Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

“And we desired that their Lord should give them in exchange one better than him in purity, and nearer in affection.

فَاَرَدْنَٓا اَنْ يُبْدِلَهُمَا رَبُّهُمَا خَيْراً مِنْهُ زَكٰوةً وَاَقْرَبَ رُحْماً
Faaradna an yubdilahumarabbuhuma khayran minhu zakatan waaqraba ruhma
#wordmeaningroot
1fa-aradnāSo we intendedرود
2anthat
3yub'dilahumāwould change for themبدل
4rabbuhumātheir Lordربب
5khayrana betterخير
6min'huthan him
7zakatan(in) purityزكو
8wa-aqrabaand nearerقرب
9ruḥ'man(in) affectionرحم
  • Aisha Bewley

    We wanted their Lord to give them in exchange a purer son than him, one more compassionate.

  • Progressive Muslims

    "So we wanted their Lord to replace for them with one who is better than him in purity and closer to mercy. "

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    And so we desired that their Sustainer grant them instead of him, a child better in purity of conduct and affection.

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    “And we desired that their Lord should give them in exchange one better than him in purity, and nearer in affection.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    "So we wanted their Lord to replace for them with one who is better than him in purity and closer to mercy."

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    "So we wanted their Lord to replace for them with one who is better than him in purity and closer to mercy."

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    "We willed that your Lord substitute in his place another son; one who is better in righteousness and kindness.

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    We hoped their Lord would give them a substitute better than him in virtue and goodness.

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

    So we intended that their Lord should substitute for them one better than him in purity and nearer to mercy.

  • Muhammad Asad

    and so we desired that their Sustainer grant them in his stead of greater purity than him, and closer in loving tenderness.

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    And we intended that their Lord should change him for them for one better in purity and nearer to mercy.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    and we desired that their Lord should grant them another in his place, a son more upright and more tender hearted.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    "We decided", -Allah decrees and I am the instrument- to replace him by another child who would be a symbol of faith and stands manifest of kindness and mercy".

  • Bijan Moeinian

    It was the will of the Lord to replace him with a better, more righteous, and kinder son. "

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    "So we intended that their Lord should change him for them for one better in righteousness and nearer to mercy.

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    "So we desired that their Lord would give them in exchange (a son) better in purity (of conduct) and closer in affection.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    So we hoped that their Lord would give them another, more virtuous and caring in his place.

  • Taqi Usmani

    We, therefore, wished that their Lord would replace him with someone better than him in piety, and more akin to affection.

  • Abdul Haleem

    we wished that their Lord should give them another child- purer and more compassionate- in his place.

  • Arthur John Arberry

    so we desired that their Lord should give to them in exchange one better than he in purity, and nearer in tenderness.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    So we desired that their Lord would give them in exchange a better one than him in purity, and nearer in filial affection.

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    And as for the youth, his parents were believers, and we feared lest he should oppress them with rebellion and disbelief.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    So we willingly (intended) that their Lord would give them (both) in exchange a more charitable (person) in cleansing (i. e., a better, purer son) than he and nearer in tenderness.

  • George Sale

    Wherefore we desired that their Lord might give them a more righteous child in exchange for him, and one more affectionate towards them.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    "So we wanted that their Lord would give them in exchange (a son) with more purity (of actions) and closer (to them) in (his) affection.

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    `So we desired that their Lord should give them in his place (a child) superior to him in virtue and purity and more regardful to attend to the right of relationships.

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    So We desired that their Lord should give them in exchange one better than him in respect of purity and closer in mercy.