Chapter 40

40.21

surah 40 - verse 21

translator's name	verse
Arberry	What, have they not journeyed in the land and beheld how was the end of those before them? They were stronger than themselves in might and left firmer traces in the earth; yet God seized them in their sins, and they had none to defend them from God.
Maududi	Have they not journeyed in the land that they might observe the end of those who came before them? They were even greater in strength than they and left behind more splendid traces in the land. Then Allah seized them because of their sins and they had none who could protect them from Allah.
Pickthall	Have they not travelled in the land to see the nature of the consequence for those who disbelieved before them? They were mightier than these in power and (in the) traces (which they left behind them) in the earth. Yet Allah seized them for their sins, and they had no protector from Allah.
Sahih	Have they not traveled through the land and observed how was the end of those who were before them? They were greater than them in strength and in impression on the land, but Allah seized them for their sins. And they had not from Allah any protector.
Yusuf Ali	Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the End of those before them? They were even superior to them in strength, and in the traces (they have left) in the land: but Allah did call them to account for their sins, and none had they to defend them against Allah.

40.22

surah 40 - verse 22

translator's name	verse
Arberry	That was because their Messengers came to them with the clear signs; but they disbelieved, so God seized them. Surely He is All-strong, terrible in retribution.
Maududi	They came to this end because their Messengers would come to them with Clear Signs and yet they would refuse to believe. So Allah seized them. He is indeed Strong, Terrible in Retribution.
Pickthall	That was because their messengers kept bringing them clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty) but they disbelieved; so Allah seized them. Lo! He is Strong, severe in punishment.
Sahih	That was because their messengers were coming to them with clear proofs, but they disbelieved, so Allah seized them. Indeed, He is Powerful and severe in punishment.
Yusuf Ali	That was because there came to them their messengers with Clear (Signs), but they rejected them: So Allah called them to account: for He is Full of Strength, Strict in Punishment.

40.23

surah 40 - verse 23

translator's name	verse
Arberry	We also sent Moses with Our signs and a clear authority,
Maududi	Verily We sent Moses with Our Signs and a clear authority
Pickthall	And verily We sent Moses with Our revelations and a clear warrant
Sahih	And We did certainly send Moses with Our signs and a clear authority
Yusuf Ali	Of old We sent Moses, with Our Signs and an authority manifest,

40.24

surah 40 - verse 24

translator's name	verse
Arberry	to Pharaoh, Haman and Korah; they said, 'A lying sorcerer!'
Maududi	to Pharaoh and Haman and Korah. They said: “(He is) a sorcerer, an utter liar.”
Pickthall	Unto Pharaoh and Haman and Korah, but they said: A lying sorcerer!
Sahih	To Pharaoh, Haman and Qarun; but they said, "[He is] a magician and a liar."
Yusuf Ali	To Pharaoh, Haman, and Qarun; but they called (him)" a sorcerer telling lies!"...

40.25

surah 40 - verse 25

translator's name	verse
Arberry	And when he brought them the truth from Us, they said, 'Slay the sons of those who believe with him, and spare their women.' But the guile of the unbelievers is ever in error.
Maududi	When Moses brought them the Truth from Us they said: “Kill the sons of all the believers who have joined him, but spare the women.” The guile of the unbelievers always ends in vain.
Pickthall	And when he brought them the Truth from Our presence, they said: Slay the sons of those who believe with him, and spare their women. But the plot of disbelievers is in naught but error.
Sahih	And when he brought them the truth from Us, they said, "Kill the sons of those who have believed with him and keep their women alive." But the plan of the disbelievers is not except in error.
Yusuf Ali	Now, when he came to them in Truth, from Us, they said, "Slay the sons of those who believe with him, and keep alive their females," but the plots of Unbelievers (end) in nothing but errors (and delusions)!...

40.26

surah 40 - verse 26

translator's name	verse
Arberry	And Pharaoh said, 'Let me slay Moses, and let him call to his Lord. I fear that he may change, your religion, or that he may cause corruption to appear in the land.'
Maududi	One day Pharaoh said: “Let me go and kill Moses; then let him invoke his Lord. I fear that he will change your religion or cause disruption in the land.”
Pickthall	And Pharaoh said: Suffer me to kill Moses, and let him cry unto his Lord. Lo! I fear that he will alter your religion or that he will cause confusion in the land.
Sahih	And Pharaoh said, "Let me kill Moses and let him call upon his Lord. Indeed, I fear that he will change your religion or that he will cause corruption in the land."
Yusuf Ali	Said Pharaoh: "Leave me to slay Moses; and let him call on his Lord! What I fear is lest he should change your religion, or lest he should cause mischief to appear in the land!"

