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Muhammad Asad   
Is it not to God alone that all sincere faith is due? And yet, they who take for their protectors aught beside Him [are wont to say], “We worship them for no other reason than that they bring us nearer to God.” Behold, God will judge between them [on Resurrection Day] with regard to all wherein they differ [from the truth]: for, verily, God does not grace with His guidance anyone who is bent on lying [to himself and is] stubbornly ingrate
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
Indeed, sincere devotion is due ˹only˺ to Allah. As for those who take other lords besides Him, ˹saying,˺ “We worship them only so they may bring us closer to Allah,” surely Allah will judge between all regarding what they differed about. Allah certainly does not guide whoever persists in lying and disbelief.
Safi Kaskas   
Pure faith is owed to God alone. Those who take protectors besides Him [say], "We worship them only so that they may bring us nearer to God." God will judge between them concerning their differences. God does not guide any liar and denier of the truth.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
أَلَا لِلَّهِ ٱلدِّینُ ٱلۡخَالِصُۚ وَٱلَّذِینَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ أَوۡلِیَاۤءَ مَا نَعۡبُدُهُمۡ إِلَّا لِیُقَرِّبُونَاۤ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ زُلۡفَىٰۤ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ یَحۡكُمُ بَیۡنَهُمۡ فِی مَا هُمۡ فِیهِ یَخۡتَلِفُونَۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا یَهۡدِی مَنۡ هُوَ كَـٰذِبࣱ كَفَّارࣱ ۝٣
Transliteration (2021)   
alā lillahi l-dīnu l-khāliṣu wa-alladhīna ittakhadhū min dūnihi awliyāa mā naʿbuduhum illā liyuqarribūnā ilā l-lahi zul'fā inna l-laha yaḥkumu baynahum fī mā hum fīhi yakhtalifūna inna l-laha lā yahdī man huwa kādhibun kaffāru
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
Unquestionably, for Allah (is) the religion the pure. And those who take from besides Him protectors, "Not we worship them except that they may bring us near to Allah (in) nearness." Indeed, Allah will judge between them in what they [in it] differ. Indeed, Allah (does) not guide (one) who [he] (is) a liar and a disbeliever.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
Is it not to God alone that all sincere faith is due? And yet, they who take for their protectors aught beside Him [are wont to say], “We worship them for no other reason than that they bring us nearer to God.” Behold, God will judge between them [on Resurrection Day] with regard to all wherein they differ [from the truth]: for, verily, God does not grace with His guidance anyone who is bent on lying [to himself and is] stubbornly ingrate
M. M. Pickthall   
Surely pure religion is for Allah only. And those who choose protecting friends beside Him (say): We worship them only that they may bring us near unto Allah. Lo! Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Lo! Allah guideth not him who is a liar, an ingrate
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
Is it not to Allah that sincere devotion is due? But those who take for protectors other than Allah (say): "We only serve them in order that they may bring us nearer to Allah." Truly Allah will judge between them in that wherein they differ. But Allah guides not such as are false and ungrateful
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
Indeed, sincere devotion is due ˹only˺ to Allah. As for those who take other lords besides Him, ˹saying,˺ “We worship them only so they may bring us closer to Allah,” surely Allah will judge between all regarding what they differed about. Allah certainly does not guide whoever persists in lying and disbelief.
Safi Kaskas   
Pure faith is owed to God alone. Those who take protectors besides Him [say], "We worship them only so that they may bring us nearer to God." God will judge between them concerning their differences. God does not guide any liar and denier of the truth.
Wahiduddin Khan   
it is to God alone that sincere obedience is due. And those who take other guardians besides Him say, We serve them only that they may bring us nearer to God. Surely, God will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. God does not guide anyone who is bent on lying and is a disbelieving liar
Shakir   
Now, surely, sincere obedience is due to Allah (alone) and (as for) those who take guardians besides Him, (saying), We do not serve them save that they may make us nearer to Allah, surely Allah will judge between them in that in which they differ; surely Allah does not guide him aright who is a liar, ungrateful
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
The way of life is exclusively for God. And those who took to themselves protectors other than Him say: We worship them not, but that they bring us nearness to God. Truly, God gives judgment between them about what they are at variance in it. Truly, God guides not him, one who lies and is an ingrate.
