Al-Baqarah

alif-lam-meem

Alif Lam Mim

dhālika l-kitābu lā rayba fīhi hudan lil'muttaqīna

This is the Scripture in which there is no doubt, containing guidance for those who are mindful of God,

alladhīna yu'minūna bil-ghaybi wayuqīmūna l-ṣalata wamimmā razaqnāhum yunfiqūna

who believe in the unseen,keep up the prayer, and give out of what We have provided for them;

wa-alladhīna yu'minūna bimā unzila ilayka wamā unzila min qablika wabil-ākhirati hum yūqinūna

those who believe in the revelation sent down to you [Muhammad], and in what was sent before you, those who have firm faith in the Hereafter.

ulāika ʿalā hudan min rabbihim wa-ulāika humu l-muf'liḥūna

Such people are following their Lord’s guidance and it is they who will prosper.

inna alladhīna kafarū sawāon ʿalayhim a-andhartahum am lam tundhir'hum lā yu'minūna

As for those who disbelieve, it makes no difference whether you warn them or not: they will not believe.

khatama l-lahu ʿalā qulūbihim waʿalā samʿihim waʿalā abṣārihim ghishāwatun walahum ʿadhābun ʿaẓīmun

God has sealed their hearts and their ears, and their eyes are covered. They will have great torment.

wamina l-nāsi man yaqūlu āmannā bil-lahi wabil-yawmi l-ākhiri wamā hum bimu'minīna

Some people say, ‘We believe in God and the Last Day,’ when really they do not believe.

yukhādiʿūna l-laha wa-alladhīna āmanū wamā yakhdaʿūna illā anfusahum wamā yashʿurūna

They seek to deceive God and the believers but they only deceive themselves, though they do not realize it.

fī qulūbihim maraḍun fazādahumu l-lahu maraḍan walahum ʿadhābun alīmun bimā kānū yakdhibūna

There is a disease in their hearts, to which God has added more: agonizing torment awaits them for their persistent lying.

wa-idhā qīla lahum lā tuf'sidū fī l-arḍi qālū innamā naḥnu muṣ'liḥūna

When it is said to them, ‘Do not cause corruption in the land,’ they say, ‘We are only putting things right,’

alā innahum humu l-muf'sidūna walākin lā yashʿurūna

but really they are causing corruption, though they do not realize it.

wa-idhā qīla lahum āminū kamā āmana l-nāsu qālū anu'minu kamā āmana l-sufahāu alā innahum humu l-sufahāu walākin lā yaʿlamūna

When it is said to them, ‘Believe, as the others believe,’ they say, ‘Should we believe as the fools do?’ but they are the fools, though they do not know it.

wa-idhā laqū alladhīna āmanū qālū āmannā wa-idhā khalaw ilā shayāṭīnihim qālū innā maʿakum innamā naḥnu mus'tahziūna

When they meet the believers, they say, ‘We believe,’ but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, ‘We’re really with you; we were only mocking.’

al-lahu yastahzi-u bihim wayamudduhum fī ṭugh'yānihim yaʿmahūna

God is mocking them, and allowing them more slack to wander blindly in their insolence.

ulāika alladhīna ish'tarawū l-ḍalālata bil-hudā famā rabiḥat tijāratuhum wamā kānū muh'tadīna

They have bought error in exchange for guidance, so their trade reaps no profit, and they are not rightly guided.

mathaluhum kamathali alladhī is'tawqada nāran falammā aḍāat mā ḥawlahu dhahaba l-lahu binūrihim watarakahum fī ẓulumātin lā yub'ṣirūna

They are like people who [labour to] kindle a fire: when it lights up everything around them, God takes away all their light, leaving them in utter darkness, unable to see-

ṣummun buk'mun ʿum'yun fahum lā yarjiʿūna

deaf, dumb, and blind: they will never return.

aw kaṣayyibin mina l-samāi fīhi ẓulumātun waraʿdun wabarqun yajʿalūna aṣābiʿahum fī ādhānihim mina l-ṣawāʿiqi ḥadhara l-mawti wal-lahu muḥīṭun bil-kāfirīna

Or [like people who, under] a cloudburst from the sky, with its darkness, thunder, and lightning, put their fingers into their ears to keep out the thunderclaps for fear of death- God surrounds the disbelievers.

yakādu l-barqu yakhṭafu abṣārahum kullamā aḍāa lahum mashaw fīhi wa-idhā aẓlama ʿalayhim qāmū walaw shāa l-lahu ladhahaba bisamʿihim wa-abṣārihim inna l-laha ʿalā kulli shayin qadīrun

The lightning almost snatches away their sight: whenever it flashes on them they walk on and when darkness falls around them they stand still. If God so willed, He could take away their hearing and sight: God has power over everything.

yāayyuhā l-nāsu uʿ'budū rabbakumu alladhī khalaqakum wa-alladhīna min qablikum laʿallakum tattaqūna

People, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, so that you may be mindful [of Him]

alladhī jaʿala lakumu l-arḍa firāshan wal-samāa bināan wa-anzala mina l-samāi māan fa-akhraja bihi mina l-thamarāti riz'qan lakum falā tajʿalū lillahi andādan wa-antum taʿlamūna

who spread out the earth for you and built the sky; who sent water down from it and with that water produced things for your sustenance. Do not, knowing this, set up rivals to God.

wa-in kuntum fī raybin mimmā nazzalnā ʿalā ʿabdinā fatū bisūratin min mith'lihi wa-id'ʿū shuhadāakum min dūni l-lahi in kuntum ṣādiqīna

If you have doubts about the revelation We have sent down to Our servant, then produce a single sura like it- enlist whatever supporters you have other than God- if you truly [think you can].

fa-in lam tafʿalū walan tafʿalū fa-ittaqū l-nāra allatī waqūduhā l-nāsu wal-ḥijāratu uʿiddat lil'kāfirīna

If you cannot do this- and you never will- then beware of the Fire prepared for the disbelievers, whose fuel is men and stones.

wabashiri alladhīna āmanū waʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāti anna lahum jannātin tajrī min taḥtihā l-anhāru kullamā ruziqū min'hā min thamaratin riz'qan qālū hādhā alladhī ruziq'nā min qablu wa-utū bihi mutashābihan walahum fīhā azwājun muṭahharatun wahum fīhā khālidūna

[Prophet], give those who believe and do good the news that they will have Gardens graced with flowing streams. Whenever they are given sustenance from the fruits of these Gardens, they will say, ‘We have been given this before,’ because they were provided with something like it. They will have pure spouses and there they will stay.

inna l-laha lā yastaḥyī an yaḍriba mathalan mā baʿūḍatan famā fawqahā fa-ammā alladhīna āmanū fayaʿlamūna annahu l-ḥaqu min rabbihim wa-ammā alladhīna kafarū fayaqūlūna mādhā arāda l-lahu bihādhā mathalan yuḍillu bihi kathīran wayahdī bihi kathīran wamā yuḍillu bihi illā l-fāsiqīna

