←Prev   Ayah an-Nisa` (Women) 4:77   Next→ 

Popular and/or Featured Works
Muhammad Asad   
ART THOU NOT aware of those who have been told, "Curb your hands, and be constant in prayer, and render the purifying dues"? But as soon as fighting [in God's cause] is ordained for them, lo, some of them stand in awe of men as one should stand in awe of God - or in even greater awe - and say, "O our Sustainer! Why hast Thou ordained fighting for us? If only Thou hadst granted us a delay for a little while!" Say: "Brief is the enjoyment of this world, whereas the life to come is the best for all who are conscious of God - since none of you shall be wronged by as much as a hair's breadth
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
Have you ˹O Prophet˺ not seen those who had been told, “Do not fight! Rather, establish prayer and pay alms-tax.”? Then once the order came to fight, a group of them feared those ˹hostile˺ people as Allah should be feared—or even more. They said, “Our Lord! Why have You ordered us to fight? If only You had delayed ˹the order for˺ us for a little while!” Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “The enjoyment of this world is so little, whereas the Hereafter is far better for those mindful ˹of Allah˺. And none of you will be wronged ˹even by the width of˺ the thread of a date stone.
Safi Kaskas   
[Prophet], are you not aware of those who have been told, "Refrain from fighting, perform prayer, and pay the purifying alms?" However, as soon as the fighting is ordained for them, some of them feared men even more than they feared God, saying, "Lord, why have You ordained fighting for us? If only You would give us just a little more time?" Say to them, "The enjoyment of this world is brief, whereas the life to come is far better for those who are mindful of God. You will not be wronged, not even a little bit.

Listen: 
Did you notice?

 You can SEARCH IslamAwakened: 

Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِینَ قِیلَ لَهُمۡ كُفُّوۤا۟ أَیۡدِیَكُمۡ وَأَقِیمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَیۡهِمُ ٱلۡقِتَالُ إِذَا فَرِیقࣱ مِّنۡهُمۡ یَخۡشَوۡنَ ٱلنَّاسَ كَخَشۡیَةِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡ أَشَدَّ خَشۡیَةࣰۚ وَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا لِمَ كَتَبۡتَ عَلَیۡنَا ٱلۡقِتَالَ لَوۡلَاۤ أَخَّرۡتَنَاۤ إِلَىٰۤ أَجَلࣲ قَرِیبࣲۗ قُلۡ مَتَـٰعُ ٱلدُّنۡیَا قَلِیلࣱ وَٱلۡءَاخِرَةُ خَیۡرࣱ لِّمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰ وَلَا تُظۡلَمُونَ فَتِیلًا ۝٧٧
Transliteration (2021)   
alam tara ilā alladhīna qīla lahum kuffū aydiyakum wa-aqīmū l-ṣalata waātū l-zakata falammā kutiba ʿalayhimu l-qitālu idhā farīqun min'hum yakhshawna l-nāsa kakhashyati l-lahi aw ashadda khashyatan waqālū rabbanā lima katabta ʿalaynā l-qitāla lawlā akhartanā ilā ajalin qarībin qul matāʿu l-dun'yā qalīlun wal-ākhiratu khayrun limani ittaqā walā tuẓ'lamūna fatīla
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
Have not you seen [towards] those who (when) it was said to them, "Restrain your hands and establish the prayer and give the zakah?" Then when was ordained on them the fighting, then a group of them [they] fear the people as (they) fear Allah or more intense fear, and they said, "Our Lord why have You ordained upon us [the] fighting? Why not You postpone (it for) us to a term, near." Say, "Enjoyment (of) the world (is) little and the Hereafter (is) better for whoever fears (Allah) and not you will be wronged (even as much as) a hair on a date-seed."

