←Prev   Ayah an-Nisa` (Women) 4:90   Next→ 

Popular and/or Featured Works
Muhammad Asad   
unless it be such [of them] as have ties with people to whom you yourselves are bound by a covenant, or such as come unto you because their hearts shrink from [the thought of] making war either on you or on their own folk - although, if God had willed to make them stronger than you, they would certainly have made war on you. Thus, if they let you be, and do not make war on you, and offer you peace, God does not allow you to harm them
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
except those who are allies of a people you are bound with in a treaty or those wholeheartedly opposed to fighting either you or their own people. If Allah had willed, He would have empowered them to fight you. So if they refrain from fighting you and offer you peace, then Allah does not permit you to harm them.
Safi Kaskas   
Some seek refuge with people with whom you are bound by a treaty, or they come over to you because their consciences forbid them to go to war against you or against their own people. Had God willed, He would have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. So if they withdraw and do not fight you, and offer you peace, God does not allow you to harm them.

Listen: 
Did you notice?

 You can SEARCH IslamAwakened: 

Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِینَ یَصِلُونَ إِلَىٰ قَوۡمِۭ بَیۡنَكُمۡ وَبَیۡنَهُم مِّیثَـٰقٌ أَوۡ جَاۤءُوكُمۡ حَصِرَتۡ صُدُورُهُمۡ أَن یُقَـٰتِلُوكُمۡ أَوۡ یُقَـٰتِلُوا۟ قَوۡمَهُمۡۚ وَلَوۡ شَاۤءَ ٱللَّهُ لَسَلَّطَهُمۡ عَلَیۡكُمۡ فَلَقَـٰتَلُوكُمۡۚ فَإِنِ ٱعۡتَزَلُوكُمۡ فَلَمۡ یُقَـٰتِلُوكُمۡ وَأَلۡقَوۡا۟ إِلَیۡكُمُ ٱلسَّلَمَ فَمَا جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ عَلَیۡهِمۡ سَبِیلࣰا ۝٩٠
Transliteration (2021)   
illā alladhīna yaṣilūna ilā qawmin baynakum wabaynahum mīthāqun aw jāūkum ḥaṣirat ṣudūruhum an yuqātilūkum aw yuqātilū qawmahum walaw shāa l-lahu lasallaṭahum ʿalaykum falaqātalūkum fa-ini iʿ'tazalūkum falam yuqātilūkum wa-alqaw ilaykumu l-salama famā jaʿala l-lahu lakum ʿalayhim sabīla
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
Except those who join [to] a group between you and between them (is) a treaty or those who come to you restraining their hearts that they fight you or they fight their people. And if (had) willed Allah, surely He (would have) given them power over you, and surely they (would have) fought you. So if they withdraw from you and (do) not fight against you and offer to you [the] peace then not (has) made Allah for you against them a way.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
unless it be such [of them] as have ties with people to whom you yourselves are bound by a covenant, or such as come unto you because their hearts shrink from [the thought of] making war either on you or on their own folk - although, if God had willed to make them stronger than you, they would certainly have made war on you. Thus, if they let you be, and do not make war on you, and offer you peace, God does not allow you to harm them
M. M. Pickthall   
Except those who seek refuge with a people between whom and you there is a covenant, or (those who) come unto you because their hearts forbid them to make war on you or make war on their own folk. Had Allah willed He could have given them power over you so that assuredly they would have fought you. So, if they hold aloof from you and wage not war against you and offer you peace, Allah alloweth you no way against them
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
Except those who join a group between whom and you there is a treaty (of peace), or those who approach you with hearts restraining them from fighting you as well as fighting their own people. If Allah had pleased, He could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you: Therefore if they withdraw from you but fight you not, and (instead) send you (Guarantees of) peace, then Allah Hath opened no way for you (to war against them)
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
except those who are allies of a people you are bound with in a treaty or those wholeheartedly opposed to fighting either you or their own people. If Allah had willed, He would have empowered them to fight you. So if they refrain from fighting you and offer you peace, then Allah does not permit you to harm them.
