Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

Had it not been for a Writ from God which had gone before, a great punishment would have touched you for what you took.

لَوْلَا كِتَابٌ مِنَ اللّٰهِ سَبَقَ لَمَسَّكُمْ ف۪يمَٓا اَخَذْتُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظ۪يمٌ
Lawla kitabun mina Allahisabaqa lamassakum feema akhathtum AAathabunAAatheem
#wordmeaningroot
1lawlāHad not
2kitābunan ordainmentكتب
3minafrom
4l-lahiAllah
5sabaqaprecededسبق
6lamassakumsurely (would) have touched youمسس
7fīmāfor what
8akhadhtumyou took اخذ
9ʿadhābuna punishmentعذب
10ʿaẓīmungreatعظم
  • Aisha Bewley

    Were it not for a prior decree which had already proceeded from Allah, a terrible punishment would have afflicted you on account of what you took.

  • Progressive Muslims

    Had it not been previously ordained from God, then a severe punishment would have afflicted you for what you took.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    If Allah had not decreed for Himself Mercy, those of you who fell for temptation (of booty), would have faced a great retribution.

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    Had it not been for a Writ from God which had gone before, a great punishment would have touched you for what you took.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    Had it not been previously ordained from God, then a severe punishment would have afflicted you for what you took.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    Had it not been previously ordained from God, then a severe punishment would have afflicted you for what you took.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    If it were not for a predetermined decree from GOD, you would have suffered, on account of what you took, a terrible retribution.

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    Had this not been decreed by God in advance, you would have suffered a grievous punishment for what you took (as booty).

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

    If not for a decree from Allah that preceded, you would have been touched for what you took by a great punishment.

  • Muhammad Asad

    Had it not been for a decree from God that had already gone forth, there would indeed have befallen you a tremendous chastisement on account of all that you took.

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    Had it not been for an ordinance of Allah which had gone before, an awful doom had come upon you on account of what ye took.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    Had there not been a previous decree from Allah, a stern punishment would have afflicted you for what you have taken.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    Had it not been for Allah's authoritative decree proclaimed beforehand to forgive a votary who inadvertently errs, you people would have been severely punished for what you have undertaken*

  • Bijan Moeinian

    If God had not pre-determined a decree, you would have been subject to a sever punishment for what you have taken

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    Were it not a previous ordainment from Allâh, a severe torment would have touched you for what you took.

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    Had it not been for a previous ordainment from Allah, a severe penalty would have reached you for the (ransom) that ye took.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    Had it not been for a prior decree from Allah, you would have certainly been disciplined with a tremendous punishment for whatever ˹ransom˺ you have taken.

  • Taqi Usmani

    Had there not been a decree from Allah that came earlier, a great punishment would have overtaken you because of what you have taken.

  • Abdul Haleem

    and had it not been preordained by God, a severe punishment would have come upon you for what you have taken.

  • Arthur John Arberry

    Had it not been for a prior prescription from God, there had afflicted you, for what you took, a mighty chastisement.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    Were it not for a book from God that had gone before, there would have touched you, for that which ye took, a mighty punishment.

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    Were it not for an ordinance from Allah that had gone before, there would have touched you a mighty punishment for that which you took (prisoners for ransom),

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    Had it not been for a prescription (Literally: a Book) that has gone before from Allah, a tremendous torment for what you have taken would indeed have touched you.

  • George Sale

    Unless a revelation had been previously delivered from God, verily a severe punishment had been inflicted on you, for the ransom which ye took from the captives at Bedr.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    If it was not for a previous command from Allah, a severe penalty would have come over you for the (repayment) that you took.

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    Had there not been a prior decree (of a war at Badr) from Allâh you would certainly have come to grief as a result of that which you were going to undertake (by attacking the caravan of Quraish from Syria).

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    Had it not been for a prior decree of Allah, surely there would have befallen you a great punishment for what you took.