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
ART THOU NOT aware of those who have been told, "Curb your hands, and be constant in prayer, and render the purifying dues"? But as soon as fighting [in God's cause] is ordained for them, lo, some of them stand in awe of men as one should stand in awe of God - or in even greater awe - and say, "O our Sustainer! Why hast Thou ordained fighting for us? If only Thou hadst granted us a delay for a little while!" Say: "Brief is the enjoyment of this world, whereas the life to come is the best for all who are conscious of God - since none of you shall be wronged by as much as a hair's breadth
M. M. Pickthall   
Hast thou not seen those unto whom it was said: Withhold your hands, establish worship and pay the poordue, but when fighting was prescribed for them behold! a party of them fear mankind even as their fear of Allah or with greater fear, and say: Our Lord! Why hast Thou ordained fighting for us? If only Thou wouldst give us respite yet a while! Say (unto them, O Muhammad): The comfort of this world is scant; the Hereafter will be better for him who wardeth off (evil); and ye will not be wronged the down upon a date-stone
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
Hast thou not turned Thy vision to those who were told to hold back their hands (from fight) but establish regular prayers and spend in regular charity? When (at length) the order for fighting was issued to them, behold! a section of them feared men as - or even more than - they should have feared Allah: They said: "Our Lord! Why hast Thou ordered us to fight? Wouldst Thou not Grant us respite to our (natural) term, near (enough)?" Say: "Short is the enjoyment of this world: the Hereafter is the best for those who do right: Never will ye be dealt with unjustly in the very least
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
Have you ˹O Prophet˺ not seen those who had been told, “Do not fight! Rather, establish prayer and pay alms-tax.”? Then once the order came to fight, a group of them feared those ˹hostile˺ people as Allah should be feared—or even more. They said, “Our Lord! Why have You ordered us to fight? If only You had delayed ˹the order for˺ us for a little while!” Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “The enjoyment of this world is so little, whereas the Hereafter is far better for those mindful ˹of Allah˺. And none of you will be wronged ˹even by the width of˺ the thread of a date stone.
Safi Kaskas   
[Prophet], are you not aware of those who have been told, "Refrain from fighting, perform prayer, and pay the purifying alms?" However, as soon as the fighting is ordained for them, some of them feared men even more than they feared God, saying, "Lord, why have You ordained fighting for us? If only You would give us just a little more time?" Say to them, "The enjoyment of this world is brief, whereas the life to come is far better for those who are mindful of God. You will not be wronged, not even a little bit.
Wahiduddin Khan   
Have you not seen those to whom it was said, Restrain your hands, say your prayers and pay the prescribed alms? And when they have been ordered to fight, some of them have felt afraid of human beings just as they should be afraid of God, or they are even more afraid. They say, Our Lord, why have You ordered us to fight? If You would only postpone it for a little while longer! Say, The benefits of this world are negligible and the Hereafter will be better for one who fears God; and you shall not be wronged in the slightest
Shakir   
Have you not seen those to whom it was said: Withhold your hands, and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate; but when fighting is prescribed for them, lo! a party of them fear men as they ought to have feared Allah, or (even) with a greater fear, and say: Our Lord! why hast Thou ordained fighting for us? Wherefore didst Thou not grant us a delay to a near end? Say: The provision of this world is short, and the hereafter is better for him who guards (against evil); and you shall not be wronged the husk of a date stone
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
Hast thou not considered those who when it was said to them: Limit your hands from warfare and perform the formal prayer and give the purifying alms? Then, when fighting was prescribed for them, there was a group of people among them who dread humanity, even dreading God or with a more severe dreading, and they said: Our Lord! Why hadst Thou prescribed fighting for us? Why hadst Thou not postponed it for another near term for us? Say: The enjoyment of the present is little and the world to come is better. For whomever was Godfearing, you will not be wronged in the least.
T.B.Irving   
Have you not watched those who have been told: "Restrain your hands, keep up prayer and pay the welfare tax"? Yet whenever any fighting is prescribed for them, then a group of them feel afraid of people just as they should be afraid of God, or they are even more afraid. They say: "Our Lord, why have You prescribed fighting for us? If You would only postpone it for a little while longer!" * SAY: "Worldly enjoyment means little while the Hereafter is better for anyone who does his duty. You will not be wronged a bit.
Abdul Hye   
Have you not seen those when it was said to them to hold back their hands (from fighting) and establish the prayer, and pay obligatory charity? Now, when the fighting is enjoined upon them, then a group of them fear people as they should have feared Allah or even greater fear, and say: “Our Lord! Why have You ordained on us the fighting? Why did not You defer it for us for another (short) period?" Say (to them): “Enjoyment of this world is short.” The Hereafter is better for whoever fears Allah, and you shall not be (treated unjustly) in the least (even equal to the thread of a date-stone).
The Study Quran   
Hast thou not seen those unto whom it was said, “Restrain your hands, and perform the prayer, and give the alms.” But when fighting was prescribed for them, behold, a party of them feared men, even as they should have feared God, or with greater fear, and they said, “Our Lord! Why hast Thou prescribed fighting for us? If only Thou wouldst grant us reprieve for a term nigh.” Say, “Scant is the enjoyment of this world, and the Hereafter is better for those who are reverent, and you shall not be wronged so much as the thread of a date stone.
