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Popular and/or Featured Works
Muhammad Asad   
THEY WILL ASK thee about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: "In both there is great evil as well as some benefit for man; but the evil which they cause is greater than the benefit which they bring." And they will ask thee as to what they should spend [in God's cause]. Say: "Whatever you can spare." In this way God makes clear unto you His messages, so that you might reflec
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
They ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about intoxicants and gambling. Say, “There is great evil in both, as well as some benefit for people—but the evil outweighs the benefit.” They ˹also˺ ask you ˹O Prophet˺ what they should donate. Say, “Whatever you can spare.” This is how Allah makes His revelations clear to you ˹believers˺, so perhaps you may reflect
Safi Kaskas   
They ask you about intoxicants and gambling. Say, "There is great sin in them, and also some benefit for humankind. The sin is greater than the benefit." They ask you what they should contribute. Say, "Whatever you can possibly give." Thus God makes signs clear to you so that you might think about

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
۞ یَسۡءَلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡخَمۡرِ وَٱلۡمَیۡسِرِۖ قُلۡ فِیهِمَاۤ إِثۡمࣱ كَبِیرࣱ وَمَنَـٰفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثۡمُهُمَاۤ أَكۡبَرُ مِن نَّفۡعِهِمَاۗ وَیَسۡءَلُونَكَ مَاذَا یُنفِقُونَۖ قُلِ ٱلۡعَفۡوَۗ كَذَ ٰلِكَ یُبَیِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡءَایَـٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَفَكَّرُونَ ۝٢١٩
Transliteration (2021)   
yasalūnaka ʿani l-khamri wal-maysiri qul fīhimā ith'mun kabīrun wamanāfiʿu lilnnāsi wa-ith'muhumā akbaru min nafʿihimā wayasalūnaka mādhā yunfiqūna quli l-ʿafwa kadhālika yubayyinu l-lahu lakumu l-āyāti laʿallakum tatafakkarūn
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
They ask you about [the] intoxicants and [the] games of chance Say, "In both of them (is) a sin great, and (some) benefits for [the] people. But sin of both of them (is) greater than (the) benefit of (the) two." And they ask you what they (should) spend. Say, "The surplus." Thus makes clear Allah to you [the] Verses so that you may ponder,

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
THEY WILL ASK thee about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: "In both there is great evil as well as some benefit for man; but the evil which they cause is greater than the benefit which they bring." And they will ask thee as to what they should spend [in God's cause]. Say: "Whatever you can spare." In this way God makes clear unto you His messages, so that you might reflec
M. M. Pickthall   
They question thee about strong drink and games of chance. Say: In both is great sin, and (some) utility for men; but the sin of them is greater than their usefulness. And they ask thee what they ought to spend. Say: that which is superfluous. Thus Allah maketh plain to you (His) revelations, that haply ye may reflect
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: "In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit." They ask thee how much they are to spend; Say: "What is beyond your needs." Thus doth Allah Make clear to you His Signs: In order that ye may consider
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
They ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about intoxicants and gambling. Say, “There is great evil in both, as well as some benefit for people—but the evil outweighs the benefit.” They ˹also˺ ask you ˹O Prophet˺ what they should donate. Say, “Whatever you can spare.” This is how Allah makes His revelations clear to you ˹believers˺, so perhaps you may reflect
Safi Kaskas   
They ask you about intoxicants and gambling. Say, "There is great sin in them, and also some benefit for humankind. The sin is greater than the benefit." They ask you what they should contribute. Say, "Whatever you can possibly give." Thus God makes signs clear to you so that you might think about
Wahiduddin Khan   
They ask you [Prophet] about intoxicants and gambling. Say, There is great sin in both, although they have some benefit for people: but their harm is greater than their benefit. They ask you what they should spend [in God's cause]. Say, Whatever is surplus to your needs. Thus God makes His commandments clear to you so that you may reflec
Shakir   
They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: In both of them there is a great sin and means of profit for men, and their sin is greater than their profit. And they ask you as to what they should spend. Say: What you can spare. Thus does Allah make clear to you the communications, that you may ponde
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
They ask thee about intoxicants and gambling. Say: In both of them there is deplorable sin and profits for humanity. And their sin is more deplorable than what is profitable. And they ask thee how much they should spend. Say: The extra. Thus, God makes manifest His signs to you so that perhaps you will reflect
T.B.Irving   
They will ask you about liquor and gambling. SAY: In each of them there lies serious vice as well as some benefits for mankind. Yet their vice is greater than their usefulness." They may ask you what to spend. SAY: "As much as you can spare!" Thus God explains His signs to you so that you may meditate
Abdul Hye   
They ask you (Muhammad) about alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: “There is great evil in both and (some) benefits for mankind, but their evil is greater than their benefit.” They ask you how much they should spend. Say: "The surplus (beyond your needs)." Thus Allah makes clear to you His revelations so that you may think
The Study Quran   
They ask thee about wine and gambling. Say, “In them there is great sin and [some] benefits for mankind, but their sin is greater than their benefit.” They ask thee what they should spend. Say, “What can be spared.” Thus does God make clear unto you the signs, that haply you may reflec
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, “In both is great sin as well as some benefits for people. But their sin outweighs their benefits.” They ask you what they should spend. Say, “The excess.” Thus, God makes His verses clear to you, so that you may reflect.
