Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

Hast thou not considered how God struck a similitude? A good word is like a good tree: its root firm, and its branches in the sky.

اَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ ضَرَبَ اللّٰهُ مَثَلاً كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ اَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِي السَّمَٓاءِۙ
Alam tara kayfa daraba Allahumathalan kalimatan tayyibatan kashajaratin tayyibatinasluha thabitun wafarAAuha fee assama/-
#wordmeaningroot
1alamDo not
2tarayou seeراي
3kayfahowكيف
4ḍarabaAllah sets forthضرب
5l-lahuAllah sets forth
6mathalanthe exampleمثل
7kalimatana wordكلم
8ṭayyibatangoodطيب
9kashajaratin(is) like a treeشجر
10ṭayyibatingoodطيب
11aṣluhāits rootاصل
12thābitun(is) firmثبت
13wafarʿuhāand its branchesفرع
14(are) in
15l-samāithe skyسمو
  • Aisha Bewley

    Do you do not see how Allah makes a metaphor of a good word: a good tree whose roots are firm and whose branches are in heaven? It bears fruit regularly by its Lord’s permission. Allah makes metaphors for people so that hopefully they will pay heed.

  • Progressive Muslims

    Have you not seen how God cites the example of a good word is like a good tree, whose root is firm and its branches in the sky.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    See! Allah teaches you by an example. A Goodly Word! The Divine Ideology is like a good tree firmly rooted in the earth and its branches are swinging high in the heaven. (This Ideology ensures blessings in both lives. Also, it guarantees prosperity in the earth under Heavenly Guidance).

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    Hast thou not considered how God struck a similitude? A good word is like a good tree: its root firm, and its branches in the sky.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    Have you not seen how God puts forth the example that a good word is like a good tree, whose root is firm and whose branches are in the sky.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    Have you not seen how God cites the example of a good word is like a good tree, whose root is firm and its branches in the sky?

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    Do you not see that GOD has cited the example of the good word as a good tree whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches are high in the sky?

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    Do you not see how God compares a noble act to a healthy tree whose roots are firm and branches in the sky, which yields

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

    Have you not considered how Allah presents an example, a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches in the sky?

  • Muhammad Asad

    ART THOU NOT aware how God sets forth the parable of a good word? like a good tree, firmly rooted, with its branches towards the sky,

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    Seest thou not how Allah coineth a similitude: A goodly saying, as a goodly tree, its root set firm, its branches reaching into heaven,

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    Do you not see how Allah has given the example of a good word? It is like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and whose branches reach the sky,

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    Do you not see you people how did Allah exemplify the good word of truth! It stands similitude exact of a blessed fruit tree, its roots are firmly implanted and its branches are springing out skyward.

  • Bijan Moeinian

    God considers the "Pure Word" (the belief in oneness of God, God pleasing acts, regulars worshipping acts, charity, belief in Hereafter, etc. ) as a “pure tree” which is deeply rooted on earth (in the heart of the believers) and its branches high in the sky (striving to reach the Heaven.)

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    See you not how Allâh sets forth a parable? A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high).

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    Seest thou not how Allah sets forth a parable? - A goodly word like a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the heavens,- of its Lord. So Allah sets forth parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    Do you not see how Allah compares a good word to a good tree? Its root is firm and its branches reach the sky,

  • Taqi Usmani

    Have you not seen how Allah has set forth a parable: A good word is like a good tree, having its root firm and its branches in the sky.

  • Abdul Haleem

    , do you not see how God makes comparisons? A good word is like a good tree whose root is firm and whose branches are high in the sky,

  • Arthur John Arberry

    Hast thou not seen how God has struck a similitude? A good word is as a good tree -- its roots are firm, and its branches are in heaven;

  • E. Henry Palmer

    Dost thou not see how God strikes out a parable? A good word is like a good tree whose root is firm, and whose branches are in the sky;

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    Do you not see how Allah strikes out a parable? A goodly Saying is like a goodly tree whose root is set firm, and whose branches reach into the heavens;

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    Have you not seen how Allah has struck a similitude? A good word is as a good tree: its root is firm and its branch is in the heaven.

  • George Sale

    Dost thou not see how God putteth forth a parable; representing a good word, as a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed in the earth, and whose branches reach unto heaven;

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    Do you not see how Allah sets forth a parable? A good Word (from Allah is) like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky—

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    Have you (O reader!) not considered how Allâh compares a holy word to a good tree whose (each) root is firm and whose (every) branch (spreads out) to the very sky.

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    Have you not regarded how Allah has drawn a parable? A good word is like a good tree: its roots are steady and its branches are in the sky.