Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

If he who is humbly obedient in the watches of the night, submitting and standing, fearing the Hereafter, and hoping for the mercy of his Lord. Say thou: “Are they equal — those who know and those who know not?” There take heed but those of insight.

اَمَّنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ اٰنَٓاءَ الَّيْلِ سَاجِداً وَقَٓائِماً يَحْذَرُ الْاٰخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا رَحْمَةَ رَبِّه۪ۜ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذ۪ينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذ۪ينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَۜ اِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ اُو۬لُوا الْاَلْبَابِ۟
Amman huwa qanitun anaaallayli sajidan waqa-iman yahtharu al-akhiratawayarjoo rahmata rabbihi qul hal yastawee allatheenayaAAlamoona wallatheena la yaAAlamoonainnama yatathakkaru oloo al-albab
#wordmeaningroot
1ammanIs (one) who
2huwa[he]
3qānitun(is) devoutly obedient قنت
4ānāa(during) hoursاني
5al-layli(of) the nightليل
6sājidanprostratingسجد
7waqāimanand standingقوم
8yaḥdharufearingحذر
9l-ākhiratathe Hereafterاخر
10wayarjūand hopingرجو
11raḥmata(for the) Mercyرحم
12rabbihi(of) his Lordربب
13qulSayقول
14halAre
15yastawīequalسوي
16alladhīnathose who
17yaʿlamūnaknowعلم
18wa-alladhīnaand those who
19(do) not
20yaʿlamūnaknowعلم
21innamāOnly
22yatadhakkaruwill take heedذكر
23ulūthose of understandingاول
24l-albābithose of understandingلبب
  • Aisha Bewley

    What of him who spends the night hours in prayer, prostrating and standing up, mindful of the Next World, hoping for the mercy of his Lord? Say: ‘Are they the same – those who know and those who do not know?’ It is only people of intelligence who pay heed.

  • Progressive Muslims

    As for one who is meditating in the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter, and seeking the mercy of his Lord. Say: "Are those who know equal to those who do not know" Only those who possess understanding will remember.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    Is it not better to be one of those who are humble, adoring Him - even in the hours of the night, and standing, keeping in mind the life to come and hoping for his Lord's grace? Say, "Are those who know (that that the 'Self' can evolve) equal to those who know not?" But only those who build their insight will take this to heart.

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    If he who is humbly obedient in the watches of the night, submitting and standing, fearing the Hereafter, and hoping for the mercy of his Lord. Say thou: “Are they equal — those who know and those who know not?” There take heed but those of insight.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    Is one better who is dutiful during the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter, and seeking the mercy of his Lord? Say: "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only those who possess intelligence will remember.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    As for one who is meditating in the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter, and seeking the mercy of his Lord. Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only those who possess understanding will remember.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    Is it not better to be one of those who meditate in the night, prostrating and staying up, being aware of the Hereafter, and seeking the mercy of their Lord? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    Can one who prays in the watches of the night, bowing in homage or standing attentive, fearful of the life to come, and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, (be like one who does not)? Say: "Can those who know, and those who do not know, be equal? Only they think who are wise. "

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

    Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing , fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, ? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember people of understanding.

  • Muhammad Asad

    Or one who devoutly worships throughout the night, prostrating himself or standing , ever- mindful of the life to come, and hoping for his Sustainer’s grace?" Say: "Can they who know and they who do not know be deemed equal?” only they who are endowed with insight keep this in mind!