Safi Kaskas   
Some seek refuge with people with whom you are bound by a treaty, or they come over to you because their consciences forbid them to go to war against you or against their own people. Had God willed, He would have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. So if they withdraw and do not fight you, and offer you peace, God does not allow you to harm them.
Wahiduddin Khan   
But make an exception of those who seek refuge with people with whom you have a treaty, or who come over to you because their hearts forbid them to fight against you or against their own people. Had God pleased, He would have given them power over you, so that they would have taken up arms against you. Therefore, if they keep away from you and cease their hostility and propose peace to you, God does not allow you to harm them
Shakir   
Except those who reach a people between whom and you there is an alliance, or who come to you, their hearts shrinking from fighting you or fighting their own people; and if Allah had pleased, He would have given them power over you, so that they should have certainly fought you; therefore if they withdraw from you and do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allah has not given you a way against them
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
but those who reach out to a folk who between you and between them is a solemn promise or when they drew near to you, their breasts were reluctant that they fight you or they fight their folk? And if God willed, He would have given them authority over you and they would have fought you. So if they withdrew from you and fight not against you and gave a proposal of surrender to you, then, God has not assigned any way for you against them.
T.B.Irving   
except those who join a folk with who you have a treaty or who come to you because their breasts shrink from fighting you or fighting with their own people. If God so wished, He would have given them authority over you so that they would have fought you. Yet if they keep aloof from you and do not fight you, and they propose peace to you, God does not grant you any way against them.
Abdul Hye   
except those who join a group, between you and between them there is a treaty of peace, or those who come to you restraining their hearts that they fight you or they fight their own people. Had Allah willed, He would have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. So if they withdraw from you, don’t fight against you, and offer you peace, then Allah has not made for you a way (to fight) against them.
The Study Quran   
save those who seek refuge with a people with whom you have a covenant, or those who come to you with hearts reluctant to fight you, or to fight their own people. Had God willed, He could have given them authority over you, and then surely they would have fought you. So if they withdraw from you, and do not fight you, and offer peace, God allows you no way against them
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
Except for those who take refuge with a people with whom you have a treaty, or those who come to you, their hearts unwilling to fight you or their people. Had God willed, He could’ve given them power over you, and they would’ve fought you. But if they withdraw from you, don’t fight you, and offer you peace, God gives you no grounds against them.
Talal Itani (2012)   
Except those who join people with whom you have a treaty, or those who come to you reluctant to fight you or fight their own people. Had God willed, He would have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. If they withdraw from you, and do not fight you, and offer you peace, then God assigns no excuse for you against them
Dr. Kamal Omar   
except those who reach (and join) a nation — between you and between them (there is) a treaty (of peace, and non-interference); or they came to you: their breasts constricted and restrained — that they (may ever) fight you or fight against their own nation. And if Allah had desired He would have imposed them over you, so surely they would have fought against you. So if they avoided you then they fought against you not and they did send to you (an offer of) peace — then Allah has not opened to you against them a ground (for aggression)
M. Farook Malik   
The exception to this is for those who take refuge with your allies or come over to you because their hearts restrain them both from fighting against you and from fighting against their own people. If Allah had wanted, He would have given them power over you and they might easily have fought against you; therefore, if they withdraw from you and cease their hostility and offer you peace, in that case Allah has not granted you permission to fight against them
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
Except the ones who are related to a people between whom and you is a compact, or come to you with their breasts beleaguered from fighting you or fighting their people. And if Allah had (so) decided, He would indeed have given them authority over you; then they would indeed have fought you. So, in case they keep apart from you; (and) so did not fight you, and offer (Literally: cast forth) you submissiveness, then in no way does Allah allow (Literally: in no way makes any way for you) you a way against them
Muhammad Sarwar   
except with those who attach themselves to your allies or come to you with no desire to fight you or their own people. God could have given them power to fight you. Thus, if they retreat, stop fighting and come forward expressing faith in Islam God will not allow you to fight them
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
