Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

They swear by God that they did not say — when they did say — the word of denial, and denied after their submission. And they purposed what they have not reached; and they resented only that God and His messenger enriched them of His bounty. Then if they repent, it will be better for them; and if they turn away, God will punish them with a painful punishment in the World and the Hereafter; and they will not have in the earth any ally or helper.

يَحْلِفُونَ بِاللّٰهِ مَا قَالُواۜ وَلَقَدْ قَالُوا كَلِمَةَ الْكُفْرِ وَكَفَرُوا بَعْدَ اِسْلَامِهِمْ وَهَمُّوا بِمَا لَمْ يَنَالُواۚ وَمَا نَقَمُٓوا اِلَّٓا اَنْ اَغْنٰيهُمُ اللّٰهُ وَرَسُولُهُ مِنْ فَضْلِه۪ۚ فَاِنْ يَتُوبُوا يَكُ خَيْراً لَهُمْۚ وَاِنْ يَتَوَلَّوْا يُعَذِّبْهُمُ اللّٰهُ عَذَاباً اَل۪يماً فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْاٰخِرَةِۚ وَمَا لَهُمْ فِي الْاَرْضِ مِنْ وَلِيٍّ وَلَا نَص۪يرٍ
Yahlifoona billahi maqaloo walaqad qaloo kalimata alkufri wakafaroobaAAda islamihim wahammoo bima lam yanaloowama naqamoo illa an aghnahumu Allahuwarasooluhu min fadlihi fa-in yatooboo yaku khayran lahumwa-in yatawallaw yuAAaththibhumu Allahu AAathabanaleeman fee addunya wal-akhiratiwama lahum fee al-ardi min waliyyin wala naseer
#wordmeaningroot
1yaḥlifūnaThey swearحلف
2bil-lahiby Allah
3(that) they said nothing
4qālū(that) they said nothingقول
5walaqadwhile certainly
6qālūthey saidقول
7kalimata(the) wordكلم
8l-kuf'ri(of) the disbeliefكفر
9wakafarūand disbelievedكفر
10baʿdaafterبعد
11is'lāmihimtheir (pretense of) Islamسلم
12wahammūand plannedهمم
13bimā[of] what
14lamnot
15yanālūthey could attainنيل
16wamāAnd not
17naqamūthey were resentfulنقم
18illāexcept
19anthat
20aghnāhumuAllah had enriched themغني
21l-lahuAllah had enriched them
22warasūluhuand His Messengerرسل
23minof
24faḍlihiHis Bountyفضل
25fa-inSo if
26yatūbūthey repentتوب
27yakuit isكون
28khayranbetterخير
29lahumfor them
30wa-inand if
31yatawallawthey turn awayولي
32yuʿadhib'humuAllah will punish themعذب
33l-lahuAllah will punish them
34ʿadhāban(with) a punishmentعذب
35alīmanpainfulالم
36in
37l-dun'yāthe worldدنو
38wal-ākhiratiand (in) the Hereafterاخر
39wamāAnd not
40lahumfor them
41in
42l-arḍithe earthارض
43minany
44waliyyinprotectorولي
45walāand not
46naṣīrina helperنصر
  • Aisha Bewley

    They swear by Allah that they said nothing, but they definitely spoke the word of kufr and returned to kufr after their Islam. They planned something which they did not achieve and they were vindictive for no other reason than that Allah and His Messenger had enriched them from His bounty. If they were to make tawba, it would be better for them. But if they turn away, Allah will punish them with a painful punishment in this world and the Next World, and they will not find any protector or helper on the earth.

  • Progressive Muslims

    They swear by God that they did not say it, while they had said the word of rejection, and they rejected after they had surrendered, and they were concerned with what they could not possess; and they could not find any fault except that God and His messenger had enriched them from His bounty. If they repent it is better for them, and if they turn away, then God will punish them severely in this world and the next. They will not have on Earth any ally or supporter.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    (The hypocrites) swear by Allah that they have said nothing wrong. Yet they most certainly have uttered a word of disbelief (9:61-62). And have denied the Truth after professing their surrender to Allah. They were aiming at something beyond their reach (attaining inner peace without sincerity to the Divine Guidance). And they could find no fault in the Divine System except that Allah has enriched them and caused His Messenger to enrich them out of His Bounty. Hence, it will be good for them if they repent and correct themselves. But if they still turn away, Allah will cause them to suffer grievous retribution in this world and in the life to come. And they will have no protector or helper in the earth.