God does not shy from drawing comparisons even with something as small as a gnat, or larger: the believers know it is the truth from their Lord, but the disbelievers say, ‘What does God mean by such a comparison?’ Through it He makes many go astray and leads many to the right path. But it is only the rebels He makes go astray:

alladhīna yanquḍūna ʿahda l-lahi min baʿdi mīthāqihi wayaqṭaʿūna mā amara l-lahu bihi an yūṣala wayuf'sidūna fī l-arḍi ulāika humu l-khāsirūna

those who break their covenant with God after it has been confirmed, who sever the bonds that God has commanded to be joined, who spread corruption on the earth- these are the losers.

kayfa takfurūna bil-lahi wakuntum amwātan fa-aḥyākum thumma yumītukum thumma yuḥ'yīkum thumma ilayhi tur'jaʿūna

How can you ignore God when you were lifeless and He gave you life, when He will cause you to die, then resurrect you to be returned to Him?

huwa alladhī khalaqa lakum mā fī l-arḍi jamīʿan thumma is'tawā ilā l-samāi fasawwāhunna sabʿa samāwātin wahuwa bikulli shayin ʿalīmun

It was He who created all that is on the earth for you, then turned to the sky and made the seven heavens; it is He who has knowledge of all things.

wa-idh qāla rabbuka lil'malāikati innī jāʿilun fī l-arḍi khalīfatan qālū atajʿalu fīhā man yuf'sidu fīhā wayasfiku l-dimāa wanaḥnu nusabbiḥu biḥamdika wanuqaddisu laka qāla innī aʿlamu mā lā taʿlamūna

[Prophet], when your Lord told the angels, ‘I am putting a successor on earth,’ they said, ‘How can You put someone there who will cause damage and bloodshed, when we celebrate Your praise and proclaim Your holiness?’ but He said, ‘I know things you do not.’

waʿallama ādama l-asmāa kullahā thumma ʿaraḍahum ʿalā l-malāikati faqāla anbiūnī bi-asmāi hāulāi in kuntum ṣādiqīna

He taught Adam all the names [of things], then He showed them to the angels and said, ‘Tell me the names of these if you truly [think you can].’

qālū sub'ḥānaka lā ʿil'ma lanā illā mā ʿallamtanā innaka anta l-ʿalīmu l-ḥakīmu

They said, ‘May You be glorified! We have knowledge only of what You have taught us. You are the All Knowing and All Wise.’

qāla yāādamu anbi'hum bi-asmāihim falammā anba-ahum bi-asmāihim qāla alam aqul lakum innī aʿlamu ghayba l-samāwāti wal-arḍi wa-aʿlamu mā tub'dūna wamā kuntum taktumūna

Then He said, ‘Adam, tell them the names of these.’ When he told them their names, God said, ‘Did I not tell you that I know what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and that I know what you reveal and what you conceal?’

wa-idh qul'nā lil'malāikati us'judū liādama fasajadū illā ib'līsa abā wa-is'takbara wakāna mina l-kāfirīna

When We told the angels, ‘Bow down before Adam,’ they all bowed. But not Iblis, who refused and was arrogant: he was one of the disobedient.

waqul'nā yāādamu us'kun anta wazawjuka l-janata wakulā min'hā raghadan ḥaythu shi'tumā walā taqrabā hādhihi l-shajarata fatakūnā mina l-ẓālimīna

We said, ‘Adam, live with your wife in this garden. Both of you eat freely there as you will, but do not go near this tree, or you will both become wrongdoers.’

fa-azallahumā l-shayṭānu ʿanhā fa-akhrajahumā mimmā kānā fīhi waqul'nā ih'biṭū baʿḍukum libaʿḍin ʿaduwwun walakum fī l-arḍi mus'taqarrun wamatāʿun ilā ḥīnin

But Satan made them slip, and removed them from the state they were in. We said, ‘Get out, all of you! You are each other’s enemy. On earth you will have a place to stay and livelihood for a time.’

fatalaqqā ādamu min rabbihi kalimātin fatāba ʿalayhi innahu huwa l-tawābu l-raḥīmu

Then Adam received some words from his Lord and He accepted his repentance: He is the Ever Relenting, the Most Merciful.

qul'nā ih'biṭū min'hā jamīʿan fa-immā yatiyannakum minnī hudan faman tabiʿa hudāya falā khawfun ʿalayhim walā hum yaḥzanūna

We said, ‘Get out, all of you! But when guidance comes from Me, as it certainly will, there will be no fear for those who follow My guidance nor will they grieve-

wa-alladhīna kafarū wakadhabū biāyātinā ulāika aṣḥābu l-nāri hum fīhā khālidūna

those who disbelieve and deny Our messages shall be the inhabitants of the Fire, and there they will remain.’

yābanī is'rāīla udh'kurū niʿ'matiya allatī anʿamtu ʿalaykum wa-awfū biʿahdī ūfi biʿahdikum wa-iyyāya fa-ir'habūni

Children of Israel, remember how I blessed you. Honour your pledge to Me and I will honour My pledge to you: I am the One you should fear.

waāminū bimā anzaltu muṣaddiqan limā maʿakum walā takūnū awwala kāfirin bihi walā tashtarū biāyātī thamanan qalīlan wa-iyyāya fa-ittaqūni

Believe in the message I have sent down confirming what you already possess. Do not be the first to disbelieve in it, and do not sell My messages for a small price: I am the One of whom you should be mindful.

walā talbisū l-ḥaqa bil-bāṭili wataktumū l-ḥaqa wa-antum taʿlamūna

Do not mix truth with falsehood, or hide the truth when you know it.

wa-aqīmū l-ṣalata waātū l-zakata wa-ir'kaʿū maʿa l-rākiʿīna

Keep up the prayer, pay the prescribed alms, and bow your heads [in worship] with those who bow theirs.

atamurūna l-nāsa bil-biri watansawna anfusakum wa-antum tatlūna l-kitāba afalā taʿqilūna

How can you tell people to do what is right and forget to do it yourselves, even though you recite the Scripture? Have you no sense?

wa-is'taʿīnū bil-ṣabri wal-ṣalati wa-innahā lakabīratun illā ʿalā l-khāshiʿīna

Seek help with steadfastness and prayer- though this is hard indeed for anyone but the humble,

alladhīna yaẓunnūna annahum mulāqū rabbihim wa-annahum ilayhi rājiʿūna

who know that they will meet their Lord and that it is to Him they will return.

yābanī is'rāīla udh'kurū niʿ'matiya allatī anʿamtu ʿalaykum wa-annī faḍḍaltukum ʿalā l-ʿālamīna

Children of Israel, remember how I blessed you and favoured you over other people.