Except those who join a group between whom and you there is a treaty, or who come to you with their hearts feeling discomfort in fighting either against you or against their own people. If Allah had so willed, He would have given them power over you, then they would have fought you — so, if they stay away from you, and do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allah has not given you any authority against them
Shabbir Ahmed   
Fight not the hypocrites who join a people with whom you have signed a peace treaty. And fight not those who come to you wishing not to fight you or their believing relatives. Had Allah willed they could have fought against you. Therefore, if they leave you alone, and offer you peace, Allah has opened no way for you but the way of peace. Your prime duty remains the establishment and defense of the Divine Order in which there is no room for revenge (24:22)
Dr. Munir Munshey   
Except for those (hypocrites) who find refuge with a nation with whom you have a treaty! Or unless they come to you such that their hearts cringe and neither allow them to fight you, nor their own people. Had Allah willed, He would have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. Therefore, if they stay aloof and do not fight you, or if they make overtures of peace, then Allah has given you no reason to commit aggression against them
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
Except those who join a group that has an understanding (of peace) with you, or those who approach you with their hearts not willing to fight you and also not willing to fight their own people. If Allah had pleased, He could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you therefore if they withdraw from you, but fight you not, and (they also) send you (assurances of) peace, then Allah has opened no way for you (to war against them)
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
Except for those who take refuge with a people between yourselves and whom is a treaty or those who come to you, their hearts strained at [the prospect of] fighting you or fighting their own people. And if Allah had willed, He could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. So if they remove themselves from you and do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allah has not made for you a cause [for fighting] against them
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
Except for those who reach a people between whom you have a covenant, or if they come to you with a reluctance in their chests to fight you or to fight their own people. Had God willed He would have given them strength and they would have fought you. But if they retire from you, and did not fight you, and they offer you peace; then God does not make for you a way against them
Abdel Haleem   
But as for those who seek refuge with people with whom you have a treaty, or who come over to you because their hearts shrink from fighting against you or against their own people, God could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. So if they withdraw and do not fight you, and offer you peace, then God gives you no way against them
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
Excepting those who join a people between whom and you there is a bond or who come to you with their breasts straitened that they should fight you or fight their own people. And had Allah so willed, He would have surely set them upon you. If then they withdraw from you, and fight not against you and offer you peace, then Allah openoth not for you against them a way
Ahmed Ali   
Except those who take refuge with a people allied to you, or those who, weary of fighting you or their people, come over to you. If God had so willed He would surely have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. If they keep aloof and do not fight, and offer peace, God has left you no reason to fight them
Aisha Bewley   
except for those who seek shelter with people with whom you have a treaty, or who come to you greatly perturbed at the prospect of fighting either you or their own people. If Allah had willed, He could have given them the upper hand over you and then they would have fought you. If they keep away from you and do not fight you and submit to you, Allah has not given you any way against such people.
Ali Ünal   
Except those who seek refuge in a people between whom and you there is a treaty (of peace or alliance), or (those who) come to you with hearts shrinking from fighting against you as well as fighting against their own people. Had God willed, He would certainly have given them power over you and they would have fought against you. If they withdraw from you and do not fight against you, and offer you peace, then God allows you no way (to war) against them
Ali Quli Qara'i   
excepting those who join a people between whom and you there is a treaty, or such as come to you with hearts reluctant to fight you or to fight their own people. Had Allah wished, He would have imposed them upon you, and then they would have surely fought you. So if they keep out of your way and do not fight you, and offer you peace, then Allah does not allow you any course [of action] against them
Hamid S. Aziz   
Save those who join (or take refuge among) a people betwixt whom and you is an alliance, or those who come to you because their heart forbid them from fighting you or fighting their own people. But had Allah pleased He could have given them power over yo
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
Except those who join a group that there is an agreement between you and them, or those who come to you with their chests/minds holding them back from fighting you or fighting their people. If God wanted, He would have given them power over you and they would have fought you, so if they kept away from you and did not fight you and offered you peace, then God did not make any way for you against them (and you should make peace with them).
