years -- they will wander about in the land. So grieve not for the transgressing people. | He said: “That land will be forbidden to them for forty years: they will wander lost upon the earth. Do not grieve, then, for the transgressing people.” |
Verses 27–34 · Adam’s sons and the value of life
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | ۞ وَٱتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ ٱبْنَىْ ءَادَمَ بِٱلْحَقِّ إِذْ قَرَّبَا قُرْبَانًۭا فَتُقُبِّلَ مِنْ أَحَدِهِمَا وَلَمْ يُتَقَبَّلْ مِنَ ٱلْءَاخَرِ قَالَ لَأَقْتُلَنَّكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ | Watlu ʿalayhim nabaʾa ibnay ādama bilḥaqqi idh qarrabā qurbānan fatuqubbila min aḥadihimā walam yutaqabbal mina alākhari qāla laʾaqtulannaka qāla innamā yataqabbalu Allāhu mina almuttaqīn. | And relate to them with truth the story of the two sons of Adam, when they offered an offering, but it was accepted from one of them and was not accepted from the other. He said: I will certainly kill thee. (The other) said: GOD accepts only from the dutiful. | Recount to them truthfully the story of Adam’s two sons: both offered a sacrifice, but it was accepted from one and not from the other. The latter said: “I shall certainly kill you.” The other replied: “GOD accepts only from those who fear Him. |
| 28 | لَئِنۢ بَسَطتَ إِلَىَّ يَدَكَ لِتَقْتُلَنِى مَآ أَنَا۠ بِبَاسِطٍۢ يَدِىَ إِلَيْكَ لِأَقْتُلَكَ ۖ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ ٱللَّهَ رَبَّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ | Lain basaṭta ilayya yadaka litaqtulanī mā anā bibāsiṭin yadiya ilayka liaqtulaka innī akhāfu Allāha rabba alʿālamīn. | If thou stretch out thy hand against me to kill me I shall not stretch out my hand against thee to kill thee. Surely I fear GOD, the LORD of the worlds: | Even if you stretch out your hand against me to kill me, I shall not stretch out my hand against you to kill you. I fear GOD, LORD of the worlds. |
| 29 | إِنِّىٓ أُرِيدُ أَن تَبُوٓأَ بِإِثْمِى وَإِثْمِكَ فَتَكُونَ مِنْ أَصْحَٰبِ ٱلنَّارِ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ جَزَٰٓؤُا۟ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ | Innī urīdu an tabūa biithmī waithmika fatakūna min aṣḥābi annāri wadhālika jazāʾu aẓẓālimīn. | I would rather that thou shouldst bear the sin against me and thine own sin, thus thou wouldst be of the companions of the Fire; and that is the recompense of the unjust. | I wish you to bear the sin committed against me and your own sin, and thus be among the companions of the Fire. Such is the recompense of the unjust.” |
| 30 | فَطَوَّعَتْ لَهُۥ نَفْسُهُۥ قَتْلَ أَخِيهِ فَقَتَلَهُۥ فَأَصْبَحَ مِنَ ٱلْخَٰسِرِينَ | Faṭawwaʿat lahu nafsuhu qatla akhīhi faqatalahu faʾaṣbaḥa mina alkhāsirīn. | At length his mind made it easy for him to kill his brother, so he killed him; so he became one of the losers. | His soul made it acceptable to him to kill his brother; he killed him and became one of the losers. |
| 31 | فَبَعَثَ ٱللَّهُ غُرَابًۭا يَبْحَثُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لِيُرِيَهُۥ كَيْفَ يُوَٰرِى سَوْءَةَ أَخِيهِ ۚ قَالَ يَٰوَيْلَتَىٰٓ أَعَجَزْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِثْلَ هَٰذَا ٱلْغُرَابِ فَأُوَٰرِىَ سَوْءَةَ أَخِى ۖ فَأَصْبَحَ مِنَ ٱلنَّٰدِمِينَ | Fabaʿatha Allāhu ghurāban yabḥathu fī alarḍi liyuriyahu kayfa yuwārī sawata akhīhi qāla yā waylatā aʿajaztu an akūna mithla hādhā alghurābi fauwāriya sawata akhī faʾaṣbaḥa mina annādimīn. | Then GOD sent a crow scratching the ground to show him how to cover the dead body of his brother. He said: Woe is me! Am I not able to be as this crow and cover the dead body of my brother? So he became of those who regret. | Then GOD sent a raven scratching in the earth, to show him how to conceal his brother’s body. He said: “Woe to me! Am I unable to be like this raven and conceal my brother’s body?” And he became one of those who regret. |
| 32 | مِنْ أَجْلِ ذَٰلِكَ كَتَبْنَا عَلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ أَنَّهُۥ مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًۢا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍۢ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًۭا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَآ أَحْيَا ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًۭا ۚ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُنَا بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ ثُمَّ إِنَّ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنْهُم بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لَمُسْرِفُونَ | Min ajli dhālika katabnā ʿalā banī Isrāʾīla annahu man qatala nafsan bighayri nafsin aw fasādin fī alarḍi fakaʾannamā qatala annāsa jamīʿan waman aḥyāhā fakaʾannamā aḥyā annāsa jamīʿan walaqad jāʾathum rusulunā bilbayyināti thumma inna kathīran minhum baʿda dhālika fī alarḍi lamusrifūn. | For this reason We prescribed for the Children of Israel that whoever kills a person, unless it be for man-slaughter or for mischief in the land, it is as though he had killed all men. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved the lives of all men. And certainly Our messengers came to them with clear arguments, but even after that many of them commit excesses in the land. | For this reason We prescribed for the Children of Israel that whoever kills a person, unless that person has killed another or committed corruption upon the earth, is as though they had killed all humanity; and whoever saves one is as though they had saved all humanity. Our messengers came to them with clear proofs; yet, even after this, many of them continued to exceed the limits upon the earth. |
| 33 | إِنَّمَا جَزَٰٓؤُا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ يُحَارِبُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَيَسْعَوْنَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَسَادًا أَن يُقَتَّلُوٓا۟ أَوْ يُصَلَّبُوٓا۟ أَوْ تُقَطَّعَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَأَرْجُلُهُم مِّنْ خِلَٰفٍ أَوْ يُنفَوْا۟ مِنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لَهُمْ خِزْىٌۭ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَهُمْ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ | Innamā jazāʾu alladhīna yuḥāribūna Allāha warasūlahu wayasʿawna fī alarḍi fasādan an yuqattalū aw yuṣallabū aw tuqaṭṭaʿa aydīhim waʾarjuluhum min khilāfin aw yunfaw mina alarḍi dhālika lahum khizyun fī addunyā walahum fī alākhirati ʿadhābun ʿaẓīm. | The only punishment of those who wage war against GOD and His Messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is that they should be murdered, or crucified, or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides, or they should be imprisoned. This shall be a disgrace for them in this world, and in the Hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement, | The recompense of those who wage war against GOD and His Messenger and strive to spread corruption upon the earth is that they be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet cut off on opposite sides, or be banished from the land. This will be disgrace for them in the present life; in the life to come they will have an immense punishment. |
| 34 | إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ تَابُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِ أَن تَقْدِرُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ | Illā alladhīna tābū min qabli an taqdirū ʿalayhim faʿlamū anna Allāha ghafūrun raḥīm. | Except those who repent before you overpower them; so know that GOD is Forgiving, Merciful. | Except for those who repent before you gain power over them. Know, then, that GOD is forgiving, merciful. |
Read the whole verse. Quran 5, 32 states the precept addressed to the Children of Israel and retains its legal qualifications; 5, 33–34 introduces penalties and repentance. Recognising the value of life does not require erasing these passages. Read this passage alongside the wider scriptural context through the ASH Quran index and study resources.
Verses 35–43 · Repentance and fair judgement
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱبْتَغُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ ٱلْوَسِيلَةَ وَجَٰهِدُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ | Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū ittaqū Allāha wabtaghū ilayhi alwasīlata wajāhidū fī sabīlihi laʿallakum tufliḥūn. | O you who believe, keep your duty to GOD, and seek means of nearness to Him, and strive hard in His way that you may be successful. | O you who believe, fear GOD, seek what brings you near to Him, and strive in His way, so that you may prosper. |
| 36 | إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوْ أَنَّ لَهُم مَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًۭا وَمِثْلَهُۥ مَعَهُۥ لِيَفْتَدُوا۟ بِهِۦ مِنْ عَذَابِ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ مَا تُقُبِّلَ مِنْهُمْ ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ | Inna alladhīna kafarū law anna lahum mā fī alarḍi jamīʿan wamithlahu maʿahu liyaftadū bihi min ʿadhābi yawmi alqiyāmati mā tuqubbila minhum walahum ʿadhābun alīm. | Those who disbelieve, even if they had all that is in the earth, and the like of it with it, to ransom themselves therewith from the chastisement of the day of Resurrection, it would not be accepted from them and theirs is a painful chastisement. | As for those who disbelieve, even if they possessed everything on earth and as much again to ransom themselves from the punishment of the Day of Resurrection, it would not be accepted from them. They will have a painful punishment. |
| 37 | يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَخْرُجُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَمَا هُم بِخَٰرِجِينَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌۭ مُّقِيمٌۭ | Yurīdūna an yakhrujū mina annāri wamā hum bikhārijīna minhā walahum ʿadhābun muqīm. | They would desire to come forth from the Fire, and they will not come forth from it, and theirs is a lasting chastisement. | They will wish to leave the Fire, but they will not leave it; they will have an enduring punishment. |
| 38 | وَٱلسَّارِقُ وَٱلسَّارِقَةُ فَٱقْطَعُوٓا۟ أَيْدِيَهُمَا جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَسَبَا نَكَٰلًۭا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌۭ | Wassāriqu wassāriqatu faqṭaʿū aydiyahumā jazāʾan bimā kasabā nakālan mina Allāhi wallāhu ʿazīzun ḥakīm. | And (as for) the man and the woman addicted to theft, cut off their hands as a punishment for what they have earned, an exemplary punishment from GOD. And GOD is Mighty, Wise. | As for the male thief and the female thief, cut off their hands as recompense for what they have committed and as an exemplary punishment from GOD. GOD is mighty, wise. |
| 39 | فَمَن تَابَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ظُلْمِهِۦ وَأَصْلَحَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَتُوبُ عَلَيْهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌ | Faman tāba min baʿdi ẓulmihi waʾaṣlaḥa fainna Allāha yatūbu ʿalayhi inna Allāha ghafūrun raḥīm. | But whoever repents after his wrongdoing and reforms, GOD will turn to him (mercifully). Surely GOD is Forgiving, Merciful. | But whoever repents after their wrongdoing and reforms will find GOD ready to accept their repentance. GOD is forgiving, merciful. |
| 40 | أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ يُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ | Alam taʿlam anna Allāha lahu mulku assamāwāti walarḍi yuʿadhdhibu man yashāʾu wayaghfiru liman yashāʾu wallāhu ʿalā kulli shayin qadīr. | Knowest thou not that GOD is He to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth? He chastises whom He pleases, and forgives whom He pleases. And GOD is Possessor of power over all things. | Do you not know that to GOD belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth? He punishes whom He wills and forgives whom He wills. GOD has power over all things. |
