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 (111) sūrat l-masad (The Palm Fibre)
The Palm Fibre – Verse (111:1) – English Translation
Sahih International: May the hands of Abu Lahab be ruined, and ruined is he.
Pickthall: The power of Abu Lahab will perish, and he will perish.
Yusuf Ali: Perish the hands of the Father of Flame! Perish he!
Shakir: Perdition overtake both hands of Abu Lahab, and he will perish.
Muhammad Sarwar: May the hands of Abu Lahab perish!
Mohsin Khan: Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab (an uncle of the Prophet), and perish he!
Arberry: Perish the hands of Abu Lahab, and perish he!
The Palm Fibre – Verse (111:2) – English Translation
Sahih International: His wealth will not avail him or that which he gained.
Pickthall: His wealth and gains will not exempt him.
Yusuf Ali: No profit to him from all his wealth, and all his gains!
Shakir: His wealth and what he earns will not avail him.
Muhammad Sarwar: May he too perish!
Mohsin Khan: His wealth and his children (etc.) will not benefit him!
Arberry: His wealth avails him not, neither what he has earned;
The Palm Fibre – Verse (111:3) – English Translation
Sahih International: He will [enter to] burn in a Fire of [blazing] flame
Pickthall: He will be plunged in flaming Fire,
Yusuf Ali: Burnt soon will he be in a Fire of Blazing Flame!
Shakir: He shall soon burn in fire that flames,
Muhammad Sarwar: His property and worldly gains will be of no help to him.
Mohsin Khan: He will be burnt in a Fire of blazing flames!
Arberry: he shall roast at a flaming fire
The Palm Fibre – Verse (111:4) – English Translation
Sahih International: And his wife [as well] – the carrier of firewood.
Pickthall: And his wife, the wood-carrier,
Yusuf Ali: His wife shall carry the (crackling) wood – As fuel!-
Shakir: And his wife, the bearer of fuel,
Muhammad Sarwar: He will suffer in a blazing fire
Mohsin Khan: And his wife too, who carries wood (thorns of Sadan which she used to put on the way of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) , or use to slander him) .
Arberry: and his wife, the carrier of the firewood,
The Palm Fibre – Verse (111:5) – English Translation
Sahih International: Around her neck is a rope of [twisted] fiber.
Pickthall: Will have upon her neck a halter of palm-fibre.
Yusuf Ali: A twisted rope of palm-leaf fibre round her (own) neck!
Shakir: Upon her neck a halter of strongly twisted rope.
Muhammad Sarwar: and so too will his wife who (threw thorns and firewood in the Prophet’s way). Around her neck will be a rope of palm fibre.
Mohsin Khan: In her neck is a twisted rope of Masad (palm fibre).
Arberry: upon her neck a rope of palm-fibre.
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.