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
Except those who join a group with whom there is a treaty of peace, or those who approach you with hearts restraining them from fighting you and from fighting their own people. If God so pleased, He could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. Therefore, if they withdraw from you, and do not fight you, and send you peace, then God has opened no way for you to war against them
Musharraf Hussain   
except for those who are related to a people with whom you have a treaty, or who come over to you because their hearts are wary of fighting you or of fighting their own people. Had Allah wished, He would have given them power over you, so they would have fought you. If they withdraw and do not fight you but make you an offer of peace, then Allah gives you no excuse to fight against them.
Maududi   
unless it be such of them who seek refuge with a people who are joined with you by a covenant, or those who come to you because their hearts shrink from fighting either against you or against their own people. Had Allah so willed, He would certainly have given them power over you and they would have fought against you. If they leave you alone and do not fight against you and offer you peace,, then Allah does not permit you to harm them
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
Except for those who reach a people with whom you have a covenant, or if they come to you with a reluctance in their chests to fight you or to fight their own people. Had God willed He would have given them strength and they would have fought you. But if they retire from you, and do not fight you, and they offer you peace; then God does not make for you a path against them.
Mohammad Shafi   
Except those who join a people between whom and you there is a treaty, or who come to you with their minds averse to fighting you or fighting their own people. And had Allah willed, He would have empowered them to fight you. So if they withdraw from you and fight with you not, and offer you peace, then Allah has opened no way for you to act against them

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
Except those who are connected with such a people between whom and you there is a pact, or they come to you because their hearts have no strength to fight against you or fight their own people. And if Allah had so pleased, He would certainly have given them control over you, then they would have surely fought with you. So if they keep aloof from you and fight you not, and make you an offer of peace, then Allah has opened no way for you against them.
Rashad Khalifa   
Exempted are those who join people with whom you have signed a peace treaty, and those who come to you wishing not to fight you, nor fight their relatives. Had GOD willed, He could have permitted them to fight against you. Therefore, if they leave you alone, refrain from fighting you, and offer you peace, then GOD gives you no excuse to fight them.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
except those who join to a nation in which there is between you and them a treaty, or they come to you with their chests constricted from fighting you or fighting their nation. Had Allah willed, He would have given them power over you, and then they would have certainly fought you. Therefore, if they keep away from you and do not fight you, offering you peace, then Allah does not make any way for you against them
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
Except those who join a people between whom and you there is an alliance, or who come to you, their hearts shrinking from fighting you or fighting their own people. And if Allah had pleased, He would have given them power over you, so that they would have fought you. So if they withdraw from you and fight you not and offer you peace, then Allah allows you no way against them
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
Except those who reach to (a) nation between you and between them (is) a) covenant (treaty), or they came to you, their chests (are) restricted/depressed , that they fight/kill you, or they fight/kill their nation, and if God wanted/willed, He would have empowered them on you, so they would have fought/killed you (P), so if they separated/isolated themselves from you , so they did not fight/kill you, and they threw (offered) to you the peace/surrender , so God did not make for you on them a path/means
Bijan Moeinian   
Exempted are those who join the people with whom you have already signed a peace treaty as well as those who pledge not to fight with you nor their own people. If God had willed, He would have given them an upper hand against you. therefore, if they leave you alone, do not engage in animosity with you and extend their hands in peace to you, then God does not give you the permission to fight with them
Faridul Haque   
