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Muhammad Asad   
And [as for the followers of earlier revelation,] they broke up their unity, out of mutual jealousy, only after they had come to know [the truth]. And had it not been for a decree that had already gone forth from thy Sustainer, [postponing all decision] until a term set [by Him], all would indeed have been decided between them [from the outset]. As it is, behold, they who have inherited their divine writ from those who preceded them are [now] in grave doubt, amounting to suspicion, about what it portends
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
They did not split ˹into sects˺ out of mutual envy until knowledge came to them. Had it not been for a prior decree from your Lord for an appointed term, the matter would have certainly been settled between them ˹at once˺. And surely those who were made to inherit the Scripture after them are truly in alarming doubt about this ˹Quran˺.
Safi Kaskas   
Yet they [the followers] split into factions, out of rivalry between them only after they came to know the truth. Judgment between them would have been pronounced were it not for a decision from your Lord to postpone it until a set time. Yet those who have inherited the Book after them are in grave doubt about it.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
وَمَا تَفَرَّقُوۤا۟ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَاۤءَهُمُ ٱلۡعِلۡمُ بَغۡیَۢا بَیۡنَهُمۡۚ وَلَوۡلَا كَلِمَةࣱ سَبَقَتۡ مِن رَّبِّكَ إِلَىٰۤ أَجَلࣲ مُّسَمࣰّى لَّقُضِیَ بَیۡنَهُمۡۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِینَ أُورِثُوا۟ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ لَفِی شَكࣲّ مِّنۡهُ مُرِیبࣲ ۝١٤
Transliteration (2021)   
wamā tafarraqū illā min baʿdi mā jāahumu l-ʿil'mu baghyan baynahum walawlā kalimatun sabaqat min rabbika ilā ajalin musamman laquḍiya baynahum wa-inna alladhīna ūrithū l-kitāba min baʿdihim lafī shakkin min'hu murībi
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
And not they became divided until from after [what] came to them the knowledge (out of) rivalry, among them. And if not (for) a word (that) preceded from your Lord for a term specified, surely, it (would have) been settled between them. And indeed, those who were made to inherit the Book from after them (are) surely in doubt concerning it - disquieting.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
And [as for the followers of earlier revelation,] they broke up their unity, out of mutual jealousy, only after they had come to know [the truth]. And had it not been for a decree that had already gone forth from thy Sustainer, [postponing all decision] until a term set [by Him], all would indeed have been decided between them [from the outset]. As it is, behold, they who have inherited their divine writ from those who preceded them are [now] in grave doubt, amounting to suspicion, about what it portends
M. M. Pickthall   
And they were not divided until after the knowledge came unto them, through rivalry among themselves; and had it not been for a Word that had already gone forth from thy Lord for an appointed term, it surely had been judged between them. And those who were made to inherit the Scripture after them are verily in hopeless doubt concerning it
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
And they became divided only after Knowledge reached them,- through selfish envy as between themselves. Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord, (tending) to a Term appointed, the matter would have been settled between them: But truly those who have inherited the Book after them are in suspicious (disquieting) doubt concerning it
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
They did not split ˹into sects˺ out of mutual envy until knowledge came to them. Had it not been for a prior decree from your Lord for an appointed term, the matter would have certainly been settled between them ˹at once˺. And surely those who were made to inherit the Scripture after them are truly in alarming doubt about this ˹Quran˺.
Safi Kaskas   
Yet they [the followers] split into factions, out of rivalry between them only after they came to know the truth. Judgment between them would have been pronounced were it not for a decision from your Lord to postpone it until a set time. Yet those who have inherited the Book after them are in grave doubt about it.
Wahiduddin Khan   
They became divided only after knowledge had reached them, out of mutual jealousy. Had it not been for a decree already passed by your Lord, [to reprieve them] till a specified period, the matter would surely have been decided between them. Those who inherited the Book after them are indeed in grave doubt, amounting to suspicion about it
Shakir   
And they did not become divided until after knowledge had come to them out of envy among themselves; and had not a word gone forth from your Lord till an appointed term, certainly judgment would have been given between them; and those who were made to inherit the Book after them are most surely in disquieting doubt concerning it
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
And they split not up until after the knowledge drew near them through insolence between themselves. And if it were not for a Word that preceded from thy Lord—until a term, that which is determined—it would be decided between them. And, truly, those who were given as inheritance the Book after them are in uncertainty, in grave doubt about it.
T.B.Irving   
They only separated after knowledge had come to them, because of envy towards one another. If word from your lord had not already gone ahead till a specific period, things would already have been determined among them. Those who inherited the Book after them feel a suspicious doubt concerning it.
Abdul Hye   
They were not divided till after knowledge had come to them through selfish transgressions between themselves. Had it not been for a word (to defer punishment) that went forth before from your Lord for an appointed term, the matter would have been settled between them. Surely, those who were made to inherit the Scripture after them are in serious doubt concerning it (the Qur’an).
