Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

But those given knowledge said: “Woe to you! The reward of God is better for him who believes and works righteousness”; and none is granted it save the patient.

وَقَالَ الَّذ۪ينَ اُو۫تُوا الْعِلْمَ وَيْلَكُمْ ثَوَابُ اللّٰهِ خَيْرٌ لِمَنْ اٰمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحاًۚ وَلَا يُلَقّٰيهَٓا اِلَّا الصَّابِرُونَ
Waqala allatheena ootooalAAilma waylakum thawabu Allahi khayrun liman amanawaAAamila salihan wala yulaqqahailla assabiroon
#wordmeaningroot
1waqālaBut saidقول
2alladhīnathose who
3ūtūwere givenاتي
4l-ʿil'mathe knowledgeعلم
5waylakumWoe to you
6thawābu(The) rewardثوب
7l-lahi(of) Allah
8khayrun(is) betterخير
9limanfor (he) who
10āmanabelievesامن
11waʿamilaand doesعمل
12ṣāliḥanrighteous (deeds)صلح
13walāAnd not
14yulaqqāhāit is grantedلقي
15illāexcept
16l-ṣābirūna(to) the patient onesصبر
  • Aisha Bewley

    But those who had been given knowledge said, ‘Woe to you! Allah’s reward is better for those who have iman and act rightly. But only the steadfast will obtain it.’

  • Progressive Muslims

    And those who were blessed with knowledge said: "Woe to you! The reward from God is far better for those who believe and do good works. And none attains it except the steadfast."

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    But those who knew better said, "Woe unto you! Merit in the Sight of Allah is far better for anyone who believes and works for equity among people. (The real wealthy is one who believes in Divine Laws, helps the needy, and creates balance in the society). This reward is reserved for those who do not fall for instant gains, and work hard steadfastly."

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    But those given knowledge said: “Woe to you! The reward of God is better for him who believes and works righteousness”; and none is granted it save the patient.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    And those who were blessed with knowledge said: "Woe to you! The reward from God is far better for those who believe and do good work. And none attains it except the steadfast."

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    Those who were blessed with knowledge said, "Woe to you! The reward from God is far better for those who acknowledge and promote reforms. None attains it except the steadfast."

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    As for those who were blessed with knowledge, they said, "Woe to you, GOD's recompense is far better for those who believe and lead a righteous life." None attains this except the steadfast.

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    But those who knew better, said: "Alack-a-day! God's guerdon is better for those who believe and do the right. Only those who persevere will receive it."

  • Sahih International (Umm Muhammad, Mary Kennedy, Amatullah Bantley)

    But those who had been given knowledge said, "Woe to you! The reward of Allah is better for he who believes and does righteousness. And none are granted it except the patient."

  • Muhammad Asad

    But those who had been granted true knowl­edge said: "Woe unto you! Merit in the sight of God is by far the best for any who attains to faith and does what is right: but none save the patient in adversity can ever achieve this . "

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    But those who had been given knowledge said: Woe unto you! The reward of Allah for him who believeth and doeth right is better, and only the steadfast will obtain it.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    But those endowed with true knowledge said: "Woe to you. The reward of Allah is best for those who believe and act righteously. But none except those who are patient shall attain to this."*

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    Whereas those gifted with divine and spiritual knowledge exclaimed: "Woe betide you -people of vanities-", "the reward conferred by Allah Hereafter is infinitely better for those whose hearts reflect the image of religious and spiritual virtues and their deeds wisdom and piety, a status attained only by the patient who exercise forbearance under provocation, bear with others their faults and limitations and sit like patience on a monument smiling at grief. "

  • Bijan Moeinian

    Those who were knowledgeable said: "Shame on you; God’s blessing is far superior than your wealth and only those who choose to believe, do good deeds and are patient will earn it. "

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    But those who had been given (religious) knowledge said: "Woe to you! The Reward of Allâh (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and this none shall attain except those who are As-Sâbirûn (the patient in following the truth)."

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    But those who had been granted (true) knowledge said: "Alas for you! The reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is best for those who believe and work righteousness: but this none shall attain, save those who steadfastly persevere (in good)."

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    But those gifted with knowledge said, "Shame on you! Allah’s reward is far better for those who believe and do good. But none will attain this except the steadfast."

  • Taqi Usmani

    And said those who were given knowledge, "Woe to you, Allah’s reward is much better for him who believes and acts righteously. But this is given to none but to those who observe restraint."

  • Abdul Haleem

    but those who were given knowledge said, ‘Alas for you! God’s reward is better for those who believe and do good deeds: only those who are steadfast will attain this.’

  • Arthur John Arberry

    But those to whom knowledge had been given said, 'Woe upon you! The reward of God is better for him who believes, and works righteousness; and none shall receive it except the steadfast. '

  • E. Henry Palmer

    But those who had been given knowledge said, 'Woe to you! the reward of God is better for him who believes and does right; but none shall meet with it except the patient.

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    And he went out amongst the people in his pomp. Those who desired the life of this world said, "O would that we had the like of what Qarun has been given! Verily, he is lord of mighty fortune!"

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    And the ones to whom knowledge was brought said, "Woe to you! The requital of Allah is more charitable (i. e., better) for him who believes and does righteousness; and none will be granted (Literally: made to receive) except the patient.

  • George Sale

    But those on whom knowledge had been bestowed, answered, alas for you! The reward of God in the next life, will be better unto him who shall believe and do good works: But none shall attain the same, except those who persevere with constancy.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    But those who had been given (true) knowledge said: "Sorrow for (woe unto) you! The reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is best for those who believe and act righteousness: But this no one will get, except those who continuously persevere (in good). "

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    But the men of knowledge said, `Woe to you! The reward which Allâh has for those who believe and do good deeds is much better (than all this), but it shall be granted only to those who are patiently persevering. '

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    Those who were given knowledge said, ‘Woe to you! Allah’s reward is better for someone who has faith and acts righteously, and no one will receive it except the patient. ’