| 41 | ۞ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلرَّسُولُ لَا يَحْزُنكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُسَٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلْكُفْرِ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِأَفْوَٰهِهِمْ وَلَمْ تُؤْمِن قُلُوبُهُمْ ۛ وَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ ۛ سَمَّٰعُونَ لِلْكَذِبِ سَمَّٰعُونَ لِقَوْمٍ ءَاخَرِينَ لَمْ يَأْتُوكَ ۖ يُحَرِّفُونَ ٱلْكَلِمَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَوَاضِعِهِۦ ۖ يَقُولُونَ إِنْ أُوتِيتُمْ هَٰذَا فَخُذُوهُ وَإِن لَّمْ تُؤْتَوْهُ فَٱحْذَرُوا۟ ۚ وَمَن يُرِدِ ٱللَّهُ فِتْنَتَهُۥ فَلَن تَمْلِكَ لَهُۥ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا ۚ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يُرِدِ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُطَهِّرَ قُلُوبَهُمْ ۚ لَهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا خِزْىٌۭ ۖ وَلَهُمْ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌۭ | Yā ayyuhā arrasūlu lā yaḥzunka alladhīna yusāriʿūna fī alkufri mina alladhīna qālū āmannā biafwāhihim walam tumin qulūbuhum wamina alladhīna hādū sammāʿūna lilkadhibi sammāʿūna liqawmin ākharīna lam yatūka yuḥarrifūna alkalima min baʿdi mawāḍiʿihi yaqūlūna in ūtītum hādhā fakhudhūhu wain lam tutawhu faḥdharū waman yuridi Allāhu fitnatahu falan tamlika lahu mina Allāhi shayan ulāʾika alladhīna lam yuridi Allāhu an yuṭahhira qulūbahum lahum fī addunyā khizyun walahum fī alākhirati ʿadhābun ʿaẓīm. | O Messenger, let not those grieve thee who hasten to disbelief, from among those who say with their mouths, We believe, and their hearts believe not, and from among those who are Jews they are listeners for the sake of a lie, listeners for another people who have not come to thee. They alter the words after they are put in their (proper) places, saying: If you are given this, take it, and if you are not given this, be cautious. And he for whom GOD intends temptation, thou controllest naught for him against GOD. Those are they whose hearts GOD intends not to purify. For them is disgrace in this world, and for them a grievous chastisement in the Hereafter. | O Messenger, do not let those who rush into rejection of faith grieve you: those who say with their mouths, “We believe,” while their hearts do not believe, and, among those who profess Judaism, those who listen to falsehood and listen on behalf of others who have not come to you. They alter words after they have been placed in their proper positions and say: “If you are given this, accept it; if you are not given it, beware.” If GOD wishes to put someone to the test, you can do nothing for that person against GOD. These are the ones whose hearts GOD has not willed to purify: they will have disgrace in the present life and an immense punishment in the life to come. |
| 42 | سَمَّٰعُونَ لِلْكَذِبِ أَكَّٰلُونَ لِلسُّحْتِ ۚ فَإِن جَآءُوكَ فَٱحْكُم بَيْنَهُمْ أَوْ أَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ ۖ وَإِن تُعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ فَلَن يَضُرُّوكَ شَيْـًۭٔا ۖ وَإِنْ حَكَمْتَ فَٱحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُقْسِطِينَ | Sammāʿūna lilkadhibi akkālūna lissuḥti fain jāūka faḥkum baynahum aw aʿriḍ ʿanhum wain tuʿriḍ ʿanhum falan yaḍurrūka shayan wain ḥakamta faḥkum baynahum bilqisṭi inna Allāha yuḥibbu almuqsiṭīn. | Listeners for the sake of a lie, devourers of forbidden things, so if they come to thee, judge between them or turn away from them. And if thou turn away from them, they cannot harm thee at all. And if thou judge, judge between them with equity. Surely GOD loves the equitable. | They listen to falsehood and consume unlawful gains. If they come to you, judge between them or refrain. If you refrain, they cannot harm you in any way. If you judge, judge between them with fairness: GOD loves those who act fairly. |
| 43 | وَكَيْفَ يُحَكِّمُونَكَ وَعِندَهُمُ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةُ فِيهَا حُكْمُ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ يَتَوَلَّوْنَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ ۚ وَمَآ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ | Wakayfa yuḥakkimūnaka waʿindahumu attawrātu fīhā ḥukmu Allāhi thumma yatawallawna min baʿdi dhālika wamā ulāʾika bilmuminīn. | And how do they make thee a judge and they have the Torah wherein is GOD's judgment? Yet they turn away after that! And these are not believers. | How can they ask you to judge when they have the Torah, in which is GOD’s judgement, and then turn away after that? These are not believers. |
Text and interpretation. The penal provisions in Quran 5, 33 and 5, 38 form part of the surah’s legal discourse. Their elaboration in Islamic schools distinguishes judicial authority, evidence, conditions, and exceptions. The text reproduced here must be distinguished from its different interpretations and historical applications.
Verses 44–50 · Torah, Gospel, and Quran
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَا ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ فِيهَا هُدًۭى وَنُورٌۭ ۚ يَحْكُمُ بِهَا ٱلنَّبِيُّونَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْلَمُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلرَّبَّٰنِيُّونَ وَٱلْأَحْبَارُ بِمَا ٱسْتُحْفِظُوا۟ مِن كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ وَكَانُوا۟ عَلَيْهِ شُهَدَآءَ ۚ فَلَا تَخْشَوُا۟ ٱلنَّاسَ وَٱخْشَوْنِ وَلَا تَشْتَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِى ثَمَنًۭا قَلِيلًۭا ۚ وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ | Innā anzalnā attawrāta fīhā hudan wanūrun yaḥkumu bihā annabiyyūna alladhīna aslamū lilladhīna hādū warrabbāniyyūna walaḥbāru bimā istuḥfiẓū min kitābi Allāhi wakānū ʿalayhi shuhadāʾa falā takhshawū annāsa wakhshawni walā tashtarū biāyātī thamanan qalīlan waman lam yaḥkum bimā anzala Allāhu faulāʾika humu alkāfirūn. | Surely We revealed the Torah, having guidance and Light. By it did the prophets who submitted themselves (to GOD) judge for the Jews, and the rabbis and the doctors of law, because they were required to guard the Book of GOD, and they were witnesses thereof. So fear not the people and fear Me, and take not a small price for My messages. And whoever judges not by what GOD has revealed, those are the disbelievers. | We sent down the Torah, in which are guidance and light. By it the prophets who submitted to GOD judged for those who professed Judaism; so did the devout teachers and the scholars of the Law, who had been entrusted with the keeping of GOD’s Book and were witnesses to it. Do not fear people, then, but fear Me, and do not sell My signs for a paltry price. Those who do not judge according to what GOD has revealed are those who reject faith. |
| 45 | وَكَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ فِيهَآ أَنَّ ٱلنَّفْسَ بِٱلنَّفْسِ وَٱلْعَيْنَ بِٱلْعَيْنِ وَٱلْأَنفَ بِٱلْأَنفِ وَٱلْأُذُنَ بِٱلْأُذُنِ وَٱلسِّنَّ بِٱلسِّنِّ وَٱلْجُرُوحَ قِصَاصٌۭ ۚ فَمَن تَصَدَّقَ بِهِۦ فَهُوَ كَفَّارَةٌۭ لَّهُۥ ۚ وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ | Wakatabnā ʿalayhim fīhā anna annafsa binnafsi walʿayna bilʿayni walanfa bilanfi waludhuna biludhuni wassinna bissinni waljurūḥa qiṣāṣun faman taṣaddaqa bihi fahuwa kaffāratun lahu waman lam yaḥkum bimā anzala Allāhu faulāʾika humu aẓẓālimūn. | And We prescribed to them in it that life is for life, and eye for eye, and nose for nose, and ear for ear, and tooth for tooth, and for wounds retaliation. But whoso forgoes it, it shall be an expiation for him. And whoever judges not by what GOD has revealed, those are the wrongdoers. | In it We prescribed for them: life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and retribution for wounds. Whoever forgoes this as an act of charity finds expiation in it. Those who do not judge according to what GOD has revealed are the unjust. |
| 46 | وَقَفَّيْنَا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم بِعِيسَى ٱبْنِ مَرْيَمَ مُصَدِّقًۭا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ ۖ وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُ ٱلْإِنجِيلَ فِيهِ هُدًۭى وَنُورٌۭ وَمُصَدِّقًۭا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَهُدًۭى وَمَوْعِظَةًۭ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ | Waqaffaynā ʿalā āthārihim biʿīsā ibni maryama muṣaddiqan limā bayna yadayhi mina attawrāti waātaynāhu alinjīla fīhi hudan wanūrun wamuṣaddiqan limā bayna yadayhi mina attawrāti wahudan wamawʿiẓatan lilmuttaqīn. | And We sent after them in their footsteps Jesus, son of Mary, verifying that which was before him of the Torah; and We gave him the Gospel containing guidance and light, and verifying that which was before it of the Torah, and a guidance and an admonition for the dutiful. | In their footsteps We sent Jesus, son of Mary, confirming the Torah that preceded him. We gave him the Gospel, in which are guidance and light, confirming the Torah that preceded him, as guidance and admonition for those who fear GOD. |
| 47 | وَلْيَحْكُمْ أَهْلُ ٱلْإِنجِيلِ بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فِيهِ ۚ وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْفَٰسِقُونَ | Walyaḥkum ahlu alinjīli bimā anzala Allāhu fīhi waman lam yaḥkum bimā anzala Allāhu faulāʾika humu alfāsiqūn. | And let the People of the Gospel judge by that which GOD has revealed in it. And whoever judges not by what GOD has revealed, those are the transgressors. | Let the People of the Gospel judge according to what GOD has revealed in it. Those who do not judge according to what GOD has revealed are the transgressors. |
| 48 | وَأَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقًۭا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَمُهَيْمِنًا عَلَيْهِ ۖ فَٱحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ عَمَّا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ ۚ لِكُلٍّۢ جَعَلْنَا مِنكُمْ شِرْعَةًۭ وَمِنْهَاجًۭا ۚ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةًۭ وَٰحِدَةًۭ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِى مَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ ۖ فَٱسْتَبِقُوا۟ ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ ۚ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًۭا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ | Waʾanzalnā ilayka alkitāba bilḥaqqi muṣaddiqan limā bayna yadayhi mina alkitābi wamuhayminan ʿalayhi faḥkum baynahum bimā anzala Allāhu walā tattabiʿ ahwāʾahum ʿammā jāʾaka mina alḥaqqi likullin jaʿalnā minkum shirʿatan waminhājan walaw shāʾa Allāhu lajaʿalakum ummatan wāḥidatan walākin liyabluwakum fī mā ātākum fastabiqū alkhayrāti ilā Allāhi marjiʿukum jamīʿan fayunabbiukum bimā kuntum fīhi takhtalifūn. | And We have revealed to thee the Book with the truth, verifying that which is before it of the Book and a guardian over it, so judge between them by what GOD has revealed, and follow not their low desires (turning away) from the truth that has come to thee. For every one of you We appointed a law and a way. And if GOD had pleased He would have made you a single people, but that He might try you in what He gave you. So vie one with another in virtuous deeds. To GOD you will all return, so He will inform you of that wherein you differed; | To you We have sent down the Book with the truth, confirming the Scripture that preceded it and as its guardian. Judge between them, then, according to what GOD has revealed, and do not follow their desires, turning away from the truth that has come to you. To each of you We have assigned a law and a way. Had GOD willed, He would have made you one community; but He wished to test you in what He has given you. Compete, then, in good deeds. You will all return to GOD, and He will inform you of that over which you differed. |
| 49 | وَأَنِ ٱحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ وَٱحْذَرْهُمْ أَن يَفْتِنُوكَ عَنۢ بَعْضِ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُصِيبَهُم بِبَعْضِ ذُنُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَفَٰسِقُونَ | Waʾani uḥkum baynahum bimā anzala Allāhu walā tattabiʿ ahwāʾahum waḥdharhum an yaftinūka ʿan baʿḍi mā anzala Allāhu ilayka fain tawallaw faʿlam annamā yurīdu Allāhu an yuṣībahum bibaʿḍi dhunūbihim wainna kathīran mina annāsi lafāsiqūn. | And that thou shouldst judge between them by what GOD has revealed, and follow not their low desires, and be cautious of them lest they seduce thee from part of what GOD has revealed to thee. Then if they turn away, know that GOD desires to afflict them for some of their sins. And surely many of the people are transgressors. | Judge between them according to what GOD has revealed, and do not follow their desires. Beware of them, lest they turn you away from a portion of what GOD has revealed to you. If they turn away, know that GOD wishes to afflict them for some of their sins. Many among humankind are indeed transgressors. |
| 50 | أَفَحُكْمَ ٱلْجَٰهِلِيَّةِ يَبْغُونَ ۚ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ حُكْمًۭا لِّقَوْمٍۢ يُوقِنُونَ | Afaḥukma aljāhiliyyati yabghūna waman aḥsanu mina Allāhu ḥukman liqawmin yūqinūn. | Is it then the judgment of ignorance that they desire? And who is better than GOD to judge for a people who are sure? | Is it the judgement of ignorance, then, that they desire? And who can judge better than GOD, for a people firm in certainty? |
An ASH reading. Quran 5, 44–48 recognises guidance and light in the Torah and the Gospel and presents the Quran as confirming and guarding earlier revelation. ASH reads the invitation to compete in goodness as a practical responsibility in relations between believers; this neither removes doctrinal differences nor makes their respective normative authorities interchangeable.
