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 (93) sūrat l-ḍuḥā (The Forenoon)
The Forenoon – Verse (93:1) – English Translation
Sahih International: By the morning brightness
Pickthall: By the morning hours
Yusuf Ali: By the Glorious Morning Light,
Shakir: I swear by the early hours of the day,
Muhammad Sarwar: By the midday brightness
Mohsin Khan: By the forenoon (after sun-rise);
Arberry: By the white forenoon
The Forenoon – Verse (93:2) – English Translation
Sahih International: And [by] the night when it covers with darkness,
Pickthall: And by the night when it is stillest,
Yusuf Ali: And by the Night when it is still,-
Shakir: And the night when it covers with darkness.
Muhammad Sarwar: and by the calm of night,
Mohsin Khan: And by the night when it is still (or darkens);
Arberry: and the brooding night!
The Forenoon – Verse (93:3) – English Translation
Sahih International: Your Lord has not taken leave of you, [O Muhammad], nor has He detested [you].
Pickthall: Thy Lord hath not forsaken thee nor doth He hate thee,
Yusuf Ali: Thy Guardian-Lord hath not forsaken thee, nor is He displeased.
Shakir: Your Lord has not forsaken you, nor has He become displeased,
Muhammad Sarwar: (Muhammad), your Lord has not abandoned you (by not sending you His revelation), nor is He displeased with you.
Mohsin Khan: Your Lord (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) has neither forsaken you nor hated you.
Arberry: Thy Lord has neither forsaken thee nor hates thee
The Forenoon – Verse (93:4) – English Translation
Sahih International: And the Hereafter is better for you than the first [life].
Pickthall: And verily the latter portion will be better for thee than the former,
Yusuf Ali: And verily the Hereafter will be better for thee than the present.
Shakir: And surely what comes after is better for you than that which has gone before.
Muhammad Sarwar: The reward in the next life will certainly be better for you than worldly gains.
Mohsin Khan: And indeed the Hereafter is better for you than the present (life of this world).
Arberry: and the Last shall be better for thee than the First.
The Forenoon – Verse (93:5) – English Translation
Sahih International: And your Lord is going to give you, and you will be satisfied.
Pickthall: And verily thy Lord will give unto thee so that thou wilt be content.
Yusuf Ali: And soon will thy Guardian-Lord give thee (that wherewith) thou shalt be well-pleased.
Shakir: And soon will your Lord give you so that you shall be well pleased.
Muhammad Sarwar: Your Lord will soon grant you sufficient favors to please you.
Mohsin Khan: And verily, your Lord will give you (all i.e. good) so that you shall be well-pleased.
Arberry: Thy Lord shall give thee, and thou shalt be satisfied.
The Forenoon – Verse (93:6) – English Translation
Sahih International: Did He not find you an orphan and give [you] refuge?
Pickthall: Did He not find thee an orphan and protect (thee)?
Yusuf Ali: Did He not find thee an orphan and give thee shelter (and care)?
Shakir: Did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter?
Muhammad Sarwar: Did He not find you as an orphan and give you shelter?
Mohsin Khan: Did He not find you (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) an orphan and gave you a refuge?
Arberry: Did He not find thee an orphan, and shelter thee?
The Forenoon – Verse (93:7) – English Translation
Sahih International: And He found you lost and guided [you],
Pickthall: Did He not find thee wandering and direct (thee)?
Yusuf Ali: And He found thee wandering, and He gave thee guidance.
Shakir: And find you lost (that is, unrecognized by men) and guide (them to you)?
Muhammad Sarwar: Did He not find you wandering about and give you guidance?
Mohsin Khan: And He found you unaware (of the Quran, its legal laws, and Prophethood, etc.) and guided you?
Arberry: Did He not find thee erring, and guide thee?
The Forenoon – Verse (93:8) – English Translation
Sahih International: And He found you poor and made [you] self-sufficient.
Pickthall: Did He not find thee destitute and enrich (thee)?
Yusuf Ali: And He found thee in need, and made thee independent.
Shakir: And find you in want and make you to be free from want?
Muhammad Sarwar: And did He not find you in need and make you rich?
Mohsin Khan: And He found you poor, and made you rich (selfsufficient with selfcontentment, etc.)?
Arberry: Did He not find thee needy, and suffice thee?
The Forenoon – Verse (93:9) – English Translation
Sahih International: So as for the orphan, do not oppress [him].
Pickthall: Therefor the orphan oppress not,
Yusuf Ali: Therefore, treat not the orphan with harshness,
Shakir: Therefore, as for the orphan, do not oppress (him).
Muhammad Sarwar: Do not oppress the orphans
Mohsin Khan: Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression,
Arberry: As for the orphan, do not oppress him,
The Forenoon – Verse (93:10) – English Translation
Sahih International: And as for the petitioner, do not repel [him].
Pickthall: Therefor the beggar drive not away,
Yusuf Ali: Nor repulse the petitioner (unheard);
Shakir: And as for him who asks, do not chide (him),
Muhammad Sarwar: and do not reject the beggars
Mohsin Khan: And repulse not the beggar;
Arberry: and as for the beggar, scold him not;
The Forenoon – Verse (93:11) – English Translation
Sahih International: But as for the favor of your Lord, report [it].
Pickthall: Therefor of the bounty of thy Lord be thy discourse.
Yusuf Ali: But the bounty of the Lord – rehearse and proclaim!
Shakir: And as for the favor of your Lord, do announce (it).
Muhammad Sarwar: and proclaim the bounties of your Lord.
Mohsin Khan: And proclaim the Grace of your Lord (i.e. the Prophethood and all other Graces).
Arberry: and as for thy Lord’s blessing, declare it.
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.