40.27

surah 40 - verse 27

translator's name	verse
Arberry	And Moses said, 'I take refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every man who is proud, and believes not in the Day of Reckoning.'
Maududi	Moses said: “I have taken refuge with my Lord and your Lord from everyone who waxes arrogant and does not believe in the Day of Reckoning.”
Pickthall	Moses said: Lo! I seek refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every scorner who believeth not in a Day of Reckoning.
Sahih	But Moses said, "Indeed, I have sought refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every arrogant one who does not believe in the Day of Account."
Yusuf Ali	Moses said: "I have indeed called upon my Lord and your Lord (for protection) from every arrogant one who believes not in the Day of Account!"

40.28

surah 40 - verse 28

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Then said a certain man, a believer 'of Pharaoh's folk that kept hidden his belief, 'What, will you slay a man because he says, "My Lord is God," yet he has brought you the clear signs from your Lord? If he is a liar, his lying is upon his own head; but if he is truthful, somewhat of that he promises you will smite you. Surely God guides not him who is prodigal and a liar.
Maududi	Then a man endowed with faith, from Pharaoh's folk, who had kept his faith hidden, said: “Do you kill a person simply because he says: 'My Lord is Allah' even though he brought to you clear Signs from your Lord? If he is a liar, his lying will recoil upon him; but if he is truthful, you will be smitten with some of the awesome consequences of which he warns you. Allah does not guide to the Right Way any who exceeds the limits and is an utter liar.
Pickthall	And a believing man of Pharaoh's family, who hid his faith, said: Would ye kill a man because he saith: My Lord is Allah, and hath brought you clear proofs from your Lord? If he is lying, then his lie is upon him; and if he is truthful, then some of that wherewith he threateneth you will strike you. Lo! Allah guideth not one who is a prodigal, a liar.
Sahih	And a believing man from the family of Pharaoh who concealed his faith said, "Do you kill a man [merely] because he says, 'My Lord is Allah' while he has brought you clear proofs from your Lord? And if he should be lying, then upon him is [the consequence of] his lie; but if he should be truthful, there will strike you some of what he promises you. Indeed, Allah does not guide one who is a transgressor and a liar.
Yusuf Ali	A believer, a man from among the people of Pharaoh, who had concealed his faith, said: "Will ye slay a man because he says, 'My Lord is Allah'?- when he has indeed come to you with Clear (Signs) from your Lord? and if he be a liar, on him is (the sin of) his lie: but, if he is telling the Truth, then will fall on you something of the (calamity) of which he warns you: Truly Allah guides not one who transgresses and lies!

40.29

surah 40 - verse 29

translator's name	verse
Arberry	O my people, today the kingdom is yours, who are masters in the land. But who will help us, against the might of God, if it comes upon us?' Said Pharaoh, 'I only let you see what I see; I only guide you in the way of rectitude.'
Maududi	My people, today the kingdom is yours, and you are supreme in the land. But if Allah's chastisement were to come upon you, who will come to our help?” Pharaoh said: “I only counsel what I consider right; I only direct you to the Path of Rectitude.”
Pickthall	O my people! Yours is the kingdom to-day, ye being uppermost in the land. But who would save us from the wrath of Allah should it reach us? Pharaoh said: I do but show you what I think, and I do but guide you to wise policy.
Sahih	O my people, sovereignty is yours today, [your being] dominant in the land. But who would protect us from the punishment of Allah if it came to us?" Pharaoh said, "I do not show you except what I see, and I do not guide you except to the way of right conduct."
Yusuf Ali	"O my People! Yours is the dominion this day: Ye have the upper hand in the land: but who will help us from the Punishment of Allah, should it befall us?" Pharaoh said: "I but point out to you that which I see (myself); Nor do I guide you but to the Path of Right!"