T.B.Irving   
Pure religion belongs to God [Alone]! The ones who take on [other] patrons instead of Him [claim]: "We do not serve them except to bring closer to God in homage." God will judge among them about whatever they have been differing over; God does not guide anyone who is disbelieving liar.
Abdul Hye   
Surely, the religion is completely for Allah (alone). Those who take protectors besides Him (say): “We worship them only so that they may bring us near to Allah.” Surely, Allah will judge between them concerning that in which they differ. Truly, Allah does not guide the one who is a liar, and a disbeliever.
The Study Quran   
Behold! Unto God belongs the pure religion, and those who take protectors apart from Him [say], “We do not worship them, save to bring us nigh in nearness unto God.” Truly God will judge between them regarding that wherein they differ. Truly God does not guide one who is a disbelieving liar
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
Isn’t exclusive devotion due to God? Those who take protectors besides Him say, “We worship them only to bring us closer to God.” God will judge their differences. God doesn’t guide the lying disbeliever.
Talal Itani (2012)   
Is not to God that sincere faith is due? As for those who take guardians besides Him, 'We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to God.' God will judge between them regarding their differences. God does not guide the lying blasphemer
Dr. Kamal Omar   
Be careful! The Religion in pristine purity is for Allah (i.e., it originates from Allah). And those who have picked up auliya besides Him (saying), 'we do not obey them except (for the sole purpose) that they may bring us near to Allah — (in) nearness,' surely Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Surely, Allah does not guide that who is a liar (and) an arrogant disbeliever
M. Farook Malik   
Beware! Sincere true obedience is due to Allah Alone! As for those who take other guardians (worship the saints) besides Him saying: "We worship them only that they may bring us nearer to Allah." Surely Allah will judge between them concerning all that in which they differ. Allah does not guide him who is a liar and a disbeliever
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
Verily the faithful religion is for Allah. And the ones who take to themselves patrons apart from Him (say), "In no way do we worship them excepting that they may bring us near in proximity to Allah." Surely Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ among themselves. Surely Allah does not guide him who is a liar, a most disbelieving (person)
Muhammad Sarwar   
The religion of God is certainly pure. Concerning those whom they consider as their guardians besides God, they say, "We only worship them so that they may make our positions nearer to God." God will certainly issue His decree about their differences. God does not guide the liars and the disbelievers
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
Remember, Allah alone deserves the exclusive submission. As for those who have adopted guardians other than Him (saying), .We worship them for no other reason but because they would bring us near to Allah closely., Allah will judge between them in the matters in which they are differing. Surely, Allah does not guide anyone who is liar, highly infidel
Shabbir Ahmed   
Know and make it known that the Pristine Religion is for Allah and from Him alone. And yet, they who take patrons besides Him say, "We worship them for no other reason than they bring us nearer to Allah." (5:35), (10:18), (17:57). Behold, Allah judges them (right in this Revelation) concerning that wherein they differ. Verily, Allah does not intervene to guide anyone who is a liar unto himself, thankless to his own detriment
Dr. Munir Munshey   
Beware! Faith (and religion) made exclusively for Allah is His right. Those who accept patrons other than Allah say, "We do not worship them. But they serve to bring us closer to (and let us concentrate on) Allah." Allah will settle all matters of dispute between people. Indeed, Allah does not guide any ungrateful liar
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
Surely, for Allah Alone is the truest religion (of love, worship and sincerity). But those who take for protectors other than Allah, (say): "We only worship them so that they may bring us closer to Allah." Truly Allah will judge between them where they differ. But Allah does not guide him who is a liar and ungrateful
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion. And those who take protectors besides Him [say], "We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allah in position." Indeed, Allah will judge between them concerning that over which they differ. Indeed, Allah does not guide he who is a liar and [confirmed] disbeliever
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
Absolutely, to God is the true system. And those who set up allies besides Him: "We only serve them so that they may bring us closer to God." God will judge between them in what they dispute. Surely, God does not guide him who is a liar, a rejecter
Abdel Haleem   
true devotion is due to God alone. [As for] those who choose other protectors beside Him, saying, ‘We only worship them because they bring us nearer to God,’ God Himself will judge between them regarding their differences. God does not guide any ungrateful liar
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
LO! for Allah is the religion exclusive. And those who take patrons beside Him, saying: We Worship them not save in order that they may bring us nigh Unto God in approach - -verily Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Verily Allah guideth not him who is a liar and ingrate
Ahmed Ali   
Remember that devotion is exclusively for God. Those who have taken protectors other than Him, say: "We worship them that they may bring us nearer to God." Surely God will judge between them in what they are differing about. Verily God does not show the way to an ungrateful liar
Aisha Bewley   
Indeed is the sincere deen not Allah´s alone? If people take protectors besides Him — ´We only worship them so that they may bring us nearer to Allah´ — Allah will judge between them regarding the things about which they differed. Allah does not guide anyone who is an ungrateful liar.
