And there followed after them successors who inherited the Writ, taking the goods of this fleeting life, and saying: “It will be forgiven us.” And if there come to them goods the like thereof, they will take them. Has there not been taken from them an agreement to the Writ, that they ascribe not to God save the truth, and that they study what is therein? And the abode of the Hereafter is better for those of prudent fear. Will you then not use reason!
| # | word | meaning | root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | fakhalafa | Then succeeded | خلف |
| 2 | min | from | |
| 3 | baʿdihim | after them | بعد |
| 4 | khalfun | successors | خلف |
| 5 | warithū | (who) inherited | ورث |
| 6 | l-kitāba | the Book | كتب |
| 7 | yakhudhūna | taking | اخذ |
| 8 | ʿaraḍa | goods | عرض |
| 9 | hādhā | (of) this | |
| 10 | l-adnā | the lower (life) | دنو |
| 11 | wayaqūlūna | and they say | قول |
| 12 | sayugh'faru | It will be forgiven | غفر |
| 13 | lanā | for us | |
| 14 | wa-in | And if | |
| 15 | yatihim | comes to them | اتي |
| 16 | ʿaraḍun | goods | عرض |
| 17 | mith'luhu | similar to it | مثل |
| 18 | yakhudhūhu | they will take it | اخذ |
| 19 | alam | Was not | |
| 20 | yu'khadh | taken | اخذ |
| 21 | ʿalayhim | on them | |
| 22 | mīthāqu | Covenant | وثق |
| 23 | l-kitābi | (of) the Book | كتب |
| 24 | an | that | |
| 25 | lā | not | |
| 26 | yaqūlū | they will say | قول |
| 27 | ʿalā | about | |
| 28 | l-lahi | Allah | |
| 29 | illā | except | |
| 30 | l-ḥaqa | the truth | حقق |
| 31 | wadarasū | while they studied | درس |
| 32 | mā | what | |
| 33 | fīhi | (is) in it | |
| 34 | wal-dāru | And the home | دور |
| 35 | l-ākhiratu | (of) the Hereafter | اخر |
| 36 | khayrun | (is) better | خير |
| 37 | lilladhīna | for those who | |
| 38 | yattaqūna | fear Allah | وقي |
| 39 | afalā | So will not | |
| 40 | taʿqilūna | you use intellect | عقل |
An evil generation has succeeded them, inheriting the Book, taking the goods of this lower world, and saying, ‘We will be forgiven. ’ But if similar goods come to them again they still take them. Has not a covenant been made with them in the Book, that they should only say the truth about Allah and have they not studied what is in it? The Final Abode is better for those who have taqwa. Will you not use your intellect?
A generation came after them who inherited the Scripture, but they took the materialism of this world, which is lower; and they Say: "It will be forgiven for us. " And if materialism again comes to them they take it; was not the covenant of the Scripture taken on them that they would only say the truth about God And they studied what was in it; but the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who are aware. Do you not comprehend
But, the succeeding generations that inherited the Scripture, did no better. They became more materialistic, falling for instant gains. Yet, they insist, "We will be forgiven," and won't have to account for it. And they keep longing for material gains. Didn't they promise to uphold the Scripture, and not to say about God but the Truth? And they have studied the Commands in it! The long-term benefit and the abode of the Hereafter are better for those who deal justly with people and walk aright. Do you not use sense?
And there followed after them successors who inherited the Writ, taking the goods of this fleeting life, and saying: “It will be forgiven us.” And if there come to them goods the like thereof, they will take them. Has there not been taken from them an agreement to the Writ, that they ascribe not to God save the truth, and that they study what is therein? And the abode of the Hereafter is better for those of prudent fear. Will you then not use reason!
Then, a generation came after them who inherited the Book, but they opted for the materialism of that which is lower; and they say: "It will be forgiven for us." And they continue to opt for the materialism if it comes to them; was not the covenant of the Book taken on them that they would only say the truth about God, and they studied what was in it? And the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who are aware. Do you not comprehend?
A generation came after them who inherited the book, but they indulged in the petty materials of this world by saying, "It will be forgiven for us." They continued choosing materials, whenever they were given a chance. Did they not make a covenant to uphold the book that they would only say the truth about God? They studied what was in it; but the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who are aware. Do you not reason?
