Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

And when We took an agreement of the children of Israel: “Serve not save God; and towards parents good conduct, and towards kin, and the fatherless, and the poor; and speak kindly to men; and uphold the duty, and render the purity,” then you turned away save a few among you; and you are averse.

وَاِذْ اَخَذْنَا م۪يثَاقَ بَن۪ٓي اِسْرَٓائ۪لَ لَا تَعْبُدُونَ اِلَّا اللّٰهَ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ اِحْسَاناً وَذِي الْقُرْبٰى وَالْيَتَامٰى وَالْمَسَاك۪ينِ وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْناً وَاَق۪يمُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَاٰتُوا الزَّكٰوةَۜ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ اِلَّا قَل۪يلاً مِنْكُمْ وَاَنْتُمْ مُعْرِضُونَ
Wa-ith akhathna meethaqabanee isra-eela la taAAbudoona illa Allahawabilwalidayni ihsanan watheealqurba walyatama walmasakeeniwaqooloo linnasi husnan waaqeemoo assalatawaatoo azzakata thumma tawallaytum illaqaleelan minkum waantum muAAridoon
#wordmeaningroot
1wa-idhAnd when
2akhadhnāWe tookاخذ
3mīthāqa(the) covenantوثق
4banī(from the) Childrenبني
5is'rāīla(of) Israel
6Not
7taʿbudūnayou will worshipعبد
8illāexcept
9l-lahaAllah
10wabil-wālidayniand with [the] parentsولد
11iḥ'sānan(be) goodحسن
12wadhīand (with)
13l-qur'bārelativesقرب
14wal-yatāmāand [the] orphansيتم
15wal-masākīniand the needyسكن
16waqūlūand speakقول
17lilnnāsito [the] peopleنوس
18ḥus'nangoodحسن
19wa-aqīmūand establishقوم
20l-ṣalatathe salatصلو
21waātūand giveاتي
22l-zakatathe zakahزكو
23thummaThen
24tawallaytumyou turned awayولي
25illāexcept
26qalīlana fewقلل
27minkumof you
28wa-antumand you (were)
29muʿ'riḍūnarefusingعرض
  • Aisha Bewley

    Remember when We made a covenant with the tribe of Israel: ‘Worship none but Allah and be good to your parents and to relatives and orphans and the very poor. And speak good words to people. And establish salat and pay zakat.’ But then you turned away – except a few of you – you turned aside.

  • Progressive Muslims

    And We took the covenant of the Children of Israel: "You shall not serve except God, and regard your parents, and regard the relatives, and orphans, and needy, and say kind things to the people, and hold the contact-method, and contribute towards betterment. " But then you turned away, except a few of you; you were objecting.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    (The Covenant We made with the Children of Israel was not of unconditional favors. ) When We made a promise with the Children of Israel, (We said), "Serve none save Allah, and be kind to your parents, and to relatives, and to orphans, widows, and to the needy - those left alone in the society, and those whose income has stalled for any reason. And speak to people and treat them nicely, and establish the Divine System in the society, and set up the Just Economic Order (keeping your wealth open for the benefit of all)." Then, after that, you slid back, except a few of you, and you backslide even now.

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    And when We took an agreement of the children of Israel: “Serve not save God; and towards parents good conduct, and towards kin, and the fatherless, and the poor; and speak kindly to men; and uphold the duty, and render the purity,” then you turned away save a few among you; and you are averse.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    And We took the covenant of the Children of Israel: "You shall not serve except God, and do good to your parents, and regard the relatives, and the orphans, and the needy, and say kind things to the people, and hold the contact prayer, and contribute towards purification." But then you turned away, except for a few of you; you were objecting.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    We took the covenant of the Children of Israel, "You shall not serve except God, and regard your parents, and regard the relatives, and the orphans, and the needy, and say kind things to the people, and observe the Contact prayer, and contribute towards betterment." Then you turned away, except a few of you; you were objecting.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    We made a covenant with the Children of Israel: "You shall not worship except GOD. You shall honor your parents and regard the relatives, the orphans, and the poor. You shall treat the people amicably. You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat)." But you turned away, except a few of you, and you became averse.

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    Remember, when We made a covenant with the people of Israel and said: "Worship no one but God, and be good to your parents and your kin, and to orphans and the needy, and speak of goodness to men; observe your devotional obligations, and give zakat (the due share of your wealth for the welfare of others)," you went back (on your word), except only a few, and paid no heed.

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

    And when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, , "Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good and establish prayer and give zakah." Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.

  • Muhammad Asad

    AND LO! We accepted this solemn pledge from ' the children of Israel: "You shall worship none but God; and you shall do good unto your parents and kinsfolk, and the orphans, and the poor; and you shall speak unto all people in a kindly way; and you shall be constant in prayer; and you shall spend in charity. " And yet, save for a few of you, you turned away: for you are obstinate folk!