Ali Ünal   
Beware! it is to God alone that all sincere faith, worship, and obedience are due. Yet, those who take, apart from Him, others (angels, jinn, or humans) for guardians and confidants (to entrust their affairs to) say: "We worship them for no other reason than they may bring us nearer to God." God will judge between them (between those who worship and obey God exclusively and those who associate partners with Him) concerning all on which they differ. God does not guide anyone who is a determined liar and ingrate
Ali Quli Qara'i   
Look! [Only] exclusive faith is worthy of Allah, and those who take guardians besides Him [claiming,] ‘We only worship them so that they may bring us near to Allah,’ Allah will indeed judge between them concerning that about which they differ. Indeed Allah does not guide someone who is a liar and an ingrate
Hamid S. Aziz   
Now, surely, sincere obedience (or pure religion) is due to Allah alone and those who take guardians besides Him, say, "We serve them only that they may bring us nearer to Allah". Surely Allah will judge between them in that in which they diffe
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
Be aware that the devoted way of life (religion) is for God. And those who take protectors/masters other than Him (say:) “We only serve them so that they bring us closer to God.” Indeed, God judges between them in what they disagree about. Indeed, God does not guide anyone who is a disbelieving liar.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
Is it not to God that sincere devotion is due? But those who take for protectors other than God say, “We only serve them in order that they may bring us nearer to God.” Truly God will judge between them in that which they differ, but God does not guide those who are false and ungrateful
Musharraf Hussain   
Take heed! Sincere commitment should be for Allah alone. People who take protectors beside Him, claiming that we just worship them to achieve nearness to Allah, Allah will judge their disagreement. Allah will not guide the lying thankless person.
Maududi   
Lo, religion is exclusively devoted to Allah. Your religion is entirely consecrated to Him. As for those who have taken others than Allah for their guardians, (they say): "We worship them only that they may bring us nearer to Allah." Allah will judge between them concerning what they differ about. Verily Allah does not guide anyone who is given to sheer lying, is an utter unbeliever
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
Absolutely, to God is the true system. And those who set up allies besides Him: "We only serve them so that they may bring us closer to God." God will judge between them in what they dispute. For God does not guide him who is a liar, a rejecter
Mohammad Shafi   
Is it not for Allah that the pure way of life is!? And those who have taken awliya besides Allah (say), "We worship them not but that they may bring us nearer to Allah." Allah will indeed decide among them concerning what they differ in. Allah does indeed not guide anyone who is a lying suppressor of the Truth

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
Yes, the sincere exclusive devotion is to Allah only. And those who have taken for protectors other than Allah say, 'we worship them only so that they may bring us nearer to Allah'. Allah will decide among them concerning that wherein they are differing. Undoubtedly, Allah guides not him who is a great ungrateful liar.