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
Didn’t you see those who were told, “Hold back your hands, establish prayer, and give in charity”? Yet, when fighting was prescribed for them, a group among them feared people as they should fear God, or even more so. They said, “Our Lord, why did You decree fighting upon us? Couldn’t You have postponed it for us for a little while?” Say, “The enjoyment of this world is fleeting, but the Hereafter is better for the righteous, and you won’t be wronged in the slightest.”
Talal Itani (2012)   
Have you not considered those who were told, 'Restrain your hands, and perform your prayers, and spend in regular charity'? But when fighting was ordained for them, a faction of them feared the people as God is ought to be feared, or even more. And they said, 'Our Lord, why did You ordain fighting for us? If only You would postpone it for us for a short while.' Say, 'The enjoyments of this life are brief, but the Hereafter is better for the righteous, and you will not be wronged one bit.'
Dr. Kamal Omar   
Have you not seen towards those who were told: ‘Hold back your hands (and do not start military expeditions at this stage) and establish Salat and pay up Zakat.‘ So when Qital was ordained for them, behold! A section of them fear men as (should be) the fear regarding Allah or (even) a greater fear. And they said: “Our Nourisher-Sustainer! Why have you ordained upon us Al-Qital? Why didn’t you grant us respite (at least) for a short while?” Tell (Them): “The Benefit and enjoyment from this world is insignificant while the Hereafter is better for that who obeyed (Allah). And you shall not be subjected to injustice even to the extent of a Fatila (a scalish thread in the long slit of a date-stone)
M. Farook Malik   
Have you not seen those who were told to restrain their hands from fighting, establish Salah (regular prayers) and pay Zakah (regular charity). Now when at length they are commanded to fight, lo! A group of them fear people as they should have feared Allah, or even more than that, and say: "Our Lord! Why have You ordered us to fight? Could you delay its implementation for a while?" Tell them: "The enjoyment of this worldly life is short, life of the hereafter is much better for those who fear Allah, and rest assured that you will not be wronged equal to the fiber of a date-stone
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
Have you not regarded the ones to whom it was said, "Restrain your hands and keep up prayer and bring the Zakat?" (i.e., pay the poor-dues) Then, as soon as fighting was prescribed for them, behold, a group of them are apprehensive of the multitude (Literally: mankind) as they would have apprehension of Allah, or with stronger apprehension; and they said, "Our Lord, why have You prescribed fighting for us? Had You (only) deferred us to a near term!" Say, "The enjoyment of the present (life) (Literally: the lowly "life; i.e., the life of this world) is little, and the Hereafter is most charitable for him who is pious, and you will not be done an injustice even as (much as) a single date-plaiting (i.e., not even a little)
Muhammad Sarwar   
Have you not seen those who were told to stop fighting, to say their prayers, and pay the religious tax? When they were ordered to fight, some of them feared other men as much as or more than they feared God and so they said, "Lord, why have you ordered us to fight? If only you would give us a little time." (Muhammad), tell them, "The pleasures of the worldly life are trivial. The life hereafter is best for the pious ones. You will not be treated the slightest bit unjustly
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
Have you not seen those to whom it was said, .Hold your hands (from fighting) and be steadfast in Salah and pay Zakah. However, when fighting is enjoined upon them, then surprisingly, a group from them starts fearing people, as one would fear Allah, or fearing even more. They say, .Our Lord, why have you enjoined fighting upon us? Would you have not spared us for a little more time?. Say, .The enjoyment of the world is but a little, and the Hereafter is far better for the one who fears Allah, and you shall not be wronged, even to the measure of a fiber
Shabbir Ahmed   
Have you seen those who have been told, "Curb your hands, and establish the Divine System and set up the just Economic Order?" But as soon as the Command came to fight, some of them feared men as they should have feared Allah, or even more. They say, "Our Lord! Why have You ordained fighting for us? If only You had granted us a little more delay!" Say, "Brief is the enjoyment of this world, whereas the life to come is the best for those who walk aright. None of you shall be wronged a hair's breadth."
Dr. Munir Munshey   
Aren´t you aware of those who were told to restrain their hands _ (keep from fighting), to establish ´salat´, and to pay the ´zakat´? (Later) when fighting was enjoined upon them, some of them have begun to fear people like they should fear Allah. In fact, (their fear of people is) even more than (their) fear of Allah. They say, "Our lord! Why did You enjoin fighting upon us? Why did You not give us a respite for a little while longer?" Say, "Brief are the comforts of this life! The life-to-come is better indeed for those who do their duty! You will not be wronged at all _ not even worth a fibril upon a date-stone."