40.30

surah 40 - verse 30

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Then said he who believed, 'My people, truly I fear for you the like of the day of the parties,
Maududi	He who had faith said: “My people, I fear that you will confront a day like that which overtook many parties before you,
Pickthall	And he who believed said: O my people! Lo! I fear for you a fate like that of the factions (of old);
Sahih	And he who believed said, "O my people, indeed I fear for you [a fate] like the day of the companies -
Yusuf Ali	Then said the man who believed: "O my people! Truly I do fear for you something like the Day (of disaster) of the Confederates (in sin)!-

40.31

surah 40 - verse 31

translator's name	verse
Arberry	the like of the case of Noah's people, Ad, Thamood, and those after them; and God desires not wrong for His servants.'
Maududi	like the day that overtook the people of Noah and Ad and Thamud, and those who came after them. Allah does not wish to subject His servants to any injustice.
Pickthall	A plight like that of Noah's folk, and A'ad and Thamud, and those after them, and Allah willeth no injustice for (His) slaves.
Sahih	Like the custom of the people of Noah and of 'Aad and Thamud and those after them. And Allah wants no injustice for [His] servants.
Yusuf Ali	"Something like the fate of the People of Noah, the 'Ad, and the Thamud, and those who came after them: but Allah never wishes injustice to his Servants.

40.32

surah 40 - verse 32

translator's name	verse
Arberry	O my people, I fear for you the Day of Invocation,
Maududi	My people, I fear that you will encounter a day when there will be much wailing and you will cry out to one another for help,
Pickthall	And, O my people! Lo! I fear for you a Day of Summoning,
Sahih	And O my people, indeed I fear for you the Day of Calling -
Yusuf Ali	"And O my people! I fear for you a Day when there will be Mutual calling (and wailing),-

40.33

surah 40 - verse 33

translator's name	verse
Arberry	the day you turn about, retreating, having none to defend you from God; and whomsoever God leads astray, no guide has he.
Maududi	the day when you will turn around to retreat, there will be none to protect you from Allah. He whom Allah lets go astray, none will be able to show him the Right Way.
Pickthall	A day when ye will turn to flee, having no preserver from Allah: and he whom Allah sendeth astray, for him there is no guide.
Sahih	The Day you will turn your backs fleeing; there is not for you from Allah any protector. And whoever Allah leaves astray - there is not for him any guide.
Yusuf Ali	"A Day when ye shall turn your backs and flee: No defender shall ye have from Allah: Any whom Allah leaves to stray, there is none to guide...

40.34

surah 40 - verse 34

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Joseph brought you the clear signs before, yet you continued in doubt concerning that he brought you until, when he perished, you said, "God will never send forth a Messenger after him." Even, so God leads astray the prodigal and the doubter.'
Maududi	Verily Joseph came to you with Clear Signs before, yet you continued to doubt his Message. Thereafter when he died, you said: 'Allah shall send no Messenger after him.'” Thus Allah leads astray those who transgress the limits and are given to much doubting;
Pickthall	And verily Joseph brought you of old clear proofs, yet ye ceased not to be in doubt concerning what he brought you till, when he died, ye said: Allah will not send any messenger after him. Thus Allah deceiveth him who is a prodigal, a doubter.
Sahih	And Joseph had already come to you before with clear proofs, but you remained in doubt of that which he brought to you, until when he died, you said, 'Never will Allah send a messenger after him.' Thus does Allah leave astray he who is a transgressor and skeptic."
Yusuf Ali	"And to you there came Joseph in times gone by, with Clear Signs, but ye ceased not to doubt of the (Mission) for which he had come: At length, when he died, ye said: 'No messenger will Allah send after him.' thus doth Allah leave to stray such as transgress and live in doubt,-

40.35

surah 40 - verse 35

translator's name	verse
Arberry	(Those who dispute concerning the signs of God, without any authority come to them, very hateful is that in the sight of God and the believers; 'so God sets a seal on every heart proud', arrogant.)
Maududi	those who contend regarding Allah's Signs without any evidence that might have come to them. That is exceedingly loathsome to Allah and to those that believe. Thus does Allah seal the heart of everyone who is proud and high-handed.
Pickthall	Those who wrangle concerning the revelations of Allah without any warrant that hath come unto them, it is greatly hateful in the sight of Allah and in the sight of those who believe. Thus doth Allah print on every arrogant, disdainful heart.
Sahih	Those who dispute concerning the signs of Allah without an authority having come to them - great is hatred [of them] in the sight of Allah and in the sight of those who have believed. Thus does Allah seal over every heart [belonging to] an arrogant tyrant.
Yusuf Ali	"(Such) as dispute about the Signs of Allah, without any authority that hath reached them, grievous and odious (is such conduct) in the sight of Allah and of the Believers. Thus doth Allah, seal up every heart - of arrogant and obstinate Transgressors."

