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 (110) sūrat l-naṣr (The Help)
The Help – Verse (110:1) – English Translation
Sahih International: When the victory of Allah has come and the conquest,
Pickthall: When Allah’s succour and the triumph cometh
Yusuf Ali: When comes the Help of Allah, and Victory,
Shakir: When there comes the help of Allah and the victory,
Muhammad Sarwar: (Muhammad), when help and victory comes from God,
Mohsin Khan: When comes the Help of Allah (to you, O Muhammad (Peace be upon him) against your enemies) and the conquest (of Makkah),
Arberry: When comes the help of God, and victory,
The Help – Verse (110:2) – English Translation
Sahih International: And you see the people entering into the religion of Allah in multitudes,
Pickthall: And thou seest mankind entering the religion of Allah in troops,
Yusuf Ali: And thou dost see the people enter Allah’s Religion in crowds,
Shakir: And you see men entering the religion of Allah in companies,
Muhammad Sarwar: you will see large groups of people embracing the religion of God.
Mohsin Khan: And you see that the people enter Allah’s religion (Islam) in crowds,
Arberry: and thou seest men entering God’s religion in throngs,
The Help – Verse (110:3) – English Translation
Sahih International: Then exalt [Him] with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance.
Pickthall: Then hymn the praises of thy Lord, and seek forgiveness of Him. Lo! He is ever ready to show mercy.
Yusuf Ali: Celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and pray for His Forgiveness: For He is Oft-Returning (in Grace and Mercy).
Shakir: Then celebrate the praise of your Lord, and ask His forgiveness; surely He is oft-returning (to mercy).
Muhammad Sarwar: Glorify your Lord with praise and ask Him for forgivenes. He accepts repentance.
Mohsin Khan: So glorify the Praises of your Lord, and ask for His Forgiveness. Verily, He is the One Who accepts the repentance and forgives.
Arberry: then proclaim the praise of thy Lord, and seek His forgiveness; for He turns again unto men.
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.