Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

And Moses chose of his people seventy men for Our appointed time; then when the earthquake seized them, he said: “My Lord: if Thou hadst willed, Thou wouldst have destroyed them before, and me. Wilt Thou destroy us for what the foolish among us have done? It is but Thy means of denial: Thou sendest whom Thou wilt astray thereby, and guidest whom Thou wilt. Thou art our ally, so forgive Thou us, and have Thou mercy on us; and Thou art the best of those who forgive.

وَاخْتَارَ مُوسٰى قَوْمَهُ سَبْع۪ينَ رَجُلاً لِم۪يقَاتِنَاۚ فَلَمَّٓا اَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّجْفَةُ قَالَ رَبِّ لَوْ شِئْتَ اَهْلَكْتَهُمْ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَاِيَّايَۜ اَتُهْلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ السُّفَـهَٓاءُ مِنَّاۚ اِنْ هِيَ اِلَّا فِتْنَتُكَۜ تُضِلُّ بِهَا مَنْ تَشَٓاءُ وَتَهْد۪ي مَنْ تَشَٓاءُۜ اَنْتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا وَاَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْغَافِر۪ينَ
Wakhtara moosaqawmahu sabAAeena rajulan limeeqatina falammaakhathat-humu arrajfatu qala rabbi lawshi/ta ahlaktahum min qablu wa-iyyaya atuhlikunabima faAAala assufahao minna in hiyailla fitnatuka tudillu biha man tashaowatahdee man tashao anta waliyyuna faghfirlana warhamna waanta khayru alghafireen
#wordmeaningroot
1wa-ikh'tāraAnd choseخير
2mūsāMusa
3qawmahu(from) his peopleقوم
4sabʿīnaseventyسبع
5rajulanmenرجل
6limīqātināfor Our appointmentوقت
7falammāThen when
8akhadhathumuseized themاخذ
9l-rajfatuthe earthquakeرجف
10qālahe saidقول
11rabbiO my Lordربب
12lawIf
13shi'tayou (had) willedشيا
14ahlaktahumYou (could) have destroyed themهلك
15minfrom
16qablubeforeقبل
17wa-iyyāyaand me
18atuh'likunāWould You destroy usهلك
19bimāfor what
20faʿaladidفعل
21l-sufahāuthe foolishسفه
22minnāamong us
23inNot
24hiyait (was)
25illābut
26fit'natukaYour trialفتن
27tuḍilluYou let go astrayضلل
28bihāby it
29manwhom
30tashāuYou willشيا
31watahdīand You guideهدي
32manwhom
33tashāuYou willشيا
34antaYou
35waliyyunā(are) our Protectorولي
36fa-igh'firso forgiveغفر
37lanāus
38wa-ir'ḥamnāand have mercy upon usرحم
39wa-antaand You
40khayru(are) Bestخير
41l-ghāfirīna(of) Forgiversغفر
  • Aisha Bewley

    Musa chose seventy men from his people for Our appointed time and when the earthquake seized them he said, ‘My Lord, if You had willed, You could have destroyed them previously and me as well. Would you destroy us for what the fools among us did? It was only a trial from You by which You misguided those You willed and guided those You willed. You are our Protector so forgive us and have mercy on us. You are the Best of Forgivers.

  • Progressive Muslims

    And Moses selected from his people seventy men for Our appointed time; so when the Earthquake seized them, he said: "My Lord, if You wished You could have destroyed them before this, and me as well. Will you destroy us for what the foolish amongst us have done It is all Your test, You misguide with it whom You please and You guide with it whom You please. You are our supporter, so forgive us and have mercy on us; You are the best forgiver."

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    Moses planned for the future. He appointed seventy of his people as officers to prevent the nation from wavering. An earthquake shook them (2:55) and Moses said, "My Lord! You could have destroyed them and me before, if You so willed (when they asked to see God in physical form (2:55)). Would you destroy us for the actions of the ignorant among us? This must be Your trial for us. You have appointed Laws of straying and guidance. You are our Protecting Friend. Forgive us and have Mercy on us. You are the Best of forgivers.

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    And Moses chose of his people seventy men for Our appointed time; then when the earthquake seized them, he said: “My Lord: if Thou hadst willed, Thou wouldst have destroyed them before, and me. Wilt Thou destroy us for what the foolish among us have done? It is but Thy means of denial: Thou sendest whom Thou wilt astray thereby, and guidest whom Thou wilt. Thou art our ally, so forgive Thou us, and have Thou mercy on us; and Thou art the best of those who forgive.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    And Moses selected from his people seventy men for Our appointed time; so when the earthquake seized them, he said: "My Lord, if You wished You could have destroyed them before this, and me as well. Will you destroy us for what the foolish among us have done? It is all Your test, You misguide with it whom You please and You guide with it whom You please. You are our Supporter, so forgive us and have mercy on us; You are the Best Forgiver."

