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 (97) sūrat l-qadr (The Night of Decree)
The Night of Decree – Verse (97:1) – English Translation
Sahih International: Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree.
Pickthall: Lo! We revealed it on the Night of Predestination.
Yusuf Ali: We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power:
Shakir: Surely We revealed it on the grand night.
Muhammad Sarwar: We revealed the Quran on the Night of Destiny.
Mohsin Khan: Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree)
Arberry: Behold, We sent it down on the Night of Power;
The Night of Decree – Verse (97:2) – English Translation
Sahih International: And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree?
Pickthall: Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Night of Power is!
Yusuf Ali: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is?
Shakir: And what will make you comprehend what the grand night
Muhammad Sarwar: Would that you knew what the Night of Destiny is!
Mohsin Khan: And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?
Arberry: And what shall teach thee what is the Night of Power?
The Night of Decree – Verse (97:3) – English Translation
Sahih International: The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.
Pickthall: The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
Yusuf Ali: The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
Shakir: The grand night is better than a thousand months.
Muhammad Sarwar: (Worship) on the Night of Destiny is better than (worship) for a thousand months.
Mohsin Khan: The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).
Arberry: The Night of Power is better than a thousand months;
The Night of Decree – Verse (97:4) – English Translation
Sahih International: The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter.
Pickthall: The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, with all decrees.
Yusuf Ali: Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand:
Shakir: The angels and Gibreel descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair,
Muhammad Sarwar: On this Night, the angels and the spirit descend by the permission of their Lord with His decree (to determine everyone’s destiny).
Mohsin Khan: Therein descend the angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees,
Arberry: in it the angels and the Spirit descend, by the leave of their Lord, upon every command.
The Night of Decree – Verse (97:5) – English Translation
Sahih International: Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.
Pickthall: (The night is) Peace until the rising of the dawn.
Yusuf Ali: Peace!…This until the rise of morn!
Shakir: Peace! it is till the break of the morning.
Muhammad Sarwar: This Night is all peace until the break of dawn.
Mohsin Khan: Peace! (All that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn.
Arberry: Peace it is, till the rising of dawn.
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.