Subsequent to them, He substituted new generations who inherited the scripture. But they opted for the worldly life instead, saying, "We will be forgiven." But then they continued to opt for the materials of this world. Did they not make a covenant to uphold the scripture, and not to say about GOD except the truth? Did they not study the scripture? Certainly, the abode of the Hereafter is far better for those who maintain righteousness. Do you not understand?
Then after them a new generation inherited the Book. They took to the things of this base world, and said: "We shall (surely) be forgiven this." Yet they will accept similar things if they came their way again. Had they not been covenanted in the Book to say nothing in the name of God but the truth? And they have read this in it. The abode of the life to come is better for those who fear God. Can they not comprehend?
And there followed them successors who inherited the Scripture taking the commodities of this lower life and saying, "It will be forgiven for us. " And if an offer like it comes to them, they will take it. Was not the covenant of the Scripture taken from them that they would not say about Allah except the truth, and they studied what was in it? And the home of the Hereafter is better for those who fear Allah, so will you not use reason?
And they have been succeeded by generations who - having inherited the divine writ-clutch but at the fleeting good of this lower world and say, "We shall be forgiven, the while they are ready, if another such fleeting good should come their way, to clutch at it . Have they not been solemnly pledged through the divine writ not to attribute unto God aught but what is true, and read again and again all that is therein? Since the life in the hereafter is the better for all who are conscious of God -will you not, then, use your reason?
And a generation hath succeeded them who inherited the scriptures. They grasp the goods of this low life (as the price of evil-doing) and say: It will be forgiven us. And if there came to them (again) the offer of the like, they would accept it (and would sin again). Hath not the covenant of the Scripture been taken on their behalf that they should not speak aught concerning Allah save the truth? And they have studied that which is therein. And the abode of the Hereafter is better, for those who ward off (evil). Have ye then no sense?
Then others succeeded them who inherited the scriptures, and yet kept themselves occupied in acquiring the goods of this world and kept saying: 'We shall be forgiven.' And when there comes to them an opportunity for acquiring more of those goods, they seize it.* Was not the covenant of the Book taken from them that they would not ascribe to Allah anything but the truth? And they have read what is in the Book* and know that the abode of the Hereafter is better for the God-fearing.* Do you not understand?
Then, there came their successors on whom the weight of AL-Tawrah had devolved and the responsibility of subscribing to its precept had fallen. Yet they chose to go by the world and its vanities, and unmerited forgiveness haunted their imagination; They said: "We will be forgiven our iniquities", and in vanity they wasted their days. Every opportunity favourable to a wicked end or purpose gave them occasion to a burst of merriment. Do they not recall to the mind that they did subscribe to the covenant Allah had revealed in AL-Tawrah which they have carefully studied; the covenant forbidding them to relate to Allah but the truth and emphasizing that the Hereafter is infinitely far better and more advantageous to those who entertain the profound reverence dutiful to Allah. Can you - people- not reflect!
The generations after them inherited the Scripture, but they preferred the vanities of this low life and said: "God will forgive us (as they were considering themselves the favorites of the Lord)!" Now if they would have received another proposal, they would not have hesitated in accepting it. Did they not make a solemn covenant that they will uphold the Scripture and say nothing but the truth about the Lord? They have studied the Scriptures and know that the Hereafter is much better for the righteous ones? Do they ever contemplate?
Then after them succeeded an (evil) generation, which inherited the Book, but they chose (for themselves) the goods of this low life (evil pleasures of this world) saying (as an excuse): "(Everything) will be forgiven to us." And if (again) the offer of the like (evil pleasures of this world) came their way, they would (again) seize them (would commit those sins). Was not the covenant of the Book taken from them that they would not say about Allâh anything but the truth? And they have studied what is in it (the Book). And the home of the Hereafter is better for those who are Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - See V.2:2). Do not you then understand?
After them succeeded an (evil) generation: They inherited the Book, but they chose (for themselves) the vanities of this world, saying (for excuse): "(Everything) will be forgiven us." (Even so), if similar vanities came their way, they would (again) seize them. Was not the covenant of the Book taken from them, that they would not ascribe to Allah anything but the truth? and they study what is in the Book. But best for the righteous is the home in the Hereafter. Will ye not understand?