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    Moses selected from his people seventy men for Our appointed time; so when the quake seized them, he said, "My Lord, if You wished You could have destroyed them before this, and me as well. Will you destroy us for what the foolish amongst us have done? It is all Your test, You misguide with it whom You please and You guide with it whom You please. You are our supporter, so forgive us and have mercy on us; You are the best forgiver."

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    Moses then selected seventy men from among his people, to come to our appointed audience. When the quake shook them, he said, "My Lord, You could have annihilated them in the past, together with me, if You so willed. Would You annihilate us for the deeds of those among us who are foolish? This must be the test that You have instituted for us. With it, You condemn whomever You will, and guide whomever You will. You are our Lord and Master, so forgive us, shower us with Your mercy; You are the best Forgiver.

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    Moses chose seventy of his people for the appointment (on Mount Sinai). When they arrived they were seized by a tremor. (Moses) said: "O Lord, if You had so pleased You could have annihilated them and me before this. Will You destroy us for something the foolish among us have done? This is but a trial from You whereby You will lead whom You will astray and guide whom You please. You are our saviour, so forgive us and have mercy on us, for You are the best of forgivers.

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

    And Moses chose from his people seventy men for Our appointment. And when the earthquake seized them, he said, "My Lord, if You had willed, You could have destroyed them before and me . Would You destroy us for what the foolish among us have done? This is not but Your trial by which You send astray whom You will and guide whom You will. You are our Protector, so forgive us and have mercy upon us; and You are the best of forgivers.

  • Muhammad Asad

    And Moses chose out of his people seventy men to come at a time set by Us. Then, when violent trembling seized them, he prayed: "O my Sustainer! Hadst Thou so willed, Thou wouldst have destroyed them ere this, and me . Wilt Thou destroy us for what the weak-minded among us have done? (All this is but a trial from Thee, whereby Thou allowest to go astray whom Thou willest, and guidest aright whom Thou willest. Thou art near unto us: grant us, then, forgiveness and have mercy on us - for Thou art the best of all forgivers!

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    And Moses chose of his people seventy men for Our appointed tryst and, when the trembling came on them, he said: My Lord! If Thou hadst willed Thou hadst destroyed them long before, and me with them. Wilt thou destroy us for that which the ignorant among us did? It is but Thy trial (of us). Thou sendest whom Thou wilt astray and guidest whom Thou wilt: Thou art our Protecting Friend, therefore forgive us and have mercy on us, Thou, the Best of all who show forgiveness.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    And out of his people Moses singled out seventy men for Our appointment. Then, when violent shaking seized them, he addressed his Lord: 'Had You willed, O my Lord, You could have destroyed them and me long ago. Will You destroy us for what the fools amongst us did? That was nothing but a trial from You whereby You mislead whom You will and guide whom You will. You alone are our guardian. Forgive us, then, and have mercy upon us. You are the best of those who forgive.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    There, did Mussa choose from the innocent among his people seventy persons, in compliance with Allah's command to present themselves at the divine assignation. When they gathered at the arranged time and place, fearful echoes thundered in their ears and the earth's surface convulsed under their feet as an expression of strong divine reproach against those among them who committed themselves to the most evil conduct. There and then did Mussa pray, thus: "O Allah, my Creator: had You willed you would have planted their Hereafter and mine before now". "Would you destroy us in requital of the evil committed by the simpleton among us!". " It is Your means of trial, You use it to subject people to the test and consequently deafen the hearts' ears of whom You will and open the minds' eyes of whom You will, You are our Tutelary Protector". "We beseech you to forgive us and to have mercy on us; You are the Most Merciful of all who forgive".

  • Bijan Moeinian

    Moses then chose seventy men from among his people to come to the next audience of Mine When a sever earthquake overtook them, Moses said: "My Lord, if it was your will, you would have destroyed them along with me long time ago. Is it now your will to destroy us all in account of the stupidity of some of us? What happened was really a test for us so that you decide to mislead whoever you want and guide whoever you will. You are our only Protector; please forgive us and have mercy on us as you are the Most Forgiving."

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    And Mûsâ (Moses) chose out of his people seventy (of the best) men for Our appointed time and place of meeting, and when they were seized with a violent earthquake, he said: "O my Lord, if it had been Your Will, You could have destroyed them and me before; would You destroy us for the deeds of the foolish ones among us? It is only Your Trial by which You lead astray whom You will, and keep guided whom You will. You are our Walî (Protector), so forgive us and have Mercy on us: for You are the Best of those who forgive.

