Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

And if he be one in hardship, then deferment until ease; but that you forgive by way of charity is better for you, if you would know.

وَاِنْ كَانَ ذُوعُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ اِلٰى مَيْسَرَةٍۜ وَاَنْ تَصَدَّقُوا خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
Wa-in kana thoo AAusratinfanathiratun ila maysaratin waan tasaddaqookhayrun lakum in kuntum taAAlamoon
#wordmeaningroot
1wa-inAnd if
2kānaisكون
3dhūthe (debtor)
4ʿus'ratinin difficultyعسر
5fanaẓiratunthen postponementنظر
6ilāuntil
7maysaratineaseيسر
8wa-anAnd if
9taṣaddaqūyou remit as charityصدق
10khayrun(it is) betterخير
11lakumfor you
12inIf
13kuntumyouكون
14taʿlamūnaknowعلم
  • Aisha Bewley

    If someone is in difficult circumstances, there should be a deferral until things are easier. But making a free gift of it would be better for you if you only knew.

  • Progressive Muslims

    If the person is facing insolvency, then you shall wait until he becomes able. And if you relinquish it as a charity it is better for you if you knew.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    If a debtor is in difficult circumstances, let there be postponement to a time of ease. And if you give up the loan entirely as charity, it is better for you if you did but know.

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    And if he be one in hardship, then deferment until ease; but that you forgive by way of charity is better for you, if you would know.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    If the person is facing insolvency, then you shall wait until he becomes able. And if you relinquish it as a charity it is better for you if only you knew.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    If the person is facing insolvency, then you shall wait until he becomes able. If you relinquish it as a charity it is better for you if you knew.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    If the debtor is unable to pay, wait for a better time. If you give up the loan as a charity, it would be better for you, if you only knew.

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    If a debtor is in want, give him time until his circumstances improve; but if you forego (the debt) as charity, that will be to your good, if you really understand.

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

    And if someone is in hardship, then postponement until ease. But if you give charity, then it is better for you, if you only knew.

  • Muhammad Asad

    If, however, is in straitened circumstances, a delay until a time of ease; and it would be for your own good -if you but knew it -to remit by way of charity.

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    And if the debtor is in straitened circumstances, then (let there be) postponement to (the time of) ease; and that ye remit the debt as almsgiving would be better for you if ye did but know.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    But if the debtor is in straitened circumstance, let him have respite until the time of ease; and whatever you remit by way of charity is better for you, if only you know.*

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    And if the debtor experiences difficulty or is in a pecuniary situation, then give him respite until he is at ease and is able to return the debt. And if you are able to cancel the debt or a part thereof in benevolence, you shall merit the grace of Allah, if you only knew.

  • Bijan Moeinian

    It will be nice of you to give extra time to someone who owes you money and faces financial difficulties in repaying his debt. If you write off such loan as charity, it will be much better for you, if you only knew.

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    And if the debtor is in a hard time (has no money), then grant him time till it is easy for him to repay, but if you remit it by way of charity, that is better for you if you did but know.

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    If the debtor is in a difficulty, grant him time Till it is easy for him to repay. But if ye remit it by way of charity, that is best for you if ye only knew.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    If it is difficult for someone to repay a debt, postpone it until a time of ease. And if you waive it as an act of charity, it will be better for you, if only you knew.

  • Taqi Usmani

    If there is one in misery, then (the creditor should allow) deferment till (his) ease, and that you forgo it as alms is much better for you, if you really know.

  • Abdul Haleem

    If the debtor is in difficulty, then delay things until matters become easier for him; still, if you were to write it off as an act of charity, that would be better for you, if only you knew.

  • Arthur John Arberry

    And if any man should be in difficulties, let him have respite till things are easier; but that you should give freewill offerings is better for you, did you but know.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    And if it be one in difficulties, then wait for easy circumstances; but that ye remit it as alms is better for you, if ye did but know.

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    And if a debtor be in difficulties, then wait for easier circumstances; but to remit the debt as alms is better for you, if you did but know.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    And in case any person is under difficulty, then he should (be granted) a respite to (the time of) ease; and that you donate (alms) is more charitable (i. e. more beneficial) for you, in case you know.

  • George Sale

    If there be an debtor under a difficulty of paying his debt, let his creditor wait till it be easy for him to do it; but if ye remit it as alms, it will be better for you, if ye knew it.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    And if the debtor is in difficulty, give him time till it is easy for him to repay. But if you forgive it (the debt) by the way of charity, that is best for you, if you only knew.

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    If any (debtor) be in straitened circumstances there shall be respite (for him) till (his circumstances) ease. But that if you remit (the debt) by way of charity (for the sake of God), it is better for you, if you only knew.

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    And if is in straits, let there be a respite until the time of ease; and if you remit as charity, it will be better for you, should you know.