Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

Some of those who hold to Judaism twist words from their places, — and they say: “We hear and we oppose”; and: “Hear thou what is not heard”; and: “Attend thou to us!” — twisting their tongues, and slandering the doctrine. And had they said: “We hear and we obey”; and: “Hear thou”; and: “Look thou upon us,” it would have been better for them, and more upright; but God has cursed them for their denial; and they do not believe save a few.

مِنَ الَّذ۪ينَ هَادُوا يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَنْ مَوَاضِعِه۪ وَيَقُولُونَ سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا وَاسْمَعْ غَيْرَ مُسْمَعٍ وَرَاعِنَا لَياًّ بِاَلْسِنَتِهِمْ وَطَعْناً فِي الدّ۪ينِۜ وَلَوْ اَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَاَطَعْنَا وَاسْمَعْ وَانْظُرْنَا لَكَانَ خَيْراً لَهُمْ وَاَقْوَمَۙ وَلٰكِنْ لَعَنَهُمُ اللّٰهُ بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ اِلَّا قَل۪يلاً
Mina allatheena hadoo yuharrifoonaalkalima AAan mawadiAAihi wayaqooloona samiAAnawaAAasayna wasmaAA ghayra musmaAAin waraAAinalayyan bi-alsinatihim wataAAnan fee addeeni walawannahum qaloo samiAAna waataAAna wasmaAAwanthurna lakana khayranlahum waaqwama walakin laAAanahumu Allahubikufrihim fala yu/minoona illa qaleela
#wordmeaningroot
1minaOf
2alladhīnathose who
3hādūare Jewsهود
4yuḥarrifūnathey distortحرف
5l-kalimathe wordsكلم
6ʿanfrom
7mawāḍiʿihitheir placesوضع
8wayaqūlūnaand they sayقول
9samiʿ'nāWe hear[d]سمع
10waʿaṣaynāand we disobey[ed]عصي
11wa-is'maʿand "Hearسمع
12ghayranotغير
13mus'maʿinto be heardسمع
14warāʿināand "Rainaرعي
15layyantwistingلوي
16bi-alsinatihim[with] their tonguesلسن
17waṭaʿnanand defamingطعن
18[in]
19l-dīnithe religionدين
20walawAnd if
21annahum[that] they
22qālū(had) saidقول
23samiʿ'nāWe hear[d]سمع
24wa-aṭaʿnāand we obey[ed]طوع
25wa-is'maʿand "Hearسمع
26wa-unẓur'nāand look (at) usنظر
27lakānasurely it (would) have beenكون
28khayranbetterخير
29lahumfor them
30wa-aqwamaand more suitableقوم
31walākin[And] but
32laʿanahumucursed themلعن
33l-lahuAllah
34bikuf'rihimfor their disbeliefكفر
35falāso not
36yu'minūnathey believeامن
37illāexcept
38qalīlana fewقلل
  • Aisha Bewley

    Some of the Jews distort the true meaning of words, saying,‘We hear and disobey,’ and ‘Listen without listening,’ and ‘Ra’ina!’ twisting them with their tongues, disparaging the deen. If they had said, ‘We hear and we obey,’ and ‘Listen,’ and, ‘Undhurna!’ that would have been better for them and more upright. But Allah has cursed them for their kufr. Very few of them have iman.

  • Progressive Muslims

    From amongst the Jews there are those who take the words out of context, and they Say: "We hear and disobey, and listen but let not any listen, and shepherd us," in a twisting of their tongues and as a mockery of the system! And had they said: "We hear and obey, and listen, and watch over us," it would have been better for them and more upright; but God has cursed them for their disbelief, they do not believe except very little.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    Some of those who are Jews, distort words to give a different meaning. They say, "We hear and disobey," and "Your words are falling on deaf ears," and "Be our shepherd," and they twist their tongues to mock the DEEN. It would have been better and more upright for them to say, "We hear and obey," and "We hear you," and "Please watch over us and guide us." Instead, they have incurred deprivation from the Grace of Allah due to their denial of the Truth. Few of them will embrace belief.

