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Muhammad Asad   
But is it they who distribute thy Sustainer’s grace? [Nay, as] it is We who distribute their means of livelihood among them in the life of this world, and raise some of them by degrees above others, to the end that they might avail themselves of one another’s help - [so, too, it is We who bestow gifts of the spirit upon whomever We will]: and this thy Sustainer’s grace is better than all [the worldly wealth] that they may amass
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
Is it they who distribute your Lord’s mercy? We ˹alone˺ have distributed their ˹very˺ livelihood among them in this worldly life and raised some of them in rank above others so that some may employ others in service. ˹But˺ your Lord’s mercy is far better than whatever ˹wealth˺ they amass.
Safi Kaskas   
Is it they who distribute your Lord's blessing? It is We who have allocated their livelihood among them in this life. We have raised some of them in rank, so that some would hire others for service. But your Lord's mercy is better than whatever they accumulate.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
أَهُمْ يَقْسِمُونَ رَحْمَتَ رَبِّكَ نَحْنُ قَسَمْنَا بَيْنَهُم مَّعِيشَتَهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَرَفَعْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُهُم بَعْضًا سُخْرِيًّا وَرَحْمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُون
Transliteration (2021)   
ahum yaqsimūna raḥmata rabbika naḥnu qasamnā baynahum maʿīshatahum fī l-ḥayati l-dun'yā warafaʿnā baʿḍahum fawqa baʿḍin darajātin liyattakhidha baʿḍuhum baʿḍan sukh'riyyan waraḥmatu rabbika khayrun mimmā yajmaʿūn
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
Do they distribute (the) Mercy (of) your Lord? We [We] distribute among them their livelihood in the life (of) the world, and We raise some of them above others (in) degrees so that may take, some of them, others, (for) service. But (the) Mercy (of) your Lord (is) better than what they accumulate.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
But is it they who distribute thy Sustainer’s grace? [Nay, as] it is We who distribute their means of livelihood among them in the life of this world, and raise some of them by degrees above others, to the end that they might avail themselves of one another’s help - [so, too, it is We who bestow gifts of the spirit upon whomever We will]: and this thy Sustainer’s grace is better than all [the worldly wealth] that they may amass
M. M. Pickthall   
Is it they who apportion thy Lord's mercy? We have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of the world, and raised some of them above others in rank that some of them may take labour from others; and the mercy of thy Lord is better than (the wealth) that they amass
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
Is it they who would portion out the Mercy of thy Lord? It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in the life of this world: and We raise some of them above others in ranks, so that some may command work from others. But the Mercy of thy Lord is better than the (wealth) which they amass
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
Is it they who distribute your Lord’s mercy? We ˹alone˺ have distributed their ˹very˺ livelihood among them in this worldly life and raised some of them in rank above others so that some may employ others in service. ˹But˺ your Lord’s mercy is far better than whatever ˹wealth˺ they amass.
Safi Kaskas   
Is it they who distribute your Lord's blessing? It is We who have allocated their livelihood among them in this life. We have raised some of them in rank, so that some would hire others for service. But your Lord's mercy is better than whatever they accumulate.
Wahiduddin Khan   
Is it they who apportion the mercy of your Lord? It is We who distribute among them their livelihood in the life of this world, and raise some of them above others in rank, so that they may take one another into service; and the mercy of your Lord is better than [the wealth] which they amass
Shakir   
Will they distribute the mercy of your Lord? We distribute among them their livelihood in the life of this world, and We j have exalted some of them above others in degrees, that some of them may take others in subjection; and the mercy of your Lord is better than what they amass
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
Would they divide the mercy of thy Lord? It is We Who divided out among them their livelihood in this present life. Exalted are some of them above some others in degree so that some take to themselves others in their bondage. And the mercy of thy Lord is better than what they gather.
T.B.Irving   
Are they dividing up your Lord´s mercy? We divide up their livelihood among them during worldly life, and raise some of them higher in rank than others so that some of them may take advantage of the labor of others. Your Lord´s mercy is better than what they are collecting.