Verses 51–56 · Loyalty and belonging
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | ۞ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ ٱلْيَهُودَ وَٱلنَّصَٰرَىٰٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۘ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍۢ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمْ فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنْهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ | Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū lā tattakhidhū alyahūda wannaṣārā awliyāʾa baʿḍuhum awliyāʾu baʿḍin waman yatawallahum minkum fainnahu minhum inna Allāha lā yahdī alqawma aẓẓālimīn. | O you who believe, take not the Jews and the Christians for friends. They are friends of each other. And whoever amongst you takes them for friends he is indeed one of them. Surely GOD guides not the unjust people. | O you who believe, do not take Jews and Christians as protecting allies: they are protecting allies of one another. Whoever among you entrusts themselves to them in this alliance is one of them. GOD does not guide the unjust people. |
| 52 | فَتَرَى ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌۭ يُسَٰرِعُونَ فِيهِمْ يَقُولُونَ نَخْشَىٰٓ أَن تُصِيبَنَا دَآئِرَةٌۭ ۚ فَعَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَأْتِىَ بِٱلْفَتْحِ أَوْ أَمْرٍۢ مِّنْ عِندِهِۦ فَيُصْبِحُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَسَرُّوا۟ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ نَٰدِمِينَ | Fatarā alladhīna fī qulūbihim maraḍun yusāriʿūna fīhim yaqūlūna nakhshā an tuṣībanā dāʾiratun faʿasā Allāhu an yatiya bilfatḥi aw amrin min ʿindihi fayuṣbiḥū ʿalā mā asarrū fī anfusihim nādimīn. | But thou seest those in whose hearts is a disease, hastening towards them, saying: We fear lest a calamity should befall us. Maybe GOD will bring the victory or a commandment from Himself, so they will regret what they hid in their souls. | You will see those whose hearts contain a sickness hastening towards them, saying: “We fear that a reversal of fortune may strike us.” But GOD may bring victory or a decision from Himself; then they will regret what they concealed within themselves. |
| 53 | وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَهَٰٓؤُلَآءِ ٱلَّذِينَ أَقْسَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَٰنِهِمْ ۙ إِنَّهُمْ لَمَعَكُمْ ۚ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَٰلُهُمْ فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ خَٰسِرِينَ | Wayaqūlu alladhīna āmanū ahāʾulāʾi alladhīna aqsamū billāhi jahda aymānihim innahum lamaʿakum ḥabiṭat aʿmāluhum faʾaṣbaḥū khāsirīn. | And those who believe will say: Are these they who swore by GOD with their most forcible oaths that they were surely with you? Their deeds will bear no fruit, so they will be losers. | Those who believe will say: “Are these the ones who swore by GOD, with their most solemn oaths, that they were certainly with you?” Their deeds have become fruitless, and they have become losers. |
| 54 | يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَن يَرْتَدَّ مِنكُمْ عَن دِينِهِۦ فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِى ٱللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍۢ يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُۥٓ أَذِلَّةٍ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَعِزَّةٍ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ يُجَٰهِدُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَخَافُونَ لَوْمَةَ لَآئِمٍۢ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ | Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū man yartadda minkum ʿan dīnihi fasawfa yatī Allāhu biqawmin yuḥibbuhum wayuḥibbūnahu adhillatin ʿalā almuminīna aʿizzatin ʿalā alkāfirīna yujāhidūna fī sabīli Allāhi walā yakhāfūna lawmata lāʾimin dhālika faḍlu Allāhi yutīhi man yashāʾu wallāhu wāsiʿun ʿalīm. | O you who believe, should any one of you turn back from his religion, then GOD will bring a people, whom He loves and who love Him, humble towards believers, mighty against the disbelievers, striving hard in GOD's way and not fearing the censure of any censurer. This is GOD's grace He gives it to whom He pleases. And GOD is Ample-giving, Knowing. | O you who believe, if any of you abandons their religion, GOD will bring forth a people whom He loves and who love Him: humble towards believers, firm and strong before those who disbelieve, striving in GOD’s way and fearing no reproach from anyone who reproaches. This is GOD’s grace: He grants it to whom He wills. GOD is boundless in generosity, knowing. |
| 55 | إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَهُمْ رَٰكِعُونَ | Innamā waliyyukumu Allāhu warasūluhu walladhīna āmanū alladhīna yuqīmūna aṣṣalāta wayutūna azzakāta wahum rākiʿūn. | Only GOD is your Friend and His Messenger and those who believe, those who keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, and they bow down. | Your protector is GOD, together with His Messenger and those who believe, maintain prayer, give the prescribed alms, and bow down. |
| 56 | وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ فَإِنَّ حِزْبَ ٱللَّهِ هُمُ ٱلْغَٰلِبُونَ | Waman yatawalla Allāha warasūlahu walladhīna āmanū fainna ḥizba Allāhi humu alghālibūn. | And whoever takes GOD and His Messenger and those who believe for friend surely the party of GOD they shall triumph. | Whoever entrusts themselves to GOD, His Messenger, and those who believe belongs to GOD’s community: it is they who will be victorious. |
The word awliyāʾ. In Quran 5, 51, the ASH rendering “protecting allies” highlights the bond of loyalty, protection, and belonging. Maulana Muhammad Ali’s column retains “friends”. The term has a broad semantic range: the comparison should be made alongside 5, 5, 5, 8, and 5, 57, without treating a single English expression as an exhaustive explanation of the passage.