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    Some of those who hold to Judaism twist words from their places, — and they say: “We hear and we oppose”; and: “Hear thou what is not heard”; and: “Attend thou to us!” — twisting their tongues, and slandering the doctrine. And had they said: “We hear and we obey”; and: “Hear thou”; and: “Look thou upon us,” it would have been better for them, and more upright; but God has cursed them for their denial; and they do not believe save a few.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    From among those who are Jewish are some who take the words out of context, and they say: "We hear and disobey, and listen but let not any listen, and shepherd us," in a twisting of their tongues and as a mockery of the system! And had they said: "We hear and obey, and listen, and watch over us," it would have been better for them and more upright; but God has cursed them for their disbelief, they do not believe except very little.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    From amongst the Jews there are those who take the words out of context, and they say, "We hear and disobey, and listen but let not any listen, and shepherd us," in a twisting of their tongues and as a mockery of the system! Had they said, "We hear and obey, and listen, and watch over us," it would have been better for them and more upright; but God has cursed them for their rejection, they do not acknowledge except very little.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    Among those who are Jewish, some distort the words beyond the truth, and they say, "We hear, but we disobey," and "Your words are falling on deaf ears," and "Raa'ena (be our shepherd)," as they twist their tongues to mock the religion. Had they said, "We hear, and we obey," and "We hear you," and "Unzurna (watch over us)," it would have been better for them, and more righteous. Instead, they have incurred condemnation from GOD due to their disbelief. Consequently, the majority of them cannot believe.,

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    Some among the Jews distort the words out of context and say (in place of the right words): "We have heard and do not obey;" and, "hear without hearing," and "listen to us," twisting their tongues and reviling the faith. But if they had said: "We have heard and obey," and, "hear and regard us," it would have been better for them and more appropriate. But God has disgraced them for their lack of belief; and so only a few of them believe.

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

    Among the Jews are those who distort words from their usages and say, "We hear and disobey" and "Hear but be not heard" and "Ra'ina," twisting their tongues and defaming the religion. And if they had said , "We hear and obey" and "Wait for us ," it would have been better for them and more suitable. But Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not, except for a few.

  • Muhammad Asad

    Among those of the Jewish faith there are some who distort the meaning of the words, taking them out of their context and saying, "We have heard, but we disobey," and, "Hear without hearkening," and, "Hearken thou unto us, (O Muhammad)” - thus making a play with their tongues, and implying that the Faith is false. And had they but said, "We have heard, and we pay heed," and "Hear , and have patience with us," it would indeed have been for their own good, and more upright: but God has rejected them because of their refusal to acknowledge the truth - for it is in but few things that they believe.

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    Some of those who are Jews change words from their context and say: "We hear and disobey; hear thou as one who heareth not" and "Listen to us!" distorting with their tongues and slandering religion. If they had said: "We hear and we obey: hear thou, and look at us" it had been better for them, and more upright. But Allah hath cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not, save a few.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    Among those who have become Jews there are some who alter the words from their context, and make a malicious play with their tongues and seek to revile the true faith. They say: 'We have heard and we disobey' (sami'na wa 'asayna), 'Do hear us, may you turn dumb' (isma' ghayr musma') and 'Hearken to us' (ra'ina). It would indeed have been better for them and more upright if they had said: 'We have heard and we obey' (sami'na wa ata'na) and: 'Do listen to us, and look at us (with kindness)' (wa isma' wa unzurna). But Allah has cursed them because of their disbelief. Scarcely do they believe.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    Among those who are imbued with Judaism are some who translocation the words of the Sacred Scriptures to alter the intended sense of Allah's words. And they interpret their thoughts in words and in deeds; they say to you O Muhammad: "We have opened our hearts’ ears but their actions in fact to their words do not accord, featuring disobedience to which they give voice and insolently say: "We disobey". And they direct to you the words superficially denoting politeness and deep respect that you think they are saying: "We need you to apply your mind and your ears to us, and you are excused if you do not listen, but please attend to us." In point of fact the way they pronounce the words with their tongues in their cheeks (or in Hebrew) admits of secondary bad meaning and insult of the religion, thus: Listen, may you never hear and be afflicted with deafness, you are a thoughtless bad one. But had they said: "We open to you our hearts' ears and we obey, please listen to us and "unzurna" and direct your intellectual eye upon us;" it would have been much better for them and indeed honourable. But Allah has cursed them for their disobedience and their infidelity; how greatly shaken is their faith in Allah!

  • Bijan Moeinian

    Among those who (have changed their name from "Submitters" long after Prophet Abraham and ) call themselves “Jews”, there are some who twist the Arabic words and quote them out of their context in order to make fun. If they had said “We hear and obey” instead of “We hear and do not obey”, “We hear you” instead of “Your words are falling over our deaf ears” or “Watch over us” instead of “Be our shepherd”, it would have been much proper and constructive for them. However, as they have earned God’s disenchantment, there is less hope for them to be guided toward the belief.

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    Among those who are Jews, there are some who displace words from (their) right places and say: "We hear your word (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and disobey," and "Hear and let you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) hear nothing." And Râ‘ina with a twist of their tongues and as a mockery of the religion (Islâm). And if only they had said: "We hear and obey", and "Do make us understand," it would have been better for them, and more proper; but Allâh has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not except a few.

