Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

We made what is upon the earth an adornment for it, that We might try them, which of them is best in deed.

اِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْاَرْضِ ز۪ينَةً لَهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ اَيُّهُمْ اَحْسَنُ عَمَلاً
Inna jaAAalna ma AAalaal-ardi zeenatan laha linabluwahum ayyuhum ahsanuAAamala
#wordmeaningroot
1innāIndeed, We
2jaʿalnāWe have madeجعل
3what
4ʿalā(is) on
5l-arḍithe earthارض
6zīnatanadornmentزين
7lahāfor it
8linabluwahumthat We may test [them]بلو
9ayyuhumwhich of them
10aḥsanu(is) bestحسن
11ʿamalan(in) deedعمل
  • Aisha Bewley

    We made everything on the earth adornment for it so that We could test them to see whose actions are the best.

  • Progressive Muslims

    We have made what is on Earth an adornment for them, so that We will test them as to who is better in deeds.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    (We never ordained asceticism for mankind. It was something they invented (57:27)). Behold, We have Willed the earth to be pleasingly decorated. We make it a test for people to see for themselves as to which of them lives a balanced life. (18:30-31), (18:46), (67:2).

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    We made what is upon the earth an adornment for it, that We might try them, which of them is best in deed.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    We have made what is on the earth an adornment for them, so that We will test them as to which of them is best in works.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    We have made what is on earth an adornment for it, so that We will test them as to who is better in deeds.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    We have adorned everything on earth, in order to test them, and thus distinguish those among them who work righteousness.*

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    We have made whatever exists on the earth its adornment to test and try them (and) know who acts better;

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

    Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them which of them is best in deed.

  • Muhammad Asad

    Behold, We have willed that all beauty on earth be a means by which We put men to a test, which of them are best in conduct;

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    Lo! We have placed all that is on the earth as an ornament thereof that We may try them: which of them is best in conduct.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    Surely We have made all that is on the earth an embellishment for it in order to test people as to who of them is better in conduct.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    We have caused the material world on earth to be of the nature of an embellishment and ornamentation in order to test the peoples' reaction to the grace of Allah and distinguish those of them who will imprint their deeds with wisdom and piety.

  • Bijan Moeinian

    I (God) created the world as a place to test mankind and to reward those who are not enchanted by the glitter of the worldly life.

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    Verily! We have made that which is on earth as an adornment for it, in order that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds. .

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    That which is on earth we have made but as a glittering show for the earth, in order that We may test them - as to which of them are best in conduct.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    We have indeed made whatever is on earth as an adornment for it, in order to test which of them is best in deeds.

  • Taqi Usmani

    Surely, We have made what is on earth an adornment for it, so that We test them as to who among them is better in deeds.

  • Abdul Haleem

    We have adorned the earth with attractive things so that We may test people to find out which of them do best,

  • Arthur John Arberry

    We have appointed all that is on the earth for an adornment for it, and that We may try which of them is fairest in works;

  • E. Henry Palmer

    Verily, we have made what is on the earth an ornament thereof, to try them, which of them is best in works;

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    Verily, We have placed all that which is on the earth as an ornament thereof, that We may try them, which of them is best in conduct.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    Surely We have made whatever is on the earth for an adornment for it that We may try whichever of them is fairest in deeds.

  • George Sale

    Verily we have ordained whatsoever is on the earth for the ornament thereof, that we might make trial of men, and see which of them excelleth in works:

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    Verily, whatever is on earth, We have made it only as a shining show for the earth. So that We may test them— As to which (ones) of them are best in conduct.

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    Verily, We have made all that is on the earth as an embellishment for it, that We may try them as to which of them is the most excellent in (respect of) performing the noblest deeds.

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    Indeed We have made whatever is on the earth an adornment for it that We may test them which of them is best in conduct.