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 (107) sūrat l-māʿūn (Small Kindnesses)
Small Kindnesses – Verse (107:1) – English Translation
Sahih International: Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense?
Pickthall: Hast thou observed him who belieth religion?
Yusuf Ali: Seest thou one who denies the Judgment (to come)?
Shakir: Have you considered him who calls the judgment a lie?
Muhammad Sarwar: Have you seen the one who calls the religion a lie?
Mohsin Khan: Have you seen him who denies the Recompense?
Arberry: Hast thou seen him who cries lies to the Doom?
Small Kindnesses – Verse (107:2) – English Translation
Sahih International: For that is the one who drives away the orphan
Pickthall: That is he who repelleth the orphan,
Yusuf Ali: Then such is the (man) who repulses the orphan (with harshness),
Shakir: That is the one who treats the orphan with harshness,
Muhammad Sarwar: It is he who turns down the orphans
Mohsin Khan: That is he who repulses the orphan (harshly),
Arberry: That is he who repulses the orphan
Small Kindnesses – Verse (107:3) – English Translation
Sahih International: And does not encourage the feeding of the poor.
Pickthall: And urgeth not the feeding of the needy.
Yusuf Ali: And encourages not the feeding of the indigent.
Shakir: And does not urge (others) to feed the poor.
Muhammad Sarwar: and never encourages the feeding of the destitute.
Mohsin Khan: And urges not the feeding of AlMiskin (the poor),
Arberry: and urges not the feeding of the needy.
Small Kindnesses – Verse (107:4) – English Translation
Sahih International: So woe to those who pray
Pickthall: Ah, woe unto worshippers
Yusuf Ali: So woe to the worshippers
Shakir: So woe to the praying ones,
Muhammad Sarwar: Woe to the worshippers
Mohsin Khan: So woe unto those performers of Salat (prayers) (hypocrites),
Arberry: So woe to those that pray
Small Kindnesses – Verse (107:5) – English Translation
Sahih International: [But] who are heedless of their prayer –
Pickthall: Who are heedless of their prayer;
Yusuf Ali: Who are neglectful of their prayers,
Shakir: Who are unmindful of their prayers,
Muhammad Sarwar: who become confused during their prayers,
Mohsin Khan: Who delay their Salat (prayer) from their stated fixed times,
Arberry: and are heedless of their prayers,
Small Kindnesses – Verse (107:6) – English Translation
Sahih International: Those who make show [of their deeds]
Pickthall: Who would be seen (at worship)
Yusuf Ali: Those who (want but) to be seen (of men),
Shakir: Who do (good) to be seen,
Muhammad Sarwar: who show off (his good deeds)
Mohsin Khan: Those who do good deeds only to be seen (of men),
Arberry: to those who make display
Small Kindnesses – Verse (107:7) – English Translation
Sahih International: And withhold [simple] assistance.
Pickthall: Yet refuse small kindnesses!
Yusuf Ali: But refuse (to supply) (even) neighbourly needs.
Shakir: And withhold the necessaries of life.
Muhammad Sarwar: and refuse to help the needy.
Mohsin Khan: And refuse Al-Ma’un (small kindnesses e.g. salt, sugar, water, etc.).
Arberry: and refuse charity.
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.