Talal Itani (2012)   
They ask you about intoxicants and gambling. Say, 'There is gross sin in them, and some benefits for people, but their sinfulness outweighs their benefit.' And they ask you about what they should give: say, 'The surplus.' Thus God explains the revelations to you, so that you may think
Dr. Kamal Omar   
They ask you concerning Khamr and Maisir. Say: “In either of them is a great sin as well as benefits to men. But the sin in these two is greater than the benefits in these two.” And they ask you what would they spend (in the cause of Allah). Say: “What is very easy to spare.” Thus Allah explains you the statements in order that you may do research and thinhead of state —
M. Farook Malik   
They ask you about drinking and gambling. Tell them: "There is great sin in both, although they may have some benefit for men; but the sin is greater than the benefit." They ask you what they should spend; tell them: "Whatever you can." Thus Allah makes His revelations clear to you, so that you may reflect upo
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
They ask you concerning wine and games of chance. Say, "In (both) is great vice, and profits for mankind; and the vice in them is greater than the profit." And they ask you (concerning) what (things) they should expend. Say, "Liberality." (Or: clemency) Thus, Allah makes evident the signs to you, that possibly you would meditat
Muhammad Sarwar   
(Muhammad), they ask you about wine and gambling. Tell them that there is great sin in them. Although they have benefits for men, the sin therein is far greater than the benefit. They ask you about what they should give for the cause of God. Tell them, "Let it be what you can spare." This is how God explains for you His guidance so that perhaps you will thin
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, .In both there is great sin, and some benefits for people. And their sin is greater than their benefit. And they ask you as to what they should spend. Say, .The surplus. This is how Allah makes His verses clear to you, so that you may ponde
Shabbir Ahmed   
They ask you (O Messenger), concerning alcohol, intoxicants, gambling, and easy money. Say, "There is great loss for men and women in these things and a little momentary gain. Their damage far outweighs their benefit. They drag down individual and collective potentials of people." And they ask you what they should spend on others. Tell them, "All that is beyond your needs." Thus Allah makes plain to you His Revelations, that you may reflect and understand the Wisdom behind each Command
Dr. Munir Munshey   
They ask you about the alcoholic drinks and the games of chance (the gambling). Say, "Both of them carry a lot of sin, and (also) have a little benefit for mankind. But the sin (inherent) in them far exceeds their benefits. They ask you as to what they should spend (in the path of Allah)? Say, "Whatever you can spare!" Allah makes His commands clear to you. Perhaps you will reflect
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
They ask you (O Prophet) concerning drinking and gambling: Say: "In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; But the sin is greater than the profit." (And) they ask how much they are to spend (in charity), Say: "What is beyond your needs." Thus Allah makes clear to you His Signs: In order that you may think—
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, "In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit." And they ask you what they should spend. Say, "The excess [beyond needs]." Thus Allah makes clear to you the verses [of revelation] that you might give thought
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
They ask you about intoxicants and gambling. Say: "In them is great harm, and a benefit for mankind; but their harm is greater than their benefit." And they ask you how much are they to give, Say: "The excess." It is thus that God clarifies for you the revelations that you may think
Abdel Haleem   
They ask you [Prophet] about intoxicants and gambling: say, ‘There is great sin in both, and some benefit for people: the sin is greater than the benefit.’ They ask you what they should give: say, ‘Give what you can spare.’ In this way, God makes His messages clear to you, so that you may reflec