Verses 57–66 · Mockery, corruption, and faithfulness to Scripture
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ دِينَكُمْ هُزُوًۭا وَلَعِبًۭا مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَٱلْكُفَّارَ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ | Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū lā tattakhidhū alladhīna ittakhadhū dīnakum huzuwan walaʿiban mina alladhīna ūtū alkitāba min qablikum walkuffāra awliyāʾa wattaqū Allāha in kuntum muminīn. | O you who believe, take not for friends those who take your religion as a mockery and a sport, from among those who were given the Book before you and the disbelievers; and keep your duty to GOD if you are believers. | O you who believe, do not take as protecting allies those who make your religion an object of mockery and play, among those who were given the Scripture before you and among those who disbelieve. Fear GOD, if you are believers. |
| 58 | وَإِذَا نَادَيْتُمْ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ٱتَّخَذُوهَا هُزُوًۭا وَلَعِبًۭا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌۭ لَّا يَعْقِلُونَ | Waidhā nādaytum ilā aṣṣalāti ittakhadhūhā huzuwan walaʿiban dhālika biannahum qawmun lā yaʿqilūn. | And when you call to prayer they take it as a mockery and a sport. That is because they are a people who understand not. | When you call to prayer, they make it an object of mockery and play. That is because they are people who do not understand. |
| 59 | قُلْ يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ هَلْ تَنقِمُونَ مِنَّآ إِلَّآ أَنْ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلُ وَأَنَّ أَكْثَرَكُمْ فَٰسِقُونَ | Qul yā ahla alkitābi hal tanqimūna minnā illā an āmannā billāhi wamā unzila ilaynā wamā unzila min qablu waʾanna aktharakum fāsiqūn. | Say: O People of the Book, do you find fault with us for aught except that we believe in GOD and in that which has been revealed to us and that which was revealed before, while most of you are transgressors? | Say: “O People of the Scripture, do you resent us for anything other than our believing in GOD, in what has been sent down to us and what was sent down before, while most of you are transgressors?” |
| 60 | قُلْ هَلْ أُنَبِّئُكُم بِشَرٍّۢ مِّن ذَٰلِكَ مَثُوبَةً عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ مَن لَّعَنَهُ ٱللَّهُ وَغَضِبَ عَلَيْهِ وَجَعَلَ مِنْهُمُ ٱلْقِرَدَةَ وَٱلْخَنَازِيرَ وَعَبَدَ ٱلطَّٰغُوتَ ۚ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ شَرٌّۭ مَّكَانًۭا وَأَضَلُّ عَن سَوَآءِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ | Qul hal unabbiukum bisharrin min dhālika mathūbatan ʿinda Allāhi man laʿanahu Allāhu waghaḍiba ʿalayhi wajaʿala minhumu alqiradata walkhanāzīra waʿabada aṭṭāghūti ulāʾika sharrun makānan waʾaḍallu ʿan sawāʾi assabīl. | Say: Shall I inform you of those worse than this in retribution from GOD? They are those whom GOD has cursed and upon whom He brought His wrath and of whom He made apes and swine, and who serve the devil. These are in a worse plight and further astray from the straight path. | Say: “Shall I inform you of those whose recompense with GOD will be worse than this? Those whom GOD has cursed, upon whom His wrath has fallen, among whom He has made apes and swine, and those who have worshipped false idolatrous power: these are in a worse condition and further from the straight path.” |
| 61 | وَإِذَا جَآءُوكُمْ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَقَد دَّخَلُوا۟ بِٱلْكُفْرِ وَهُمْ قَدْ خَرَجُوا۟ بِهِۦ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْتُمُونَ | Waidhā jāūkum qālū āmannā waqad dakhalū bilkufri wahum qad kharajū bihi wallāhu aʿlamu bimā kānū yaktumūn. | And when they come to you, they say, We believe, and surely they come in unbelief and they go forth in it. And GOD knows best what they conceal. | When they come to you, they say: “We believe.” But they entered in rejection of faith and left in the same state. GOD knows well what they conceal. |
| 62 | وَتَرَىٰ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنْهُمْ يُسَٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ وَأَكْلِهِمُ ٱلسُّحْتَ ۚ لَبِئْسَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ | Watarā kathīran minhum yusāriʿūna fī alithmi walʿudwāni waʾaklihimu assuḥta labisa mā kānū yaʿmalūn. | And thou seest many of them vying one with another in sin and transgression, and their devouring illegal gain. Certainly evil is that which they do. | You see many of them competing in sin, aggression, and the consumption of unlawful gains. How evil is what they do! |
| 63 | لَوْلَا يَنْهَىٰهُمُ ٱلرَّبَّٰنِيُّونَ وَٱلْأَحْبَارُ عَن قَوْلِهِمُ ٱلْإِثْمَ وَأَكْلِهِمُ ٱلسُّحْتَ ۚ لَبِئْسَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَصْنَعُونَ | Lawlā yanhāhumu arrabbāniyyūna walaḥbāru ʿan qawlihimu alithma waʾaklihimu assuḥta labisa mā kānū yaṣnaʿūn. | Why do not the rabbis and the doctors of law prohibit them from their sinful utterances and their devouring unlawful gain? Certainly evil are the works they do. | Why do the devout teachers and the scholars of the Law not prevent them from speaking sinful words and consuming unlawful gains? How evil is what they practise! |
| 64 | وَقَالَتِ ٱلْيَهُودُ يَدُ ٱللَّهِ مَغْلُولَةٌ ۚ غُلَّتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَلُعِنُوا۟ بِمَا قَالُوا۟ ۘ بَلْ يَدَاهُ مَبْسُوطَتَانِ يُنفِقُ كَيْفَ يَشَآءُ ۚ وَلَيَزِيدَنَّ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنْهُم مَّآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ طُغْيَٰنًۭا وَكُفْرًۭا ۚ وَأَلْقَيْنَا بَيْنَهُمُ ٱلْعَدَٰوَةَ وَٱلْبَغْضَآءَ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ ۚ كُلَّمَآ أَوْقَدُوا۟ نَارًۭا لِّلْحَرْبِ أَطْفَأَهَا ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَيَسْعَوْنَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَسَادًۭا ۚ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ | Waqālati alyahūdu yadu Allāhi maghlūlatun ghullat aydīhim waluʿinū bimā qālū bal yadāhu mabsūṭatāni yunfiqu kayfa yashāʾu walayazīdanna kathīran minhum mā unzila ilayka min rabbika ṭughyānan wakufran waʾalqaynā baynahumu alʿadāwata walbaghḍāʾa ilā yawmi alqiyāmati kullamā awqadū nāran lilḥarbi aṭfaʾahā Allāhu wayasʿawna fī alarḍi fasādan wallāhu lā yuḥibbu almufsidīn. | And the Jews say: The hand of GOD is tied up. Their own hands are shackled and they are cursed for what they say. Nay, both His hands are spread out. He disburses as He pleases. And that which has been revealed to thee from thy LORD will certainly make many of them increase in inordinacy and disbelief. And We have cast among them enmity and hatred till the day of Resurrection. Whenever they kindle a fire for war GOD puts it out, and they strive to make mischief in the land. And GOD loves not the mischief-makers. | The Jews say: “GOD’s hand is bound.” May their hands be bound, and may they be cursed for what they have said! Rather, both His hands are open: He gives as He wills. What has been sent down to you from your LORD will certainly increase rebellion and rejection of faith in many of them. We have placed enmity and hatred among them until the Day of Resurrection. Whenever they kindle a fire of war, GOD extinguishes it. They strive to spread corruption upon the earth, but GOD does not love those who spread it. |
| 65 | وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱتَّقَوْا۟ لَكَفَّرْنَا عَنْهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ وَلَأَدْخَلْنَٰهُمْ جَنَّٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ | Walaw anna ahla alkitābi āmanū wattaqaw lakaffarnā ʿanhum sayyiātihim walaʾadkhalnāhum jannāti annaʿīm. | And if the People of the Book had believed and kept their duty We would certainly have removed from them their evils, and made them enter gardens of bliss. | Had the People of the Scripture believed and feared GOD, We would have erased their evil deeds and admitted them into gardens of bliss. |
| 66 | وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ أَقَامُوا۟ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِم مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ لَأَكَلُوا۟ مِن فَوْقِهِمْ وَمِن تَحْتِ أَرْجُلِهِم ۚ مِّنْهُمْ أُمَّةٌۭ مُّقْتَصِدَةٌۭ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌۭ مِّنْهُمْ سَآءَ مَا يَعْمَلُونَ | Walaw annahum aqāmū attawrāta walinjīla wamā unzila ilayhim min rabbihim laʾakalū min fawqihim wamin taḥti arjulihim minhum ummatun muqtaṣidatun wakathīrun minhum sāʾa mā yaʿmalūn. | And if they had observed the Torah and the Gospel and that which is revealed to them from their LORD, they would certainly have eaten from above them and from beneath their feet. There is a party of them keeping to the moderate course; and most of them -- evil is that which they do. | Had they observed the Torah, the Gospel, and what was sent down to them from their LORD, they would have received nourishment from above them and from beneath their feet. Among them is a moderate community; but many of them do evil deeds. |
Distinctions within the text. The religious polemic of these verses contains severe expressions; yet the surah itself distinguishes “many”, “few”, and a “moderate community” in 5, 66. A reading must erase neither the severity of the discourse nor these distinctions by turning it into an indiscriminate judgement on people today.
Verses 67–77 · The mission and the oneness of GOD
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | ۞ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۖ وَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُۥ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ | Yā ayyuhā arrasūlu balligh mā unzila ilayka min rabbika wain lam tafʿal famā ballaghta risālatahu wallāhu yaʿṣimuka mina annāsi inna Allāha lā yahdī alqawma alkāfirīn. | O Messenger, deliver that which has been revealed to thee from thy LORD; and if thou do (it) not, thou hast not delivered His message. And GOD will protect thee from men. Surely GOD guides not the disbelieving people. | O Messenger, convey what has been sent down to you from your LORD. If you do not, you will not have conveyed His message. GOD will protect you from people. GOD does not guide the people who reject faith. |
| 68 | قُلْ يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَسْتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ حَتَّىٰ تُقِيمُوا۟ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۗ وَلَيَزِيدَنَّ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنْهُم مَّآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ طُغْيَٰنًۭا وَكُفْرًۭا ۖ فَلَا تَأْسَ عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ | Qul yā ahla alkitābi lastum ʿalā shayin ḥattā tuqīmū attawrāta walinjīla wamā unzila ilaykum min rabbikum walayazīdanna kathīran minhum mā unzila ilayka min rabbika ṭughyānan wakufran falā tasa ʿalā alqawmi alkāfirīn. | Say: O People of the Book, you follow no good till you observe the Torah and the Gospel and that which is revealed to you from your LORD. And surely that which has been revealed to thee from thy LORD will make many of them increase in inordinacy and disbelief: so grieve not for the disbelieving people. | Say: “O People of the Scripture, you have no foundation until you observe the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been sent down to you from your LORD.” What has been sent down to you from your LORD will certainly increase rebellion and rejection of faith in many of them. Do not grieve, then, for the people who reject faith. |
