This page presents 7 parallel translations of the Qur’an. You can view the verses side by side, compare their meanings, and explore the nuances in each translation. This allows a deeper understanding of the Qur’an’s message and insight into different interpretive approaches.
Chapter (1) sūrat l-fātiḥah (The Opening)
The Opening – Verse (1:1) – English Translation
Sahih International: In the name of Allah , the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
Pickthall: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
Yusuf Ali: In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Shakir: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
Muhammad Sarwar: In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Mohsin Khan: In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
Arberry: In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
The Opening – Verse (1:2) – English Translation
Sahih International: [All] praise is [due] to Allah , Lord of the worlds –
Pickthall: Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds,
Yusuf Ali: Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;
Shakir: All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
Muhammad Sarwar: All praise belongs to God, Lord of the Universe,
Mohsin Khan: All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).
Arberry: Praise belongs to God, the Lord of all Being,
The Opening – Verse (1:3) – English Translation
Sahih International: The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,
Pickthall: The Beneficent, the Merciful.
Yusuf Ali: Most Gracious, Most Merciful;
Shakir: The Beneficent, the Merciful.
Muhammad Sarwar: the Beneficent, the Merciful
Mohsin Khan: The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
Arberry: the All-merciful, the All-compassionate,
The Opening – Verse (1:4) – English Translation
Sahih International: Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.
Pickthall: Master of the Day of Judgment,
Yusuf Ali: Master of the Day of Judgment.
Shakir: Master of the Day of Judgment.
Muhammad Sarwar: and Master of the Day of Judgment
Mohsin Khan: The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)
Arberry: the Master of the Day of Doom.
The Opening – Verse (1:5) – English Translation
Sahih International: It is You we worship and You we ask for help.
Pickthall: Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help.
Yusuf Ali: Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.
Shakir: Thee do we serve and Thee do we beseech for help.
Muhammad Sarwar: (Lord), You alone We do worship and from You alone we do seek assistance
Mohsin Khan: You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).
Arberry: Thee only we serve; to Thee alone we pray for succour.
The Opening – Verse (1:6) – English Translation
Sahih International: Guide us to the straight path –
Pickthall: Show us the straight path,
Yusuf Ali: Show us the straight way,
Shakir: Keep us on the right path.
Muhammad Sarwar: (Lord), guide us to the right path,
Mohsin Khan: Guide us to the Straight Way
Arberry: Guide us in the straight path,
The Opening – Verse (1:7) – English Translation
Sahih International: The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.
Pickthall: The path of those whom Thou hast favoured; Not the (path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray.
Yusuf Ali: The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.
Shakir: The path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed favors. Not (the path) of those upon whom Thy wrath is brought down, nor of those who go astray.
Muhammad Sarwar: the path of those to whom You have granted blessings, those who are neither subject to Your anger nor have gone astray.
Mohsin Khan: The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace , not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (such as the Jews), nor of those who went astray (such as the Christians).
Arberry: the path of those whom Thou hast blessed, not of those against whom Thou art wrathful, nor of those who are astray.
1. Sahih International
- Translators: A group translation (edited by Umm Muhammad).
- Focus: Aims for literal accuracy (word-for-word meaning) using clear, modern English.
- Key Feature: Very popular in modern digital and print media due to its straightforward language and adherence to a generally accepted literal interpretation.
2. Pickthall
- Translator: Marmaduke Pickthall (An English convert to Islam).
- Focus: Uses a classical, formal English style. It aimed to provide an “English equivalent” while retaining original Islamic terminology (e.g., Allah, Salat).
- Key Feature: Considered the first authoritative English translation by a Muslim. Highly respected for its dignified and formal tone.
3. Yusuf Ali
- Translator: Abdullah Yusuf Ali.
- Focus: Most famous for its extensive footnotes and commentary (tafsir) which offer detailed background and theological context.
- Key Feature: Extremely popular, though the English is sometimes archaic, resembling the King James Bible style. The value lies primarily in its rich commentary.
4. Shakir
- Translator: M.H. Shakir.
- Focus: Known for being more concise and simple than Yusuf Ali, with fewer footnotes.
- Key Feature: The language is generally direct and less stylized, making it an easier read for some.
5. Muhammad Sarwar
- Translator: Muhammad Sarwar.
- Focus: Focuses on using simple, clear, and fluent modern English for easy comprehension.
- Key Feature: A contemporary translation designed to communicate the central message of the Qur’an without heavy theological phrasing or deep commentary.
6. Mohsin Khan (Hilali & Khan)
- Translators: Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan and Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali.
- Focus: Strictly adheres to the Salafi/Wahhabi school of interpretation. It frequently uses parenthetical insertions to clarify the meaning based on Hadith and Sunnah (Prophetic tradition).
- Key Feature: Known for its literal approach and inclusion of bracketed explanations to ensure the interpretation aligns with established scholarly views.
7. Arberry
- Translator: Arthur John Arberry (Academic).
- Focus: An academic and literary translation. Arberry’s primary goal was to capture the rhythm, music, and rhetorical quality (eloquence) of the original Arabic text.
- Key Feature: Highly praised for its attempt to convey the poetic beauty and flow of the Qur’an, often prioritizing literary quality over detailed commentary.