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
They ask thee of wine, and gambling. Say thou: in both is a great sin, and some benefits for men, but the sin of them is for greater than their benefit. And they ask thee, how much they should expend. Say thou: the redundant portion. In this wise Allah expoundeth unto you His commandments that haply ye may ponder
Ahmed Ali   
They ask you of (intoxicants,) wine and gambling. Tell them: "There is great enervation though profit in them for men; but their enervation is greater than benefit. And they ask you what they should give. Tell them: "The utmost you can spare." So does God reveal His signs: You may haply reflec
Aisha Bewley   
They will ask you about alcoholic drinks and gambling. Say, ´There is great wrong in both of them and also certain benefits for mankind. But the wrong in them is greater than the benefit.´ They will ask you what they should give away. Say, ´Whatever is surplus to your needs.´ In this way Allah makes the Signs clear to you, so that hopefully you will reflect
Ali Ünal   
They ask you about intoxicating drinks and games of chance. Say: "In both there is great evil, though some use for people, but their evil is greater than their usefulness." They also ask you what they should spend (in God’s cause and for the needy). Say: "What is left over (after you have spent on your dependents’ needs). Thus does God make clear to you His Revelations, that you may reflec
Ali Quli Qara'i   
They ask you concerning wine and gambling. Say, ‘There is a great sin in both of them, and some profits for the people, but their sinfulness outweighs their profit.’ And they ask you as to what they should spend. Say, ‘All that is surplus.’ Thus does Allah clarify His signs for you so that you may reflec
Hamid S. Aziz   
They will ask you about wine and el maisar (getting something too easily, i.e. gambling, usury etc.), say, "In them both is great sin and some profit to men; but the sin of both is greater than the profit of the same." They will ask you what they shall expend in alms: Say: "The surplus (what is beyond need)." Thus does Allah manifest to you His signs; per chance (or possibly) you may reflec
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
They ask you about wine (and alcoholic beverages) and gambling. Say: “There is great sin in both of them, and some benefits for people, but their sin is greater than their benefit.” They ask you what to spend, say: “What you can give away (and let go of).” This is how God makes the signs clear for you, so you may think
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
They ask you concerning intoxicants and gambling. Say, “In both of them is great harm and benefit for humanity, but the harm outweighs the benefit.” They ask you how much they are to give. Say, “That which is beyond your needs.” Indeed God makes clear to you His signs in order that you may contemplate
Musharraf Hussain   
They ask you about wine and gambling; say: “Both are major sins, there is a small benefit for people, but the sin in them by far outweighs any benefits”. They ask you what they should spend in charity, say: “Whatever you can spare”. This is how Allah explains His verses to you so that you may reflect,
Maududi   
They ask you about wine and games of chance. Say: “In both these there is great evil, even though there is some benefit for people, but their evil is greater than their benefit.” They ask: “What should we spend in the Way of Allah?” Say: “Whatever you can spare.” In this way Allah clearly expounds His injunctions to you that you may reflect upon them
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
They ask you about alcohol and gambling. Say: "In them is great harm, and a benefit for the people; but their harm is greater than their benefit." And they ask you how much they are to give, say: "The excess." It is thus that God clarifies for you the revelations that you may think
Mohammad Shafi   
They ask you about intoxicants and lottery. Say, "In them both, there is a great sin, and benefits, for mankind; and the sin therein is greater than the benefits thereof. And they ask you what is it that they should spend. Say that which is in excess of your needs. Thus does Allah explain to you the Verses/signs, so that you ponde