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    They swear by God that they did not say — when they did say — the word of denial, and denied after their submission. And they purposed what they have not reached; and they resented only that God and His messenger enriched them of His bounty. Then if they repent, it will be better for them; and if they turn away, God will punish them with a painful punishment in the World and the Hereafter; and they will not have in the earth any ally or helper.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    They swear by God that they did not say it, while they had said the word of rejection, and they rejected after they had submitted, and they were obsessed with what they could not possess; and they could not find any fault except that God and His messenger had enriched them from His bounty. If they repent it is better for them, and if they turn away, then God will punish them severely in this world and the next. They will not have on the earth any ally or supporter.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    They swear by God that they did not say it, while they had said the word of rejection, and they rejected after they had peacefully surrendered, and they were concerned with what they could not possess; and they could not find any fault except that God and His messenger had enriched them from His bounty. If they repent it is better for them, and if they turn away, then God will punish them severely in this world and the next. They will not have on earth any ally or supporter.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    They swear by GOD that they never said it, although they have uttered the word of disbelief; they have disbelieved after becoming submitters. In fact, they gave up what they never had. They have rebelled even though GOD and His messenger have showered them with His grace and provisions. If they repent, it would be best for them. But if they turn away, GOD will commit them to painful retribution in this life and in the Hereafter. They will find no one on earth to be their lord and master.

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    They swear by God: "We never said this. " But they surely said words disbelieving the truth, and they turned unbelievers after having come to faith, and designed what they could not accomplish. They did it only out of vengeance for God and His Apostle had enriched them by their grace. So, if they repent it is better for them. If they turn away then God would afflict them with painful punishment in this world and the next; and none will they have on the face of the earth to protect or help them.

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

    They swear by Allah that they did not say while they had said the word of disbelief and disbelieved after their Islam and planned that which they were not to attain. And they were not resentful except that Allah and His Messenger had enriched them of His bounty. So if they repent, it is better for them; but if they turn away, Allah will punish them with a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And there will not be for them on earth any protector or helper.

  • Muhammad Asad

    swear by God that they have said nothing ; yet most certainly have they uttered a saying which amounts to a denial of the truth, and have denied the truth after their self-surrender to God: for they were aiming at something which was beyond their reach. And they could find no fault save that God had enriched them and His Apostle out of His bounty! Hence, if they repent, it will be for their own good. but if they turn away, God will cause them to suffer grievous suffering in this world and in the life to come, and they will find no helper on earth, and none to give succour.

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    They swear by Allah that they said nothing (wrong), yet they did say the word of disbelief, and did disbelieve after their Surrender (to Allah). And they purposed that which they could not attain, and they sought revenge only that Allah by His messenger should enrich them of His bounty. If they repent it will be better for them; and if they turn away, Allah will afflict them with a painful doom in the world and the Hereafter, and they have no protecting friend nor helper in the earth.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    They swear by Allah that they said nothing blasphemous whereas they indeed blasphemed, and fell into unbelief after believing, and also had evil designs which they could not carry into effect. They are spiteful against Muslims for no other reason than that Allah and His Messenger have enriched them through His bounty! So, if they repent, it will be to their own good. But if they turn away, Allah will sternly punish them in this world and in the Hereafter. None in the world will be able to protect or help them.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    They swear to you they never spoke slander against you, when in fact they uttered in a proud and unreserved manner the word emblematic of infidelity, and turned renegades. They meditated mischief featured in their plan to kill you on returning from battle* field, but their attempt upon your life utterly failed. And instead of impelling themselves to gratitude and gratefulness for your presence –in Madina which made Heaven endow them with prosperity, justice and suppression of selfishness; they attempted to avenge Allah's grace by returning evil for good. Nonetheless, if they return to their senses and in lowliest plight repentant stand, it will be to their advantage. But should they turn away and counsel deaf, Allah shall put thorn to the torment here and Hereafter, and no friend on earth nor a protector shall they find.

  • Bijan Moeinian

    They swear by God that they have never said such and such thing and they are lying. They have returned back to disbelief as they did not find the belief accommodating. They have rebelled in spite of the fact that God and His Messenger showered them with the Lord’s grace and material provisions. If they repent even now, there is still hope for them. If they do not come to their senses and do not repent, then God will punish them severely in this world and in the Hereafter and no power on the earth can come to their help.

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    They swear by Allâh that they said nothing (bad), but really they said the word of disbelief, and they disbelieved after accepting Islâm, and they resolved that (plot to murder Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) which they were unable to carry out, and they could not find any cause to do so except that Allâh and His Messenger had enriched them of His Bounty. If then they repent, it will be better for them, but if they turn away, Allâh will punish them with a painful torment in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. And there is none for them on earth as a Walî (supporter, protector) or a helper.

