Translation of the meanings of surah Aal-i-Imraan (1)

(1) (1) Alif, Lām, Meem.[113]

[113]- See footnote to 2:1.

(2) (2) Allāh - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining.[114]

[114]- See footnotes to 2:255.

(3) (3) He has sent down upon you, [O Muḥammad], the Book in truth, confirming what was before it. And He revealed the Torah and the Gospel

(4) (4) Before, as guidance for the people. And He revealed the Criterion [i.e., the Qur’ān]. Indeed, those who disbelieve in the verses of Allāh will have a severe punishment, and Allāh is Exalted in Might, the Owner of Retribution.[115]

[115]- i.e., He who restores justice by punishing those who persist in wrongdoing, fail to heed warnings and are unrepentant.

(5) (5) Indeed, from Allāh nothing is hidden in the earth nor in the heaven.

(6) (6) It is He who forms you in the wombs however He wills. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

(7) (7) It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muḥammad], the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise - they are the foundation of the Book - and others unspecific.[116] As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allāh. But those firm in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord." And no one will be reminded except those of understanding.

[116]- Those which are stated in such a way that they are open to more than one interpretation or whose meaning is known only to Allāh, such as the opening letters of certain sūrahs.

(8) (8) [Who say], "Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.[117]

[117]- Who gives and grants continually without being asked.

(9) (9) Our Lord, surely You will gather the people for a Day about which there is no doubt. Indeed, Allāh does not fail in His promise."

(10) (10) Indeed, those who disbelieve - never will their wealth or their children avail them against Allāh at all. And it is they who are fuel for the Fire.

(11) (11) [Theirs is] like the custom of the people of Pharaoh and those before them. They denied Our signs, so Allāh seized them for their sins. And Allāh is severe in penalty.

(12) (12) Say to those who disbelieve, "You will be overcome and gathered together to Hell, and wretched is the resting place."

(13) (13) Already there has been for you a sign in the two armies which met [in combat at Badr] - one fighting in the cause of Allāh and another of disbelievers. They saw them [to be] twice their [own] number by [their] eyesight.[118] But Allāh supports with His victory whom He wills. Indeed in that is a lesson for those of vision.

[118]- The believers saw the disbelievers to be double their own number preceding the battle of Badr, while, in fact, they were three times their number.

(14) (14) Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allāh has with Him the best return [i.e., Paradise].

(15) (15) Say, "Shall I inform you of [something] better than that? For those who fear Allāh will be gardens in the presence of their Lord beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and purified spouses and approval from Allāh. And Allāh is Seeing [i.e., aware] of [His] servants -

(16) (16) Those who say, "Our Lord, indeed we have believed, so forgive us our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire,"

(17) (17) The patient, the true, the obedient, those who spend [in the way of Allāh], and those who seek forgiveness before dawn.

(18) (18) Allāh witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

(19) (19) Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allāh is Islām. And those who were given the Scripture did not differ except after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. And whoever disbelieves in the verses of Allāh, then indeed, Allāh is swift in [taking] account.

(20) (20) So if they argue with you, say, "I have submitted myself to Allāh [in Islām], and [so have] those who follow me." And say to those who were given the Scripture and [to] the unlearned,[119] "Have you submitted yourselves?" And if they submit [in Islām], they are rightly guided; but if they turn away - then upon you is only the [duty of] notification. And Allāh is Seeing of [His] servants.

[119]- Those who had no scripture (i.e., the pagans).

(21) (21) Those who disbelieve in the signs of Allāh and kill the prophets without right and kill those who order justice from among the people - give them tidings of a painful punishment.

(22) (22) They are the ones whose deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter, and for them there will be no helpers.

(23) (23) Do you not consider, [O Muḥammad], those who were given a portion of the Scripture? They are invited to the Scripture of Allāh that it should arbitrate between them;[120] then a party of them turns away, and they are refusing.

[120]- Referring to the Jews of Madīnah who refused to implement the rulings given by Allāh in the Torah or to acknowledge the Prophet (ﷺ), whose coming was mentioned therein.

(24) (24) That is because they say, "Never will the Fire touch us except for [a few] numbered days," and [because] they were deluded in their religion by what they were inventing.