wa-ittaqū yawman lā tajzī nafsun ʿan nafsin shayan walā yuq'balu min'hā shafāʿatun walā yu'khadhu min'hā ʿadlun walā hum yunṣarūna

Guard yourselves against a Day when no soul will stand in place of another, no intercession will be accepted for it, nor any ransom; nor will they be helped.

wa-idh najjaynākum min āli fir'ʿawna yasūmūnakum sūa l-ʿadhābi yudhabbiḥūna abnāakum wayastaḥyūna nisāakum wafī dhālikum balāon min rabbikum ʿaẓīmun

Remember when We saved you from Pharaoh’s people, who subjected you to terrible torment, slaughtering your sons and sparing only your women- this was a great trial from your Lord-

wa-idh faraqnā bikumu l-baḥra fa-anjaynākum wa-aghraqnā āla fir'ʿawna wa-antum tanẓurūna

and when We parted the sea for you, so saving you and drowning Pharaoh’s people right before your eyes.

wa-idh wāʿadnā mūsā arbaʿīna laylatan thumma ittakhadhtumu l-ʿij'la min baʿdihi wa-antum ẓālimūna

We appointed forty nights for Moses [on Mount Sinai] and then, while he was away, you took to worshipping the calf- a terrible wrong.

thumma ʿafawnā ʿankum min baʿdi dhālika laʿallakum tashkurūna

Even then We forgave you, so that you might be thankful.

wa-idh ātaynā mūsā l-kitāba wal-fur'qāna laʿallakum tahtadūna

Remember when We gave Moses the Scripture, and the means to distinguish [right and wrong], so that you might be guided.

wa-idh qāla mūsā liqawmihi yāqawmi innakum ẓalamtum anfusakum bi-ittikhādhikumu l-ʿij'la fatūbū ilā bāri-ikum fa-uq'tulū anfusakum dhālikum khayrun lakum ʿinda bāri-ikum fatāba ʿalaykum innahu huwa l-tawābu l-raḥīmu

Moses said to his people, ‘My people, you have wronged yourselves by worshipping the calf, so repent to your Maker and kill [the guilty among] you. That is the best you can do in the eyes of your Maker.’ He accepted your repentance: He is the Ever Relenting and the Most Merciful.

wa-idh qul'tum yāmūsā lan nu'mina laka ḥattā narā l-laha jahratan fa-akhadhatkumu l-ṣāʿiqatu wa-antum tanẓurūna

Remember when you said, ‘Moses, we will not believe you until we see God face to face.’ At that, thunderbolts struck you as you looked on.

thumma baʿathnākum min baʿdi mawtikum laʿallakum tashkurūna

Then We revived you after your death, so that you might be thankful.

waẓallalnā ʿalaykumu l-ghamāma wa-anzalnā ʿalaykumu l-mana wal-salwā kulū min ṭayyibāti mā razaqnākum wamā ẓalamūnā walākin kānū anfusahum yaẓlimūna

We made the clouds cover you with shade, and sent manna and quails down to you, saying, ‘Eat the good things We have provided for you.’ It was not Us they wronged; they wronged themselves.

wa-idh qul'nā ud'khulū hādhihi l-qaryata fakulū min'hā ḥaythu shi'tum raghadan wa-ud'khulū l-bāba sujjadan waqūlū ḥiṭṭatun naghfir lakum khaṭāyākum wasanazīdu l-muḥ'sinīna

Remember when We said, ‘Enter this town and eat freely there as you will, but enter its gate humbly and say, “Relieve us!” Then We shall forgive you your sins and increase the rewards of those who do good.’

fabaddala alladhīna ẓalamū qawlan ghayra alladhī qīla lahum fa-anzalnā ʿalā alladhīna ẓalamū rij'zan mina l-samāi bimā kānū yafsuqūna

But the wrongdoers substituted a different word from the one they had been given. So, because they persistently disobeyed, We sent a plague down from the heavens upon the wrongdoers.

wa-idhi is'tasqā mūsā liqawmihi faqul'nā iḍ'rib biʿaṣāka l-ḥajara fa-infajarat min'hu ith'natā ʿashrata ʿaynan qad ʿalima kullu unāsin mashrabahum kulū wa-ish'rabū min riz'qi l-lahi walā taʿthaw fī l-arḍi muf'sidīna

Remember when Moses prayed for water for his people and We said to him, ‘Strike the rock with your staff.’ Twelve springs gushed out, and each group knew its drinking place. ‘Eat and drink the sustenance God has provided and do not cause corruption in the land.’

wa-idh qul'tum yāmūsā lan naṣbira ʿalā ṭaʿāmin wāḥidin fa-ud'ʿu lanā rabbaka yukh'rij lanā mimmā tunbitu l-arḍu min baqlihā waqithāihā wafūmihā waʿadasihā wabaṣalihā qāla atastabdilūna alladhī huwa adnā bi-alladhī huwa khayrun ih'biṭū miṣ'ran fa-inna lakum mā sa-altum waḍuribat ʿalayhimu l-dhilatu wal-maskanatu wabāū bighaḍabin mina l-lahi dhālika bi-annahum kānū yakfurūna biāyāti l-lahi wayaqtulūna l-nabiyīna bighayri l-ḥaqi dhālika bimā ʿaṣaw wakānū yaʿtadūna

Remember when you said, ‘Moses, we cannot bear to eat only one kind of food, so pray to your Lord to bring out for us some of the earth’s produce, its herbs and cucumbers, its garlic, lentils, and onions.’ He said, ‘Would you exchange better for worse? Go to Egypt and there you will find what you have asked for.’ They were struck with humiliation and wretchedness, and they incurred the wrath of God because they persistently rejected His messages and killed prophets contrary to all that is right. All this was because they disobeyed and were lawbreakers.

inna alladhīna āmanū wa-alladhīna hādū wal-naṣārā wal-ṣābiīna man āmana bil-lahi wal-yawmi l-ākhiri waʿamila ṣāliḥan falahum ajruhum ʿinda rabbihim walā khawfun ʿalayhim walā hum yaḥzanūna

The [Muslim] believers, the Jews, the Christians, and the Sabians- all those who believe in God and the Last Day and do good- will have their rewards with their Lord. No fear for them, nor will they grieve.

wa-idh akhadhnā mīthāqakum warafaʿnā fawqakumu l-ṭūra khudhū mā ātaynākum biquwwatin wa-udh'kurū mā fīhi laʿallakum tattaqūna

Remember when We took your pledge, and made the mountain tower high above you, and said, ‘Hold fast to what We have given you and bear its contents in mind, so that you may be conscious of God.’

thumma tawallaytum min baʿdi dhālika falawlā faḍlu l-lahi ʿalaykum waraḥmatuhu lakuntum mina l-khāsirīna

Even after that you turned away. Had it not been for God’s favour and mercy on you, you would certainly have been lost.