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
Have you not looked at those who were told to hold back their hands (from fight) but establish regular prayers and spend in regular Charity? When (at last) the order to fight was issued to them, look! A section of them feared men as— Or even more than— They would have feared Allah: They said: "Our Lord! Why have You ordered us to fight? Would You not grant us the delay (of death) to our (natural) term, near (enough)?"— Say: "Short is the enjoyment of this world: The Hereafter is the best for those who do right: Never will you be dealt with unjustly in the very least
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
Have you not seen those who were told, "Restrain your hands [from fighting] and establish prayer and give zakah"? But then when fighting was ordained for them, at once a party of them feared men as they fear Allah or with [even] greater fear. They said, "Our Lord, why have You decreed upon us fighting? If only You had postponed [it for] us for a short time." Say, The enjoyment of this world is little, and the Hereafter is better for he who fears Allah . And injustice will not be done to you, [even] as much as a thread [inside a date seed]."
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
Did you not see those who were told: "Restrain yourselves, and hold the contact-method, and contribute towards betterment." But when fighting was decreed for them, a group of them feared the people as much as they feared God or even more so. And they said: "Our Lord, why did You decree fighting for us If only You would delay for us till another time." Say: "The enjoyment of this world is little, and the Hereafter is far better for those who are aware; you will not be wronged in the least."
Abdel Haleem   
[Prophet], do you not see those who were told, ‘Restrain yourselves from fighting, perform the prayer, and pay the prescribed alms’? When fighting was ordained for them, some of them feared men as much as, or even more than, they feared God, saying, ‘Lord, why have You ordained fighting for us? If only You would give us just a little more time.’ Say to them, ‘Little is the enjoyment in this world, the Hereafter is far better for those who are mindful of God: you will not be wronged by as much as the fibre in a date stone
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
Hast thou not observed those unto whom it was said; . withhold your hands, and establish prayer and give the poor-rate; but when thereafter fighting was prescribed unto them, lo! there is a party of them dreading men as with the dread of Allah, or with greater dread; and they say: our Lord! why hast Thou prescribed unto us fighting! Wouldst that Thou hadst let us tarry a term nearby! Say thou: the enjoyment of the world is little, and the Hereafter is better for him who feareth God; and ye shall not be wronged a whit
Ahmed Ali   
Have you not seen the people who were told: "Hold back your hands (from attacking), observe your devotional obligations and pay the zakat?" But when they were commanded to fight, behold, a section among them were filled with fear of men as though it were the fear of God and even more, and said: "O Lord, why did you make war compulsory for us? Why did you not allow us to live a little more?" Say to them: "How short-lived is the commerce of this world; but that of the next is best for those who fear God; and you will not be wronged the breadth of a thread."
Aisha Bewley   
Do you not see those who were told: ´Hold back from fighting but establish salat and pay zakat´? Then when fighting is prescribed for them, a group of them fear people as Allah should be feared, or even more than that. They say, ´Our Lord, why have you prescribed fighting for us? If only You would give us just a little more time!´ Say, ´The enjoyment of this world is very brief. The Next World is better for those who have taqwa. You will not be wronged by so much as the smallest speck.´
Ali Ünal   
Do you not consider those who were told, "Restrain your hands (from war and similar endeavor), and do the Prayer in conformity with all its conditions, and pay the Prescribed Purifying Alms (at which time they insistently asked you when they would be allowed to fight). But as the time has come and fighting has been ordained for them, a party among them fear people as one should fear God, or with even greater fear, and say: "O Lord! Why have you ordained fighting for us? If only You had granted us a little more respite!" Say (to them, O Messenger): "The enjoyment of the world is short-lived, whereas the Hereafter is the best for him who keeps from disobedience to God in reverence for Him and piety, and you will not be wronged by so much as a tiny hair."