40.36

surah 40 - verse 36

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Pharaoh said, 'Haman, build for me a tower, that haply so I may reach the cords,
Maududi	Pharaoh said: “Haman, build for me a lofty tower that I may scale the highways --
Pickthall	And Pharaoh said: O Haman! Build for me a tower that haply I may reach the roads,
Sahih	And Pharaoh said, "O Haman, construct for me a tower that I might reach the ways -
Yusuf Ali	Pharaoh said: "O Haman! Build me a lofty palace, that I may attain the ways and means-

40.37

surah 40 - verse 37

translator's name	verse
Arberry	the cords of the heavens, and look upon Moses' God; for I think that he is a liar.' So the evil of his deeds was decked out fair to Pharaoh, and he was barred from the way, and Pharaoh's guile came only to ruin.
Maududi	the highways to the heavens -- and have a look at the God of Moses, although I am certain that Moses is a liar.” Thus Pharaoh's evil deed was made to seem fair to him, and he was barred from the Right Path. Pharaoh's guile only led him to his own perdition.
Pickthall	The roads of the heavens, and may look upon the god of Moses, though verily I think him a liar. Thus was the evil that he did made fairseeming unto Pharaoh, and he was debarred from the (right) way. The plot of Pharaoh ended but in ruin.
Sahih	The ways into the heavens - so that I may look at the deity of Moses; but indeed, I think he is a liar." And thus was made attractive to Pharaoh the evil of his deed, and he was averted from the [right] way. And the plan of Pharaoh was not except in ruin.
Yusuf Ali	"The ways and means of (reaching) the heavens, and that I may mount up to the god of Moses: But as far as I am concerned, I think (Moses) is a liar!" Thus was made alluring, in Pharaoh's eyes, the evil of his deeds, and he was hindered from the Path; and the plot of Pharaoh led to nothing but perdition (for him).

40.38

surah 40 - verse 38

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Then said he who believed, 'My people, follow me, and I will guide you in the way of rectitude.
Maududi	The person endowed with faith said: “My people, follow me; I shall direct you to the Path of Rectitude.
Pickthall	And he who believed said: O my people! Follow me. I will show you the way of right conduct.
Sahih	And he who believed said, "O my people, follow me, I will guide you to the way of right conduct.
Yusuf Ali	The man who believed said further: "O my people! Follow me: I will lead you to the Path of Right.

40.39

surah 40 - verse 39

translator's name	verse
Arberry	O my people, surely this present life is but a passing enjoyment; surely the world to come is the abode of stability.
Maududi	My people, the life of this world is ephemeral, whereas the Hereafter, that is the permanent abode.
Pickthall	O my people! Lo! this life of the world is but a passing comfort, and lo! the Hereafter, that is the enduring home.
Sahih	O my people, this worldly life is only [temporary] enjoyment, and indeed, the Hereafter - that is the home of [permanent] settlement.
Yusuf Ali	"O my people! This life of the present is nothing but (temporary) convenience: It is the Hereafter that is the Home that will last.

40.40

surah 40 - verse 40

translator's name	verse
Arberry	Whosoever does an evil deed shall be recompensed only with the like of it, but whosoever does a righteous deed, be it male or female, believing -- those shall enter Paradise, therein provided without reckoning.
Maududi	Whosoever does an evil deed will be requited only with the like of it; and whosoever acts righteously and has attained to faith -- be he a male or a female -- they shall enter Paradise and be provided sustenance beyond all reckoning.
Pickthall	Whoso doeth an ill-deed, he will be repaid the like thereof, while whoso doeth right, whether male or female, and is a believer, (all) such will enter the Garden, where they will be nourished without stint.
Sahih	Whoever does an evil deed will not be recompensed except by the like thereof; but whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - those will enter Paradise, being given provision therein without account.
Yusuf Ali	"He that works evil will not be requited but by the like thereof: and he that works a righteous deed - whether man or woman - and is a Believer- such will enter the Garden (of Bliss): Therein will they have abundance without measure.