walaqad ʿalim'tumu alladhīna iʿ'tadaw minkum fī l-sabti faqul'nā lahum kūnū qiradatan khāsiīna

You know about those of you who broke the Sabbath, and so We said to them, ‘Be like apes! Be outcasts!’

fajaʿalnāhā nakālan limā bayna yadayhā wamā khalfahā wamawʿiẓatan lil'muttaqīna

We made this an example to those people who were there at the time and to those who came after them, and a lesson to all who are mindful of God.

wa-idh qāla mūsā liqawmihi inna l-laha yamurukum an tadhbaḥū baqaratan qālū atattakhidhunā huzuwan qāla aʿūdhu bil-lahi an akūna mina l-jāhilīna

Remember when Moses said to his people, ‘God commands you to sacrifice a cow.’ They said, ‘Are you making fun of us?’ He answered, ‘God forbid that I should be so ignorant.’

qālū ud'ʿu lanā rabbaka yubayyin lanā mā hiya qāla innahu yaqūlu innahā baqaratun lā fāriḍun walā bik'run ʿawānun bayna dhālika fa-if'ʿalū mā tu'marūna

They said, ‘Call on your Lord for us, to show us what sort of cow it should be.’ He answered, ‘God says it should be neither too old nor too young, but in between, so do as you are commanded.’

qālū ud'ʿu lanā rabbaka yubayyin lanā mā lawnuhā qāla innahu yaqūlu innahā baqaratun ṣafrāu fāqiʿun lawnuhā tasurru l-nāẓirīna

They said, ‘Call on your Lord for us, to show us what colour it should be.’ He answered, ‘God says it should be a bright yellow cow, pleasing to the eye.’

qālū ud'ʿu lanā rabbaka yubayyin lanā mā hiya inna l-baqara tashābaha ʿalaynā wa-innā in shāa l-lahu lamuh'tadūna

They said, ‘Call on your Lord for us, to show us [exactly] what it is: all cows are more or less alike to us. With God’s will, we shall be guided.’

qāla innahu yaqūlu innahā baqaratun lā dhalūlun tuthīru l-arḍa walā tasqī l-ḥartha musallamatun lā shiyata fīhā qālū l-āna ji'ta bil-ḥaqi fadhabaḥūhā wamā kādū yafʿalūna

He replied, ‘It is a perfect and unblemished cow, not trained to till the earth or water the fields.’ They said, ‘Now you have brought the truth,’ and so they slaughtered it, though they almost failed to do so.

wa-idh qataltum nafsan fa-iddāratum fīhā wal-lahu mukh'rijun mā kuntum taktumūna

Then, when you [Israelites] killed someone and started to blame one another- although God was to bring what you had concealed to light-

faqul'nā iḍ'ribūhu bibaʿḍihā kadhālika yuḥ'yī l-lahu l-mawtā wayurīkum āyātihi laʿallakum taʿqilūna

We said, ‘Strike the [body] with a part of [the cow]’: thus God brings the dead to life and shows His signs so that you may understand.

thumma qasat qulūbukum min baʿdi dhālika fahiya kal-ḥijārati aw ashaddu qaswatan wa-inna mina l-ḥijārati lamā yatafajjaru min'hu l-anhāru wa-inna min'hā lamā yashaqqaqu fayakhruju min'hu l-māu wa-inna min'hā lamā yahbiṭu min khashyati l-lahi wamā l-lahu bighāfilin ʿammā taʿmalūna

Even after that, your hearts became as hard as rocks, or even harder, for there are rocks from which streams spring out, and some from which water comes when they split open, and others which fall down in awe of God: He is not unaware of what you do.

afataṭmaʿūna an yu'minū lakum waqad kāna farīqun min'hum yasmaʿūna kalāma l-lahi thumma yuḥarrifūnahu min baʿdi mā ʿaqalūhu wahum yaʿlamūna

So can you [believers] hope that such people will believe you, when some of them used to hear the words of God and then deliberately twist them, even when they understood them?

wa-idhā laqū alladhīna āmanū qālū āmannā wa-idhā khalā baʿḍuhum ilā baʿḍin qālū atuḥaddithūnahum bimā fataḥa l-lahu ʿalaykum liyuḥājjūkum bihi ʿinda rabbikum afalā taʿqilūna

When they meet the believers, they say, ‘We too believe.’ But when they are alone with each other they say, ‘How could you tell them about God’s revelation [to us]? They will be able to use it to argue against you before your Lord! Have you no sense?’

awalā yaʿlamūna anna l-laha yaʿlamu mā yusirrūna wamā yuʿ'linūna

Do they not know that God is well aware of what they conceal and what they reveal?

wamin'hum ummiyyūna lā yaʿlamūna l-kitāba illā amāniyya wa-in hum illā yaẓunnūna

Some of them are uneducated, and know the Scripture only through wish-ful thinking. They rely on guesswork.

fawaylun lilladhīna yaktubūna l-kitāba bi-aydīhim thumma yaqūlūna hādhā min ʿindi l-lahi liyashtarū bihi thamanan qalīlan fawaylun lahum mimmā katabat aydīhim wawaylun lahum mimmā yaksibūna

So woe to those who write something down with their own hands and then claim, ‘This is from God,’ in order to make some small gain. Woe to them for what their hands have written! Woe to them for all that they have earned!

waqālū lan tamassanā l-nāru illā ayyāman maʿdūdatan qul attakhadhtum ʿinda l-lahi ʿahdan falan yukh'lifa l-lahu ʿahdahu am taqūlūna ʿalā l-lahi mā lā taʿlamūna

They say, ‘The Fire will only touch us for a few days.’ Say to them, ‘Have you received a promise from God- for God never breaks His promise- or are you saying things about Him of which you have no real knowledge?’

balā man kasaba sayyi-atan wa-aḥāṭat bihi khaṭīatuhu fa-ulāika aṣḥābu l-nāri hum fīhā khālidūna

Truly those who do evil and are surrounded by their sins will be the inhabitants of the Fire, there to remain,

wa-alladhīna āmanū waʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāti ulāika aṣḥābu l-janati hum fīhā khālidūna

while those who believe and do good deeds will be the inhabitants of the Garden, there to remain.

wa-idh akhadhnā mīthāqa banī is'rāīla lā taʿbudūna illā l-laha wabil-wālidayni iḥ'sānan wadhī l-qur'bā wal-yatāmā wal-masākīni waqūlū lilnnāsi ḥus'nan wa-aqīmū l-ṣalata waātū l-zakata thumma tawallaytum illā qalīlan minkum wa-antum muʿ'riḍūna

Remember when We took a pledge from the Children of Israel: ‘Worship none but God; be good to your parents and kinsfolk, to orphans and the poor; speak good words to all people; keep up the prayer and pay the prescribed alms.’ Then all but a few of you turned away and paid no heed.