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    Of the Jews there are those who displace words from their (right) places, and say: "We hear and we disobey"; and "Hear what is not Heard"; and "Ra'ina"; with a twist of their tongues and a slander to Faith. If only they had said: "What hear and we obey"; and "Do hear"; and "Do look at us"; it would have been better for them, and more proper; but Allah hath cursed them for their Unbelief; and but few of them will believe.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    Some Jews take words out of context and say, "We listen and we disobey," “Hear! May you never hear,” and “Râ’ina!” —playing with words and discrediting the faith. Had they said ˹courteously˺, “We hear and obey,” “Listen to us,” and “Unẓurna,” it would have been better for them and more proper. Allah has condemned them for their disbelief, so they do not believe except for a few.

  • Taqi Usmani

    Among the Jews there are some who distort the words against their contexts, and say, "We hear and disobey," and “Hear. May you not be made to hear,” and “Rā‘inā”, twisting their tongues and maligning the Faith.If they had said, “We hear and obey,” and “Hear,” and “Look after us,” it would have been better for them, and more proper, but Allah has cast His curse on them due to their disbelief. So, they do not believe except a few.

  • Abdul Haleem

    Some Jews distort the meaning of words: they say, ‘We hear and disobey,’ and ‘Listen,’ ‘May you not hear,’ and ‘Raina ,’ twisting it abusively with their tongues so as to disparage religion. If they had said, ‘We hear and obey,’ ‘Listen,’ and ‘Unzurna ,’ that would have been better and more proper for them. But God has spurned them for their defiance; they believe very little.

  • Arthur John Arberry

    Some of the Jews pervert words from their meanings saying, 'We have heard and we disobey' and 'Hear, and be thou not given to hear' and 'Observe us,' twisting with their tongues and traducing religion. If they had said, 'We have heard and obey' and 'Hear' and 'Regard us,' it would have been better for them, and more upright; but God has cursed them for their unbelief so they believe not except a few.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    And those who are Jews, and those who pervert the words from their places, and say, 'We hear but we rebel, and do thou listen without hearing,' and (who say) 'rahina,' distorting it with their tongues and taunting about religion., But had they said, 'We hear and we obey, so listen and look upon us,' it would have been better for them and more upright; - but may God curse them in their misbelief, for they will not believe except a few.

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    And some Jews change words from their context, and say, "We hear but we disobey"; and "We listen without hearing," and "Ra'hina ("Attend to us")" distorting it with their tongues (to mean "Take us to pasture") and slandering religion. But if only they had said, "We hear and we obey", and "We do hear" and "Do attend to us", it would have been better for them and more upright; but Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, for they will not believe, except a few.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    (Some) of (the ones) who have Judaized pervert the Wordings from their (original) meanings (Literally: positions) and say, "We have heard and we disobey, " and, "Give ear without being made to hear, " and "Racina, " (This from of the Arabic word was used by the Jews, and in Hebrew it had a derisive connotation Here it means "Heed us. ") twisting with their tongues and discrediting the religion. And if they had said, "We have heard and we obey, " and, "Give ear, " and, "Look at us, " it would have been more charitable for them and more upright; but Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so they do not believe except a few.

  • George Sale

    Of the Jews there are some who pervert words from their places; and say, we have heard, and have disobeyed; and do thou hear without understanding our meaning, and look upon us: Perplexing with their tongues, and reviling the true religion. But if they had said, we have heard, and do obey; and do thou hear, and regard us: Certainly it were better for them, and more right. But God hath cursed them by reason of their infidelity; therefore a few of them only shall believe.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    Among the Jews there are some who displace words from (their) right places, and say: "We hear your word and we disobey;" And "Hear what is not heard;" And (spoken as) Rá'ina; With a twist of their tongues (meaning; ‘the bad one’), and a slander to Faith. If only they had said: "We hear and we obey;" And "Do make us understand (spoken as Unzurna):" It would have been better for them, and more proper: But Allah has cursed them for their disbelief; And only a few of them will believe.

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    (These enemies of yours are) of those who are judaised. They tear the words from their context and say, `We hear and we disobey,' and (say), `Lend us an ear, O you to whom no one would lend an ear!' and (say,) `Râ`inâ', giving a slight twist to their tongues (while pronouncing the word and thereby) slandering the true meanings (and thus making a play with the word) and seeking to injure the Faith. It would have been better and more upright on their part to have said, `We hear and we obey;' and `Lend us an ear;' and `Unzurnâ' (we beg your attention)'. Allâh has disapproved of them because of their disbelief so that they will not believe, excepting a few (of them).

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    Among the Jews are those who pervert words from their meanings and say, ‘We hear and disobey’ and ‘Hear without listening!’ and ‘Rā‘inā,’ twisting their tongues and reviling the faith. But had they said, ‘We hear and obey’ and ‘Listen’ and ‘Un¨urnā,’ it would have been better for them, and more upright. But Allah has cursed them for their faithlessness, so they will not believe except a few.