Except those who are related to the people between whom and you is a treaty, or who come to you with their hearts no longer having the will to fight you or to fight their own people; had Allah willed, He would certainly have given them power over you so that they would have surely fought you; then if they avoid you and do not wage war against you and make an offer of peace - then Allah has not kept for you a way against them
Sher Ali   
Except those who are connected with a people between whom and you there is a pact, or those who come to you, while their hearts shrink from fighting you or fighting their own people. And if ALLAH had so pleased, HE could have given them power against you, then they would have surely fought you. So, if they keep aloof from you and fight you not, and make you an offer of peace, then ALLAH has allowed you no way of aggression against them
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
But (do not fight) those who have allied with a people that between you and them there is a (peace) treaty, or who (losing heart) come to you in such a state that their breasts are afflicted (with this obsession) whether they should fight you or their own people. If Allah had so willed, He (strengthening their hearts) would have given them supremacy over you. Then they would certainly have fought you. So if they keep away from you and do not fight you and send you (a message) for peace, then (in the interest of peace) Allah has left no way open for you (to launch any aggression) against them
Amatul Rahman Omar   
Different, however, is the case of those who join a people with whom you have a pact, or of those who come over to you whilst their hearts are constricted from fighting against you or fighting against their (own) people. If Allah had so willed He would have given them power over you, then they certainly would have fought against you. Hence if they leave you alone and do not fight against you but make you an offer of peace then Allah allows you no way (of fighting) against them
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
Except those who join a group, between you and whom there is a treaty (of peace), or those who approach you with their breasts restraining from fighting you as well as fighting their own people. Had Allah willed, indeed He would have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. So if they withdraw from you, and fight not against you, and offer you peace, then Allah has opened no way for you against them

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
except those that betake themselves to a people who are joined with you by a compact, or come to you with breasts constricted from fighting with you or fighting their people. Had God willed, He would have given them authority over you, and then certainly they would have fought you. If they withdraw from you, and do not fight you, and offer you peace, then God assigns not any way to you against them
George Sale   
except those who go unto a people who are in alliance with you, or those who come unto you, their hearts forbidding them either to fight against you, or to fight against their own people. And if God pleased He would have permitted them to have prevailed against you, and they would have fought against you. But if they depart from you, and fight not against you, and offer you peace, God doth not allow you to take or kill of them
Edward Henry Palmer   
save those who reach a people betwixt whom and you is an alliance - or who come to you while their bosoms prevent them from fighting you or fighting their own people. But had God pleased He would have given you dominion over them, and they would surely have fought you. But if they retire from you and do not fight you, and offer you peace,- then God hath given you no way against them
John Medows Rodwell   
Except those who shall seek and asylum among your allies, and those who come over to you - their hearts forbidding them to make war on you, or to make war on their own people. Had God pleased, he would have given them power against you, and they would have made war upon you! But, if they depart from you, and make not war against you and offer you peace, the God alloweth you no occasion against them
N J Dawood (2014)   
except those who seek refuge with your allies or come over to you because their hearts forbid them to fight against you or against their own people. Had God pleased, He would have given them power over you, so that they would have taken arms against you. Therefore, if they keep away from you and cease their hostility and offer you peace, God bids you not to harm them

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
Except those who have ties to a people between whom and you there is a pact of peace or when they come to you, their bosoms felt constricted to fight you or fight their own people. But if Allah had so willed, He will surely have set them over you and then they would have surely fought you. So if they keep aloof from you and have not fought you and offer the peace to you, then Allah has made for you no way against them.