Abdul Hye   
Is it they who would distribute the Mercy of your Lord? It is We Who distributes between them their livelihood in the life of this world, and We raise some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. The Mercy of your (O Muhammad) Lord is better than the (wealth of this world) which they accumulate.
The Study Quran   
Is it they who apportion the Mercy of thy Lord? We have apportioned for them their livelihood in the life of this world and have raised some of them above others in rank, that some of them may take others into service. And the Mercy of thy Lord is better than that which they amass
Dr. Kamal Omar   
Is it they who would allot the mercy of your Nourisher-Sustainer? We, We have distributed their provisions among them in the life of this world; and We have elevated some of them, over some (others) in ranks, so that some of them may pick-up some (others) as employees (or subordinates). And the Mercy proceeding from your Nourisher-Sustainer is better than that which they amass (as the temporary wealth of this immediate life)
Farook Malik   
Is it they who distribute the blessings of your Lord? It is We Who distribute the means of their livelihood in the life of this world, raising some in rank above others, so that one may take others into his service. But the blessing of your Lord is far greater in value than the wealth of this world which they amass
Talal A. Itani (new translation)   
Is it they who allocate the mercy of your Lord? It is We who have allocated their livelihood in this life, and We elevated some of them in rank above others, that some of them would take others in service. But your Lord's mercy is better than what they amass
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
Is it they who divide the mercy of your Lord? We have divided among them their subsistence in the present life (Literally: the lowly life, i.e., the life of this world) and raised some of them above (some) others in degrees, that some of them may take to themselves (some) others in subjection; and the mercy of your Lord is more charitable (i.e., better) than whatever they heap (Literally: gather) together
Muhammad Sarwar   
Do they distribute the mercy of your Lord? It is We who have distributed their sustenance in this world and raised the positions of some of them above the others so that they would mock each other. The mercy of your Lord is better than what they can amass
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
Is it they who allocate the mercy of your Lord? We have allocated among them their livelihood in the worldly life, and have raised some of them over others in ranks, so that some of them may put some others to work. And the mercy of your Lord is much better than what they accumulate
Shabbir Ahmed   
But are they the ones who distribute your Lord's Grace (of Revelation)? Nay, it is We Who distribute among them even their material needs in the life of the world. And We grade them in work so that they might help one another (with different skills). And the Grace of your Lord (the revealed Guidance) is better than all the wealth they amass. (16:53), (16:71)
Dr. Munir Munshey   
Do they dispense the mercy of your Lord? We (alone) distribute among them the means of livelihood in the life of this world. We elevate the status of some of them over others. So that some of them may employ the services of others. (But) the blessings of your Lord are better than the wealth they amass
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
Is it they who would give out the Mercy of your Lord? It is We (reference to Allah) Who distribute their living between them. And in the life of this world, We (reference to Allah) raise some of them above others in position, so that some may ask (and order) others to work. But the Mercy of your Lord is better than the (wealth) that they gathe
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
Do they distribute the mercy of your Lord? It is We who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of this world and have raised some of them above others in degrees [of rank] that they may make use of one another for service. But the mercy of your Lord is better than whatever they accumulate
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
Is it they who assign your Lord's mercy We have assigned their shares in this worldly life, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that they would take one another in service. The mercy from your Lord is far better than that which they amass
Abdel Haleem   
Are they the ones who share out your Lord’s grace? We are the ones who give them their share of livelihood in this world and We have raised some of them above others in rank, so that some may take others into service: your Lord’s grace is better than anything they accumulate
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
Shall they apportion their Lord's mercy? It is We Who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of the War, and raised some of them over others in degrees, so that one of them may take another as a serf; and the mercy of thy Lord is better than that which they amass
Ahmed Ali   
Are they the ones who dispense the favour of your Lord? It is He who apportions the means of livelihood among them in this world, and raises some in position over the others to make some others submissive. The favours of your Lord are better than what they amass
Aisha Bewley   
Is it, then, they who allocate the mercy of your Lord? We have allocated their livelihood among them in the life of the dunya and raised some of them above others in rank so that some of them are subservient to others. But the mercy of your Lord is better than anything they amass.