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    Is he who payeth adoration in the watches of the night, prostrate and standing, bewaring of the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, (to be accounted equal with a disbeliever)? Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Are those who know equal with those who know not? But only men of understanding will pay heed.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    Is such a person (preferable or he) who is obedient, and prostrates himself in the watches of the night, stands (in Prayer), is fearful of the Hereafter, and looks forward to the mercy of His Lord? Ask them: "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only those endowed with understanding take heed.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    Does he who spends a part of the night prostrating his reason to divine revelation and his body comely in worship and submission and his heart and mind in applying remembrance to Allah in standing, bewaring the Hereafter and hopeful of Allah's mercy and blessings compare with him who is heedless of it all! Ask them O Muhammad: "Do they compare, those who apply their minds' eyes and their hearts' ears to the acquisition of learning and by consequence they are well- informed and those who are ignorant of the facts! it is only those who exercise their intellect and lift to Allah their inward sight.

  • Bijan Moeinian

    Is it not better to be one of those who devote a part of their nights to meditation and worshipping their Lords in the state of standing and prostration? Such people are aware of the Hereafter and seek the mercy of their Lord. Ask them: "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only men of understanding listen to learn.

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    Is one who is obedient to Allâh, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)? Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e. get a lesson from Allâh’s Signs and Verses).

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    Is one who worships devoutly during the hour of the night prostrating himself or standing (in adoration), who takes heed of the Hereafter, and who places his hope in the Mercy of his Lord - (like one who does not)? Say: "Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    ˹Are they better˺ or those who worship ˹their Lord˺ devoutly in the hours of the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of their Lord? Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" None will be mindful ˹of this˺ except people of reason.

  • Taqi Usmani

    Can (such people be equal to) the one who worships during the hours of night, prostrating himself and standing, fearing the Hereafter and having hopes in his Lord’s mercy? Say, "Can those who know and those who do not know become equal?" It is only the people of understanding who are receptive of the advice.

  • Abdul Haleem

    What about someone who worships devoutly during the night, bowing down, standing in prayer, ever mindful of the life to come, hoping for his Lord’s mercy? Say, ‘How can those who know be equal to those who do not know?’ Only those who have understanding will take heed.

  • Arthur John Arberry

    Or is he who is obedient in the watches of the night, bowing himself and standing, he being afraid of the world to come and hoping for the mercy of his Lord.. ? Say: 'Are they equal -- those who know and those who know not?' Only men possessed of minds remember.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    Shall he who is devout throughout the night, adoring and standing, cautious concerning the hereafter, and hoping for the mercy of his Lord.. . ? Say, 'Shall those who know be deemed equal with those who know not? only those will remember, who are endowed with minds!'

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    What! Is he who is obedient during hours of the night, prostrating himself and standing, takes heed of the Hereafter and hopes for the mercy of his Lord (like one who does not)! Say: Are those who know and those who do not know alike? But only the men of understanding are mindful.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    Is he who is devoutly (praying) at various times of the night, prostrate and upright, being wary of the Hereafter, and hoping for the mercy of his Lord (the same as the disbeliever)? Say, "Are the ones who know equal to the ones who do not know?" Surely only the ones endowed with intellects would remind themselves.

  • George Sale

    Shall he who giveth himself up to prayer in the hours of the night, prostrate, and standing, and who taketh heed as to the life to come, and hopeth for the mercy of his Lord, be dealt with as the wicked unbeliever? Say, shall they who know their duty, and they who know it not, be held equal? Verily the men of understanding only will be warned.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    Is one who is obedient (to Allah) with love and sincerity in the hours of the night prostrating himself or standing (up in love and admiration), who pays attention to the Hereafter, and who places his hope in the Mercy of his Lord, (like one who does not)? Say: "Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know?" It is those who have understanding that receive guidance.

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    Can he who is obedient and prays (to Allâh) devoutly in the hours of the night, (now) falling prostrate, (now) standing upright (in Prayer) taking precaution against (the grave sequel of) the Hereafter and hopes for the mercy of His Lord, (be treated like him who is disobedient)? Say, `Are those who know (their obligations) equal to those who know (them) not? Only those (endowed) with pure understanding do take heed. '

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    Is he who supplicates in the watches of the night, prostrating and standing, apprehensive of the Hereafter and expecting the mercy of his Lord.. . ? Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’ Only those who possess intellect take admonition.