Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

And those similitudes — We strike them for mankind, but none will understand them save those of knowledge.

وَتِلْكَ الْاَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِۚ وَمَا يَعْقِلُـهَٓا اِلَّا الْعَالِمُونَ
Watilka al-amthalu nadribuhalinnasi wama yaAAqiluha illaalAAalimoon
#wordmeaningroot
1watil'kaAnd these
2l-amthāluexamplesمثل
3naḍribuhāWe set forthضرب
4lilnnāsito mankindنوس
5wamābut not
6yaʿqiluhāwill understand themعقل
7illāexcept
8l-ʿālimūnathose of knowledgeعلم
  • Aisha Bewley

    Such metaphors – We devise them for mankind; but only those with knowledge understand them.

  • Progressive Muslims

    Such are the examples We cite for the people, but none comprehend except the knowledgeable.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    And so We cite examples for mankind, but men of Science will make best use of their intellect. ('Aalim = Scientist. (30:22-23), (35:27-28)).

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    And those similitudes — We strike them for mankind, but none will understand them save those of knowledge.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    Such are the examples We put forth for the people, but none comprehend except the knowledgeable.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    Such are the examples We cite for the people, but none reason except the knowledgeable.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    We cite these examples for the people, and none appreciate them except the knowledgeable.

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    These are precepts of wisdom We offer to men, but only those who are rational understand.

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

    And these examples We present to the people, but none will understand them except those of knowledge.

  • Muhammad Asad

    And so We propound these parables unto man: but none can grasp their innermost meaning save those who are aware

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    As for these similitudes, We coin them for mankind, but none will grasp their meaning save the wise.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    These are the parables that We set forth to make people understand. But only those endowed with knowledge will comprehend them.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    Such parables do We discourse to people -that they might hopefully ponder-. Such examples and illustrations are only grasped with the minds of those who know the facts and apprehend them with their senses.

  • Bijan Moeinian

    I (God) cite these examples to make the people wake up; but only those who have knowledge understands them.

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    And these similitudes We put forward for mankind; but none will understand them except those who have knowledge (of Allâh and His Signs).

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    And such are the Parables We set forth for mankind, but only those understand them who have knowledge.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    These are the parables We set forth for humanity, but none will understand them except the people of knowledge.

  • Taqi Usmani

    We site these examples for people, but no one understands them except the knowledgeable ones.

  • Abdul Haleem

    Such are the comparisons We draw for people, though only the wise can grasp them.

  • Arthur John Arberry

    And those similitudes -- We strike them for the people, but none understands them save those who know.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    These are parables which we have struck out for men; but none will understand them, save those who know.

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    Verily, Allah knows whatever thing they call upon beside Him; for He is the Mighty, the Wise.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    And those similitudes, We strike them for mankind, and in no way does anyone consider them except the knowledgeable (people).

  • George Sale

    These similitudes do We propound unto men: But none understand them, except the wise.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    And stories (with guidance) like these, We bring out for mankind, but only those who have knowledge understand them (the stories).

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    These are the (various) situations which We set forth for the (benefit of) mankind, yet, except for the learned, nobody tries to grasp them.

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    And We draw these parables for mankind; but no one grasps them except those who have knowledge.