The Study Quran   
They did not become divided till after knowledge had come unto them, out of envy among themselves. And were it not for a Word that had preceded from thy Lord unto a term appointed, judgment would have been made between them. Yet truly those who were bequeathed the Book after them are indeed confounded by doubt regarding it
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
They didn’t become divided until after knowledge had come to them, out of mutual envy. If not for a prior decree from your Lord, judgment would’ve been issued between them. Those who were made to inherit the Scripture after them are in troubling doubt concerning it.
Talal Itani (2012)   
They became divided only after knowledge came to them, out of resentment among themselves. Were it not for a predetermined decision from your Lord, judgment would have been pronounced between them. Indeed, those who were made to inherit the Book after them are in grave doubt about it
Dr. Kamal Omar   
And they did not fall in sects but after Al-Ilm has already reached them due to selfish transgression between themselves. And if the Statement had not been issued already from your Nourisher-Sustainer regarding an appointed term, (the matter) would have been surely settled between them. And verily, those who were made to inherit Al-Kitab after these (sects) are surely in grave doubt against it
M. Farook Malik   
The people did not become divided into sects until after knowledge had come to them out of envy among themselves. Had your Lord not issued the word to defer their punishment till an appointed time, the matter would have already been settled between them. The fact is that those who were made to inherit the Book after them, are surely in disquieting doubt concerning it
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
And in no way were they disunited except even after knowledge had come to them, being inequitable among themselves; and had it not been for a Word that had gone before from your Lord until a stated term, indeed it would have been decreed between them. And surely the ones who were made to inherit the Book even after them are indeed in doubt of it, causing suspicion
Muhammad Sarwar   
Only after receiving the knowledge did people divide themselves into different groups because of rebellion among themselves. Had it not been for your Lord's giving them respite for an appointed time, He would certainly have settled their differences once and for all. Those who inherited the Book, from their quarrelsome predecessors, also have doubts and suspicions about it
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
And they were not divided, in jealousy with each other, but after the knowledge had come to them. Had it not been for a word that had come forth earlier from your Lord (and was effective) until a specified time, the matter would have been decided between them. And those who were made to inherit the Book after them are in confounding doubt about it
Shabbir Ahmed   
And they became sects for no reason but through rivalry among themselves, after the Knowledge had come to them. Had it not been for a Word that has already gone forth from your Lord for an appointed term, all matters would have been decided among them. (The Word = The Law of free will, in this context). Behold, the later generations who inherited the Scripture of the old still keep harboring doubts about it
Dr. Munir Munshey   
But they splintered into groups even though (divine) knowledge had already come to them, because they wished to (encroach upon and) violate each other´s rights. The matter between them would have been settled, had it not been for the fact that the verdict of your Lord is destined to occur at an appointed time. Indeed, about that, those inheriting the book are gravely in doubt
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
And they (to whom you call) became divided only after knowledge came to them— Through selfish transgression and envy between themselves. If it was not for a Word that reached them before from your Lord, (regarding) a period (for repentance) appointed, the matter would have been settled between them. And truly, those (the Jews and Christians) who have inherited the Book (of Message, Torah and Gospel) after them are in (uneasy and) suspicious doubt about it (the Quran)
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
And they did not become divided until after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous animosity between themselves. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord [postponing the penalty] until a specified time, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed, those who were granted inheritance of the Scripture after them are, concerning it, in disquieting doubt
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
And they only divided after the knowledge had come to them, due to resentment among themselves. And had it not been for a predetermined decision from your Lord, they would have been judged immediately. Indeed, those who inherited the Scripture after them are full of doubts
Abdel Haleem   
They divided, out of rivalry, only after knowledge had come to them, and, if it had not been for a decree already passed by your Lord to reprieve them until an appointed time, they would already have been judged. Those after them, who inherited the Scripture, are in disquieting doubt about it
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
And they divided not until after knowledge had come to them, through spite between themselves; And had not a word gone forth from thy Lord for an appointed term, the affair would surely have been judged between them. And verily those who have been made inheritors of the Book after them are in doubt thereof dubitating
Ahmed Ali   
Yet they did not differ about it until knowledge came to them, through rivalries among themselves. If the Word of your Lord, (staying) it for a time ordained, had not preceded it, the matter would have been settled among them. But those who came to inherit the Book after them are also in doubt and disturbed about it
Aisha Bewley   
They only split up after knowledge came to them, tyrannising one another. And were it not for a prior decree from your Lord for a specified term, the judgement between them would already have been made. Those who inherited the Book after them are indeed in grave doubt about it.