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    And Moses chose seventy of his people for Our place of meeting: when they were seized with violent quaking, he prayed: "O my Lord! if it had been Thy will Thou couldst have destroyed, long before, both them and me: wouldst Thou destroy us for the deeds of the foolish ones among us? this is no more than Thy trial: by it Thou causest whom Thou wilt to stray, and Thou leadest whom Thou wilt into the right path. Thou art our Protector: so forgive us and give us Thy mercy; for Thou art the best of those who forgive.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    Moses chose seventy men from among his people for Our appointment and, when they were seized by an earthquake, he cried, "My Lord! Had You willed, You could have destroyed them long ago, and me as well. Will You destroy us for what the foolish among us have done? This is only a test from You—by which You allow whoever you will to stray and guide whoever You will. You are our Guardian. So forgive us and have mercy on us. You are the best forgiver.

  • Taqi Usmani

    And Mūsā selected seventy men from his people for Our appointment. Later when the earthquake seized them, he said, "My Lord, had it been Your will, You could have destroyed them earlier, and me too. Would You destroy us for what the foolish among them have done? It is nothing but a trial from You, wherewith you let go astray whom You will, and give guidance to whom You will. You are our protector, so forgive us, and have mercy on us, and You are the best among those who forgive.

  • Abdul Haleem

    Moses chose from his people seventy men for Our appointment, and when they were seized by trembling, he prayed, ‘My Lord, if You had chosen to do so, You could have destroyed them long before this, and me too, so will You now destroy us for what the foolish among us have done? This is only a trial from You- through it, You cause whoever You will to stray and guide whoever You will- and You are our Protector, so forgive us and have mercy on us. You are the best of those who forgive.

  • Arthur John Arberry

    And Moses chose of his people seventy men for Our appointed time; and when the earthquake seized them, he said, 'My Lord, hadst Thou willed Thou wouldst have destroyed them before, and me. Wilt Thou destroy us for what the foolish ones of us have done? It is only Thy trial, whereby Thou leadest astray whom Thou wilt, and guidest whom Thou wilt. Thou art our Protector; so forgive us, and have mercy on us, for Thou art the best of forgivers.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    And Moses chose from his people seventy men for our appointment; and when the earthquake took them he said, 'O my Lord! hadst Thou willed, Thou hadst destroyed them before and me. Wilt Thou destroy us for what the fools amongst us have done? This is naught but Thy trial, wherewith Thou dost lead astray whom Thou pleasest and guidest whom Thou pleasest; Thou art our patron! forgive us and have mercy on us, for Thou art the best of those who do forgive!

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    And Moses chose from his people seventy men for Our appointment; and when the earthquake took them he prayed, "O my Lord! Had you willed, you could have destroyed both them and me before this. Will Thou destroy us for what the fools amongst us have done? This is naught but Thy trial, wherewith Thou dost lead astray whom Thou pleases and guides whom Thou please; Thou art our patron! Forgive us and have mercy on us, for Thou art the best of those who forgive!

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    And Mûsa (Moses) chose his people, seventy men, for Our fixed time; then, as soon as the commotion took them, he said, "Lord! If you had so decided, You would have caused them to perish earlier and me. Would You cause us to perish for what the foolish ones of us have performed? Decidedly it is (nothing) except Your temptation, whereby You lead to error whomever You decide, and You guide whomever You decide. You are our Ever-Patronizing Patron, so forgive us and have mercy on us, and You are The Most Charitable of forgivers..

  • George Sale

    And Moses chose of his people seventy men for Our appointment. But when the earthquake overtook them, he said, 'My Lord, if Thou hadst pleased, Thou couldst have destroyed them before this, and me too. Wilt Thou destroy us for that which the foolish among us have done? This is nothing but a trial from Thee. Thou causest to perish thereby whom Thou pleasest and Thou guidest whom Thou pleasest. Thou art our Protector; forgive us then and have mercy upon us and Thou art the Best of those who forgive;

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    And Musa (Moses) chose from his people, seventy of his (best) men for Our place of meeting: When they were caught in severe earthquake, he prayed: "O my Lord! If it was Your Will, you could have destroyed, much before, both them and me: Would You destroy us for the actions of the foolish ones among us? This is no more than Your trial: By it You make whom You will to lose the path, and You lead whom You will to the right path. You are our Protector:— So forgive us and give us Your mercy; For You are the Best of those who forgive.

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    Now Moses selected from his people seventy men (to take with him) to Our appointed place and time, but when the earthquake seized them he said, `My Lord! if You so willed You could have destroyed them as well as me before (this). But would You destroy us on account of that which the foolish among us have done? This (matter of the calf) is nothing but (an ordeal from You) that You may distinguish the good from the bad (of us). You adjudge, by such means, to be astray whomsoever You will and You guide whomsoever You will. You are our Patron, protect us therefore, and have mercy on us, for You are the Best of Protectors (against the consequence of our faults).

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    Moses chose seventy men from his people for Our tryst, and when the earthquake seized them, he said, ‘My Lord, had You wished, You would have destroyed them and me before. Will You destroy us because of what the fools amongst us have done? It is only Your test by which You lead astray whomever You wish and guide whomever You wish. You are our master, so forgive us and have mercy on us, for You are the best of those who forgive.