wa-idh akhadhnā mīthāqakum lā tasfikūna dimāakum walā tukh'rijūna anfusakum min diyārikum thumma aqrartum wa-antum tashhadūna

We took a pledge from you, ‘Do not shed one another’s blood or drive one another from your homelands.’ You acknowledged it at the time, and you can testify to this.

thumma antum hāulāi taqtulūna anfusakum watukh'rijūna farīqan minkum min diyārihim taẓāharūna ʿalayhim bil-ith'mi wal-ʿud'wāni wa-in yatūkum usārā tufādūhum wahuwa muḥarramun ʿalaykum ikh'rājuhum afatu'minūna bibaʿḍi l-kitābi watakfurūna bibaʿḍin famā jazāu man yafʿalu dhālika minkum illā khiz'yun fī l-ḥayati l-dun'yā wayawma l-qiyāmati yuraddūna ilā ashaddi l-ʿadhābi wamā l-lahu bighāfilin ʿammā taʿmalūna

Yet here you are, killing one another and driving some of your own people from their homes, helping one another in sin and aggression against them. If they come to you as captives, you still pay to set them free, although you had no right to drive them out. So do you believe in some parts of the Scripture and not in others? The punishment for those of you who do this will be nothing but disgrace in this life, and on the Day of Resurrection they will be condemned to the harshest torment: God is not unaware of what you do.

ulāika alladhīna ish'tarawū l-ḥayata l-dun'yā bil-ākhirati falā yukhaffafu ʿanhumu l-ʿadhābu walā hum yunṣarūna

These are the people who buy the life of this world at the price of the Hereafter: their torment will not be lightened, nor will they be helped.

walaqad ātaynā mūsā l-kitāba waqaffaynā min baʿdihi bil-rusuli waātaynā ʿīsā ib'na maryama l-bayināti wa-ayyadnāhu birūḥi l-qudusi afakullamā jāakum rasūlun bimā lā tahwā anfusukumu is'takbartum fafarīqan kadhabtum wafarīqan taqtulūna

We gave Moses the Scripture and We sent messengers after him in succession. We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear signs and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. So how is it that, whenever a messenger brings you something you do not like, you become arrogant, calling some impostors and killing others?

waqālū qulūbunā ghul'fun bal laʿanahumu l-lahu bikuf'rihim faqalīlan mā yu'minūna

They say, ‘Our hearts are impenetrably wrapped [against whatever you say],’ but God has rejected them for their disbelief: they have little faith.

walammā jāahum kitābun min ʿindi l-lahi muṣaddiqun limā maʿahum wakānū min qablu yastaftiḥūna ʿalā alladhīna kafarū falammā jāahum mā ʿarafū kafarū bihi falaʿnatu l-lahi ʿalā l-kāfirīna

When a Scripture came to them from God confirming what they already had, and when they had been praying for victory against the disbelievers, even when there came to them something they knew [to be true], they disbelieved in it: God rejects those who disbelieve.

bi'samā ish'taraw bihi anfusahum an yakfurū bimā anzala l-lahu baghyan an yunazzila l-lahu min faḍlihi ʿalā man yashāu min ʿibādihi fabāū bighaḍabin ʿalā ghaḍabin walil'kāfirīna ʿadhābun muhīnun

Low indeed is the price for which they have sold their souls by denying the God-sent truth, out of envy that God should send His bounty to any of His servants He pleases. The disbelievers have ended up with wrath upon wrath, and a humiliating torment awaits them.

wa-idhā qīla lahum āminū bimā anzala l-lahu qālū nu'minu bimā unzila ʿalaynā wayakfurūna bimā warāahu wahuwa l-ḥaqu muṣaddiqan limā maʿahum qul falima taqtulūna anbiyāa l-lahi min qablu in kuntum mu'minīna

When it is said to them, ‘Believe in God’s revelations,’ they reply, ‘We believe in what was revealed to us,’ but they do not believe in what came afterwards, though it is the truth confirming what they already have. Say [Muhammad], ‘Why did you kill God’s prophets in the past if you were true believers?

walaqad jāakum mūsā bil-bayināti thumma ittakhadhtumu l-ʿij'la min baʿdihi wa-antum ẓālimūna

Moses brought you clear signs, but then, while he was away, you chose to worship the calf- you did wrong.’

wa-idh akhadhnā mīthāqakum warafaʿnā fawqakumu l-ṭūra khudhū mā ātaynākum biquwwatin wa-is'maʿū qālū samiʿ'nā waʿaṣaynā wa-ush'ribū fī qulūbihimu l-ʿij'la bikuf'rihim qul bi'samā yamurukum bihi īmānukum in kuntum mu'minīna

Remember when We took your pledge, making the mountain tower above you, and said, ‘Hold on firmly to what We have given you, and listen to [what We say].’ They said, ‘We hear and we disobey,’ and through their disbelief they were made to drink [the love of] the calf deep into their hearts. Say, ‘How evil are the things your belief commands you to do, if you really are believers!’

qul in kānat lakumu l-dāru l-ākhiratu ʿinda l-lahi khāliṣatan min dūni l-nāsi fatamannawū l-mawta in kuntum ṣādiqīna

Say, ‘If the last home with God is to be for you alone and no one else, then you should long for death, if your claim is true.’

walan yatamannawhu abadan bimā qaddamat aydīhim wal-lahu ʿalīmun bil-ẓālimīna

But they will never long for death, because of what they have stored up with their own hands: God is fully aware of the evildoers.

walatajidannahum aḥraṣa l-nāsi ʿalā ḥayatin wamina alladhīna ashrakū yawaddu aḥaduhum law yuʿammaru alfa sanatin wamā huwa bimuzaḥziḥihi mina l-ʿadhābi an yuʿammara wal-lahu baṣīrun bimā yaʿmalūna

[Prophet], you are sure to find them clinging to life more eagerly than any other people, even the polytheists. Any of them would wish to be given a life of a thousand years, though even such a long life would not save them from the torment: God sees everything they do.

qul man kāna ʿaduwwan lijib'rīla fa-innahu nazzalahu ʿalā qalbika bi-idh'ni l-lahi muṣaddiqan limā bayna yadayhi wahudan wabush'rā lil'mu'minīna

Say [Prophet], ‘If anyone is an enemy of Gabriel- who by God’s leave brought down the Quran to your heart confirming previous scriptures as a guide and good news for the faithful-

man kāna ʿaduwwan lillahi wamalāikatihi warusulihi wajib'rīla wamīkāla fa-inna l-laha ʿaduwwun lil'kāfirīna

if anyone is an enemy of God, His angels and His messengers, of Gabriel and Michael, then God is certainly the enemy of such disbelievers.’

walaqad anzalnā ilayka āyātin bayyinātin wamā yakfuru bihā illā l-fāsiqūna

For We have sent down clear messages to you and only those who defy [God] would refuse to believe them.