Then they were succeeded by other generations who inherited the Scripture. They indulged in unlawful gains, claiming, "We will be forgiven ˹after all˺." And if similar gain came their way, they would seize it. Was a covenant not taken from them in the Scripture that they would not say anything about Allah except the truth? And they were already well-versed in its teachings. But the ˹eternal˺ Home of the Hereafter is far better for those mindful ˹of Allah˺. Will you not then understand?
Then, after them, came a generation that inherited the Book, opting for the mundane stuff of this world and saying, "We shall be forgiven." But if there comes to them similar stuff, they would opt for it (again). Was not the covenant of the Book taken from them that they should not say anything but the truth about Allah? They learnt what it contained. Certainly, the Last Abode is better for those who fear Allah. Have you then, no sense?
and they were succeeded by generations who, although they inherited the Scripture, took the fleeting gains of this lower world, saying, ‘We shall be forgiven,’ and indeed taking them again if other such gains came their way. Was a pledge not taken from them, writ-ten in the Scripture, to say nothing but the truth about God? And they have studied its contents well. For those who are mindful of God, the Hereafter is better. ‘Why do you not use your reason?’
And there succeeded after them a succession who inherited the Book, taking the chance goods of this lower world, and saying, 'It will be forgiven us'; and if chance goods the like of them come to them, they will take them. Has not the compact of the Book been taken touching them, that they should say concerning God nothing but the truth? And they have studied what is in it; and the Last Abode is better for those who are godfearing. Do you not understand?
But there succeeded them successors who inherited the Book! They take the goods of this lower world and say, 'It will be forgiven us. ' But if the like goods came to them they would take them too! Was there not taken from them a covenant by the Book, that they should not say against God aught but the truth? Yet they study therein! But the abode of the future life is better for those who fear - do ye not then understand?
But after them a generation succeeded them who inherited the Book (Scriptures)! They chose the vanities of this lower world, saying, "Everything will be forgiven us. " But if similar vanities came to them again they would seize them too! Was there not taken from them a covenant by the Book, that they should not ascribe to Allah anything but the truth? Yet they study what is therein! But the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who fear - do you not then understand?
Then there succeeded even after them a succession who inherited the Book, taking the advantage of this meaner (life), and saying, "Soon it will be forgiven us. " And in case an advantage, the like of it, comes up to them, they will take it. Has not the compact of the Book been taken upon them, that they should say nothing concerning Allah except the truth? And they studied what is in it; and the Last Residence is most charitable for the ones who are pious. Then do you not consider (that?. (
Then there came after them an evil generation who inherited the Book. They take the paltry goods of this low world and say, 'It will be forgiven us.' But if there came to them similar goods again, they would take them. Was not the covenant of the Book taken from them, that they would not say of Allah anything but the truth? And they have studied what is therein. And the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who are righteous. Will you not then understand.
After them succeeded an (evil) generation: They took over the (holy) Book, but they chose the showy things of this world, saying (for excuse): "(Everything) will be forgiven for us. " (Even then), when similar things came their way, they would (once again) grab them. Was the sacred Promise of the Book not taken from them, that they would not say about Allah anything but the truth? And that they would study what is in the Book? And best for the righteous is the home in the Hereafter. Will you not understand?
Then there succeeded them an evil generation who having inherited the Scripture (of Moses), go on taking the paltry goods of this base (life) and say, `We shall surely be protected. ' And if the like of these goods (again) come their way, they will take them (and sin persistently). Were they not bound to the covenant mentioned in the Scripture that they would not say of Allâh anything but the truth? And they have read for themselves what it (- the Scripture) contains. And the abode of the Hereafter is better only for those who become secure against evil. Have you then no sense?
Then they were succeeded by an evil posterity which inherited the Book: they grab the transitory gains of this lower world, and say, ‘It will be forgiven us. ’ And if similar transitory gains were to come their way, they would grab them too. Was not the covenant of the Book taken with them that they shall not attribute anything to Allah except the truth? They have studied what is in it, and the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who are Godwary. Do you not apply reason?