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
They ask you the precept of wine and gambling. Say you, 'in both there is great sin and also some worldly profit for the people but their sin is greater than their profit and ask you what they ought to spend, say you, 'that which is saved after your needs'. Thus, Allah explains to you His Signs so that you may do after reflecting,
Rashad Khalifa   
They ask you about intoxicants and gambling: say, "In them there is a gross sin, and some benefits for the people. But their sinfulness far outweighs their benefit." They also ask you what to give to charity: say, "The excess." GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you, that you may reflect,
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
They ask you about intoxicating drink and gambling. Say: 'There is great sin in both, although they have some benefit for people; but their sin is far greater than their benefit. ' They ask you what they should spend. Say: 'That which remains. ' So, Allah makes plain to you His verses, in order that you will reflec
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
They ask thee about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: In both of them is a great sin and (some) advantage for men, and their sin is greater than their advantage. And they ask thee as to what they should spend. Say: What you can spare. Thus does Allah make clear to you the messages that you may ponder
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
They ask/question you about the intoxicants/substances affecting the brain and the gambling , say: "In them (B) (is a) great sin/crime and benefits/uses to the people and their (B's) sin/crime (is) bigger/greater from (than) their (B's) benefit/use, and they ask/question you what they (should) spend, say: "The excess over expense/goodness ." Like that God clarifies for you the signs/verses/evidences, maybe you think
Bijan Moeinian   
People ask you about drinking and gambling. Say: “There are some benefits and harms in them. Their harms, however, outweighs the benefits.” They also ask you how much they should contribute to the charity. Say: “Anything above your needs.” See how clearly God makes His points so that you may contemplate upon this life and Hereafter
Faridul Haque   
They ask you the decree regarding wine (intoxicants) and gambling; say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - peace and blessings be upon him), "In both is great sin, and some worldly benefit for men - but their sin is greater than their benefit"; and they ask you what they should spend; say, "That which remains spare (surplus)"; this is how Allah explains His verses to you, so that you may think
Sher Ali   
They ask thee concerning wine and games of chance. Say `In both there is great sin and harm and also some advantages for men, but their sin and harm are greater than their advantage,' And they ask thee what they should spend. Say, `Spend what you can spare.' Thus does ALLAH makes HIS commandments clear to you that you may reflec
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
They ask you about alcohol (i.e., intoxicants) and gambling. Say: ‘Major sin lies in both of them and also some (worldly) profit for the people, but their sin is greater than their profit.’ And they also ask you about what they should spend. Say: ‘(Spend) whatever is surplus to your needs.’ Thus does Allah make His commandments clear to you so that you may meditate
Amatul Rahman Omar   
They ask you concerning intoxicants and games of chance. Say, `In both of them is a great sin and both are harmful too, and they have some uses for people, but the sin inherent in them is even more serious than their usefulness.' They ask you how much they should spend. Say, `The surplus (- what you can spare after spending on your basic requirement).' Thus does Allah make clear His commandments so that you may reflect
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
They ask you (O Muhammad SAW) concerning alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: "In them is a great sin, and (some) benefit for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit." And they ask you what they ought to spend. Say: "That which is beyond your needs." Thus Allah makes clear to you His Laws in order that you may give thought."

