Chapter 17

17.41

surah 17 - verse 41

translator's name	verse
Arberry	We have turned about in this Koran, that they may remember; and it increases them only in aversion.
Maududi	We have expounded (the Truth) in diverse ways in this Qur'an that they might take it to heart but all this only aggravates their aversion.
Pickthall	We verily have displayed (Our warnings) in this Qur'an that they may take heed, but it increaseth them in naught save aversion.
Sahih	And We have certainly diversified [the contents] in this Qur'an that mankind may be reminded, but it does not increase the disbelievers except in aversion.
Yusuf Ali	We have explained (things) in various (ways) in this Qur'an, in order that they may receive admonition, but it only increases their flight (from the Truth)!

17.42

surah 17 - verse 42

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Say: 'If there had been other gods with Him, as they say, in that case assuredly they would have sought a way unto the Lord of the Throne.' Glory be to Him!
Maududi	Say, (O Muhammad): "Had there been other gods with Him, as they claim, they would surely have attempted to find a way to the Lord of the Throne.
Pickthall	Say (O Muhammad, to the disbelievers): If there were other gods along with Him, as they say, then had they sought a way against the Lord of the Throne.
Sahih	Say, [O Muhammad], "If there had been with Him [other] gods, as they say, then they [each] would have sought to the Owner of the Throne a way."
Yusuf Ali	Say: If there had been (other) gods with Him, as they say,- behold, they would certainly have sought out a way to the Lord of the Throne!

17.43

surah 17 - verse 43

translator's name	verse
Arberry	High indeed be He exalted above that they say!
Maududi	Holy is He and far above all that they say.
Pickthall	Glorified is He, and High Exalted above what they say!
Sahih	Exalted is He and high above what they say by great sublimity.
Yusuf Ali	Glory to Him! He is high above all that they say!- Exalted and Great (beyond measure)!

17.44

surah 17 - verse 44

translator's name	verse
Arberry	The seven heavens and the earth, and whosoever in them is, extol Him; nothing is, that does not proclaim His praise, but you do not understand their extolling. Surely He is All-clement, All-forgiving.
Maududi	The seven heavens, the earth, and all that is within them give glory to Him. There is nothing but gives glory to Him with His praise, though you do not understand their hymns of praise. He is Most Forbearing, Exceedingly Forgiving."
Pickthall	The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein praise Him, and there is not a thing but hymneth His praise; but ye understand not their praise. Lo! He is ever Clement, Forgiving.
Sahih	The seven heavens and the earth and whatever is in them exalt Him. And there is not a thing except that it exalts [Allah] by His praise, but you do not understand their [way of] exalting. Indeed, He is ever Forbearing and Forgiving.
Yusuf Ali	The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, declare His glory: there is not a thing but celebrates His praise; And yet ye understand not how they declare His glory! Verily He is Oft-Forbear, Most Forgiving!

17.45

surah 17 - verse 45

translator's name	verse
Arberry	When thou recitest the Koran, We place between thee, and those who do not believe in the world to come, a curtain obstructing,
Maududi	When you recite the Qur'an, We place a hidden barrier between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter;
Pickthall	And when thou recitest the Qur'an we place between thee and those who believe not in the Hereafter a hidden barrier;
Sahih	And when you recite the Qur'an, We put between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter a concealed partition.
Yusuf Ali	When thou dost recite the Qur'an, We put, between thee and those who believe not in the Hereafter, a veil invisible:

17.46

surah 17 - verse 46

translator's name	verse
Arberry	and We lay veils upon their hearts lest they understand it, and in their ears heaviness. And when thou mentionest thy Lord only in the Koran, they turn in their traces in aversion.
Maududi	and We place a covering on their hearts so that they do not comprehend it, and We cause a heaviness in their ears; and when you mention your Lord, the Only True Lord, in the Qur'an, they turn their backs in aversion.
Pickthall	And We place upon their hearts veils lest they should understand it, and in their ears a deafness; and when thou makest mention of thy Lord alone in the Qur'an, they turn their backs in aversion.
Sahih	And We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And when you mention your Lord alone in the Qur'an, they turn back in aversion.
Yusuf Ali	And We put coverings over their hearts (and minds) lest they should understand the Qur'an, and deafness into their ears: when thou dost commemorate thy Lord and Him alone in the Qur'an, they turn on their backs, fleeing (from the Truth).