(25) (25) So how will it be when We assemble them for a Day about which there is no doubt? And each soul will be compensated [in full for] what it earned, and they will not be wronged.

(26) (26) Say, "O Allāh, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand[121] is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.

[121]- See footnote to 2:19

(27) (27) You cause the night to enter the day, and You cause the day to enter the night; and You bring the living out of the dead, and You bring the dead out of the living. And You give provision to whom You will without account [i.e., limit or measure]."

(28) (28) Let not believers take disbelievers as allies [i.e., supporters or protectors] rather than believers. And whoever [of you] does that has nothing [i.e., no association] with Allāh, except when taking precaution against them in prudence.[122] And Allāh warns you of Himself, and to Allāh is the [final] destination.

[122]- When fearing harm from an enemy, the believer may pretend as long as his heart and intention are not affected.

(29) (29) Say, "Whether you conceal what is in your breasts or reveal it, Allāh knows it. And He knows that which is in the heavens and that which is on the earth. And Allāh is over all things competent.

(30) (30) The Day every soul will find what it has done of good present [before it] and what it has done of evil, it will wish that between itself and that [evil] was a great distance. And Allāh warns you of Himself, and Allāh is Kind to [His] servants."

(31) (31) Say, [O Muḥammad], "If you should love Allāh, then follow me, [so] Allāh will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful."

(32) (32) Say, "Obey Allāh and the Messenger. But if you turn away - then indeed, Allāh does not like the disbelievers."

(33) (33) Indeed, Allāh chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of ʿImrān over the worlds -

(34) (34) Descendants, some of them from others. And Allāh is Hearing and Knowing.

(35) (35) [Mention, O Muḥammad], when the wife of ʿImrān said, "My Lord, indeed I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated [for Your service], so accept this from me. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing."

(36) (36) But when she delivered her, she said, "My Lord, I have delivered a female." And Allāh was most knowing of what she delivered, and the male is not like the female. "And I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge for her in You and [for] her descendants from Satan, the expelled [from the mercy of Allāh]."

(37) (37) So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zechariah. Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, "O Mary, from where is this [coming] to you?" She said, "It is from Allāh. Indeed, Allāh provides for whom He wills without account."

(38) (38) At that, Zechariah called upon his Lord, saying, "My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication."

(39) (39) So the angels called him while he was standing in prayer in the chamber, "Indeed, Allāh gives you good tidings of John, confirming a word[123] from Allāh and [who will be] honorable, abstaining [from women], and a prophet from among the righteous."

[123]- Referring to the prophet Jesus (upon whom be peace) , who was conceived merely by a command from Allāh - the word "Be."

(40) (40) He said, "My Lord, how will I have a boy when I have reached old age and my wife is barren?" He [the angel] said, "Such is Allāh; He does what He wills."

(41) (41) He said, "My Lord, make for me a sign." He said, "Your sign is that you will not [be able to] speak to the people for three days except by gesture. And remember your Lord much and exalt [Him with praise] in the evening and the morning."

(42) (42) And [mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allāh has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.

(43) (43) O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer]."

(44) (44) That is from the news of the unseen which We reveal to you, [O Muḥammad]. And you were not with them when they cast their pens[124] as to which of them should be responsible for Mary. Nor were you with them when they disputed.

[124]- i.e., threw lots.

(45) (45) [And mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allāh gives you good tidings of a word[125] from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary - distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allāh].

[125]- See footnote to 3:39

(46) (46) He will speak to the people in the cradle and in maturity and will be of the righteous."

(47) (47) She said, "My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me?" [The angel] said, "Such is Allāh; He creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, 'Be,' and it is.

(48) (48) And He will teach him writing and wisdom[126] and the Torah and the Gospel

[126]- The teachings of the prophets.

(49) (49) And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [who will say], 'Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allāh. And I cure the blind [from birth] and the leper, and I give life to the dead - by permission of Allāh. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers.

(50) (50) And [I have come] confirming what was before me of the Torah and to make lawful for you some of what was forbidden to you. And I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear Allāh and obey me.

(51) (51) Indeed, Allāh is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path.'"