awakullamā ʿāhadū ʿahdan nabadhahu farīqun min'hum bal aktharuhum lā yu'minūna

How is it that whenever they make a covenant or a pledge, some of them throw it away? In fact, most of them do not believe.

walammā jāahum rasūlun min ʿindi l-lahi muṣaddiqun limā maʿahum nabadha farīqun mina alladhīna ūtū l-kitāba kitāba l-lahi warāa ẓuhūrihim ka-annahum lā yaʿlamūna

When God sent them a messenger confirming the Scriptures they already had, some of those who had received the Scripture before threw the Book of God over their shoulders as if they had no knowledge,

wa-ittabaʿū mā tatlū l-shayāṭīnu ʿalā mul'ki sulaymāna wamā kafara sulaymānu walākinna l-shayāṭīna kafarū yuʿallimūna l-nāsa l-siḥ'ra wamā unzila ʿalā l-malakayni bibābila hārūta wamārūta wamā yuʿallimāni min aḥadin ḥattā yaqūlā innamā naḥnu fit'natun falā takfur fayataʿallamūna min'humā mā yufarriqūna bihi bayna l-mari wazawjihi wamā hum biḍārrīna bihi min aḥadin illā bi-idh'ni l-lahi wayataʿallamūna mā yaḍurruhum walā yanfaʿuhum walaqad ʿalimū lamani ish'tarāhu mā lahu fī l-ākhirati min khalāqin walabi'sa mā sharaw bihi anfusahum law kānū yaʿlamūna

and followed what the evil ones had fabricated about the Kingdom of Solomon instead. Not that Solomon himself was a disbeliever; it was the evil ones who were disbelievers. They taught people witchcraft and what was revealed in Babylon to the two angels Harut and Marut. Yet these two never taught anyone without first warning him, ‘We are sent only to tempt- do not disbelieve.’ From these two, they learned what can cause discord between man and wife, although they harm no one with it except by God’s leave. They learned what harmed them, not what benefited them, knowing full well that whoever gained [this knowledge] would lose any share in the Hereafter. Evil indeed is the [price] for which they sold their souls, if only they knew.

walaw annahum āmanū wa-ittaqaw lamathūbatun min ʿindi l-lahi khayrun law kānū yaʿlamūna

If they had believed and been mindful of God, their reward from Him would have been far better, if only they knew.

yāayyuhā alladhīna āmanū lā taqūlū rāʿinā waqūlū unẓur'nā wa-is'maʿū walil'kāfirīna ʿadhābun alīmun

Believers, do not say [to the Prophet], ‘Raina,’ but say, ‘Unzurna,’ and listen [to him]: an agonizing torment awaits those who ignore [God’s words].

mā yawaddu alladhīna kafarū min ahli l-kitābi walā l-mush'rikīna an yunazzala ʿalaykum min khayrin min rabbikum wal-lahu yakhtaṣṣu biraḥmatihi man yashāu wal-lahu dhū l-faḍli l-ʿaẓīmi

Neither those People of the Book who disbelieve nor the idolaters would like anything good to be sent down to you from your Lord, but God chooses for His grace whoever He will: His bounty has no limits.

mā nansakh min āyatin aw nunsihā nati bikhayrin min'hā aw mith'lihā alam taʿlam anna l-laha ʿalā kulli shayin qadīrun

Any revelation We cause to be superseded or forgotten, We replace with something better or similar. Do you [Prophet] not know that God has power over everything?

alam taʿlam anna l-laha lahu mul'ku l-samāwāti wal-arḍi wamā lakum min dūni l-lahi min waliyyin walā naṣīrin

Do you not know that control of the heavens and the earth belongs to Him? You [believers] have no protector or helper but God.

am turīdūna an tasalū rasūlakum kamā su-ila mūsā min qablu waman yatabaddali l-kuf'ra bil-īmāni faqad ḍalla sawāa l-sabīli

Do you wish to demand of your messenger something similar to what was demanded of Moses? Whoever exchanges faith for disbelief has strayed far from the right path.

wadda kathīrun min ahli l-kitābi law yaruddūnakum min baʿdi īmānikum kuffāran ḥasadan min ʿindi anfusihim min baʿdi mā tabayyana lahumu l-ḥaqu fa-iʿ'fū wa-iṣ'faḥū ḥattā yatiya l-lahu bi-amrihi inna l-laha ʿalā kulli shayin qadīrun

Even after the truth has become clear to them, many of the People of the Book wish they could turn you back to disbelief after you have believed, out of their selfish envy. Forgive and forbear until God gives his command: He has power over all things.

wa-aqīmū l-ṣalata waātū l-zakata wamā tuqaddimū li-anfusikum min khayrin tajidūhu ʿinda l-lahi inna l-laha bimā taʿmalūna baṣīrun

Keep up the prayer and pay the prescribed alms. Whatever good you store up for yourselves, you will find it with God: He sees everything you do.

waqālū lan yadkhula l-janata illā man kāna hūdan aw naṣārā til'ka amāniyyuhum qul hātū bur'hānakum in kuntum ṣādiqīna

They also say, ‘No one will enter Paradise unless he is a Jew or a Christian.’ This is their own wishful thinking. [Prophet], say, ‘Produce your evidence, if you are telling the truth.’

balā man aslama wajhahu lillahi wahuwa muḥ'sinun falahu ajruhu ʿinda rabbihi walā khawfun ʿalayhim walā hum yaḥzanūna

In fact, any who direct themselves wholly to God and do good will have their reward with their Lord: no fear for them, nor will they grieve.

waqālati l-yahūdu laysati l-naṣārā ʿalā shayin waqālati l-naṣārā laysati l-yahūdu ʿalā shayin wahum yatlūna l-kitāba kadhālika qāla alladhīna lā yaʿlamūna mith'la qawlihim fal-lahu yaḥkumu baynahum yawma l-qiyāmati fīmā kānū fīhi yakhtalifūna

The Jews say, ‘The Christians have no ground whatsoever to stand on,’ and the Christians say, ‘The Jews have no ground whatsoever to stand on,’ though they both read the Scripture, and those who have no knowledge say the same; God will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning their differences.

waman aẓlamu mimman manaʿa masājida l-lahi an yudh'kara fīhā us'muhu wasaʿā fī kharābihā ulāika mā kāna lahum an yadkhulūhā illā khāifīna lahum fī l-dun'yā khiz'yun walahum fī l-ākhirati ʿadhābun ʿaẓīmun

Who could be more wicked than those who prohibit the mention of God’s name in His places of worship and strive to have them deserted? Such people should not enter them without fear: there is disgrace for them in this world and painful punishment in the Hereafter.

walillahi l-mashriqu wal-maghribu fa-aynamā tuwallū fathamma wajhu l-lahi inna l-laha wāsiʿun ʿalīmun

The East and the West belong to God: wherever you turn, there is His Face. God is all pervading and all knowing.