17.47

surah 17 - verse 47

translator's name	verse
Arberry	We know very well how they listen when they listen to thee, and when they conspire, when the evildoers say, 'You are only following a man bewitched!'
Maududi	We are well aware of what they wish to hear when they listen to you and what they say when they confer in whispers, when the wrong-doers say: "You are only following one who is bewitched."
Pickthall	We are Best Aware of what they wish to hear when they give ear to thee and when they take secret counsel, when the evil-doers say: Ye follow but a man bewitched.
Sahih	We are most knowing of how they listen to it when they listen to you and [of] when they are in private conversation, when the wrongdoers say, "You follow not but a man affected by magic."
Yusuf Ali	We know best why it is they listen, when they listen to thee; and when they meet in private conference, behold, the wicked say, "Ye follow none other than a man bewitched!"

17.48

surah 17 - verse 48

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Behold, how they strike similitudes for thee, and go astray, and cannot find a way!
Maududi	Just see how strange are the things they invent about you. They have altogether strayed, and are unable to find the right way.
Pickthall	See what similitudes they coin for thee, and thus are all astray, and cannot find a road!
Sahih	Look how they strike for you comparisons; but they have strayed, so they cannot [find] a way.
Yusuf Ali	See what similes they strike for thee: but they have gone astray, and never can they find a way.

17.49

surah 17 - verse 49

translator's name	verse
Arberry	They say, 'What, when we are bones and broken bits, shall we really be raised up again in a new creation?'
Maududi	They say: "When we are turned to bones and particles (of dust), shall we truly be raised up as a new creation?"
Pickthall	And they say: When we are bones and fragments, shall we forsooth, be raised up as a new creation?
Sahih	And they say, "When we are bones and crumbled particles, will we [truly] be resurrected as a new creation?"
Yusuf Ali	They say: "What! when we are reduced to bones and dust, should we really be raised up (to be) a new creation?"

17.50

surah 17 - verse 50

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Say: 'Let you be stones, or iron,
Maududi	Tell them: "(You will be raised afresh even if) you turn to stone or iron,
Pickthall	Say: Be ye stones or iron
Sahih	Say, "Be you stones or iron
Yusuf Ali	Say: "(Nay!) be ye stones or iron,

17.51

surah 17 - verse 51

translator's name	verse
Arberry	or some creation yet more monstrous in your minds!' Then they will say, 'Who will bring us back?' Say: 'He who originated you the first time.' Then they will shake their heads at thee, and they will say, 'When will it be?' Say: 'It is possible that it may be nigh,
Maududi	or any other form of creation you deem hardest of all (to recreate from)." They will certainly ask: "Who will bring us back (to life)?" Say: "He Who created you in the first instance." They will shake their heads at you and inquire: "When will that be?" Say: "Perhaps that time might have drawn near;
Pickthall	Or some created thing that is yet greater in your thoughts! Then they will say: Who shall bring us back (to life). Say: He Who created you at the first. Then will they shake their heads at thee, and say: When will it be? Say: It will perhaps be soon;
Sahih	Or [any] creation of that which is great within your breasts." And they will say, "Who will restore us?" Say, "He who brought you forth the first time." Then they will nod their heads toward you and say, "When is that?" Say, "Perhaps it will be soon -
Yusuf Ali	"Or created matter which, in your minds, is hardest (to be raised up),- (Yet shall ye be raised up)!" then will they say: "Who will cause us to return?" Say: "He who created you first!" Then will they wag their heads towards thee, and say, "When will that be?" Say, "May be it will be quite soon!