| 69 | إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلصَّٰبِـُٔونَ وَٱلنَّصَٰرَىٰ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحًۭا فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ | Inna alladhīna āmanū walladhīna hādū waṣṣābiūna wannaṣārā man āmana billāhi walyawmi alākhiri waʿamila ṣāliḥan falā khawfun ʿalayhim walā hum yaḥzanūn. | Surely those who believe and those who are Jews and the Sabeans and the Christians -- whoever believes in GOD and the Last Day and does good -- they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve. | Those who believe, those who profess Judaism, the Sabians, and the Christians: whoever believes in GOD and the Last Day and does good will have no fear and will not grieve. |
| 70 | لَقَدْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَٰقَ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَأَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهِمْ رُسُلًۭا ۖ كُلَّمَا جَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌۢ بِمَا لَا تَهْوَىٰٓ أَنفُسُهُمْ فَرِيقًۭا كَذَّبُوا۟ وَفَرِيقًۭا يَقْتُلُونَ | Laqad akhadhnā mīthāqa banī Isrāʾīla waʾarsalnā ilayhim rusulan kullamā jāʾahum rasūlun bimā lā tahwā anfusuhum farīqan kadhdhabū wafarīqan yaqtulūn. | Certainly We made a covenant with the Children of Israel and We sent to them messengers. Whenever a messenger came to them with that which their souls desired not, some (of them) they called liars and some they (even) sought to kill. | We made a covenant with the Children of Israel and sent messengers to them. Whenever a messenger came with what their souls did not desire, some they accused of lying and others they killed. |
| 71 | وَحَسِبُوٓا۟ أَلَّا تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌۭ فَعَمُوا۟ وَصَمُّوا۟ ثُمَّ تَابَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ عَمُوا۟ وَصَمُّوا۟ كَثِيرٌۭ مِّنْهُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ | Waḥasibū allā takūna fitnatun faʿamū waṣammū thumma tāba Allāhu ʿalayhim thumma ʿamū waṣammū kathīrun minhum wallāhu baṣīrun bimā yaʿmalūn. | And they thought that there would be no affliction, so they became blind and deaf; then GOD turned to them mercifully but many of them (again) became blind and deaf. And GOD is Seer of what they do. | They thought there would be no trial, and they became blind and deaf. Then GOD accepted their repentance; but once again many of them became blind and deaf. GOD sees what they do. |
| 72 | لَقَدْ كَفَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْمَسِيحُ ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ ۖ وَقَالَ ٱلْمَسِيحُ يَٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبَّكُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ مَن يُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَىٰهُ ٱلنَّارُ ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّٰلِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍۢ | Laqad kafara alladhīna qālū inna Allāha huwa almasīḥu ibnu maryama waqāla almasīḥu yā banī Isrāʾīla uʿbudū Allāha rabbī warabbakum innahu man yushrik billāhi faqad ḥarrama Allāhu ʿalayhi aljannata wamawāhu annāru wamā liẓẓālimīna min anṣār. | Certainly they disbelieve who say: GOD, He is the Messiah, son of Mary. And the Messiah said: O Children of Israel, serve GOD, my LORD and your LORD. Surely whoever associates (others) with GOD, GOD has forbidden to him the Garden and his abode is the Fire. And for the wrongdoers there will be no helpers. | Those who say: “GOD is the Messiah, son of Mary” have certainly rejected faith. The Messiah said: “O Children of Israel, worship GOD, my LORD and your LORD.” Whoever associates others with GOD, GOD has forbidden the Garden to them, and their dwelling will be the Fire. The unjust will have no helpers. |
| 73 | لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ثَالِثُ ثَلَٰثَةٍۢ ۘ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ إِلَّآ إِلَٰهٌۭ وَٰحِدٌۭ ۚ وَإِن لَّمْ يَنتَهُوا۟ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ لَيَمَسَّنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ | Laqad kafara alladhīna qālū inna Allāha thālithu thalāthatin wamā min ilāhin illā ilāhun wāḥidun wain lam yantahū ʿammā yaqūlūna layamassanna alladhīna kafarū minhum ʿadhābun alīm. | Certainly they disbelieve who say: GOD is the third of the three. And there is no GOD but One GOD. And if they desist not from what they say, a painful chastisement will surely befall such of them as disbelieve. | Those who say: “GOD is the third of three” have certainly rejected faith. There is no deity but the one GOD. If they do not desist from what they say, a painful punishment will strike those among them who reject faith. |
| 74 | أَفَلَا يَتُوبُونَ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَهُۥ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ | Afalā yatūbūna ilā Allāhi wayastaghfirūnahu wallāhu ghafūrun raḥīm. | Will they not then turn to GOD and ask His forgiveness? And GOD is Forgiving, Merciful. | Will they not, then, turn to GOD in repentance and ask His forgiveness? GOD is forgiving, merciful. |
| 75 | مَّا ٱلْمَسِيحُ ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ إِلَّا رَسُولٌۭ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ وَأُمُّهُۥ صِدِّيقَةٌۭ ۖ كَانَا يَأْكُلَانِ ٱلطَّعَامَ ۗ ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ نُبَيِّنُ لَهُمُ ٱلْءَايَٰتِ ثُمَّ ٱنظُرْ أَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ | Mā almasīḥu ibnu maryama illā rasūlun qad khalat min qablihi arrusulu waummuhu ṣiddīqatun kānā yakulāni aṭṭaʿāma unẓur kayfa nubayyinu lahumu alāyāti thumma unẓur annā yufakūn. | The Messiah, son of Mary, was only a messenger; messengers before him had indeed passed away. And his mother was a truthful woman. They both used to eat food. See how We make the messages clear to them! then behold, how they are turned away! | The Messiah, son of Mary, was only a messenger; other messengers had already passed away before him. His mother was a truthful woman. Both ate food. See how We make the signs clear to them; then see how they allow themselves to be turned away! |
| 76 | قُلْ أَتَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَمْلِكُ لَكُمْ ضَرًّۭا وَلَا نَفْعًۭا ۚ وَٱللَّهُ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ | Qul ataʿbudūna min dūni Allāhi mā lā yamliku lakum ḍarran walā nafʿan wallāhu huwa assamīʿu alʿalīm. | Say: Do you serve besides GOD that which controls for you neither harm nor good? And GOD -- He is the Hearing, the Knowing. | Say: “Do you worship, besides GOD, what has no power either to harm or to benefit you? GOD is the One who hears, the One who knows.” |
| 77 | قُلْ يَٰٓأَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَا تَغْلُوا۟ فِى دِينِكُمْ غَيْرَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوٓا۟ أَهْوَآءَ قَوْمٍۢ قَدْ ضَلُّوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ وَأَضَلُّوا۟ كَثِيرًۭا وَضَلُّوا۟ عَن سَوَآءِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ | Qul yā ahla alkitābi lā taghlū fī dīnikum ghayra alḥaqqi walā tattabiʿū ahwāʾa qawmin qad ḍallū min qablu waʾaḍallū kathīran waḍallū ʿan sawāʾi assabīl. | Say: O People of the Book, exaggerate not in the matter of your religion unjustly, and follow not the low desires of people who went astray before and led many astray, and went astray from the right path. | Say: “O People of the Scripture, do not exceed the limits in your religion against the truth, and do not follow the desires of a people who had already gone astray, led many astray, and departed from the straight path.” |
The Messiah and the oneness of GOD. Quran 5, 72–75 expresses the Quranic position on Jesus. Trinitarian Churches confess one GOD and do not understand the Trinity as three independent deities: comparison requires an accurate account both of the Quranic criticism and of Christian self-understanding.
Verses 78–86 · Responsibility and recognition of the truth
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78 | لُعِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنۢ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ عَلَىٰ لِسَانِ دَاوُۥدَ وَعِيسَى ٱبْنِ مَرْيَمَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوا۟ وَّكَانُوا۟ يَعْتَدُونَ | Luʿina alladhīna kafarū min banī Isrāʾīla ʿalā lisāni dāwūda waʿīsā ibni maryama dhālika bimā ʿaṣaw wakānū yaʿtadūn. | Those who disbelieved from among the Children of Israel were cursed by the tongue of David and Jesus, son of Mary. This was because they disobeyed and exceeded the limits. | Those among the Children of Israel who rejected faith were cursed through the mouths of David and Jesus, son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and exceeded the limits. |
| 79 | كَانُوا۟ لَا يَتَنَاهَوْنَ عَن مُّنكَرٍۢ فَعَلُوهُ ۚ لَبِئْسَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَفْعَلُونَ | Kānū lā yatanāhawna ʿan munkarin faʿalūhu labisa mā kānū yafʿalūn. | They forbade not one another the hateful things they did. Evil indeed was what they did. | They did not restrain one another from the reprehensible deeds they committed. How evil was what they did! |
| 80 | تَرَىٰ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنْهُمْ يَتَوَلَّوْنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ۚ لَبِئْسَ مَا قَدَّمَتْ لَهُمْ أَنفُسُهُمْ أَن سَخِطَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَفِى ٱلْعَذَابِ هُمْ خَٰلِدُونَ | Tarā kathīran minhum yatawallawna alladhīna kafarū labisa mā qaddamat lahum anfusuhum an sakhiṭa Allāhu ʿalayhim wafī alʿadhābi hum khālidūn. | Thou seest many of them befriending those who disbelieve. Certainly evil is that which their souls send before for them, so that GOD is displeased with them, and in chastisement will they abide. | You see many of them making alliances with those who disbelieve. How evil is what they have prepared for themselves: GOD is angry with them, and they will remain in punishment. |
| 81 | وَلَوْ كَانُوا۟ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلنَّبِىِّ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مَا ٱتَّخَذُوهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءَ وَلَٰكِنَّ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنْهُمْ فَٰسِقُونَ | Walaw kānū yuminūna billāhi wannabiyyi wamā unzila ilayhi mā ittakhadhūhum awliyāʾa walākinna kathīran minhum fāsiqūn. | And if they believed in GOD and the Prophet and that which is revealed to him, they would not take them for friends, but most of them are transgressors. | Had they believed in GOD, the Prophet, and what was sent down to him, they would not have taken them as protecting allies. But many of them are transgressors. |
| 82 | ۞ لَتَجِدَنَّ أَشَدَّ ٱلنَّاسِ عَدَٰوَةًۭ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱلْيَهُودَ وَٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ ۖ وَلَتَجِدَنَّ أَقْرَبَهُم مَّوَدَّةًۭ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا نَصَٰرَىٰ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيسِينَ وَرُهْبَانًۭا وَأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ | Latajidanna ashadda annāsi ʿadāwatan lilladhīna āmanū alyahūda walladhīna ashrakū walatajidanna aqrabahum mawaddatan lilladhīna āmanū alladhīna qālū innā naṣārā dhālika bianna minhum qissīsīna waruhbānan waʾannahum lā yastakbirūn. | Thou wilt certainly find the most violent of people in enmity against the believers to be the Jews and the idolaters; and thou wilt find the nearest in friendship to the believers to be those who say, We are Christians. That is because there are priests and monks among them and because they are not proud. | You will certainly find that those most intense in hostility towards the believers are the Jews and those who associate others with GOD; and you will find that those nearest in affection towards the believers are those who say: “We are Christians.” That is because among them are priests and monks, and because they are not arrogant. |
