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 (109) sūrat l-kāfirūn (The Disbelievers)
The Disbelievers – Verse (109:1) – English Translation
Sahih International: Say, “O disbelievers,
Pickthall: Say: O disbelievers!
Yusuf Ali: Say : O ye that reject Faith!
Shakir: Say: O unbelievers!
Muhammad Sarwar: (Muhammad), tell the disbelievers,
Mohsin Khan: Say (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)to these Mushrikun and Kafirun): “O Al-Kafirun (disbelievers in Allah, in His Oneness, in His Angels, in His Books, in His Messengers, in the Day of Resurrection, and in Al-Qadar, etc.)!
Arberry: Say: ‘O unbelievers,
The Disbelievers – Verse (109:2) – English Translation
Sahih International: I do not worship what you worship.
Pickthall: I worship not that which ye worship;
Yusuf Ali: I worship not that which ye worship,
Shakir: I do not serve that which you serve,
Muhammad Sarwar: “I do not worship what you worship,
Mohsin Khan: “I worship not that which you worship,
Arberry: I serve not what you serve
The Disbelievers – Verse (109:3) – English Translation
Sahih International: Nor are you worshippers of what I worship.
Pickthall: Nor worship ye that which I worship.
Yusuf Ali: Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
Shakir: Nor do you serve Him Whom I serve:
Muhammad Sarwar: nor do you worship what I worship
Mohsin Khan: “Nor will you worship that which I worship.
Arberry: and you are not serving what I serve,
The Disbelievers – Verse (109:4) – English Translation
Sahih International: Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship.
Pickthall: And I shall not worship that which ye worship.
Yusuf Ali: And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship,
Shakir: Nor am I going to serve that which you serve,
Muhammad Sarwar: I have not been worshipping what you worshipped,
Mohsin Khan: “And I shall not worship that which you are worshipping.
Arberry: nor am I serving what you have served,
The Disbelievers – Verse (109:5) – English Translation
Sahih International: Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship.
Pickthall: Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
Yusuf Ali: Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
Shakir: Nor are you going to serve Him Whom I serve:
Muhammad Sarwar: nor will you worship what I shall worship.
Mohsin Khan: “Nor will you worship that which I worship.
Arberry: neither are you serving what I serve
The Disbelievers – Verse (109:6) – English Translation
Sahih International: For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.”
Pickthall: Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion.
Yusuf Ali: To you be your Way, and to me mine.
Shakir: You shall have your religion and I shall have my religion.
Muhammad Sarwar: You follow your religion and I follow mine.
Mohsin Khan: “To you be your religion, and to me my religion (Islamic Monotheism).”
Arberry: To you your religion, and to me my religion!’
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.