Munir Mezyed   
Except for those who are allies of a people you are bound with in a peace treaty or those who come to you with no intention of fighting either you or their own people. Had Allâh willed, He would have empowered them to fight you. So, if they hold aloof from you, refrain from fighting against you and come out for peace, then Allâh does not allow you to fight against them.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
Except those who are connected to people with whom you have a treaty or come to you with no inclination of fighting you or fighting their people, and if Allah wanted He would have given them power over you and they would have fought you. So if they leave you alone and do not fight you and offer peace to you, then Allah does not give you a way against them.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
Exceptions are those who seek refuge with a people bound to you by a treaty and those who come to you out of conviction against making war on you or their relatives. If Allah had willed, He could have empowered them over you so that they surely would have fought you. If they leave you alone and do not wage war against you and offer you peace, Allah does not allow you to harm them.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
Except those who are related to a people between youpl and whom is a pledge, or those who come to you with their hearts constrained from combating you or combating their own people. And had Allah willed, He would have given them authority over you and they would surely have combated you. So if they withdraw from youpl and combat not against you and offer you peace, then Allah has opened no way for you against them.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
except those who join a folk with who you have a treaty or who come to you because their hearts are restrained from fighting you or fighting with their own people. If Allah (God) so wished, He would have given them authority over you so that they would have fought you. Yet if they keep aloof from you and do not fight you, and they propose peace to you, Allah (God) does not grant you any way against them.
Samy Mahdy   
Except those who join a kinfolk between you and them a charter, or who come to you and their chests restrict that to fight you or fight their kinfolk. And if Allah willed, He would empower them over you, so they would have fought you. So, if they isolate you, so they do not fight you, and throw the peace to you, so Allah did not set up for you against them, any pathway.
Sayyid Qutb   
Except in the case of those of them who have ties with people to whom you yourselves are bound by a covenant, or those who come to you because their hearts shrink from the thought of fighting you or fighting their own people. Had God so willed, He would have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. Therefore, if they leave you alone, and do not make war on you, and offer you peace, God has given you no way against them.
Ahmed Hulusi   
Except for those who take refuge with a community with whom you have a treaty, or who come to you with their hearts strained because they do not wish to fight you or their own people... If Allah had willed, He would set them upon you and they would have fought you... So if they leave you alone, do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allah does not allow you to harm them.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
Except those (hypocrites) who join a people between whom and you is a covenant, or who come to you, their hearts shrinking from fighting you or fighting their own people; and if Allah had plessed, He would have given them power over you. So taht they should have certainly fought you. Therefore if they withdraw from you and do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allah allows you no way (to fight) against them
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
But exempt from aforesaid prescriptive right are those of them -the hypocrites- who take refuge with or are related to a people with whom you are bound by a covenant relating to peace, truce, alliance or the like or -those of them- who are perplexed by reason of their kinship to your opponents; they do not have the heart to fight on your side against their people nor to side with their people-against you. Had Allah willed, He, would have instigated them against you, and then they would have waged war against you. Therefore, if they are disposed to let you alone, proceed no further and offer you peace, then leave them alone; Allah does not commit you to any line of action against them
Mir Aneesuddin   
except those, who get closely associated to people, between whom and you is a treaty or who come to you (with) their hearts stopping them from fighting you or fighting their own people. And had Allah willed He could have given them authority over you then they would have fought you. Therefore if they withdraw from you and do not fight with you and offer you peace, then Allah has not given to you a way against them (to fight).

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
Except those who join a group between whom and you there is a treaty (of peace), or those who approach you with hearts restraining them from fighting you as well as fighting their own people. If God had pleased, He could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you: Therefore if they withdraw from you but fight you not, and (instead) send you (Guarantees of) peace, then God Hath opened no way for you (to war against them)
OLD Literal Word for Word   
Except those who join [to] a group between you and between them (is) a treaty or those who come you restraining their hearts that they fight you or they fight their people. And if Allah (had) willed, surely He (would have) given t over you, and surely they (would have) f So if they withdraw from you and (do) not fight against you and offer to you [the] peace then not Allah (has) made for you against them a way
OLD Transliteration   
Illa allatheena yasiloona ila qawmin baynakum wabaynahum meethaqun aw jaookum hasirat sudooruhum an yuqatilookum aw yuqatiloo qawmahum walaw shaa Allahu lasallatahum AAalaykum falaqatalookum fa-ini iAAtazalookum falam yuqatilookum waalqaw ilaykumu alssalama fama jaAAala Allahu lakum AAalayhim sabeelan