| 83 | وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا۟ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ تَرَىٰٓ أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ ٱلدَّمْعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ ۖ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱكْتُبْنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّٰهِدِينَ | Waidhā samiʿū mā unzila ilā arrasūli tarā aʿyunahum tafīḍu mina addamʿi mimmā ʿarafū mina alḥaqqi yaqūlūna rabbanā āmannā faktubnā maʿa ashshāhidīn. | And when they hear that which has been revealed to the Messenger thou seest their eyes overflow with tears because of the truth they recognize. They say: Our LORD, we believe, so write us down with the witnesses. | When they hear what has been sent down to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they recognise. They say: “Our LORD, we believe: count us, then, among the witnesses. |
| 84 | وَمَا لَنَا لَا نُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَا جَآءَنَا مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَنَطْمَعُ أَن يُدْخِلَنَا رَبُّنَا مَعَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ | Wamā lanā lā numinu billāhi wamā jāʾanā mina alḥaqqi wanaṭmaʿu an yudkhilanā rabbunā maʿa alqawmi aṣṣāliḥīn. | And what (reason) have we that we should not believe in GOD and in the Truth that has come to us, while we earnestly desire that our LORD should cause us to enter with the righteous people? | Why should we not believe in GOD and in the truth that has come to us, when we desire our LORD to admit us among the righteous people?” |
| 85 | فَأَثَٰبَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا قَالُوا۟ جَنَّٰتٍۢ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ | Faʾathābahumu Allāhu bimā qālū jannātin tajrī min taḥtihā alanhāru khālidīna fīhā wadhālika jazāʾu almuḥsinīn. | So GOD rewarded them for what they said; with Gardens wherein rivers flow to abide in them. And that is the reward of the doers of good. | For what they have said, GOD rewards them with gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will remain. That is the reward of those who do good. |
| 86 | وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْجَحِيمِ | Walladhīna kafarū wakadhdhabū biāyātinā ulāʾika aṣḥābu aljaḥīm. | And those who disbelieve and reject Our messages, such are the companions of the flaming fire. | But those who disbelieve and deny Our signs are the companions of the blazing Fire. |
Verses 87–93 · Moderation, oaths, and sobriety
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87 | يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تُحَرِّمُوا۟ طَيِّبَٰتِ مَآ أَحَلَّ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُعْتَدِينَ | Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū lā tuḥarrimū ṭayyibāti mā aḥalla Allāhu lakum walā taʿtadū inna Allāha lā yuḥibbu almuʿtadīn. | O you who believe, forbid not the good things which GOD has made lawful for you and exceed not the limits. Surely GOD loves not those who exceed the limits. | O you who believe, do not forbid the good things that GOD has made lawful for you, and do not exceed the limits. GOD does not love those who exceed the limits. |
| 88 | وَكُلُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ حَلَٰلًۭا طَيِّبًۭا ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنتُم بِهِۦ مُؤْمِنُونَ | Wakulū mimmā razaqakumu Allāhu ḥalālan ṭayyiban wattaqū Allāha alladhī antum bihi muminūn. | And eat of the lawful and good (things) that GOD has given you, and keep your duty to GOD, in Whom you believe. | Eat of what GOD has provided for you, lawful and good; and fear GOD, in whom you believe. |
| 89 | لَا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِٱللَّغْوِ فِىٓ أَيْمَٰنِكُمْ وَلَٰكِن يُؤَاخِذُكُم بِمَا عَقَّدتُّمُ ٱلْأَيْمَٰنَ ۖ فَكَفَّٰرَتُهُۥٓ إِطْعَامُ عَشَرَةِ مَسَٰكِينَ مِنْ أَوْسَطِ مَا تُطْعِمُونَ أَهْلِيكُمْ أَوْ كِسْوَتُهُمْ أَوْ تَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍۢ ۖ فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَٰثَةِ أَيَّامٍۢ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ كَفَّٰرَةُ أَيْمَٰنِكُمْ إِذَا حَلَفْتُمْ ۚ وَٱحْفَظُوٓا۟ أَيْمَٰنَكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ | Lā yuākhidhukumu Allāhu billaghwi fī aymānikum walākin yuākhidhukum bimā ʿaqqadtumu alaymāna fakaffāratuhu iṭʿāmu ʿasharati masākīna min awsaṭi mā tuṭʿimūna ahlīkum aw kiswatuhum aw taḥrīru raqabatin faman lam yajid faṣiyāmu thalāthati ayyāmin dhālika kaffāratu aymānikum idhā ḥalaftum waḥfaẓū aymānakum kadhālika yubayyinu Allāhu lakum āyātihi laʿallakum tashkurūn. | GOD will not call you to account for that which is vain in your oaths, but He will call you to account for the making of deliberate oaths so its expiation is the feeding of ten poor men with the average (food) you feed your families with, or their clothing, or the freeing of a neck. But whoso finds not (means) should fast for three days. This is the expiation of your oaths when you swear. And keep your oaths. Thus does GOD make clear to you His messages that you may give thanks. | GOD does not call you to account for oaths uttered without intention, but He calls you to account for oaths by which you deliberately bind yourselves. Expiation consists in feeding ten poor people with food of the average quality with which you feed your families, or clothing them, or freeing a person from slavery. Whoever cannot find the means should fast for three days. This is the expiation for your oaths when you have sworn. Keep your oaths. Thus GOD makes His signs clear to you, so that you may be grateful. |
| 90 | يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا ٱلْخَمْرُ وَٱلْمَيْسِرُ وَٱلْأَنصَابُ وَٱلْأَزْلَٰمُ رِجْسٌۭ مِّنْ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ فَٱجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ | Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū innamā alkhamru walmaysiru walanṣābu walazlāmu rijsun min ʿamali ashshayṭāni fajtanibūhu laʿallakum tufliḥūn. | O you who believe, intoxicants and games of chance and (sacrificing to) stones set up and (dividing by) arrows are only an uncleanness, the devil’s work; so shun it that you may succeed. | O you who believe, intoxicating drinks, gambling, idolatrous altars, and divining arrows are an impurity, the work of Satan. Avoid them, so that you may prosper. |
| 91 | إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ أَن يُوقِعَ بَيْنَكُمُ ٱلْعَدَٰوَةَ وَٱلْبَغْضَآءَ فِى ٱلْخَمْرِ وَٱلْمَيْسِرِ وَيَصُدَّكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَعَنِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ۖ فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّنتَهُونَ | Innamā yurīdu ashshayṭānu an yūqiʿa baynakumu alʿadāwata walbaghḍāʾa fī alkhamri walmaysiri wayaṣuddakum ʿan dhikri Allāhi waʿani aṣṣalāti fahal antum muntahūn. | The devil desires only to create enmity and hatred among you by means of intoxicants and games of chance, and to keep you back from the remembrance of GOD and from prayer. Will you then keep back? | Satan wishes only to stir up enmity and hatred among you through intoxicating drinks and gambling, and to turn you away from remembering GOD and from prayer. Will you not, then, desist? |
| 92 | وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَٱحْذَرُوا۟ ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا عَلَىٰ رَسُولِنَا ٱلْبَلَٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ | Waʾaṭīʿū Allāha waʾaṭīʿū arrasūla waḥdharū fain tawallaytum faʿlamū annamā ʿalā rasūlinā albalāghu almubīn. | And obey GOD and obey the Messenger and be cautious. But if you turn back then know that the duty of Our Messenger is only a clear deliverance of the message. | Obey GOD, obey the Messenger, and be on your guard. If you turn away, know that Our Messenger’s duty is only to convey the message clearly. |
| 93 | لَيْسَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ جُنَاحٌۭ فِيمَا طَعِمُوٓا۟ إِذَا مَا ٱتَّقَوا۟ وَّءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ ثُمَّ ٱتَّقَوا۟ وَّءَامَنُوا۟ ثُمَّ ٱتَّقَوا۟ وَّأَحْسَنُوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ | Laysa ʿalā alladhīna āmanū waʿamilū aṣṣāliḥāti junāḥun fīmā ṭaʿimū idhā mā ittaqaw waāmanū waʿamilū aṣṣāliḥāti thumma ittaqaw waāmanū thumma ittaqaw waʾaḥsanū wallāhu yuḥibbu almuḥsinīn. | On those who believe and do good there is no blame for what they eat, when they keep their duty and believe and do good deeds, then keep their duty and believe, then keep their duty and do good (to others). And GOD loves the doers of good. | There is no blame upon those who believe and do righteous deeds for what they have consumed, provided they fear GOD, believe, and do righteous deeds, then continue to fear GOD and believe, and again fear GOD and do good. GOD loves those who do good. |
Verses 94–100 · Pilgrimage and discernment
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَيَبْلُوَنَّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِشَىْءٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلصَّيْدِ تَنَالُهُۥٓ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَرِمَاحُكُمْ لِيَعْلَمَ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَخَافُهُۥ بِٱلْغَيْبِ ۚ فَمَنِ ٱعْتَدَىٰ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَلَهُۥ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ | Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū layabluwannakumu Allāhu bishayin mina aṣṣaydi tanāluhu aydīkum warimāḥukum liyaʿlama Allāhu man yakhāfuhu bilghaybi famani iʿtadā baʿda dhālika falahu ʿadhābun alīm. | O you who believe, GOD will certainly try you in respect of some game which your hands and your lances can reach, that GOD may know who fears Him in secret. Whoever exceeds the limit after this, for him is a painful chastisement. | O you who believe, GOD will certainly test you with game that your hands and spears can reach, so that GOD may distinguish those who fear Him without seeing Him. Whoever exceeds the limit after this will have a painful punishment. |
| 95 | يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلصَّيْدَ وَأَنتُمْ حُرُمٌۭ ۚ وَمَن قَتَلَهُۥ مِنكُم مُّتَعَمِّدًۭا فَجَزَآءٌۭ مِّثْلُ مَا قَتَلَ مِنَ ٱلنَّعَمِ يَحْكُمُ بِهِۦ ذَوَا عَدْلٍۢ مِّنكُمْ هَدْيًۢا بَٰلِغَ ٱلْكَعْبَةِ أَوْ كَفَّٰرَةٌۭ طَعَامُ مَسَٰكِينَ أَوْ عَدْلُ ذَٰلِكَ صِيَامًۭا لِّيَذُوقَ وَبَالَ أَمْرِهِۦ ۗ عَفَا ٱللَّهُ عَمَّا سَلَفَ ۚ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَيَنتَقِمُ ٱللَّهُ مِنْهُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌۭ ذُو ٱنتِقَامٍ | Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū lā taqtulū aṣṣayda waʾantum ḥurumun waman qatalahu minkum mutaʿammidan fajazāʾun mithlu mā qatala mina annaʿami yaḥkumu bihi dhawā ʿadlin minkum hadyan bāligha alkaʿbati aw kaffāratun ṭaʿāmu masākīna aw ʿadlu dhālika ṣiyāman liyadhūqa wabāla amrihi ʿafā Allāhu ʿammā salafa waman ʿāda fayantaqimu Allāhu minhu wallāhu ʿazīzun dhū intiqām. | O you who believe, kill not game while you are on pilgrimage. And whoever among you kills it intentionally, the compensation thereof is the like of what he killed, from the cattle, as two just persons among you judge, as an offering to be brought to the Ka'bah, or the expiation thereof is the feeding of the poor or equivalent of it in fasting, that he may taste the unwholesome result of his deed. GOD pardons what happened in the past. And whoever returns (to it), GOD will punish him. And GOD is Mighty; LORD of Retribution. | O you who believe, do not kill game while you are in the state of consecration for pilgrimage. Whoever among you kills it intentionally must compensate with a livestock animal equivalent to what was killed, as judged by two just men among you, as an offering to reach the Kaʿba; or must expiate by feeding poor people, or by an equivalent fast, so as to taste the consequences of their action. GOD has pardoned what is past; but whoever repeats the transgression will meet GOD’s retribution. GOD is mighty, LORD of retribution. |