Rashad Khalifa   
Absolutely, the religion shall be devoted to GOD alone. Those who set up idols beside Him say, "We idolize them only to bring us closer to GOD; for they are in a better position!" GOD will judge them regarding their disputes. GOD does not guide such liars, disbelievers.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
Is it not that the sincere religion belongs to Allah? As for those who choose guardians, other than Him, (saying): 'We only worship them so that they will bring us near to Allah, ' Indeed, Allah will judge between them concerning their differences. Indeed, Allah does not guide he who is an unthankful liar
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
Now surely sincere obedience is due to Allah (alone). And those who choose protectors besides Him (say): We serve them only that they may bring us nearer to Allah. Surely Allah will judge between them in that in which they differ. Surely Allah guides not him who is a liar, ungrateful
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
Is not to God the religion the clear/pure? And those who took from other than Him guardians/allies (they say): We do not worship them except to near/approach us to God, (an) approachment/ degree ." That truly God judges/rules between them in what they are in it differing/disputing , that truly God does not guide who he is lying/denying/falsifying , (an insistent) disbeliever
Bijan Moeinian   
God’s religion is the purest way of life. Those who worship more than One God (worshipping wealth, position, lust, saints, idols, etc.) saying we pray to them (as our mediators) so that they bring us closer to God, they will be judged by their Lord for what they differed in with the believers. God will not guide those who lie and cover the fact
Faridul Haque   
Pay heed! Worship is for Allah only; and those who have taken others as their supporters beside Him say; “We worship * them only so that they get us closer to Allah”; Allah will surely judge between them regarding the matter in which they dispute; indeed Allah does not guide one who is a big liar, extremely ungrateful. (*The pagans regarded their idols as smaller gods and worshipped them. So did the Christians. This does not apply to Muslims who only respect their elders, and ask for their blessings.
Sher Ali   
Remember, it is to ALLAH alone that sincere obedience is due. And those who take as protectors others beside HIM, say, `We serve them only that they may bring us near to ALLAH in station.' Surely, ALLAH will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Surely, ALLAH guides not him who is an ungrateful liar
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
(Say to the people:) ‘Listen! Sincere obedience and worship is only Allah’s due.’ And those (disbelievers) who have taken (idols as) helpers other than Allah (say in false justification of their idol-worship:) ‘We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah.’ Surely, Allah will judge between them concerning the matter in which they differ. Certainly, Allah does not give guidance to the one who is a liar and highly ungrateful
Amatul Rahman Omar   
Beware! sincere and true obedience is due to Allah alone. Those who choose others as a patron beside Him (say), `We serve them only that they may bring us near to Allah in station.' (It is absolutely wrong.) Allah will judge the differences between these (believers and disbelievers). Indeed, Allah does not guide him to success who is a liar, highly ungrateful
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
Surely, the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allah only. And those who take Auliya (protectors and helpers) besides Him (say): "We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah." Verily, Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allah guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
Belongs not sincere religion to God? And those who take protectors, apart from Him -- 'We only serve them that they may bring us nigh in nearness to God' -- surely God shall judge between them touching that whereon they are at variance. Surely God guides not him who is a liar, unthankful
George Sale   
Ought not the pure religion to be exhibited unto God? But as to those who take other patrons besides Him, saying, we worship them only that they may bring us nearer unto God; verily God will judge between them concerning that wherein they disagree. Surely God will not direct him who is a liar, or ungrateful
Edward Henry Palmer   
Aye! God's is the sincere religion: and those who take beside Him patrons - 'We do not serve them save that they may bring us near to God - 'Verily, God will judge between them concerning that whereon they do dispute. Verily, God guides not him who is a misbelieving liar
John Medows Rodwell   
Is not a sincere worship due to God? But they who take others beside him as lords saying, "We serve them only that they may bring us near to God" - God will judge between them and the faithful, concerning that wherein they are at variance. Verily God will not guide him who is a liar, an infidel
N J Dawood (2014)   
Is it not to God that True Religion belongs? As for those who set up other patrons¹ besides Him, saying: ‘We serve them only that they may bring us nearer to God,‘ God Himself will resolve their differences for them. God does not guide the disbelieving liar

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
Truly the sincere religion is for Allah only but those who have taken allies besides Him [they say], “We worship them not except that they may bring us very close to Allah.” Truly Allah will judge between them with wisdom in all that wherein they differ. Truly Allah does not guide one who is a liar, ungrateful.
