Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

And they had made a covenant with God before, that they would not turn their backs; and the covenant with God is to be answered for.

وَلَقَدْ كَانُوا عَاهَدُوا اللّٰهَ مِنْ قَبْلُ لَا يُوَلُّونَ الْاَدْبَارَۜ وَكَانَ عَهْدُ اللّٰهِ مَسْؤُ۫لاً
Walaqad kanoo AAahadoo Allahamin qablu la yuwalloona al-adbara wakanaAAahdu Allahi mas-oola
#wordmeaningroot
1walaqadAnd certainly
2kānūthey hadكون
3ʿāhadūpromisedعهد
4l-lahaAllah
5minbefore
6qablubeforeقبل
7not
8yuwallūnathey would turnولي
9l-adbāratheir backsدبر
10wakānaAnd isكون
11ʿahdu(the) promiseعهد
12l-lahi(to) Allah
13masūlanto be questionedسال
  • Aisha Bewley

    Yet they had previously made a contract with Allah that they would never turn their backs. Contracts made with Allah will be asked about.

  • Progressive Muslims

    And indeed they had pledged to God before this that they would not turn around and flee. Making a pledge to God brings great responsibility.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    Although before that they had pledged to Allah that they would not turn their backs (to Faith and against invasion). A pledge to Allah must be answered for.

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    And they had made a covenant with God before, that they would not turn their backs; and the covenant with God is to be answered for.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    And indeed they had pledged to God before this that they would not turn around and flee; and making a pledge to God brings great responsibility.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    Indeed they had pledged to God before this that they would not turn around and flee. Making a pledge to God brings great responsibility.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    They had pledged to GOD in the past that they would not turn around and flee; making a pledge with GOD involves a great responsibility.

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    Whereas earlier they had made a promise to God that they would never turn their backs; and a promise made to God is answerable.

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

    And they had already promised Allah before not to turn their backs and flee. And ever is the promise to Allah questioned.

  • Muhammad Asad

    although ere that they had vowed before God that they would never turn their backs : and a vow made to God must surely be answered for!

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    And verily they had already sworn unto Allah that they would not turn their backs (to the foe). An oath to Allah must be answered for.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    They had earlier covenanted with Allah that they would not turn their backs in flight. And a covenant made with Allah must needs be answered for.*

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    Yet they had already given their solemn promise to Allah never to defect, desert or flee the enemy. They failed to realize that an engagement entered into with Allah is indeed an immense responsibility.

  • Bijan Moeinian

    These are the same people who pledged to God Making a pledge with God involves a great responsibility

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    And indeed they had already made a covenant with Allâh not to turn their backs, and a covenant with Allâh must be answered for.

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    And yet they had already covenanted with Allah not to turn their backs, and a covenant with Allah must (surely) be answered for.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    They had already pledged to Allah earlier never to turn their backs ˹in retreat˺. And a pledge to Allah must be answered for.

  • Taqi Usmani

    despite that they had already made a covenant with Allah that they would not turn their backs; and a covenant with Allah has to be answered for.

  • Abdul Haleem

    Yet they had already promised God that they would not turn tail and flee, and a promise to God will be answered for.

  • Arthur John Arberry

    Yet they had made covenant with God before that, that they would not turn their backs; and covenants with God shall be questioned of

  • E. Henry Palmer

    They had covenanted with God before, that they would not turn their backs; and God's covenant shall be enquired of

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    And if the enemy had entered upon them from the outlying parts of it, and they had been exhorted to treachery, they would certainly have done it, and they would have hesitated but little.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    And indeed they had already covenanted with Allah earlier, that they would not turn their backs; and a covenant with Allah will be questioned.

  • George Sale

    They had before made a covenant with God, that they would not turn their backs: And the performance of their covenant with God shall be examined into hereafter.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    And indeed, they had already made a promise to Allah not to turn their backs (and run away), and a promise to Allah must be kept.

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    And previous to that they had made a covenant with Allâh that they would not turn (their) backs. And a covenant (made) with Allâh will have to be answered for.

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    though they had certainly pledged to Allah before that they would not turn their backs , and pledges given to Allah are accountable.