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    And (remember) when We made a covenant with the Children of Israel, (saying): Worship none save Allah (only), and be good to parents and to kindred and to orphans and the needy, and speak kindly to mankind; and establish worship and pay the poor-due. Then, after that, ye slid back, save a few of you, being averse.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    And recall when We made a covenant with the Children of Israel: "You shall serve none but Allah and do good to parents, kinsmen, orphans and the needy; you shall speak kindly to people, and establish Prayer and give Zakah (Purifying Alms). And yet, except for a few of you, you turned back on this covenant, and you are still backsliders.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    Again, We entered into a Covenant with Bani Isra‘il, thus: "You worship no one but Allah," We said, “and adore Him with appropriate rites and commit your parents to your kind care and express a friendly and kind disposition to your kindred, the orphans and the poor and talk to people with eloquence and forbearance and engage in worship and give zakat for zakat is but a vehicle of prayer. ” Yet you counselled deaf and paid no attention, with exception of a few who opened their hearts’ ears and heeded Our ordinance.

  • Bijan Moeinian

    I (God) took a pledge from (you) the children of Israel to worship none but God, be good to your parents, near ones, the orphans and the poor, say good words to people, worship God on regular basis and be charitable. However, except a few, most of you broke your promises and became rebellious.

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    And (remember) when We took a covenant from the Children of Israel, (saying): Worship none but Allâh (Alone) and be dutiful and good to parents, and to kindred, and to orphans and Al-Masâkîn (the poor), and speak good to people , and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and give Zakât. Then you slid back, except a few of you, while you are backsliders. (Tafsir Al-Qurtubî).

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    And remember We took a covenant from the Children of Israel (to this effect): Worship none but Allah; treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and practise regular charity. Then did ye turn back, except a few among you, and ye backslide (even now).

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    And ˹remember˺ when We took a covenant from the children of Israel ˹stating˺, "Worship none but Allah; be kind to parents, relatives, orphans and the needy; speak kindly to people; establish prayer; and pay alms-tax." But you ˹Israelites˺ turned away—except for a few of you—and were indifferent.

  • Taqi Usmani

    (Remember) when We took a pledge from the children of Isrā’īl (Israel): "You shall not worship anyone other than Allah; and you shall do good to the parents, and to near of kin, and to orphans and the needy. And say to the people what is good, and be steadfast in Salāh (prayer), and pay Zakāh." Then, you went back (on your word), all but a few among you, and you are used to turning away.

  • Abdul Haleem

    Remember when We took a pledge from the Children of Israel: ‘Worship none but God; be good to your parents and kinsfolk, to orphans and the poor; speak good words to all people; keep up the prayer and pay the prescribed alms.’ Then all but a few of you turned away and paid no heed.

  • Arthur John Arberry

    And when We took compact with the Children of Israel: 'You shall not serve any save God; and to be good to parents, and the near kinsman, and to orphans, and to the needy; and speak good to men, and perform the prayer, and pay the alms. ' Then you turned away, all but a few of you, swerving aside.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    And when we took from the children of Israel a covenant, saying, 'Serve ye none but God, and to your two parents show kindness, and to your kindred and the orphans and the poor, and speak to men kindly, and be steadfast in prayer, and give alms;' and then ye turned back, save a few of you, and swerved aside.

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    And remember when We took from the children of Israel a covenant, saying, "Serve you none but Allah, and to your two parents show kindness, and to your kindred and the orphans and the needy, and speak to men kindly, and be steadfast in prayer, and give alms;" and then you turned back, save a few of you, and you backslide (even now).

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    And (remember) as We took Compact with the Seeds (or: sons)of Israel) (that), "You shall not worship any (god) except Allah, and (show) fairest companionship to parents, and near kinsmen, and to orphans, and to the indigent; and speak fair to mankind, and keep up the prayer, and bring the Zakat. (i.e., pay the obligatory poor-dues)" (But) thereafter you turned away excepting for a few of you, and you are (still) veering away.

  • George Sale

    Remember also, when We accepted the covenant of the children of Israel, saying, ye shall not worship any other except God, and ye shall shew kindness to your parents and kindred, and to orphans, and to the poor, and speak that which is good unto men; and be constant at prayer, and give alms. Afterwards ye turned back, except a few of you, and retired afar off.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    And (remember) when, We took a Promise from the Children Of Israel, (that you will) worship no one but Allah, treat with kindness your parents and relatives, and orphans and those in need; Speak kindly and justly to the people; Be regular in prayer; And practice regular charity. Then you turned back, except a few among you, and you go back (on the Promise even now).

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    And (recall) when We took a covenant from the Children of Israel, `You shall worship none except Allâh, and do good to (your) parents and to the near of kin and the orphans and the poor (as well), and you shall speak kindly to all people and observe Prayer and present purifying alms. ' But (afterwards) you all turned away (and broke your covenant) except a few of you and you are averse (to guidance and ways of virtue).

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    And when We took a pledge from the Children of Israel: ‘Worship no one but Allah, do good to parents, relatives, orphans, and the needy, and speak kindly to people, and maintain the prayer, and give the zakāt,’ you turned away, except a few of you, and you were disregardful.