Ali Quli Qara'i   
Have you not regarded those who were told, ‘Keep your hands off [from warfare], and maintain the prayer, and give the zakat’? But when fighting was prescribed for them, behold, a part of them were afraid of people as if fearing Allah, or were even more afraid, and they said, ‘Our Lord! Why did You prescribe fighting for us? Why did You not respite us for a short time?!’ Say, ‘The enjoyment of this world is little and the Hereafter is better for the Godwary, and you will not be wronged so much as a single date-thread
Hamid S. Aziz   
Do you not see those to whom it is said, "Restrain your hands, but be steadfast in prayer and give alms (do charity);" and when it is prescribed for them to fight then, behold, a section of them fear men, with the fear justly due to Allah, or w
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
Have you not seen those who were told: “Withhold your hands (and do not fight) and perform mandatory prayer and give to mandatory charity,” but when fighting was prescribed for them, a group of them feared men as they feared God or even feared more and said: “Our Lord, why did you prescribe fighting for us, why did you not postpone it for a short while?” Say: “Enjoyment of this world is small and the Hereafter is best for anyone who is cautious (of God), and you will not be wronged a bit.”
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
Have you not turned your vision to those told to hold back their hands, but to instead establish prayer and pay their zakat? When the order for fighting was issued to them, behold, a section of them feared people as, or even more than, they should have feared God. They said, “Our Lord, why have you ordered us to fight? Will you not grant us respite to our natural term?” Say, “Short is the enjoyment of the present. The hereafter is best for those who do right. And never will you be dealt with unjustly in the least
Musharraf Hussain   
Haven’t you seen those who were told: “Hold back your hands from wrongdoing, and instead perform the prayer and pay zakat”? Since fighting was prescribed for them, a group of them fears men as they fear Allah, or even more. They say, “Our Lord, why have You prescribed fighting for us? Couldn’t You have delayed it for a while?” Say: “The delights of this world are little, while the Hereafter is far better for the mindful, you will not be treated unjustly in the slightest.
Maududi   
Have you not seen those who were told: ´Restrain you hands, and establish the Prayer, and pay the Zakah´? But when fighting was enjoined upon them some of them feared men as one should fear Allah, or even more, and said: ´Our Lord, why have You ordained fighting for us? Why did You not grant us a little more respite?´ Say to them: ´There is little enjoyment in this world. The World to Come is much better for the God-fearing. And you shall not be wronged even to the extent of the husk of a date-stone
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
Did you not see those who were told: "Cease your aggression, and hold the contact prayer, and contribute towards purification." But when fighting was decreed for them, a group of them were concerned towards the people as they would have been concerned towards God or even more so. And they said: "Our Lord, why did You decree fighting for us? If only You would delay for us until another time." Say: "The enjoyment of this world is little, and the Hereafter is far better for those who are aware; you will not be wronged in the least."
Mohammad Shafi   
Do you see these people who were asked to wit old their hands and to establish the prayer and pay the zakaat (poor due)? Then, when fighting was ordained for them, a section of these very people started fearing men, as they should fear Allah, or even more! And they said, "O Lord! Why have you ordained fighting for us? Had you but given us a little more time!" Say, "Short is the enjoyment of this world. And the other world is better for him who fears Allah. And you shall not be wronged, even a bit."

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
Have you not observed those to whom it was said 'restrain your hands, and establish prayer and pay the specified charity (Zakat), then when fighting was made obligatory on them, then some of them began to fear people as they should fear Allah or even more than that, And said they 'O our Lord! Why have you prescribed fighting on us, You, would have allowed us to live for a short period'. Say you 'the enjoyment of the world is little and the Hereafter is better for the god fear, and you shall not be wronged a single thread (a least).
Rashad Khalifa   
Have you noted those who were told, "You do not have to fight; all you need to do is observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat)," then, when fighting was decreed for them, they feared the people as much as they feared GOD, or even more? They said, "Our Lord, why did You force this fighting on us? If only You respite us for awhile!" Say, "The materials of this world are nil, while the Hereafter is far better for the righteous, and you never suffer the slightest injustice."
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
Have you not seen those to whom it has been said: 'Restrain your hands, establish your prayers and pay the obligatory charity. ' Then, as soon as fighting is written for them, there is a party of them fearing people as they would fear Allah, or with stronger fear. And they say: 'Our Lord, why have You written fighting for us, why not postpone us to a near term? ' Say: 'The pleasure of this life is little. The Everlasting Life is better for the cautious. You shall not be wronged a single tissue (of the fine skin that covers a date stone)
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
Has thou not seen those to whom it was said: Withhold your hands, and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate. But when fighting is prescribed for them, lo! a party of them fear men as they ought to fear Allah, or with a greater fear, and say: Our Lord, why has Thou ordained fighting for us? Wouldst Thou not grant us respite to a near term? Say: The enjoyment of this world is short, and the Hereafter is better for him who keeps his duty. And you shall not be wronged a whit
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
Did you not see to those who were said to them: "Prevent/stop your hands and keep up the prayers, and give the charity." So when the fighting/killing was written/decreed on them, then a group from them fear the people, as God's fear, or stronger fear, and they said: "Our Lord, for what (did) You write/decree on us the fighting/killing, if only You delayed us to (a) near term/time." Say: "The present world's enjoyment (is) little, and the end (other life) (is) best to who feared and obeyed, and you do (will) not be caused injustice to/oppressed (as little as) a cleft in a seed ."