waqālū ittakhadha l-lahu waladan sub'ḥānahu bal lahu mā fī l-samāwāti wal-arḍi kullun lahu qānitūna

They have asserted, ‘God has a child.’ May He be exalted! No! Everything in the heavens and earth belongs to Him, everything devoutly obeys His will.

badīʿu l-samāwāti wal-arḍi wa-idhā qaḍā amran fa-innamā yaqūlu lahu kun fayakūnu

He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth, and when He decrees something, He says only, ‘Be,’ and it is.

waqāla alladhīna lā yaʿlamūna lawlā yukallimunā l-lahu aw tatīnā āyatun kadhālika qāla alladhīna min qablihim mith'la qawlihim tashābahat qulūbuhum qad bayyannā l-āyāti liqawmin yūqinūna

Those who have no knowledge also say, ‘If only God would speak to us!’ or ‘If only a miraculous sign would come to us!’ People before them said the same things: their hearts are all alike. We have made Our signs clear enough to those who have solid faith.

innā arsalnāka bil-ḥaqi bashīran wanadhīran walā tus'alu ʿan aṣḥābi l-jaḥīmi

We have sent you [Prophet] with the truth, bearing good news and warning. You will not be responsible for the inhabitants of the Blaze.

walan tarḍā ʿanka l-yahūdu walā l-naṣārā ḥattā tattabiʿa millatahum qul inna hudā l-lahi huwa l-hudā wala-ini ittabaʿta ahwāahum baʿda alladhī jāaka mina l-ʿil'mi mā laka mina l-lahi min waliyyin walā naṣīrin

The Jews and the Christians will never be pleased with you unless you follow their ways. Say, ‘God’s guidance is the only true guidance.’ If you were to follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you would find no one to protect you from God or help you.

alladhīna ātaynāhumu l-kitāba yatlūnahu ḥaqqa tilāwatihi ulāika yu'minūna bihi waman yakfur bihi fa-ulāika humu l-khāsirūna

Those to whom We have given the Scripture, who follow it as it deserves, are the ones who truly believe in it. Those who deny its truth will be the losers.

yābanī is'rāīla udh'kurū niʿ'matiya allatī anʿamtu ʿalaykum wa-annī faḍḍaltukum ʿalā l-ʿālamīna

Children of Israel, remember how I blessed you and favoured you over other people,

wa-ittaqū yawman lā tajzī nafsun ʿan nafsin shayan walā yuq'balu min'hā ʿadlun walā tanfaʿuhā shafāʿatun walā hum yunṣarūna

and beware of a Day when no soul can stand in for another. No compensation will be accepted from it, nor intercession be of use to it, nor will anyone be helped.

wa-idhi ib'talā ib'rāhīma rabbuhu bikalimātin fa-atammahunna qāla innī jāʿiluka lilnnāsi imāman qāla wamin dhurriyyatī qāla lā yanālu ʿahdī l-ẓālimīna

When Abraham’s Lord tested him with certain commandments, which he fulfilled, He said, ‘I will make you a leader of people.’ Abraham asked, ‘And will You make leaders from my descendants too?’ God answered, ‘My pledge does not hold for those who do evil.’

wa-idh jaʿalnā l-bayta mathābatan lilnnāsi wa-amnan wa-ittakhidhū min maqāmi ib'rāhīma muṣallan waʿahid'nā ilā ib'rāhīma wa-is'māʿīla an ṭahhirā baytiya lilṭṭāifīna wal-ʿākifīna wal-rukaʿi l-sujūdi

We made the House a resort and a sanctuary for people, saying, ‘Take the spot where Abraham stood as your place of prayer.’ We commanded Abraham and Ishmael: ‘Purify My House for those who walk round it, those who stay there, and those who bow and prostrate themselves in worship.’

wa-idh qāla ib'rāhīmu rabbi ij'ʿal hādhā baladan āminan wa-ur'zuq ahlahu mina l-thamarāti man āmana min'hum bil-lahi wal-yawmi l-ākhiri qāla waman kafara fa-umattiʿuhu qalīlan thumma aḍṭarruhu ilā ʿadhābi l-nāri wabi'sa l-maṣīru

Abraham said, ‘My Lord, make this land secure and provide with produce those of its people who believe in God and the Last Day.’ God said, ‘As for those who disbelieve, I will grant them enjoyment for a short while and then subject them to the torment of the Fire- an evil destination.’

wa-idh yarfaʿu ib'rāhīmu l-qawāʿida mina l-bayti wa-is'māʿīlu rabbanā taqabbal minnā innaka anta l-samīʿu l-ʿalīmu

As Abraham and Ishmael built up the foundations of the House [they prayed], ‘Our Lord, accept [this] from us. You are the All Hearing, the All Knowing.

rabbanā wa-ij'ʿalnā mus'limayni laka wamin dhurriyyatinā ummatan mus'limatan laka wa-arinā manāsikanā watub ʿalaynā innaka anta l-tawābu l-raḥīmu

Our Lord, make us devoted to You; make our descendants into a community devoted to You. Show us how to worship and accept our repentance, for You are the Ever Relenting, the Most Merciful.

rabbanā wa-ib'ʿath fīhim rasūlan min'hum yatlū ʿalayhim āyātika wayuʿallimuhumu l-kitāba wal-ḥik'mata wayuzakkīhim innaka anta l-ʿazīzu l-ḥakīmu

Our Lord, make a messenger of their own rise up from among them, to recite Your revelations to them, teach them the Scripture and wisdom, and purify them: You are the Mighty, the Wise.’

waman yarghabu ʿan millati ib'rāhīma illā man safiha nafsahu walaqadi iṣ'ṭafaynāhu fī l-dun'yā wa-innahu fī l-ākhirati lamina l-ṣāliḥīna

Who but a fool would forsake the religion of Abraham? We have chosen him in this world and he will rank among the righteous in the Hereafter.

idh qāla lahu rabbuhu aslim qāla aslamtu lirabbi l-ʿālamīna

His Lord said to him, ‘Devote yourself to Me.’ Abraham replied, ‘I devote myself to the Lord of the Universe,’

wawaṣṣā bihā ib'rāhīmu banīhi wayaʿqūbu yābaniyya inna l-laha iṣ'ṭafā lakumu l-dīna falā tamūtunna illā wa-antum mus'limūna

and commanded his sons to do the same, as did Jacob: ‘My sons, God has chosen [your] religion for you, so make sure you devote yourselves to Him, to your dying moment.’

am kuntum shuhadāa idh ḥaḍara yaʿqūba l-mawtu idh qāla libanīhi mā taʿbudūna min baʿdī qālū naʿbudu ilāhaka wa-ilāha ābāika ib'rāhīma wa-is'māʿīla wa-is'ḥāqa ilāhan wāḥidan wanaḥnu lahu mus'limūna