Munir Mezyed   
Is it not to Allâh that pure devotion must be due? Those who choose guardians besides Him (say): “We worship these idols for no reason other than that they would bring us nearer to Allâh”. Verily, Allâh will judge between them concerning all matters on which they differ. Surely Allâh holds back the light of His inspiration from anyone who attributes falsehood to Him and has no tendency to live by Faith.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
For sure to Allah belongs the sincere religion, and those who take protectors besides Him, (saying) we only serve them to bring us closer to Allah, Allah will judge between them regarding what they used to differ in, for Allah does not guide any liar and rejecter (of the truth).
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
Is it not to Allah that sincere faith is due? Those who take for protectors other than Allah [claim]: “We only serve them in order that they may bring us nearer to Allah.” Truly, Allah will judge among them in that wherein they differ. Allah does not guide those who are false and unbelieving.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
Undoubtedly, faithful religion is due to Allah! And those who take guardians apart from Him—(they say,) “We only worship them so that they may bring us closer to Allah.” Indeed, Allah will judge between them regarding whatever they used to differ over. Indeed, Allah does not guide one who is a liar, a relentless denier.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
Pure religion belongs to Allah (God) [Alone]! The ones who take on [other] patrons instead of Him [claim]: "We do not serve them except to bring closer to Allah (God) in homage." Allah (God) will judge among them about whatever they have been differing over; Allah (God) does not guide anyone who is disbelieving liar.
Samy Mahdy   
Verily, to Allah is the pure religion. And those who took guardians without Him (They Say), "We are not worshiping them except that they might, near us from Allah a nearness." Surely, Allah will judge between them in what they differ within it. Surely, Allah does not guide he who is a liar, infidel.
Sayyid Qutb   
True devotion is due to God alone. Those who take others besides Him as their protectors say: 'We worship them for no reason other than that they would bring us nearer to God.' God will judge between them concerning all matters on which they differ. God will not grace with guidance anyone who is an ungrateful liar.
Ahmed Hulusi   
Pay heed, genuine religion (the absolute system and order) is for (the manifestation of the Names of) Allah! Those who befriend others besides Him (assuming they have divine qualities) say, “We only worship them so they may take us closer to Allah”... Indeed, Allah will judge between them regarding that over which they argue... Indeed, Allah does not guide to the reality those who lie and deny the Truth.
Mir Aneesuddin   
Beware! religion is exclusively for Allah. And those who have taken guardians besides Him (say); “We do not serve (worship) them, except (with the aim) that they may bring us nearer to Allah,” Allah will certainly judge between them in that which they differ. Allah certainly does not guide him who is a liar, ungrateful.
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
Is it not in conformity with what is natural, right and just that dedication of the heart of one's purpose should be solemnly and exclusively to serve Allah's purpose! And those who take tutelary guardians besides Him and brew falsehood and think falsehood adduce mediation as a reason: "we only worship them", they say, "so that they intercede on our behalf and bring us close to Him. He shall judge between them in Day of Judgement on matters with which they were at variance. Indeed, Allah does not guide the one who gives himself up to lying and whose heart is barren of truth and gratitud

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
Is it not to God that sincere devotion is due? But those who take for protectors other than God (say): "We only serve them in order that they may bring us nearer to God." Truly God will judge between them in that wherein they differ. But God g uides not such as are false and ungrateful
OLD Literal Word for Word   
Unquestionably, for Allah (is) the religion the pure. And those who take besides Him protectors, "Not we worship them except that they may bring us near to Allah (in) nearness." Indeed, Allah will judge between them in what they [in it] differ. Indeed, Allah (does) not guide (one) who [he] (is) a liar and a disbeliever
OLD Transliteration   
Ala lillahi alddeenu alkhalisu waallatheena ittakhathoo min doonihi awliyaa ma naAAbuduhum illa liyuqarriboona ila Allahi zulfa inna Allaha yahkumu baynahum fee ma hum feehi yakhtalifoona inna Allaha la yahdee man huwa kathibun kaffarun