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 (102) sūrat l-takāthur (The piling Up)
The piling Up – Verse (102:1) – English Translation
Sahih International: Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you
Pickthall: Rivalry in worldly increase distracteth you
Yusuf Ali: The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things),
Shakir: Abundance diverts you,
Muhammad Sarwar: The desire to have more of the worldly gains have pre-occupied you so much (that you have neglected remembring God),
Mohsin Khan: The mutual rivalry for piling up of worldly things diverts you,
Arberry: Gross rivalry diverts you,
The piling Up – Verse (102:2) – English Translation
Sahih International: Until you visit the graveyards.
Pickthall: Until ye come to the graves.
Yusuf Ali: Until ye visit the graves.
Shakir: Until you come to the graves.
Muhammad Sarwar: until you come to the graves.
Mohsin Khan: Until you visit the graves (i.e. till you die).
Arberry: even till you visit the tombs.
The piling Up – Verse (102:3) – English Translation
Sahih International: No! You are going to know.
Pickthall: Nay, but ye will come to know!
Yusuf Ali: But nay, ye soon shall know (the reality).
Shakir: Nay! you shall soon know,
Muhammad Sarwar: You shall know.
Mohsin Khan: Nay! You shall come to know!
Arberry: No indeed; but soon you shall know.
The piling Up – Verse (102:4) – English Translation
Sahih International: Then no! You are going to know.
Pickthall: Nay, but ye will come to know!
Yusuf Ali: Again, ye soon shall know!
Shakir: Nay! Nay! you shall soon know.
Muhammad Sarwar: You shall cetainly know (about the consequences of your deeds).
Mohsin Khan: Again, Nay! You shall come to know!
Arberry: Again, no indeed; but soon you shall know.
The piling Up – Verse (102:5) – English Translation
Sahih International: No! If you only knew with knowledge of certainty…
Pickthall: Nay, would that ye knew (now) with a sure knowledge!
Yusuf Ali: Nay, were ye to know with certainty of mind, (ye would beware!)
Shakir: Nay! if you had known with a certain knowledge,
Muhammad Sarwar: You will certainly have the knowledge of your deeds beyond all doubt.
Mohsin Khan: Nay! If you knew with a sure knowledge (the end result of piling up, you would not have occupied yourselves in worldly things)
Arberry: No indeed; did you know with the knowledge of certainty,
The piling Up – Verse (102:6) – English Translation
Sahih International: You will surely see the Hellfire.
Pickthall: For ye will behold hell-fire.
Yusuf Ali: Ye shall certainly see Hell-Fire!
Shakir: You should most certainly have seen the hell;
Muhammad Sarwar: You will be shown hell
Mohsin Khan: Verily, You shall see the blazing Fire (Hell)!
Arberry: you shall surely see Hell;
The piling Up – Verse (102:7) – English Translation
Sahih International: Then you will surely see it with the eye of certainty.
Pickthall: Aye, ye will behold it with sure vision.
Yusuf Ali: Again, ye shall see it with certainty of sight!
Shakir: Then you shall most certainly see it with the eye of certainty;
Muhammad Sarwar: and you will see it with your own eyes.
Mohsin Khan: And again, you shall see it with certainty of sight!
Arberry: Again, you shall surely see it with the eye of certainty
The piling Up – Verse (102:8) – English Translation
Sahih International: Then you will surely be asked that Day about pleasure.
Pickthall: Then, on that day, ye will be asked concerning pleasure.
Yusuf Ali: Then, shall ye be questioned that Day about the joy (ye indulged in!).
Shakir: Then on that day you shall most certainly be questioned about the boons.
Muhammad Sarwar: Then, on that day, you will be questioned about the bounties (of God).
Mohsin Khan: Then, on that Day, you shall be asked about the delight (you indulged in, in this world)!
Arberry: then you shall be questioned that day concerning true bliss.
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.