(52) (52) But when Jesus felt [persistence in] disbelief from them, he said, "Who are my supporters for [the cause of] Allāh?" The disciples said, "We are supporters for Allāh. We have believed in Allāh and testify that we are Muslims [submitting to Him].

(53) (53) Our Lord, we have believed in what You revealed and have followed the messenger [i.e., Jesus], so register us among the witnesses [to truth]."

(54) (54) And they [i.e., the disbelievers] planned, but Allāh planned. And Allāh is the best of planners.

(55) (55) [Mention] when Allāh said, "O Jesus, indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself and purify [i.e., free] you from those who disbelieve and make those who follow you [in submission to Allāh alone] superior to those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is your return, and I will judge between you concerning that in which you used to differ.

(56) (56) And as for those who disbelieved, I will punish them with a severe punishment in this world and the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers."

(57) (57) But as for those who believed and did righteous deeds, He will give them in full their rewards, and Allāh does not like the wrongdoers.

(58) (58) This is what We recite to you, [O Muḥammad], of [Our] verses and the precise [and wise] message [i.e., the Qur’ān].

(59) (59) Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allāh[127] is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, "Be," and he was.

[127]- i.e., regarding His creation of him.

(60) (60) The truth is from your Lord, so do not be among the doubters.

(61) (61) Then whoever argues with you about it after [this] knowledge has come to you - say, "Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves, then supplicate earnestly [together] and invoke the curse of Allāh upon the liars [among us]."

(62) (62) Indeed, this is the true narration. And there is no deity except Allāh. And indeed, Allāh is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

(63) (63) But if they turn away, then indeed - Allāh is Knowing of the corrupters.

(64) (64) Say, "O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you - that we will not worship except Allāh and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allāh."[128] But if they turn away, then say, "Bear witness that we are Muslims [submitting to Him]."

[128]- By obeying another in disobedience to Allāh.

(65) (65) O People of the Scripture, why do you argue about Abraham while the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed until after him? Then will you not reason?

(66) (66) Here you are - those who have argued about that of which you have [some] knowledge, but why do you argue about that of which you have no knowledge? And Allāh knows, while you know not.

(67) (67) Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim [submitting to Allāh]. And he was not of the polytheists.[129]

[129]- Those who associate others with Allāh.

(68) (68) Indeed, the most worthy of Abraham among the people are those who followed him [in submission to Allāh] and this prophet [i.e., Muḥammad (ﷺ)] and those who believe [in his message]. And Allāh is the Ally[130] of the believers.

[130]- Refer to footnote in verse 2:257.

(69) (69) A faction of the People of the Scripture wish they could mislead you. But they do not mislead except themselves, and they perceive [it] not.

(70) (70) O People of the Scripture, why do you disbelieve in the verses of Allāh[131] while you witness [to their truth]?

[131]- i.e., deliberately reject them.

(71) (71) O People of the Scripture, why do you mix [i.e., confuse] the truth with falsehood and conceal the truth while you know [it]?

(72) (72) And a faction of the People of the Scripture say [to each other], "Believe in that which was revealed to the believers at the beginning of the day and reject it at its end that perhaps they will return [i.e., abandon their religion],

(73) (73) And do not trust except those who follow your religion." Say, "Indeed, the [true] guidance is the guidance of Allāh. [Do you fear] lest someone be given [knowledge] like you were given or that they would [thereby] argue with you before your Lord?" Say, "Indeed, [all] bounty is in the hand[132] of Allāh - He grants it to whom He wills. And Allāh is all-Encompassing and Wise."

[132]- See footnote to 2:19

(74) (74) He selects for His mercy whom He wills. And Allāh is the possessor of great bounty.

(75) (75) And among the People of the Scripture is he who, if you entrust him with a great amount [of wealth], he will return it to you. And among them is he who, if you entrust him with a [single] coin, he will not return it to you unless you are constantly standing over him [demanding it]. That is because they say, "There is no blame upon us concerning the unlearned."[133] And they speak untruth about Allāh while they know [it].

[133]- The Jews do not consider it a sin to cheat or lie to a gentile or a pagan.