| 96 | أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ صَيْدُ ٱلْبَحْرِ وَطَعَامُهُۥ مَتَٰعًۭا لَّكُمْ وَلِلسَّيَّارَةِ ۖ وَحُرِّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ صَيْدُ ٱلْبَرِّ مَا دُمْتُمْ حُرُمًۭا ۗ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِىٓ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ | Oḥilla lakum ṣaydu albaḥri waṭaʿāmuhu matāʿan lakum walissayyārati waḥurrima ʿalaykum ṣaydu albarri mā dumtum ḥuruman wattaqū Allāha alladhī ilayhi tuḥsharūn. | Lawful to you is the game of the sea and its food, a provision for you and for the travellers, and the game of the land is forbidden to you so long as you are on pilgrimage, and keep your duty to GOD, to Whom you shall be gathered. | Lawful for you are fishing and the food of the sea, as provision for you and for travellers; but hunting on land is forbidden to you while you remain in the state of consecration. Fear GOD, before whom you will be gathered. |
| 97 | ۞ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْكَعْبَةَ ٱلْبَيْتَ ٱلْحَرَامَ قِيَٰمًۭا لِّلنَّاسِ وَٱلشَّهْرَ ٱلْحَرَامَ وَٱلْهَدْىَ وَٱلْقَلَٰٓئِدَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِتَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ | Jaʿala Allāhu alkaʿbata albayta alḥarāma qiyāman linnāsi washshahra alḥarāma walhadya walqalāʾida dhālika litaʿlamū anna Allāha yaʿlamu mā fī assamāwāti wamā fī alarḍi waʾanna Allāha bikulli shayin ʿalīm. | GOD has made the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, a means of support for the people, and the sacred month and the offerings and the victims with garlands. That is that you may know that GOD knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and that GOD is Knower of all things. | GOD has made the Kaʿba, the Sacred House, a support for humankind, and likewise the sacred month, the sacrificial offerings, and the animals marked with garlands. This is so that you may know that GOD knows what is in the heavens and what is on earth, and that GOD knows all things. |
| 98 | ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ | Iʿlamū anna Allāha shadīdu alʿiqābi waʾanna Allāha ghafūrun raḥīm. | Know that GOD is severe in requiting (evil) and that GOD is Forgiving, Merciful. | Know that GOD is severe in punishment and that GOD is forgiving, merciful. |
| 99 | مَّا عَلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَٰغُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تُبْدُونَ وَمَا تَكْتُمُونَ | Mā ʿalā arrasūli illā albalāghu wallāhu yaʿlamu mā tubdūna wamā taktumūn. | The duty of the Messenger is only to deliver (the message). And GOD knows what you do openly and what you hide. | The Messenger’s duty is only to convey the message. GOD knows what you reveal and what you conceal. |
| 100 | قُل لَّا يَسْتَوِى ٱلْخَبِيثُ وَٱلطَّيِّبُ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ كَثْرَةُ ٱلْخَبِيثِ ۚ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ يَٰٓأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ | Qul lā yastawī alkhabīthu waṭṭayyibu walaw aʿjabaka kathratu alkhabīthi fattaqū Allāha yā ulī alalbābi laʿallakum tufliḥūn. | Say: The bad and the good are not equal, though the abundance of the bad may please thee. So keep your duty to GOD, O men of understanding, that you may succeed. | Say: “The bad and the good are not equal, even if the abundance of the bad amazes you. Fear GOD, then, you who possess understanding, so that you may prosper.” |
Verses 101–108 · Traditions and testimony
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَسْـَٔلُوا۟ عَنْ أَشْيَآءَ إِن تُبْدَ لَكُمْ تَسُؤْكُمْ وَإِن تَسْـَٔلُوا۟ عَنْهَا حِينَ يُنَزَّلُ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ تُبْدَ لَكُمْ عَفَا ٱللَّهُ عَنْهَا ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٌۭ | Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū lā tasalū ʿan ashyāʾa in tubda lakum tasukum wain tasalū ʿanhā ḥīna yunazzalu alqurānu tubda lakum ʿafā Allāhu ʿanhā wallāhu ghafūrun ḥalīm. | O you who believe, ask not about things which if made known to you would give you trouble; and if you ask about them when the Qur'an is being revealed, they will be made known to you. GOD pardons this; and GOD is Forgiving, Forbearing. | O you who believe, do not ask about things that, if made manifest to you, would distress you. If you ask about them while the Quran is being revealed, they will be made manifest to you. GOD has pardoned this. GOD is forgiving, forbearing. |
| 102 | قَدْ سَأَلَهَا قَوْمٌۭ مِّن قَبْلِكُمْ ثُمَّ أَصْبَحُوا۟ بِهَا كَٰفِرِينَ | Qad saʾalahā qawmun min qablikum thumma aṣbaḥū bihā kāfirīn. | A people before you indeed asked such questions, then became disbelievers therein. | A people before you asked similar questions; then, because of them, fell into rejection of faith. |
| 103 | مَا جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِنۢ بَحِيرَةٍۢ وَلَا سَآئِبَةٍۢ وَلَا وَصِيلَةٍۢ وَلَا حَامٍۢ ۙ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ ۖ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ | Mā jaʿala Allāhu min baḥīratin walā sāʾibatin walā waṣīlatin walā ḥāmin walākinna alladhīna kafarū yaftarūna ʿalā Allāhi alkadhiba waʾaktharuhum lā yaʿqilūn. | GOD has not ordained a bahirah or a sa'ibah or a wasilah or a hami, but those who disbelieve fabricate a lie against GOD. And most of them understand not. | GOD has instituted neither baḥīra, nor sāʾiba, nor waṣīla, nor ḥām. Rather, it is those who disbelieve who invent lies against GOD, and most of them do not understand. |
| 104 | وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ وَإِلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ قَالُوا۟ حَسْبُنَا مَا وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهِ ءَابَآءَنَآ ۚ أَوَلَوْ كَانَ ءَابَآؤُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ شَيْـًۭٔا وَلَا يَهْتَدُونَ | Waidhā qīla lahum taʿālaw ilā mā anzala Allāhu wailā arrasūli qālū ḥasbunā mā wajadnā ʿalayhi ābāʾanā awalaw kāna ābāʾuhum lā yaʿlamūna shayan walā yahtadūn. | And when it is said to them, Come to that which GOD has revealed and to the Messenger, they say: Sufficient for us is that wherein we found our fathers. What! even though their fathers knew nothing and had no guidance! | When they are told: “Come to what GOD has revealed and to the Messenger,” they reply: “What we found our fathers following is enough for us.” Even if their fathers knew nothing and were not guided? |
| 105 | يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ عَلَيْكُمْ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۖ لَا يَضُرُّكُم مَّن ضَلَّ إِذَا ٱهْتَدَيْتُمْ ۚ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًۭا فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ | Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū ʿalaykum anfusakum lā yaḍurrukum man ḍalla idha ihtadaytum ilā Allāhi marjiʿukum jamīʿan fayunabbiukum bimā kuntum taʿmalūn. | O you who believe, take care of your souls -- he who errs cannot harm you when you are on the right way. To GOD you will all return, so He will inform you of what you did. | O you who believe, take care of yourselves. Those who stray cannot harm you if you are rightly guided. You will all return to GOD, and He will inform you of what you used to do. |
| 106 | يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ شَهَٰدَةُ بَيْنِكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ حِينَ ٱلْوَصِيَّةِ ٱثْنَانِ ذَوَا عَدْلٍۢ مِّنكُمْ أَوْ ءَاخَرَانِ مِنْ غَيْرِكُمْ إِنْ أَنتُمْ ضَرَبْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَأَصَٰبَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۚ تَحْبِسُونَهُمَا مِنۢ بَعْدِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ فَيُقْسِمَانِ بِٱللَّهِ إِنِ ٱرْتَبْتُمْ لَا نَشْتَرِى بِهِۦ ثَمَنًۭا وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىٰ ۙ وَلَا نَكْتُمُ شَهَٰدَةَ ٱللَّهِ إِنَّآ إِذًۭا لَّمِنَ ٱلْءَاثِمِينَ | Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū shahādatu baynikum idhā ḥaḍara aḥadakumu almawtu ḥīna alwaṣiyyati ithnāni dhawā ʿadlin minkum aw ākharāni min ghayrikum in antum ḍarabtum fī alarḍi faʾaṣābatkum muṣībatu almawti taḥbisūnahumā min baʿdi aṣṣalāti fayuqsimāni billāhi ini irtabtum lā nashtarī bihi thamanan walaw kāna dhā qurbā walā naktumu shahādata Allāhi innā idhan lamina alāthimīn. | O you who believe, call to witness between you, when death draws nigh to one of you, at the time of making the will, two just persons from among you, or two others from among others than you, if you are travelling in the land and the calamity of death befalls you. You should detain them after the prayer. Then if you doubt (them), they shall both swear by GOD (saying): We will not take for it a price, though there be a relative nor will we hide the testimony of GOD, for then certainly we shall be sinners. | O you who believe, when death approaches one of you, at the time of making a will let testimony among you be entrusted to two just men from your community, or two from another community if you are travelling through the land and the calamity of death strikes you. Detain them after prayer and, if you have doubts, let both swear by GOD: “We shall not sell this testimony for any price, even in favour of a relative, and we shall not conceal the testimony owed to GOD; otherwise we would certainly be among the sinners.” |
| 107 | فَإِنْ عُثِرَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنَّهُمَا ٱسْتَحَقَّآ إِثْمًۭا فَـَٔاخَرَانِ يَقُومَانِ مَقَامَهُمَا مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَحَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَوْلَيَٰنِ فَيُقْسِمَانِ بِٱللَّهِ لَشَهَٰدَتُنَآ أَحَقُّ مِن شَهَٰدَتِهِمَا وَمَا ٱعْتَدَيْنَآ إِنَّآ إِذًۭا لَّمِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ | Fain ʿuthira ʿalā annahumā istaḥaqqā ithman faākharani yaqūmāni maqāmahumā mina alladhīna istaḥaqqa ʿalayhimu alawlayāni fayuqsimāni billāhi lashahādatunā aḥaqqu min shahādatihimā wamā iʿtadaynā innā idhan lamina aẓẓālimīn. | If it be discovered that they are guilty of a sin, two others shall stand up in their place from among those against whom the first two have been guilty of a sin; so they shall swear by GOD: Certainly our testimony is truer than the testimony of those two, and we have not exceeded the limit, for then surely we should be unjust. | If it is then discovered that the two have been guilty of a sin, let two others take their place from among those whose rights have been infringed, the two with the strongest claim. Let them swear by GOD: “Our testimony is truer than theirs, and we have not exceeded the limit; otherwise we would certainly be among the unjust.” |
| 108 | ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَن يَأْتُوا۟ بِٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهَآ أَوْ يَخَافُوٓا۟ أَن تُرَدَّ أَيْمَٰنٌۢ بَعْدَ أَيْمَٰنِهِمْ ۗ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱسْمَعُوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْفَٰسِقِينَ | Dhālika adnā an yatū bishshahādati ʿalā wajhihā aw yakhāfū an turadda aymānun baʿda aymānihim wattaqū Allāha wasmaʿū wallāhu lā yahdī alqawma alfāsiqīn. | Thus it is more probable that they will give true testimony or fear that other oaths will be taken after their oaths. And keep your duty to GOD and hearken. And GOD guides not the transgressing people. | This is more likely to ensure that they give testimony properly, or fear that other oaths will be set against their own. Fear GOD and listen. GOD does not guide the transgressing people. |
Terms and translation choices. In Quran 5, 103, baḥīra, sāʾiba, waṣīla, and ḥām denote categories of animals associated with consecrations and prohibitions in pre-Islamic Arabia: the names are retained to avoid conflating different institutions. Verse 5, 107 has a complex construction; the ASH rendering makes explicit the replacement of witnesses and the protection of those entitled to make a claim.