Bijan Moeinian   
Remember how in the past you were not allowed to fight back and were ordered just to worship God and engage in charitable actions. As soon as you were permitted to defend yourselves, some feared mankind more than God and complained to their Lord saying: “Why have you put this burden of fighting [and being killed] upon us? Could you not give us a break?” Say: “This world is too short compared to Hereafter. Besides, God will never treat the righteous ones with the least injustice [and will reward you generously if you become a martyr in the battle field.]
Faridul Haque   
Did you not see those to whom it was said, "Restrain your hands, keep the prayer established and pay the charity"; but when fighting was ordained for them, some of them started fearing people, the way they feared Allah - or even greater! And they said, "Our Lord! Why have You ordained fighting for us? If only You would have let us live some more!" Say (O dear Prophet Mohammed - peace and blessings be upon him), "The usage of this world is meagre; and the Hereafter is better for the pious; and you will not be wronged even (the weight of) a single thread."
Sher Ali   
Hast thou not seen those to whom it was said: `Restrain your hands, observe Prayer, and pay the Zakat.' And when fighting is prescribed for them, behold a section of them fear men as they should fear ALLAH, or with still greater fear; and they say `Our Lord, why hast thou prescribed fighting for us? Wouldst Thou not grant us respite yet a while?' Say, `The benefit of this world is little and the Hereafter will be better for him who fears ALLAH; and you shall not be wronged a whit.
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
Have you not observed the state of those who were instructed: ‘Restrain your hands (even from defensive fighting), and establish Prayer and pay Zakat (the Alms-due) regularly’? (So they were happy with it.) But when the armed struggle (against tyranny and aggression) was prescribed for them, a section of them started fearing (hostile) people the way one fears Allah or even more. And they said: ‘O our Lord! Why have You enjoined fighting upon us (so soon)? Why have You not given us respite for another short period?’ Say (to them): ‘Worldly interest is minor (i.e., immaterial) whilst the Hereafter is an extremely valuable (blessing) for the one who becomes Godwary and pious. There, you shall not be treated unjustly even equal to a thread.
Amatul Rahman Omar   
Have you not considered those to whom it was said, `Withhold your hands (from fighting) and keep up Prayer and go on presenting Zakat?' But now when fighting has been made binding upon them, a section of them (- the hypocrites) begin to fear the people as they should fear Allah or with a still stronger fear and they say, `Our Lord! why have You made fighting binding upon us? Would You not defer us to a near term (and grant us a little respite).' Say, `The enjoyment of this world is short (and negligible its pleasures) and the Hereafter is better for him who guards against evil and keeps his duty to Allah, and you shall not be done injustice to, not even a whit.
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
Have you not seen those who were told to hold back their hands (from fighting) and perform As-Salat (IqamatasSalat), and give Zakat, but when the fighting was ordained for them, behold! a section of them fear men as they fear Allah or even more. They say: "Our Lord! Why have you ordained for us fighting? Would that you had granted us respite for a short period?" Say: "Short is the enjoyment of this world. The Hereafter is (far) better for him who fears Allah, and you shall not be dealt with unjustly even equal to the Fatila (a scalish thread in the long slit of a datestone)

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
Hast thou not regarded those to whom it was said, 'Restrain your hands, and perform the prayer, and pay the alms'? Then, as soon as fighting is prescribed for them, there is a party of them fearing the people as they would fear God, or with a greater fear, and they say, 'Our Lord, why hast thou prescribed fighting for us? Why not defer us to a near term?' Say: 'The enjoyment of this world is little; the world to come is better for him who fears God; you shall not be wronged a single date-thread.