(76) (76) But yes, whoever fulfills his commitment and fears Allāh - then indeed, Allāh loves those who fear Him.

(77) (77) Indeed, those who exchange the covenant of Allāh and their [own] oaths for a small price will have no share in the Hereafter, and Allāh will not speak to them or look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them; and they will have a painful punishment.

(78) (78) And indeed, there is among them a party who alter the Scripture with their tongues so you may think it is from the Scripture, but it is not from the Scripture. And they say, "This is from Allāh," but it is not from Allāh. And they speak untruth about Allāh while they know.

(79) (79) It is not for a human [prophet][134] that Allāh should give him the Scripture[135] and authority and prophethood and then he would say to the people, "Be servants to me rather than Allāh," but [instead, he would say], "Be pious scholars of the Lord because of what you have taught of the Scripture and because of what you have studied."

[134]- Or any believer. [135]- Or in the case of Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ), "the Book" (i.e., the Qur’ān) .

(80) (80) Nor could he order you to take the angels and prophets as lords. Would he order you to disbelief after you had been Muslims?

(81) (81) And [recall, O People of the Scripture], when Allāh took the covenant of the prophets, [saying], "Whatever I give you of the Scripture and wisdom and then there comes to you a messenger confirming what is with you, you [must] believe in him and support him." [Allāh] said, "Have you acknowledged and taken upon that My commitment?"[136] They said, "We have acknowledged it." He said, "Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses."

[136]- i.e., Have you accepted this obligation?

(82) (82) And whoever turned away after that - they were the defiantly disobedient.

(83) (83) So is it other than the religion of Allāh they desire, while to Him have submitted [all] those within the heavens and earth, willingly or by compulsion, and to Him they will be returned?

(84) (84) Say, "We have believed in Allāh and in what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendants [al-Asbāṭ], and in what was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [submitting] to Him."

(85) (85) And whoever desires other than Islām as religion - never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.

(86) (86) How shall Allāh guide a people who disbelieved after their belief and had witnessed that the Messenger is true and clear signs had come to them? And Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people.

(87) (87) Those - their recompense will be that upon them is the curse of Allāh and the angels and the people, all together,

(88) (88) Abiding eternally therein. The punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be reprieved,

(89) (89) Except for those who repent after that[137] and correct themselves. For indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.

[137]- After their wrongdoing.

(90) (90) Indeed, those who disbelieve [i.e., reject the message] after their belief and then increase in disbelief - never will their [claimed] repentance be accepted, and they are the ones astray.

(91) (91) Indeed, those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers - never would the [whole] capacity of the earth in gold be accepted from one of them if he would [seek to] ransom himself with it. For those there will be a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers.

(92) (92) Never will you attain the good [reward][138] until you spend [in the way of Allāh] from that which you love. And whatever you spend - indeed, Allāh is Knowing of it.

[138]- Another meaning is "You will never attain righteousness."

(93) (93) All food was lawful to the Children of Israel except what Israel [i.e., Jacob] had made unlawful to himself before the Torah was revealed. Say, [O Muḥammad], "So bring the Torah and recite it, if you should be truthful."

(94) (94) And whoever invents about Allāh untruth after that - then those are [truly] the wrongdoers.

(95) (95) Say, "Allāh has told the truth. So follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of the polytheists."[139]

[139]- See footnote to 3:67

(96) (96) Indeed, the first House [of worship] established for mankind was that at Bakkah [i.e., Makkah] - blessed and a guidance for the worlds.

(97) (97) In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it [i.e., the Ḥaram] shall be safe. And [due] to Allāh from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves [i.e., refuses] - then indeed, Allāh is free from need of the worlds.[140]

[140]- He has no need for His servants' worship; it is they who are in need of Him.

(98) (98) Say, "O People of the Scripture, why do you disbelieve in the verses of Allāh while Allāh is Witness over what you do?"

(99) (99) Say, "O People of the Scripture, why do you avert from the way of Allāh those who believe, seeking to make it [seem] deviant, while you are witnesses [to the truth]? And Allāh is not unaware of what you do."

(100) (100) O you who have believed, if you obey a party of those who were given the Scripture, they would turn you back, after your belief, [to being] unbelievers.