Verses 109–115 · Jesus and the table from heaven
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 109 | ۞ يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلرُّسُلَ فَيَقُولُ مَاذَآ أُجِبْتُمْ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ عَلَّٰمُ ٱلْغُيُوبِ | Yawma yajmaʿu Allāhu arrusula fayaqūlu mādhā ujibtum qālū lā ʿilma lanā innaka anta ʿallāmu alghuyūb. | On the day when GOD will gather together the messengers and say: What was the response you received? They will say: We have no knowledge. Surely Thou art the great Knower of the unseen. | On the Day when GOD gathers the messengers and says: “What response did you receive?” they will say: “We have no knowledge. You alone fully know what is hidden.” |
| 110 | إِذْ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَٰعِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ ٱذْكُرْ نِعْمَتِى عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَتِكَ إِذْ أَيَّدتُّكَ بِرُوحِ ٱلْقُدُسِ تُكَلِّمُ ٱلنَّاسَ فِى ٱلْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلًۭا ۖ وَإِذْ عَلَّمْتُكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ ۖ وَإِذْ تَخْلُقُ مِنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيْـَٔةِ ٱلطَّيْرِ بِإِذْنِى فَتَنفُخُ فِيهَا فَتَكُونُ طَيْرًۢا بِإِذْنِى ۖ وَتُبْرِئُ ٱلْأَكْمَهَ وَٱلْأَبْرَصَ بِإِذْنِى ۖ وَإِذْ تُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِى ۖ وَإِذْ كَفَفْتُ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ عَنكَ إِذْ جِئْتَهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ فَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ إِنْ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ | Idh qāla Allāhu yā ʿīsā ibna maryama udhkur niʿmatī ʿalayka waʿalā wālidatika idh ayyadtuka birūḥi alqudusi tukallimu annāsa fī almahdi wakahlan waidh ʿallamtuka alkitāba walḥikmata wattawrāta walinjīla waidh takhluqu mina aṭṭīni kahayati aṭṭayri biidhnī fatanfukhu fīhā fatakūnu ṭayran biidhnī watubriu alakmaha walabraṣa biidhnī waidh tukhriju almawtā biidhnī waidh kafaftu banī Isrāʾīla ʿanka idh jitahum bilbayyināti faqāla alladhīna kafarū minhum in hādhā illā siḥrun mubīn. | When GOD will say: O Jesus, son of Mary, remember My favour to thee and to thy mother, when I strengthened thee with the Holy Spirit; thou spokest to people in the cradle and in old age, and when I taught thee the Book and the Wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel, and when thou didst determine out of clay a thing like the form of a bird by My permission, then thou didst breathe into it and it became a bird by My permission; and thou didst heal the blind and the leprous by My permission; and when thou didst raise the dead by My permission; and when I withheld the Children of Israel from thee when thou camest to them with clear arguments -- but those of them who disbelieved said: This is nothing but clear enchantment. | When GOD says: “O Jesus, son of Mary, remember My favour towards you and towards your mother, when I strengthened you with the Holy Spirit and you spoke to people from the cradle and in maturity; when I taught you the Book, wisdom, the Torah, and the Gospel; when you shaped from clay the form of a bird, by My permission, then breathed into it and it became a bird, by My permission; you healed the man born blind and the leper, by My permission, and raised the dead, by My permission. Remember when I restrained the Children of Israel from you, when you brought them clear proofs and those among them who disbelieved said: ‘This is nothing but obvious magic.’” |
| 111 | وَإِذْ أَوْحَيْتُ إِلَى ٱلْحَوَارِيِّۦنَ أَنْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِى وَبِرَسُولِى قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَٱشْهَدْ بِأَنَّنَا مُسْلِمُونَ | Waidh awḥaytu ilā alḥawāriyyīna an āminū bī wabirasūlī qālū āmannā washhad biannanā muslimūn. | And when I revealed to the disciples, saying, Believe in Me and My messenger, they said: We believe and bear witness that we submit. | And when I inspired the disciples: “Believe in Me and in My messenger,” they said: “We believe; bear witness that we are submitted.” |
| 112 | إِذْ قَالَ ٱلْحَوَارِيُّونَ يَٰعِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ هَلْ يَسْتَطِيعُ رَبُّكَ أَن يُنَزِّلَ عَلَيْنَا مَآئِدَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ ۖ قَالَ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ | Idh qāla alḥawāriyyūna yā ʿīsā ibna maryama hal yastaṭīʿu rabbuka an yunazzila ʿalaynā māʾidatan mina assamāʾi qāla ittaqū Allāha in kuntum muminīn. | When the disciples said: O Jesus, son of Mary, is thy LORD able to send down food to us from heaven? He said: Keep your duty to GOD if you are believers. | When the disciples said: “O Jesus, son of Mary, can your LORD send down for us a table from heaven?” he replied: “Fear GOD, if you are believers.” |
| 113 | قَالُوا۟ نُرِيدُ أَن نَّأْكُلَ مِنْهَا وَتَطْمَئِنَّ قُلُوبُنَا وَنَعْلَمَ أَن قَدْ صَدَقْتَنَا وَنَكُونَ عَلَيْهَا مِنَ ٱلشَّٰهِدِينَ | Qālū nurīdu an nakula minhā wataṭmainna qulūbunā wanaʿlama an qad ṣadaqtanā wanakūna ʿalayhā mina ashshāhidīn. | They said: We desire to eat of it, and that our hearts should be at rest, and that we may know that thou hast indeed spoken truth to us, and that we may be witnesses thereof. | They said: “We wish to eat from it, for our hearts to find peace, to know that you have told us the truth, and to be witnesses to it.” |
| 114 | قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ ٱللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَآ أَنزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مَآئِدَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ تَكُونُ لَنَا عِيدًۭا لِّأَوَّلِنَا وَءَاخِرِنَا وَءَايَةًۭ مِّنكَ ۖ وَٱرْزُقْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ | Qāla ʿīsā ibnu maryama allāhumma rabbanā anzil ʿalaynā māʾidatan mina assamāʾi takūnu lanā ʿīdan liawwalinā waākhirinā waāyatan minka warzuqnā waʾanta khayru arrāziqīn. | Jesus, son of Mary, said: O GOD, our LORD, send down to us food from heaven which should be to us an ever-recurring happiness to the first of us and the last of us, and a sign from Thee, and give us sustenance and Thou art the Best of the sustainers. | Jesus, son of Mary, said: “O GOD, our LORD, send down for us a table from heaven, to be a feast for us, for the first and the last of us, and a sign from You. Provide for us: You are the best of providers.” |
| 115 | قَالَ ٱللَّهُ إِنِّى مُنَزِّلُهَا عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بَعْدُ مِنكُمْ فَإِنِّىٓ أُعَذِّبُهُۥ عَذَابًۭا لَّآ أُعَذِّبُهُۥٓ أَحَدًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ | Qāla Allāhu innī munazziluhā ʿalaykum faman yakfur baʿdu minkum fainnī uʿadhdhibuhu ʿadhāban lā uʿadhdhibuhu aḥadan mina alʿālamīn. | GOD said: Surely I will send it down to you, but whoever disbelieves afterwards from among you, I will chastise him with a chastisement with which I will not chastise any one among the nations. | GOD said: “I shall send it down to you. But whoever among you rejects faith after this, I shall punish with a punishment with which I shall punish no other among the peoples.” |
The table. The surah’s title comes from the disciples’ request in Quran 5, 112–115. Jesus’ prayer brings together nourishment, celebration, sign, and gratitude. Any comparison with the Eucharistic table belongs to comparative study: it should not be presented as an explicit identification made by the Quranic text.
Verses 116–120 · The testimony of Jesus and judgement
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 116 | وَإِذْ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَٰعِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ ءَأَنتَ قُلْتَ لِلنَّاسِ ٱتَّخِذُونِى وَأُمِّىَ إِلَٰهَيْنِ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ قَالَ سُبْحَٰنَكَ مَا يَكُونُ لِىٓ أَنْ أَقُولَ مَا لَيْسَ لِى بِحَقٍّ ۚ إِن كُنتُ قُلْتُهُۥ فَقَدْ عَلِمْتَهُۥ ۚ تَعْلَمُ مَا فِى نَفْسِى وَلَآ أَعْلَمُ مَا فِى نَفْسِكَ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ عَلَّٰمُ ٱلْغُيُوبِ | Waidh qāla Allāhu yā ʿīsā ibna maryama aʾanta qulta linnāsi ittakhidhūnī waummiya ilāhayni min dūni Allāhi qāla subḥānaka mā yakūnu lī an aqūla mā laysa lī biḥaqqin in kuntu qultuhu faqad ʿalimtahu taʿlamu mā fī nafsī walā aʿlamu mā fī nafsika innaka anta ʿallāmu alghuyūb. | And when GOD will say: O Jesus, son of Mary, didst thou say to men, Take me and my mother for two gods besides GOD? He will say: Glory be to Thee! it was not for me to say what I had no right to (say). If I had said it, Thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my mind, and I know not what is in Thy mind. Surely Thou art the great Knower of the unseen. | When GOD says: “O Jesus, son of Mary, was it you who said to people: ‘Take me and my mother as two deities besides GOD’?” he will reply: “Glory be to You! It is not for me to say what I have no right to say. Had I said it, You would know it. You know what is within me, and I do not know what is within You. You alone fully know what is hidden. |
| 117 | مَا قُلْتُ لَهُمْ إِلَّا مَآ أَمَرْتَنِى بِهِۦٓ أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبَّكُمْ ۚ وَكُنتُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًۭا مَّا دُمْتُ فِيهِمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّيْتَنِى كُنتَ أَنتَ ٱلرَّقِيبَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَأَنتَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ شَهِيدٌ | Mā qultu lahum illā mā amartanī bihi ani uʿbudū Allāha rabbī warabbakum wakuntu ʿalayhim shahīdan mā dumtu fīhim falammā tawaffaytanī kunta anta arraqība ʿalayhim waʾanta ʿalā kulli shayin shahīd. | I said to them naught save as Thou didst command me: Serve GOD, my LORD and your LORD; and I was a witness of them so long as I was among them, but when Thou didst cause me to die Thou wast the Watcher over them. And Thou art Witness of all things. | I told them only what You had commanded me: ‘Worship GOD, my LORD and your LORD.’ I was a witness over them as long as I remained among them; but when You took me to Yourself, it was You who watched over them. You are witness to all things. |
| 118 | إِن تُعَذِّبْهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِبَادُكَ ۖ وَإِن تَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ فَإِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ | In tuʿadhdhibhum fainnahum ʿibāduka wain taghfir lahum fainnaka anta alʿazīzu alḥakīm. | If Thou chastise them, surely they are Thy servants; and if Thou protect them, surely Thou art the Mighty, the Wise. | If You punish them, they are Your servants; if You forgive them, You are the Mighty, the Wise.” |
| 119 | قَالَ ٱللَّهُ هَٰذَا يَوْمُ يَنفَعُ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ صِدْقُهُمْ ۚ لَهُمْ جَنَّٰتٌۭ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًۭا ۚ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا۟ عَنْهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ | Qāla Allāhu hādhā yawmu yanfaʿu aṣṣādiqīna ṣidquhum lahum jannātun tajrī min taḥtihā alanhāru khālidīna fīhā abadan raḍiya Allāhu ʿanhum waraḍū ʿanhu dhālika alfawzu alʿaẓīm. | GOD will say: This is a day when their truth will profit the truthful ones. For them are Gardens wherein flow rivers abiding therein forever. GOD is well pleased with them and they are well pleased with GOD. That is the mighty achievement. | GOD will say: “This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness. They will have gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will remain for ever.” GOD is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. This is the immense success. |
| 120 | لِلَّهِ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا فِيهِنَّ ۚ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۢ | Lillāhi mulku assamāwāti walarḍi wamā fīhinna wahuwa ʿalā kulli shayin qadīr. | GOD's is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and whatever is in them; and He is Possessor of power over all things. | To GOD belongs the kingdom of the heavens, the earth, and all that is in them. He has power over all things. |
The concluding testimony. In Quran 5, 116, the reference to Jesus and Mary does not constitute a definition of the Trinity professed by the Churches. In 5, 117, the verb tawaffaytanī is rendered here as “You took me to Yourself”; Maulana Muhammad Ali translates it as “didst cause me to die”. The nature and timing of this fulfilment are interpreted differently: the lexical choice must be distinguished from the wider discussion of Jesus’ death and elevation.