Ali Ünal   
Is it they who distribute the mercy of your Lord (so that they may appoint whom they wish as Messenger to receive the Book)? (Moreover, how do they presume to value some above others only because of their wealth or status, when) it is also We Who distribute their means of livelihood among them in the life of this world, and raise some of them above others in degree, so that they may avail themselves of one another’s help? But your Lord’s mercy (in particular Prophethood) is better than what they amass (in this life)
Ali Quli Qara'i   
Is it they who dispense the mercy of your Lord? It is We who have dispensed among them their livelihood in the present life, and raised some of them above others in rank, so that some may take others into service, and your Lord’s mercy is better than what they amass
Hamid S. Aziz   
Will they distribute (portion out, administer) the mercy of your Lord? We distribute among them their livelihood in the life of this world, and We have exalted some of them above others in degrees, that some of them may take others in subjection (or take
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
Do they divide up (and distribute) your Master’s mercy? We divided their livelihood (and wealth) between them in this world’s life. And We raised some of them above the others in ranks so that some of them take the others into service. And your Master’s mercy is better than what they accumulate
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
Do they distribute the mercy of your Lord? It is We Who distribute among them their livelihood in the life of the present, and We raise some of them above others in ranks, so that some may benefit from the work of others, but the mercy of your Lord is better than that which they amass
Musharraf Hussain   
Are they distributing your Lord’s Kindness? We Ourselves distribute among them their livelihoods in this worldly life, and We raise some among others in ranks so some may take others in employment. Your Lord’s Kindness is more excellent than the treasures they gather.
Maududi   
Is it they who distribute the Mercy of your Lord? It is We Who have distributed their livelihood among them in the life of this world, and have raised some above others in rank that some of them may harness others to their service. Your Lord´s Mercy is better than all the treasures that they hoard
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
Is it they who assign the mercy of your Lord? We have assigned their share in this worldly life, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that they would take one another in service. The mercy from your Lord is far better than that which they amass
Mohammad Shafi   
Is it they who apportion the Mercy of your Lord? It is We Who apportion among them their livelihood in the life of this world! And We raise some of them above others in rank, so that some may take service from others. And the Mercy of your Lord is better than the worldly wealth they amass

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
Do they distribute the mercy of your Lord? We have distributed their livelihood among them in the life of the world and have raised some of them over others in degrees, that in between them one may laugh at the other. And the mercy of your Lord is better than that they amass.
Rashad Khalifa   
Are they the ones who assign your Lord's mercy? We have assigned their shares in this life, raising some of them above others in ranks, in order to let them serve one another. The mercy from your Lord is far better than any material they may hoard.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
What, is it they who divide the Mercy of your Lord! (It is) We who divided between them their livelihoods in this life, raising some in rank above others, sothat some may take the other into his service. Your Lord's Mercy is better than all they gather
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
Do they apportion the mercy of thy Lord? We portion out among them their livelihood in the life of this world and We exalt some of them above others in rank, that some of them may take others in service. And the mercy of thy Lord is better than that which they amass
Muhammad Ahmed - Samira   
Are they apportioning/dividing/making fate (of) your Lord's mercy, We (E) apportioned/divided/fated between them their livelihood in the life the present/worldly life, and We raised some of them over/above some steps/stages/degrees, for some to take some of them making fun/ridiculing , and your Lord's mercy (is) better than what they gather/collect
Bijan Moeinian   
Since when do they decide whom shall God assign as His Prophet? Do they not know that it is God Who has distributed among them whatever they own, giving some superiority in rank so that they themselves help each other? Know that your Lord’s mercy (prophet hood) worth much more than the wealth of your leaders [which have made them so “great” in your eyes.]