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
They will question thee concerning wine, and arrow-shuffling. Say: 'In both is heinous sin; and uses for men, but the sin in them is more heinous than the usefulness.' They will question thee concerning what they should expend. Say: 'The abundance.' So God makes clear His signs to you; haply you will reflect
George Sale   
They will ask thee concerning wine and lots: Answer, in both there is great sin, and also some things of use unto men; but their sinfulness is greater than their use. They will ask thee also what they shall bestow in alms: Answer, what ye have to spare. Thus God sheweth his signs unto you, that peradventure ye might seriously thin
Edward Henry Palmer   
They will ask thee about wine and el maisar, say, 'In them both is sin and profit to men; but the sin of both is greater than the profit of the same.' They will ask thee what they shall expend in alms: say, 'The surplus.' Thus does God manifest to you His signs; haply ye may reflect on this world and the next
John Medows Rodwell   
They will ask thee concerning wine and games of chance. SAY: In both is great sin, and advantage also, to men; but their sin is greater than their advantage. They will ask thee also what they shall bestow in alms: SAY: What ye can spare. Thus God sheweth you his signs that ye may ponde
N J Dawood (2014)   
They ask you about drinking and gambling. Say: ‘There is great harm in both, although they have some benefits for the people; but their harm is far greater than their benefit.‘ They ask you what they should give in alms. Say: ‘What you can spare.‘ Thus God makes plain to you His revelations so that you may reflect

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
They ask you [O Muhammad] about wine and gambling. Say, “In both of them there is a great sin and some benefits to the mankind but their sin is greater than their benefit” and they ask you what they should spend. Say, “The pardon.” Thus Allah makes the signs clear to you so that perhaps you may reflect
Munir Mezyed   
They ask you about strong drink and gambling. Say: ‘In both of them there is great sin, as well as (some) benefits for the people. However, their sin is greater than their benefit". They ask you how much they should spend. Say: ‘Whatever you can spare.’ This is how Allâh shows you clearly His Signs so that you may think deeply
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
They ask you about narcotic drugs and gambling; say: in them is great sin but also some benefit for people, and their sin is greater than their benefit. And they ask you what they should spend; say: what is spare. This is how Allah explains the signs for you to consider.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
They ask you about intoxicants [eg, drugs, alcohol] and gambling. Say, “There are some sin in them and some benefit, but the sin is greater than the benefit.” They ask you how much to give [in charity]. Say, “As much as you can spare.” These are [examples of] how Allah clarifies His signs so you may consider…
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
They ask yousg about wine and gambling. Say, “There is grave sin in them and some benefits for people, but the sin in them is greater than their benefit.” And they ask you about what they should spend. Say, “The surplus.” Thus Allah makes the sign evident to youpl, that you may reflect
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
They will ask you about liquor and gambling. SAY: In each of them there lies serious vice as well as some benefits for mankind. Yet their vice is greater than their usefulness." They may ask you what to spend. SAY: "As much as you can spare!" Thus Allah (God) explains His signs to you so that you may meditate
Samy Mahdy   
They ask you about the intoxicants and the gambling. Say, “There is a big sin in them, and benefits for the people, and their sinfulness is bigger than their benefits.” And they ask you about what they should spend: say, “The excess [beyond needs].” Thus, Allah demonstrated for you the verses, perhaps you may be thinking.
Ahmed Hulusi   
They ask you about intoxicants and gambling. Say, “In both of them there is great harm and some benefit for people, but their harm is greater than their benefit.” They ask you about how much they should spend in Allah’s way, say, “Spend whatever is surplus to your needs!” Thus Allah gives you clear signs so that you may reflect upon them (their reasons).
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
They ask you concerning wine and gambling. Say: 'There is a great sin in both of them, and (some) profits for people; but their sin is greater than their profit'. They ask you as to what they should spend. Say: 'Whatsoever can be spared'. Thus does Allah make the Signs clear to you, in order that you may ponder
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
They ask you, O Muhammad, about intoxicants and gambling. Say to them: "They both involve a major sin as well as some advantages, but their evil outweighs their advantages." And they ask you how to spend in benevolence! Say to them: "Spend in benevolence and benefaction of what you can spare in excess of your actual requirements." Thus, Allah elucidates to you people His revelations and ordinances that you may hopefully consider the consequences
Mir Aneesuddin   
They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance, say, "In both is great sin and profit for human beings, but the sin in both, is greater than the profit in both." And they ask you what they should spend, say, "The surplus." Thus Allah makes clear for you the signs that you may reflect,

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: "In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit." They ask thee how much they are to spend; Say: "What is beyond your needs." Thus doth God Make clear to you His Signs: In order that ye may consider
OLD Literal Word for Word   
They ask you about [the] intoxicants and [the] games of chance Say, "In both of them (is) a sin great, and (some) benefits for [the] people. But sin of both of them (is) greater than (the) benefit of (the) two." And they ask you what they (should) spend. Say, "The surplus." Thus makes clear Allah to you [the] Verses so that you may ponder
OLD Transliteration   
Yas-aloonaka AAani alkhamri waalmaysiri qul feehima ithmun kabeerun wamanafiAAu lilnnasi wa-ithmuhuma akbaru min nafAAihima wayas-aloonaka matha yunfiqoona quli alAAafwa kathalika yubayyinu Allahu lakumu al-ayati laAAallakum tatafakkaroona