17.52

surah 17 - verse 52

translator's name	verse
Arberry	on the day when He will call you, and you will answer praising Him, and you will think you have but tarried a little.'
Maududi	on the Day when He will call you and you will rise praising Him in response to His call, and you will believe that you had lain in this state only for a while."
Pickthall	A day when He will call you and ye will answer with His praise, and ye will think that ye have tarried but a little while.
Sahih	On the Day He will call you and you will respond with praise of Him and think that you had not remained [in the world] except for a little."
Yusuf Ali	"It will be on a Day when He will call you, and ye will answer (His call) with (words of) His praise, and ye will think that ye tarried but a little while!"

17.53

surah 17 - verse 53

translator's name	verse
Arberry	And say to My servants, that they say words that are kindlier. For surely Satan provokes strife between them, and Satan is ever a manifest foe to man.
Maududi	Tell My servants, (O Muhammad), to say always that which is best. Verily it is Satan who sows discord among people. Satan indeed is an open enemy to mankind.
Pickthall	Tell My bondmen to speak that which is kindlier. Lo! the devil soweth discord among them. Lo! the devil is for man an open foe.
Sahih	And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.
Yusuf Ali	Say to My servants that they should (only) say those things that are best: for Satan doth sow dissensions among them: For Satan is to man an avowed enemy.

17.54

surah 17 - verse 54

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Your Lord knows you very well; if He will, He will have mercy on you, or, if He will, He will chastise you. We sent thee not to be a guardian over them.
Maududi	Your Lord knows you best. He will have mercy on you if He wills and chastise you if He wills. We have not sent you, (O Muhammad), as an overseer over them.
Pickthall	Your Lord is Best Aware of you. If He will, He will have mercy on you, or if He will, He will punish you. We have not sent thee (O Muhammad) as a warden over them.
Sahih	Your Lord is most knowing of you. If He wills, He will have mercy upon you; or if He wills, He will punish you. And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], over them as a manager.
Yusuf Ali	It is your Lord that knoweth you best: If He please, He granteth you mercy, or if He please, punishment: We have not sent thee to be a disposer of their affairs for them.

17.55

surah 17 - verse 55

translator's name	verse
Arberry	And thy Lord knows very well all who are in the heavens and the earth; and We have preferred some Prophets over others; and We gave to David Psalms.
Maududi	Your Lord knows all who dwell in the heavens and the earth. We have exalted some Prophets over others, and We gave the Psalms to David.
Pickthall	And thy Lord is Best Aware of all who are in the heavens and the earth. And we preferred some of the prophets above others, and unto David We gave the Psalms.
Sahih	And your Lord is most knowing of whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And We have made some of the prophets exceed others [in various ways], and to David We gave the book [of Psalms].
Yusuf Ali	And it is your Lord that knoweth best all beings that are in the heavens and on earth: We did bestow on some prophets more (and other) gifts than on others: and We gave to David (the gift of) the Psalms.

17.56

surah 17 - verse 56

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Say: 'Call on those you asserted apart from Him; they have no power to remove affliction from you, or to transfer it.
Maududi	Tell them: "Call upon those whom you fancy to be (your helpers) instead of Him! They have no power to remove any affliction from you, nor can they shift it (to any other)."
Pickthall	Say: Cry unto those (saints and angels) whom ye assume (to be gods) beside Him, yet they have no power to rid you of misfortune nor to change.
Sahih	Say, "Invoke those you have claimed [as gods] besides Him, for they do not possess the [ability for] removal of adversity from you or [for its] transfer [to someone else]."
Yusuf Ali	Say: "Call on those - besides Him - whom ye fancy: they have neither the power to remove your troubles from you nor to change them."

