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 (95) sūrat l-tīn (The Fig)
The Fig – Verse (95:1) – English Translation
Sahih International: By the fig and the olive
Pickthall: By the fig and the olive,
Yusuf Ali: By the Fig and the Olive,
Shakir: I swear by the fig and the olive,
Muhammad Sarwar: By the fig, by the olive,
Mohsin Khan: By the fig, and the olive,
Arberry: By the fig and the olive
The Fig – Verse (95:2) – English Translation
Sahih International: And [by] Mount Sinai
Pickthall: By Mount Sinai,
Yusuf Ali: And the Mount of Sinai,
Shakir: And mount Sinai,
Muhammad Sarwar: by Mount Sinai
Mohsin Khan: By Mount Sinai,
Arberry: and the Mount Sinai
The Fig – Verse (95:3) – English Translation
Sahih International: And [by] this secure city [Makkah],
Pickthall: And by this land made safe;
Yusuf Ali: And this City of security,-
Shakir: And this city made secure,
Muhammad Sarwar: and by this inviolable city, Mecca.
Mohsin Khan: And by this city of security (Makkah) ,
Arberry: and this land secure!
The Fig – Verse (95:4) – English Translation
Sahih International: We have certainly created man in the best of stature;
Pickthall: Surely We created man of the best stature
Yusuf Ali: We have indeed created man in the best of moulds,
Shakir: Certainly We created man in the best make.
Muhammad Sarwar: We have created the human being in the best form
Mohsin Khan: Verily, We created man of the best stature (mould),
Arberry: We indeed created Man in the fairest stature
The Fig – Verse (95:5) – English Translation
Sahih International: Then We return him to the lowest of the low,
Pickthall: Then we reduced him to the lowest of the low,
Yusuf Ali: Then do We abase him (to be) the lowest of the low,-
Shakir: Then We render him the lowest of the low.
Muhammad Sarwar: and We shall make him the lowest of low
Mohsin Khan: Then We reduced him to the lowest of the low,
Arberry: then We restored him the lowest of the low —
The Fig – Verse (95:6) – English Translation
Sahih International: Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for they will have a reward uninterrupted.
Pickthall: Save those who believe and do good works, and theirs is a reward unfailing.
Yusuf Ali: Except such as believe and do righteous deeds: For they shall have a reward unfailing.
Shakir: Except those who believe and do good, so they shall have a reward never to be cut off.
Muhammad Sarwar: except the righteously striving believers who will have a never ending reward.
Mohsin Khan: Save those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous deeds, then they shall have a reward without end (Paradise).
Arberry: save those who believe, and do righteous deeds; they shall have a wage unfailing.
The Fig – Verse (95:7) – English Translation
Sahih International: So what yet causes you to deny the Recompense?
Pickthall: So who henceforth will give the lie to thee about the judgment?
Yusuf Ali: Then what can, after this, contradict thee, as to the judgment (to come)?
Shakir: Then who can give you the lie after (this) about the judgment?
Muhammad Sarwar: After (knowing) this, what makes you still disbelieve in the Day of Judgment?
Mohsin Khan: Then what (or who) causes you (O disbelievers) to deny the Recompense (i.e. Day of Resurrection)?
Arberry: What then shall cry thee lies as to the Doom?
The Fig – Verse (95:8) – English Translation
Sahih International: Is not Allah the most just of judges?
Pickthall: Is not Allah the most conclusive of all judges?
Yusuf Ali: Is not Allah the wisest of judges?
Shakir: Is not Allah the best of the Judges?
Muhammad Sarwar: Is God not the best of the Judges?
Mohsin Khan: Is not Allah the Best of judges?
Arberry: Is not God the justest of judges?
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.