Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

That will tend to them bearing witness properly, or fearing that oaths will be taken after their oaths. And be in prudent fear of God, and listen; and God guides not the perfidious people.

ذٰلِكَ اَدْنٰٓى اَنْ يَأْتُوا بِالشَّهَادَةِ عَلٰى وَجْهِهَٓا اَوْ يَخَافُٓوا اَنْ تُرَدَّ اَيْمَانٌ بَعْدَ اَيْمَانِهِمْۜ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ وَاسْمَعُواۜ وَاللّٰهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِق۪ينَ۟
Thalika adna an ya/too bishshahadatiAAala wajhiha aw yakhafoo an turadda aymanunbaAAda aymanihim wattaqoo Allaha wasmaAAoowallahu la yahdee alqawma alfasiqeen
#wordmeaningroot
1dhālikaThat
2adnā(is) closerدنو
3anthat
4yatūthey will giveاتي
5bil-shahādatithe testimonyشهد
6ʿalāin
7wajhihāits (true) formوجه
8awor
9yakhāfūthey would fearخوف
10anthat
11turaddawill be refutedردد
12aymānuntheir oathsيمن
13baʿdaafterبعد
14aymānihimtheir (others) oathsيمن
15wa-ittaqūAnd fearوقي
16l-lahaAllah
17wa-is'maʿūand listenسمع
18wal-lahuand Allah
19(does) not
20yahdīguideهدي
21l-qawmathe peopleقوم
22l-fāsiqīnathe defiantly disobedientفسق
  • Aisha Bewley

    That makes it more likely that they will give their evidence properly or be afraid that their oaths will be refuted by subsequent oaths. Have taqwa of Allah and listen carefully. Allah does not guide deviant people.

  • Progressive Muslims

    This is best so that they would bring the testimony on its face value, for fear that their oaths would be discarded after being made. And be aware of God, and listen; God does not guide the wicked people.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    This procedure will encourage an honest testimony to begin with. The first witnesses will be more likely to bear true witness fearing that after their oath, the oath of others might be taken. Be mindful of Allah's Laws, and listen. Allah does not guide those who decide to drift away from the Straight Path.

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    That will tend to them bearing witness properly, or fearing that oaths will be taken after their oaths. And be in prudent fear of God, and listen; and God guides not the perfidious people.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    This is best as they are more likely to bring the testimony as intended, or face that their oaths would be disregarded as the previous oaths. And be aware of God, and listen; God does not guide the wicked people.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    This is best so that they would bring the testimony on its face value, for fear that their oaths would be discarded after being made. Be aware of God, and listen; God does not guide the wicked people.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    This is more apt to encourage an honest testimony on their part, fearing that their oath may be disregarded like that of the previous witnesses. You shall observe GOD and listen. GOD does not guide the wicked.

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    It is thus likely that men will bear witness rightly, or else fear that their oaths may be disproved by oaths given after them. So fear God, and do not forget that God does not guide the iniquitous.

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

    That is more likely that they will give testimony according to its objective, or they would fear that oaths might be taken after their oaths. And fear Allah and listen; and Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.

  • Muhammad Asad

    Thus it will be more likely that people will offer testimony in accordance with the truth-or else they will fear that their oaths will be refuted by the oaths of others. Be, then, conscious of God, and hearken : for God does not bestow His guidance upon iniquitous folk.

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    Thus it is more likely that they will bear true witness or fear that after their oaths the oaths (of others) will be taken. So be mindful of your duty (to Allah) and hearken. Allah guideth not the froward folk.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    Thus it is more likely that they will either bear the right testimony or else they will at least fear that their oaths may be rebutted by other oaths. Have fear of Allah and pay heed. Allah does not direct the disobedient to the right way.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    This prudent course of action is less likely to make the witnesses depart from moral righteousness; it will induce them to honesty lest their testimony be rejected and be replaced by others. Therefore, keep you people Allah in mind and entertain the profound reverence dutiful to Him; Allah does not guide to His path of righteousness those who are given to evil.

  • Bijan Moeinian

    It is expected that in this manner the people will say the whole truth for the fear of their reputation being at stake as it may be challenged by the others’ testimonies. Fear the Lord and listen to Him. Know that the Lord will not guide the corrupt people.

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    That should make it closer (to the fact) that their testimony would be in its true shape (and thus accepted), or else they would fear that (other) oaths would be admitted after their oaths. And fear Allâh and listen (with obedience to Him). And Allâh guides not the people who are Al-Fâsiqûn (the rebellious and disobedient).

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    That is most suitable: that they may give the evidence in its true nature and shape, or else they would fear that other oaths would be taken after their oaths. But fear Allah, and listen (to His counsel): for Allah guideth not a rebellious people:

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    In this way it is more likely that witnesses will give true testimony or else fear that their oaths could be refuted by those of the heirs. Be mindful of Allah and obey. For Allah does not guide the rebellious people.

  • Taqi Usmani

    Thus, it is more likely that the former people (i.e. the executors of the bequest) will bear witness in its proper way, or they will fear that oaths will be taken in rebuttal of their oaths. Fear Allah and listen. Allah does not lead sinning people to the right path.

  • Abdul Haleem

    that will make it more likely they will give true and proper testimony, or fear that their oaths might be refuted by others afterwards. Be mindful of God and listen; God does not guide those who break His laws.

  • Arthur John Arberry

    So it is likelier that they will bear testimony in proper form, or else they will be afraid that after their oaths, oaths may be rebutted. Fear God, and hearken; God guides not the people of the ungodly.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    thus is it easier for men to bear testimony according to the purport thereof, else must they fear lest an oath be given to rebut their own oath; but let them fear God and listen, for God guides not the people who do ill.

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    Thus is it more likely that they will bear true testimony according to its purport; else must they fear lest an oath be given to rebut their own oath. So let them be mindful of their duty to Allah and listen, for Allah guides not the people who do evil.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    So, it is likelier that they will bear testimony in proper form (Literally: come up with the testimony at its "proper" face) or fear that after their (other) oaths may be turned back to. And be pious to Allah and give ear (obediently); and Allah does not guide the immoral people.

  • George Sale

    Thus it is more likely that they will give evidence according to facts or that they will fear that other oaths will be taken after their oaths. And fear Allah and hearken. And Allah guides not the disobedient people.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    That is most suitable: That they may give evidence in its true nature and shape, (and in its true meaning) or else they would fear that other statements would be taken after their statements. And fear Allah, and listen (with sincerity to His Word): For Allah does not guide people who are rebellious.

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    This way is more likely to ensure that they (-the witnesses) will give the testimony in its true form and nature or atleast they will be afraid that other oaths will be taken after their oaths (to counter them). Therefore take Allâh as a shield and listen (to Him) for Allâh guides not the disobedient people to the way of success.

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    That makes it likelier that they give the testimony in its genuine form, or fear that other oaths will be taken after their oaths. Be wary of Allah and listen, and Allah does not guide the transgressing lot.