George Sale   
Hast thou not observed those unto whom it was said, withhold your hands from war, and be constant at prayers, and pay the legal alms? But when war is commanded them, behold, a part of them fear men as they should fear God, or with a greater fear, and say, O Lord, wherefore hast thou commanded us to go to war, and hast not suffered us to wait our approaching end? Say unto them, The provision of this life is but small; but the future shall be better for him who feareth God; and ye shall not be in the least injured at the day of judgment
Edward Henry Palmer   
Do ye not see those to whom it is said, 'Restrain your hands, and be steadfast in prayer and give alms;' and when it is prescribed for them to fight then a band of them fear men, as though it were the fear of God or a still stronger fear, and they say, 'O our Lord! why hast thou prescribed for us to fight, couldst thou not let us abide till our near appointed time?' Say, 'The enjoyment of this world is but slight, and the next is better for him who fears:- but they shall not be wronged a straw
John Medows Rodwell   
Hast thou not marked those to whom it was said, "Withhold your hands awhile from war; and observe prayer, and pay the stated alms." But when war is commanded them, lo! a portion of them fear men as with the fear of God, or with a yet greater fear, and say: "O our Lord! why hast thou commanded us war? Couldst thou not have given us respite till our not distant end?" SAY: Small the fruition of this world; but the next life is the true good for him who feareth God! and ye shall not be wronged so much as the skin of a date stone
N J Dawood (2014)   
Mark those who were told: ‘Lay down your arms; recite your prayers and render the alms levy.‘ When they were ordered to fight, some of them feared man as much as they feared God or even more. ‘Lord,‘ they said, ‘why do You bid us fight? Could you not give us a brief respite?‘ Say: ‘Trifling are the pleasures of this life. Better is the life to come for those who fear God. You shall not be wronged by as much as the husk of a date-stone

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
Have you not seen those unto whom it was said, “Hold back your hands and establish the prayer and give out the sanctifying dues.” But when the fighting was prescribed on them Lo! A party of them have deference for men as much as they have deference for Allah or even a greater deference and they said, “O our Lord! Why have you prescribed fighting on us? If only you can give us respite till a term nearby.” Say, “The enjoyment of this world is little and the hereafter is better for one who safeguards his own soul and you will not be cheated the size of a thread.”
Munir Mezyed   
Have you not seen those who were told to hold back their hands from fighting, to establish the regular Prayer and pay Zakāt? Then, as soon as fighting is ordained for them, a group of people among them feared (those aggressive) people as they would fear (the punishment of) Allâh, or (even) with stronger fear. They say: "Our Lord, Why have you ordained for us fighting?. If only You grant us respite to a near term". Say: "Short is the pleasure of this worldly life, whereas the Hereafter is far better for the one who acts piously”. And none of you will be wronged (by the Lord), not even as much as a hair on a date-seed.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
What do you make of those who were told to hold back and keep up prayer and give Zakah, then when fighting was prescribed for them a group amongst them feared people like the fear for Allah or in greater fear and said: our Lord, why did You prescribe fighting for us, why did You not leave us a little longer? Say: the provision of the world is small, and the hereafter is better for him who bewares (of Allah) and you will not be wronged the least.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
Have you seen those who were told to refrain from fighting but to establish the ritual prayers and spend for the required charity? When the order to fight was given to them, many of them feared people as much as or more than they feared Allah. They said, “Our Lord, why order us to fight? How about postponing it a while longer.” Say, “The comfort of this world is scarce. The hereafter will be better for the one who is obedient. You will not be wronged as much as a date seed fiber.”
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
Have yousg not seen those who were told, “Restrain your hands and establish the prayer and bring the purifying charity”? But when combat was prescribed for them, a group of them feared mankind as only Allah ought to be feared, or even more. And they said, “Our Lord, why did You prescribe combat for us? If only You would delay it for us for a short while.” Saysg, “The enjoyment of the Earlier (Life) is little, while the Hereafter is better for whoever is mindful (of God); and you will not be dealt with unjustly by as much as the thread upon a date-stone.”
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
Have you not watched those who have been told: "Restrain your hands, keep up prayer and pay the welfare tax (Zakat)"? Yet whenever any fighting is prescribed for them, then a group of them feel afraid of people just as they should be afraid of Allah (God), or they are even more afraid. They say: "Our Lord, why have You prescribed fighting for us? If You would only postpone it for a little while longer!" SAY: "Worldly enjoyment means little while the Hereafter is better for anyone who does his duty. You will not be wronged a bit.
Samy Mahdy   
Have you not seen those who said to them, “Restrain your hands, and establish the prayers, and give the zakat”? So, when the fighting was written upon them, so then a team among them awed from the people as much as the awe of Allah, or even more awe. And they said, “Our Lord, why did You write the fighting upon us? If only You would postpone it for us for a near term.” Say, “The enjoyment of the Dunya is little, and the Hereafter is more goodness for whoever showed the piety, and you will not be oppressed as much as a thread inside date seed."