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    They swear by Allah that they said nothing (evil), but indeed they uttered blasphemy, and they did it after accepting Islam; and they meditated a plot which they were unable to carry out: this revenge of theirs was (their) only return for the bounty with which Allah and His Messenger had enriched them! If they repent, it will be best for them; but if they turn back (to their evil ways), Allah will punish them with a grievous penalty in this life and in the Hereafter: They shall have none on earth to protect or help them.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    They swear by Allah that they never said anything ˹blasphemous˺, while they did in fact utter a blasphemy, lost faith after accepting Islam, and plotted what they could not carry out. It is only through resentment that they pay Allah and His Messenger back for enriching them out of His bounty! If they repent, it will be better for them. But if they turn away, Allah will torment them with a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter, and they will have no one on earth to protect or help them.

  • Taqi Usmani

    They swear by Allah that they said nothing, while indeed, they had said the word of infidelity and had disbelieved after having accepted Islam, and had intended what they could not achieve. And they have reacted for nothing but that Allah and His Messenger have enriched them with His grace.So, if they repent, it will be good for them, and if they turn away, Allah will chastise them with a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter, and for them there is neither a friend on the Earth, nor a helper.

  • Abdul Haleem

    They swear by God that they did not, but they certainly did speak words of defiance and became defiant after having submitted; they tried to do something, though they did not achieve it, ––being spiteful was their only response to God and His Messenger enriching them out of His bounty. They would be better off turning back : if they turn away, God will punish them in this world and the Hereafter, and there will be no one on earth to protect or help them.

  • Arthur John Arberry

    They swear by God that they said nothing, but they indeed said the word of unbelief and disbelieved, after they had surrendered. They purposed what they never attained to, and they took revenge only that God enriched them, and His Messenger, of His bounty. So if they repent it will be better for them; if they turn away, God will chastise them with a painful chastisement in this world and the next; on the earth they have no protector or helper.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    They swear by God they did not speak it, but they did speak the word of misbelief; and they disbelieved after they had embraced Islam, and they designed what they could not attain; and they only disapproved it because God and His Apostle had enriched them of His grace. If they turn again 'tis better for them; but if they turn their backs, God will torment them with mighty woe in this world and in the next, nor shall they have upon the earth a patron or protector.

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    They swear by Allah they did not speak wrong, but they did speak the word of disbelief (blasphemy); and they disbelieved after their Surrender (embracing Islam). And they plotted what they could not attain; and they only sought revenge after Allah through His Messenger had enriched them with His Grace. If they repent again it will be better for them; but if they turn their backs, Allah will afflict them with mighty woe in this world and in the Hereafter, nor shall they have upon the earth a friend or protector.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    They swear by Allah that in no way did they say (anything wrong), and they did indeed already say the word of disbelief, and disbelieved after their (acceptance of Islam; and they designed what they did not attain and in no way did they seek vengeance except that Allah enriched them, and His Messenger, of His Grace; so, in case they repent, it will be more charitable (i. e., better) for them; and in case they turn back Allah will torment them with a painful torment in the present (life) (Literally: the lowly (life), the life of this world) and the Hereafter; and in no way do they have in the earth a constant patron or a ready vindicator..

  • George Sale

    They swear by God that they said not what they are charged with: Yet they spake the word of infidelity, and became unbelievers, after they had embraced Islam. And they designed that which they could not effect; and they did not disapprove the design for any other reason, than because God and his apostle had inriched them, of his bounty. If they repent, it will be better for them; but if they relapse, God will punish them with a grievous torment, in this world and in the next; and they shall have no patron on earth, nor any protector.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    They swear by Allah that they said nothing (evil), but truly they have told lies (and falsehood), and they did this after accepting Islam; And they plotted a scheme (against the Prophet) which they could not carry out: This evil action of theirs was the only return for the bounty with which Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad) had made them rich! If they repent, that will be the best for them; But if they go back (to their old ways), Allah will punish them with a painful penalty (both) in this life and in the Hereafter: They shall have no one on the earth to protect or help them.

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    These( hypocrites) swear by Allâh that they have said nothing (wrong), whereas they had certainly spoken the word of blasphemy and took to the ways of disbelief after their having embraced Islam, and they meditated that which they could never attain. And they cherished hatred (against believers) for no other reason but that Allâh and His Messenger had enriched them out of His bounty, If they repent it would be good for them, but if they remain averse Allâh will punish them with a grievous punishment in this world and in the Hereafter, and they shall find neither a patron nor a helper in the entire land.

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    They swear by Allah that they did not say it. But they certainly did utter the word of unfaith and renounced faith after their islām. They contemplated what they could not achieve, and they were vindictive only because Allah and His Apostle had enriched them out of His grace. Yet if they repent, it will be better for them; but if they turn away, Allah shall punish them with a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter, and they shall not find on the earth any guardian or helper.