Were you [Jews] there to see when death came upon Jacob? When he said to his sons, ‘What will you worship after I am gone?’ they replied, ‘We shall worship your God and the God of your fathers, Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac, one single God: we devote ourselves to Him.’

til'ka ummatun qad khalat lahā mā kasabat walakum mā kasabtum walā tus'alūna ʿammā kānū yaʿmalūna

That community passed away. What they earned belongs to them, and what you earn belongs to you: you will not be answerable for their deeds.

waqālū kūnū hūdan aw naṣārā tahtadū qul bal millata ib'rāhīma ḥanīfan wamā kāna mina l-mush'rikīna

They say, ‘Become Jews or Christians, and you will be rightly guided.’ Say [Prophet], ‘No, [ours is] the religion of Abraham, the upright, who did not worship any god besides God.’

qūlū āmannā bil-lahi wamā unzila ilaynā wamā unzila ilā ib'rāhīma wa-is'māʿīla wa-is'ḥāqa wayaʿqūba wal-asbāṭi wamā ūtiya mūsā waʿīsā wamā ūtiya l-nabiyūna min rabbihim lā nufarriqu bayna aḥadin min'hum wanaḥnu lahu mus'limūna

So [you believers], say, ‘We believe in God and in what was sent down to us and what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and what was given to Moses, Jesus, and all the prophets by their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we devote ourselves to Him.’

fa-in āmanū bimith'li mā āmantum bihi faqadi ih'tadaw wa-in tawallaw fa-innamā hum fī shiqāqin fasayakfīkahumu l-lahu wahuwa l-samīʿu l-ʿalīmu

So if they believe like you do, they will be rightly guided. But if they turn their backs, then they will be entrenched in opposition. God will protect you from them: He is the All Hearing, the All Knowing. And say [believers],

ṣib'ghata l-lahi waman aḥsanu mina l-lahi ṣib'ghatan wanaḥnu lahu ʿābidūna

‘[Our life] takes its colour from God, and who gives a better colour than God? It is Him we worship.’

qul atuḥājjūnanā fī l-lahi wahuwa rabbunā warabbukum walanā aʿmālunā walakum aʿmālukum wanaḥnu lahu mukh'liṣūna

Say [Prophet] [to the Jews and Christians], ‘How can you argue with us about God when He is our Lord and your Lord? Our deeds belong to us, and yours to you. We devote ourselves entirely to Him.

am taqūlūna inna ib'rāhīma wa-is'māʿīla wa-is'ḥāqa wayaʿqūba wal-asbāṭa kānū hūdan aw naṣārā qul a-antum aʿlamu ami l-lahu waman aẓlamu mimman katama shahādatan ʿindahu mina l-lahi wamā l-lahu bighāfilin ʿammā taʿmalūna

Or are you saying that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes were Jews or Christians?’ [Prophet], ask them, ‘Who knows better: you or God? Who could be more wicked than those who hide a testimony [they received] from God? God is not unmindful of what you do.’

til'ka ummatun qad khalat lahā mā kasabat walakum mā kasabtum walā tus'alūna ʿammā kānū yaʿmalūna

That community passed away: what they earned belongs to them, and what you earn belongs to you. You will not be answerable for their deeds.

sayaqūlu l-sufahāu mina l-nāsi mā wallāhum ʿan qib'latihimu allatī kānū ʿalayhā qul lillahi l-mashriqu wal-maghribu yahdī man yashāu ilā ṣirāṭin mus'taqīmin

The foolish people will say, ‘What has turned them away from the prayer direction they used to face?’ Say, ‘East and West belong to God. He guides whoever He will to the right way.’

wakadhālika jaʿalnākum ummatan wasaṭan litakūnū shuhadāa ʿalā l-nāsi wayakūna l-rasūlu ʿalaykum shahīdan wamā jaʿalnā l-qib'lata allatī kunta ʿalayhā illā linaʿlama man yattabiʿu l-rasūla mimman yanqalibu ʿalā ʿaqibayhi wa-in kānat lakabīratan illā ʿalā alladhīna hadā l-lahu wamā kāna l-lahu liyuḍīʿa īmānakum inna l-laha bil-nāsi laraūfun raḥīmun

We have made you [believers] into a just community, so that you may bear witness [to the truth] before others and so that the Messenger may bear witness [to it] before you. We only made the direction the one you used to face [Prophet] in order to distinguish those who follow the Messenger from those who turn on their heels: that test was hard, except for those God has guided. God would never let your faith go to waste [believers], for God is most compassionate and most merciful towards people.

qad narā taqalluba wajhika fī l-samāi falanuwalliyannaka qib'latan tarḍāhā fawalli wajhaka shaṭra l-masjidi l-ḥarāmi waḥaythu mā kuntum fawallū wujūhakum shaṭrahu wa-inna alladhīna ūtū l-kitāba layaʿlamūna annahu l-ḥaqu min rabbihim wamā l-lahu bighāfilin ʿammā yaʿmalūna

Many a time We have seen you [Prophet] turn your face towards Heaven, so We are turning you towards a prayer direction that pleases you. Turn your face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque: wherever you [believers] may be, turn your faces to it. Those who were given the Scripture know with certainty that this is the Truth from their Lord: God is not unaware of what they do.

wala-in atayta alladhīna ūtū l-kitāba bikulli āyatin mā tabiʿū qib'lataka wamā anta bitābiʿin qib'latahum wamā baʿḍuhum bitābiʿin qib'lata baʿḍin wala-ini ittabaʿta ahwāahum min baʿdi mā jāaka mina l-ʿil'mi innaka idhan lamina l-ẓālimīna

Yet even if you brought every proof to those who were given the Scripture, they would not follow your prayer direction, nor will you follow theirs, nor indeed will any of them follow one another’s direction. If you [Prophet] were to follow their desires, after the knowledge brought to you, you would be doing wrong.

alladhīna ātaynāhumu l-kitāba yaʿrifūnahu kamā yaʿrifūna abnāahum wa-inna farīqan min'hum layaktumūna l-ḥaqa wahum yaʿlamūna

Those We gave Scripture know it as well as they know their own sons, but some of them hide the truth that they know.

al-ḥaqu min rabbika falā takūnanna mina l-mum'tarīna

The truth is from your Lord, so do not be one of those who doubt.

walikullin wij'hatun huwa muwallīhā fa-is'tabiqū l-khayrāti ayna mā takūnū yati bikumu l-lahu jamīʿan inna l-laha ʿalā kulli shayin qadīrun

Each community has its own direction to which it turns: race to do good deeds and wherever you are, God will bring you together. God has power to do everything.

wamin ḥaythu kharajta fawalli wajhaka shaṭra l-masjidi l-ḥarāmi wa-innahu lalḥaqqu min rabbika wamā l-lahu bighāfilin ʿammā taʿmalūna

[Prophet], wherever you may have started out, turn your face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque- this is the truth from your Lord: He is not unaware of what you do-