Sayyid Qutb   
Are you not aware of those who have been told, “Hold back your hands [from fighting], and attend regularly to prayer, and pay your zakāt [i.e. the purifying dues]”? When, at length, the order for fighting was issued to them, some of them stood in awe of men as one should stand in awe of God — or in even greater awe — and said, “Our Lord! Why have You ordered us to fight? If only You had granted us a delay for a little while!” Say, “Brief is the enjoyment of this world, whereas the life to come is the best for all who are God-fearing. None of you shall be wronged by as much as a hair's breadth.
Ahmed Hulusi   
Did you not see those who were told, “Avoid bad things, establish salat, and pay alms”? But when fighting was ordained for them, alas, some of them were as terrified of people as the awe and fear they feel towards Allah, or even more... “Our Rabb, why did You ordain fighting for us; if only You had postponed it for a short time,” they said... Say, “The pleasure of this world is little! The eternal life to come is better for the protected ones... You will not be wronged as much as a single date thread (i.e. in the slightest).”
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
Have you not seen those to whom it was said: ' Withhold your hand (from war) , and establish prayer and pay the poor - rate,' but when fighting was prescribed for them, a group of them were so afraid of new as (it should be) The fear of Allah, or (even) with agreater fear, and say: 'Our Lord! Why have you ordained fighting for us? Wherefore did you not grant us a delay. To a near end?' Say: The capital of this world is scant and the Hereafter will be better for anyone who keeps from evil; and you will not be wronged (even to the extent of) the husk of a date - stone
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
Have you not seen O Muhammad into the disposition of those who were told to put a restraint upon their desire for fighting and observe faithfully the act of worship and give Zakat (alms), for Zakat is but the vehicle of prayer, yet when time was ripe and fighting was enjoined, some of them came to be apprehensive about their involvement in battle for fear of their lives. They feared the enemy –to a degree comparable to the degree of fear due to Allah–Creator of all beings or even a degree higher, and they exclaimed against fighting; they said: "O Allah, our Creator, why enjoin us to fight and implant our Hereafter in the now; if only You would put fighting in respite and grant us a postponement of this obligation to a future date!" Say to them O Muhammad: "The enjoyment experienced here below, no matter how long it lasts, is fleeting and evanescent whereas the Hereafter abounds in the best enjoyments and everlasting bliss for those who entertain the profound reverence dutiful to Allah, and no one is ever wronged not even to the equivalent of a single hair of the dry integument of the smallest seed"
Mir Aneesuddin   
Did you not consider those to whom it was said, "With hold your hands and establish worship (salat) and give charity (zakat)?" But when fighting was prescribed for them, a party of them feared human beings as they ought to have feared Allah or with a stronger fear, and said, "Our Fosterer ! why did you prescribe fighting on us, why did you not postpone it for us till a nearby term?" Say, "The provision of this world is little and the hereafter is better for one who guards (against evil) and you will not be dealt with unjustly even to the extent of the hair on a date stone."

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
Hast thou not turned Thy vision to those who were told to hold back their hands (from fight) but establish regular prayers and spend in regular charity? When (at length) the order for fighting was issued to them, behold! a section of them feare d men as - or even more than - they should have feared God: They said: "Our Lord! Why hast Thou ordered us to fight? Wouldst Thou not Grant us respite to our (natural) term, near (enough)?" Say: "Short is the enjoyment of this world: the Hereafter is the best for those who do right: Never will ye be dealt with unjustly in the very least
OLD Literal Word for Word   
Have you not seen [towards] those who (when) it was said to them, "Restrain your hands and establish the prayer and give the zakah?" Then when was ordained on them the fighting, then a group of them [they] fear the people as (they) fear Allah or more intense fear, and they said, "Our Lord why have You ordained upon us [the] fighting? Why not You postpone (it for) us to a near term." Say, "Enjoyment (of) the world (is) little and the Hereafter (is) better for whoever consciously reveres (Allah) and not you will be wronged (even as much as) a hair on a
OLD Transliteration   
Alam tara ila allatheena qeela lahum kuffoo aydiyakum waaqeemoo alssalata waatoo alzzakata falamma kutiba AAalayhimu alqitalu itha fareequn minhum yakhshawna alnnasa kakhashyati Allahi aw ashadda khashyatan waqaloo rabbana lima katabta AAalayna alqitala lawla akhkhartana ila ajalin qareebin qul mataAAu alddunya qaleelun waal-akhiratu khayrun limani ittaqa wala tuthlamoona fateelan