17.57

surah 17 - verse 57

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Those they call upon are themselves seeking the means to come to their Lord, which of them shall be nearer; they hope for His mercy, and fear His chastisement. Surely thy Lord's chastisement is a thing to beware of.
Maududi	Those whom they call upon are themselves seeking the means of access to their Lord, each trying to be nearer to Him. They crave for His Mercy and dread His chastisement. Surely your Lord's punishment is to be feared.
Pickthall	Those unto whom they cry seek the way of approach to their Lord, which of them shall be the nearest; they hope for His mercy and they fear His doom. Lo! the doom of thy Lord is to be shunned.
Sahih	Those whom they invoke seek means of access to their Lord, [striving as to] which of them would be nearest, and they hope for His mercy and fear His punishment. Indeed, the punishment of your Lord is ever feared.
Yusuf Ali	Those whom they call upon do desire (for themselves) means of access to their Lord, - even those who are nearest: they hope for His Mercy and fear His Wrath: for the Wrath of thy Lord is something to take heed of.

17.58

surah 17 - verse 58

translator's name	verse
Arberry	No city is there, but We shall destroy it before the Day of Resurrection, or We shall chastise it with a terrible chastisement; that is in the Book inscribed.
Maududi	There is not a town but We shall destroy it or upon which We shall inflict severe chastisement before the Day of Resurrection. This is written down in the Eternal Book (of Allah).
Pickthall	There is not a township but We shall destroy it ere the Day of Resurrection, or punish it with dire punishment. That is set forth in the Book (of Our decrees).
Sahih	And there is no city but that We will destroy it before the Day of Resurrection or punish it with a severe punishment. That has ever been in the Register inscribed.
Yusuf Ali	There is not a population but We shall destroy it before the Day of Judgment or punish it with a dreadful Penalty: that is written in the (eternal) Record.

17.59

surah 17 - verse 59

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Naught prevented Us from sending the signs but that the ancients cried lies to them; and We brought Thamood the She-camel visible, but they did her wrong. And We do not send the signs, except to frighten.
Maududi	Nothing hindered Us from sending Our Signs except that the people of olden times rejected them as lies. We publicly sent the she-camel to the Thamud to open their eyes but they wronged her. We never send Our Signs except to cause people to fear.
Pickthall	Naught hindereth Us from sending portents save that the folk of old denied them. And We gave Thamud the she-camel - a clear portent save to warn.
Sahih	And nothing has prevented Us from sending signs except that the former peoples denied them. And We gave Thamud the she-camel as a visible sign, but they wronged her. And We send not the signs except as a warning.
Yusuf Ali	And We refrain from sending the signs, only because the men of former generations treated them as false: We sent the she-camel to the Thamud to open their eyes, but they treated her wrongfully: We only send the Signs by way of terror (and warning from evil).

17.60

surah 17 - verse 60

translator's name	verse
Arberry	And when We said to thee, 'Surely thy Lord encompasses men,' and We made the vision that We showed thee and the tree cursed in the Koran to be only a trial for men; and We frighten them, but it only increases them in great insolence.
Maududi	And recall when We said to you, (O Muhammad), that your Lord encompasses these people; and that We have made that vision that We have shown you, and the tree accursed in the Qur'an, but as a trial for people. We go about warning them, but each warning leads them to greater transgression.
Pickthall	And (it was a warning) when we told thee: Lo! thy Lord encompasseth mankind, and We appointed the sight which We showed thee as an ordeal for mankind, and (likewise) the Accursed Tree in the Qur'an. We warn them, but it increaseth them in naught save gross impiety.
Sahih	And [remember, O Muhammad], when We told you, "Indeed, your Lord has encompassed the people." And We did not make the sight which We showed you except as a trial for the people, as was the accursed tree [mentioned] in the Qur'an. And We threaten them, but it increases them not except in great transgression.
Yusuf Ali	Behold! We told thee that thy Lord doth encompass mankind round about: We granted the vision which We showed thee, but as a trial for men,- as also the Cursed Tree (mentioned) in the Qur'an: We put terror (and warning) into them, but it only increases their inordinate transgression!