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.

The Night – Verse (92:1) – English Translation

92_1 Chapter (92) sūrat l-layl (The Night)

Sahih International: By the night when it covers

Pickthall: By the night enshrouding

Yusuf Ali: By the Night as it conceals (the light);

Shakir: I swear by the night when it draws a veil,

Muhammad Sarwar: By the night when it covers the day,

Mohsin Khan: By the night as it envelops;

Arberry: By the night enshrouding

The Night – Verse (92:2) – English Translation

92_2 Chapter (92) sūrat l-layl (The Night)

Sahih International: And [by] the day when it appears

Pickthall: And the day resplendent

Yusuf Ali: By the Day as it appears in glory;

Shakir: And the day when it shines in brightness,

Muhammad Sarwar: by the day when it appears radiant,

Mohsin Khan: And by the day as it appears in brightness;

Arberry: and the day in splendour

The Night – Verse (92:3) – English Translation

The Night – Verse (92:4) – English Translation

The Night – Verse (92:5) – English Translation

The Night – Verse (92:6) – English Translation

The Night – Verse (92:7) – English Translation

The Night – Verse (92:8) – English Translation

The Night – Verse (92:9) – English Translation

The Night – Verse (92:10) – English Translation

The Night – Verse (92:11) – English Translation

The Night – Verse (92:12) – English Translation

The Night – Verse (92:13) – English Translation

The Night – Verse (92:14) – English Translation

The Night – Verse (92:15) – English Translation

The Night – Verse (92:16) – English Translation

The Night – Verse (92:17) – English Translation

The Night – Verse (92:18) – English Translation

The Night – Verse (92:19) – English Translation

The Night – Verse (92:20) – English Translation

The Night – Verse (92:21) – English Translation

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.