Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

And thy Lord has decreed that you serve not save Him; and towards parents good conduct. Whether one or both of them reaches old age with thee, say thou not: “Fie,” to them, nor repel thou them; but speak thou to them a noble word,

وَقَضٰى رَبُّكَ اَلَّا تَعْبُدُٓوا اِلَّٓا اِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ اِحْسَاناًۜ اِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِنْدَكَ الْكِبَرَ اَحَدُهُمَٓا اَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُلْ لَهُمَٓا اُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُلْ لَهُمَا قَوْلاً كَر۪يماً
Waqada rabbuka alla taAAbudooilla iyyahu wabilwalidayni ihsananimma yablughanna AAindaka alkibara ahaduhumaaw kilahuma fala taqul lahuma offinwala tanharhuma waqul lahuma qawlan kareema
#wordmeaningroot
1waqaḍāAnd has decreedقضي
2rabbukayour Lordربب
3allāthat (do) not
4taʿbudūworshipعبد
5illāexcept
6iyyāhuHim Alone
7wabil-wālidayniand to the parentsولد
8iḥ'sānan(be) goodحسن
9immāWhether
10yablughannareachبلغ
11ʿindakawith youعند
12l-kibarathe old ageكبر
13aḥaduhumāone of themاحد
14awor
15kilāhumāboth of themكلو
16falāthen (do) not
17taqulsayقول
18lahumāto both of them
19uffina word of disrespectافف
20walāand (do) not
21tanharhumārepel themنهر
22waqulbut speakقول
23lahumāto them
24qawlana wordقول
25karīmannobleكرم
  • Aisha Bewley

    Your Lord has decreed that you should worship none but Him, and that you should show kindness to your parents. Whether one or both of them reach old age with you, do not say ‘Ugh!’ to them out of irritation and do not be harsh with them but speak to them with gentleness and generosity.

  • Progressive Muslims

    And your Lord decreed that you shall not serve except Him, and do good to your parents. When one of them or both of them reaches old age, do not say to them a word of disrespect nor raise your voice at them, but say to them a kind saying.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    (A benevolent society begins at home. ) Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and always be kind to your parents. If one of them or both attain old age, do not utter the slightest harsh word to them. Never repel them and always address them respectfully. (36:68).

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    And thy Lord has decreed that you serve not save Him; and towards parents good conduct. Whether one or both of them reaches old age with thee, say thou not: “Fie,” to them, nor repel thou them; but speak thou to them a noble word,

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    And your Lord decreed that you shall not serve except He, and do good to your parents. When one of them or both of them reach old age, do not say to them a word of disrespect nor shout at them, but say to them a kind saying.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    Your Lord decreed that you shall not serve except Him, and do good to your parents. When one of them or both of them reaches old age, do not say to them a word of disrespect nor raise your voice at them, but say to them a kind saying.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    Your Lord has decreed that you shall not worship except Him, and your parents shall be honored. As long as one or both of them live, you shall never say to them, "Uff" (the slightest gesture of annoyance), nor shall you shout at them; you shall treat them amicably.

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    "So your Lord has decreed: Do not worship anyone but Him, and be good to your parents. If one or both of them grow old in your presence, do not say fie to them, nor reprove them, but say gentle words to them

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

    And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them , "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.

  • Muhammad Asad

    for thy Sustainer has ordained that you shall worship none but Him. And do good unto parents. Should one of them, or both, attain to old age in thy care, never say "Ugh" to them or scold them, but speak unto them with reverent speech,

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    Thy Lord hath decreed, that ye worship none save Him, and (that ye show) kindness to parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age with thee, say not "Fie" unto them nor repulse them, but speak unto them a gracious word.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    Your Lord has decreed: (i) Do not worship any but Him; (ii) Be good to your parents; and should both or any one of them attain old age with you, do not say to them even "fie" neither chide them, but speak to them with respect,

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    Allah, your Creator, has ordained, that you worship no one but Him and you adore Him with appropriate acts and rites and that you commit your parents to your kind care. When one or both of them attain old age they expect your friendly disposition by your conduct to them. Therefore do not offend them by giving vent to an exclamation of impatience or disgust nor should you rebuke or reprimand them and let your dissertation with them be a sweet discourse.

  • Bijan Moeinian

    Your Lord has decreed: You shall worship none but God. You shall honor your parents. As long as your parents are alive, you shall never say any word to them which implies disrespect. You shall not raise your voice over your parents. You shall talk to your parents in the most kind manner.

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour.

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    For your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And honour your parents. If one or both of them reach old age in your care, never say to them ˹even˺ ‘ugh,’ nor yell at them. Rather, address them respectfully.

  • Taqi Usmani

    Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and do good to parents. If any one of them or both of them reach old age, do not say to them: uff (a word or expression of anger or contempt) and do not scold them, and address them with respectful words,

  • Abdul Haleem

    Your Lord has commanded that you should worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say no word that shows impatience with them, and do not be harsh with them, but speak to them respectfully

  • Arthur John Arberry

    Thy Lord has decreed you shall not serve any but Him, and to be good to parents, whether one or both of them attains old age with thee; say not to them 'Fie' neither chide them, but speak unto them words respectful,

  • E. Henry Palmer

    Thy Lord has decreed that ye shall not serve other than Him; and kindness to one's parents, whether one or both of them reach old age with thee; and say not to them, 'Fie!' and do not grumble at them, but speak to them a generous speech.

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    Your Lord has decreed that you serve none other than Him; and that you show kindness to parents. If one or both of them reach old age with you, say not unto them, "Fie!", nor repulse them, but speak to them graciously and kindly.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    And your Lord has decreed that you should not worship any except Him (only) and (to show) fairest companionship to parents; in case ever one or both of them reaches old age (Literally: being great "in years") in your presence, do not say to them, "Fie!" nor scold them; and speak to them respectful words (Literally: say to them an honorable saying).

  • George Sale

    Thy Lord hath commanded that ye worship none, besides Him; and that ye shew kindness unto your parents, whether the one of them, or both of them attain to old age with thee. Wherefore say not unto them, fie on you! Neither reproach them, but speak respectfully unto them;

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    And your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him. And that you be kind to your parents. Whether one or both of them reach old age in your life, do not say a word of (hate and) disrespect to them, and do not brush them aside, instead, talk to them with (respect and) honor.

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    Your Lord has enjoined you to worship none but Him and to be good to parents. If either or both attain old age (while living) with you, never say to them, `Fie!' (- any word expressive of disgust or dislike), nor reproach them (by your action). Rather address them with kind and respectful words (always).

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    Your Lord has decreed that you shall not worship anyone except Him, and kindness to parents. Should they reach old age at your side —one of them or both— do not say to them, ‘Fie!’ And do not chide them, but speak to them noble words.