Faridul Haque   
Are they the distributors of your Lord’s mercy? We have distributed among them their comforts in the life of this world, and gave high status to some over others so that they mock at each other; and the mercy of your Lord is better than all what they hoard
Sher Ali   
Are they then the distributors of the mercy of thy Lord? It is WE Who distribute among them their livelihood in the present life, and WE exalt some of them above others in degrees of rank, so that some of them may make others subservient to themselves. And the mercy of thy Lord is better than that which they amass
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
Is it they who distribute the mercy (of the Prophethood) of your Lord? We distribute amongst them (the resources of) economy in the life of this world, and We alone raise some of them in grades (of wealth and resources) over the others. (Do We do this so that) some of them (who are rich) should make fun of the others (who are poor? This is mockery of poverty if, due to this, you do not consider someone as deserving the mercy of the Prophethood.) And the mercy of your Lord is better than that (wealth) which they amass (and become arrogant)
Amatul Rahman Omar   
What! is it they who distribute the grace of your Lord? Nay, but it is We Who distribute among them their livelihood pertaining to the present life. We exalt them (in rank) one over another so that some of them may take others in service. And the grace of your Lord is much better than what they amass (of the worldly provisions)
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
Is it they who would portion out the Mercy of your Lord? It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the Mercy (Paradise) of your Lord (O Muhammad SAW) is better than the (wealth of this world) which they amass

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
What, is it they who divide the mercy of the Lord? We have divided between them their livelihood in the present life, and raised some of them above others in rank, that some of them may take others in servitude; and the mercy of thy Lord is better than that they amass
George Sale   
Do they distribute the mercy of thy Lord? We distribute their nesessary provision among them, in this present life, and We raise some of them several degrees above the others, that the one of them may take the other to serve him: And the mercy of thy Lord is more valuable than the riches which they gather together
Edward Henry Palmer   
Is it they who distribute the mercy of thy Lord? We distribute amongst them their livelihood in the life of this world, and we exalt some of them above others in degrees, that some may take others into subjection; but the mercy of thy Lord is better than that which they amass
John Medows Rodwell   
Are they then the distributors of thy Lord's Mercy? It is we who distribute their subsistence among them in this world's life; and we raise some of them by grades above others, that the one may take the other to serve him: but better is the mercy of thy Lord than all their hoards
N J Dawood (2014)   
Is it they who apportion your Lord‘s blessings? It is We who deal out to them their livelihood in this world, exalting some in rank above others, so that the one may take the other into his service. Better is your Lord‘s mercy than all their hoarded treasures

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
Would they portion out the mercy of your Lord? It is We who portion out among them their livelihood in the life of this world. We raise some of them above others in ranks so that some may command work from others. The mercy of your Lord is better than what they collect.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
Are they dividing up your Lord's mercy? We divide up their livelihood among them during worldly life, and raise some of them higher in rank than others so that some of them may take advantage of the labor of others. Your Lord's mercy is better than what they are collecting.
Ahmed Hulusi   
Do they distribute the grace of your Rabb? It is We who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of this world... We raised some over others (in terms of wealth and rank) so that some may subjugate others... The grace of your Rabb is better than the things they accumulate (of wealth).
Mir Aneesuddin   
Do they distribute the mercy of your Fosterer? We distribute among them their livelihood in the life of this world; and We have elevated some of them over others in grades that some of them may take others in subjection ( and extract work ), and the mercy of your Fosterer is better than that which they amass.
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur'an al-Karim   
Do they distribute or apportion the grace of Allah your Creator and His mercy to whom they please! It is We Who have apportioned their livelihood among them here and allotted their sharas authoritatively that they have no choice .We promoted and exalted in rank, honour, estimation, development, power and wealth, some above others and arranged them in grades so that they render obedience and service to one another and minister to the comfort of each other. But to be a recipient of the mercy and efficacious grace of Allah. your Creator, outweighs all that you may accumulate or treasure up in life

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
Is it they who would portion out the Mercy of thy Lord? It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in the life of this world: and We raise some of them above others in ranks, so that some may command work from others. But the Mercy of thy Lord is better than the (wealth) which they amass
OLD Literal Word for Word   
Do they distribute (the) Mercy (of) your Lord? We [We] distribute among them their livelihood in the life (of) the world, and We raise some of them above others (in) degrees so that may take, some of them, others, (for) service. But (the) Mercy (of) your Lord (is) better than what they accumulate