Ali Ünal   
And they (who follow the previous Ways) were not divided (into opposing groups) until after the knowledge came to them (of the way they must follow and what that entailed, and only) because of envious rivalry and insolence among themselves. Had it not been for a decree already issued by your Lord, (granting people respite and postponing the final, decisive judgment) until an appointed term, it would indeed have been judged between them. Surely those who (succeeded those opposing groups and) inherited the Book, are in doubting uncertainty about it
Ali Quli Qara'i   
They did not divide [into sects] except after the knowledge had come to them, out of envy among themselves; and were it not for a prior decree of your Lord [granting them reprieve] until a specified time, decision would have been made between them. Indeed those who were made heirs to the Book after them are surely in grave doubt concerning it
Hamid S. Aziz   
And they did not become divided until after knowledge had come to them out of rivalry among themselves; and had not a Word already gone forth from your Lord for an appointed term, certainly judgment would have been given between them; and those who were
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
And they only became divided after knowledge came to them because of jealousy between them. And if it was not for a word that previously came from your Lord for a limited period, it would have been judged between them. And indeed, those who were made to inherit the book after them, are in a serious doubt about it.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
And they became divided only after knowledge reached them, because of selfish envy between themselves. Had it not been for a word that went forth before from your Lord, specified for a term appointed, the matter would have been settled between them. But indeed, those who have inherited the Book after them, are in suspicious doubt concerning it
Musharraf Hussain   
The conflict among people, despite having knowledge, was caused by jealousy. Had your Lord’s sentence, that they will be given respite for a fixed term, not been passed, then the Judgment would have come sooner. Those who were made heirs of the Book, Jews and Christians, are in doubt and are making others doubt too.
Maududi   
They did not split up except after knowledge had come to them, and then only because they wished to commit excesses against each other. Had your Lord not already decreed that judgement would be made later at an appointed time, the matter between them would surely have been decided once and for all. Indeed those who were later made the heirs of the Book are in disquieting doubt about it
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
And they only divided after the knowledge had come to them, due to resentment among themselves. And had it not been for a predetermined decision from your Lord, they would have been judged immediately. Indeed, those who inherited the Book after them are full of doubts
Mohammad Shafi   
And they did not break up their unity, but only after they had received knowledge — out of mutual jealousy. And had it not been for a decree already issued from your Lord for a set term, their matter would indeed have been decided then and there. And those indeed who have inherited the Book after them are in grave doubt and suspicion about it.

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
And they caused not dissension but after the knowledge had come to them on account of mutual jealousy. And had not a saying of your Lord gone forth for an appointed term, the matter. Would have been surely decided among them long ago. And undoubtedly, those who have inherited the Book after them are in a deceitful doubt regarding it.
Rashad Khalifa   
Ironically, they broke up into sects only after the knowledge had come to them, due to jealousy and resentment among themselves. If it were not for a predetermined decision from your Lord to respite them for a definite interim, they would have been judged immediately. Indeed, the later generations who inherited the scripture are full of doubts.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
Yet they became divided only after knowledge had reached them from their own insolence. And had it not been for a Word that had preceded from yourLord, till an appointed term, it would have been determined between them. But those who inherited the Book after them are in disquieting doubt about it
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
And they were not divided until after knowledge had come to them, out of envy among themselves. And had not a word gone forth from thy Lord for an appointed term, the matter would surely have been judged between them. And those who were made to inherit the Book after them are surely in disquieting doubt about it
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
And they did not separate except from after the knowledge came to them, oppression/transgression between them, and where it not (for) a word/expression preceded from your Lord to a named/identified (specified) term/time, (it) would have been executed/ended (E) between them, and that truly those who were made to inherit The Book from after them (are) in (E) doubtful/suspicious doubt/suspicion from it
Bijan Moeinian   
[Ironically, the followers of the scriptures] broke up into sects after the knowledge was revealed to them, in account of jealousy between themselves! If God had not made a pre-determined decision to take care of them on the Day of Judgment, He would have settled the matter immediately. The fact of the matter is that the followers of the Scriptures have inherited nothing but a bunch of doubts
Faridul Haque   
And they did not cause divisions except after the knowledge had come to them, because of jealousy among themselves; and were it not for a Word that had already gone forth from your Lord, the judgement would have been passed upon them long ago; and indeed those who inherited the Book after them are in an intriguing doubt regarding it
Sher Ali   
And they did not become divided but, after knowledge had come to them, through jealousy among themselves. And had it not been for a word that had already gone forth from thy Lord for an appointed term, the matter would, surely, have been decided between them. Surely, those who were made to inherit the Book after them are in a disquieting doubt concerning it
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
And they did not break up into factions, but only after knowledge had reached them, merely on account of their mutual obstinacy (and stubbornness). And had the command of your Lord not gone forth concerning (a respite for) an appointed time, the judgment would have been given between them. And verily, those who were made inheritors of the Book after them are themselves in deceitful doubt about it
Amatul Rahman Omar   
And these (rejecters of the faith) split themselves into factions only after (true) knowledge (of the fundamental principles of faith) had come to them (and that too) out of jealousy among themselves and to spite one another. But for the word (of promise) already gone forth from your Lord, (that they would be given respite) for a fixed term, the judgment upon these (disbelievers) would surely have long been passed (by their complete annihilation). As for those who have been made to inherit the Scripture after these (Prophets) they are in a disquieting and grave doubt about this (Qur'an)
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
And they divided not till after knowledge had come to them, through selfish transgression between themselves. And had it not been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord for an appointed term, the matter would have been settled between them. And verily, those who were made to inherit the Scripture (i.e. the Taurah (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)) after them (i.e. Jews and Christians) are in grave doubt concerning it (i.e. Allahs true religion Islam or the Quran)

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
They scattered not, save after knowledge had come to them, being insolent one to another; and but for a Word that preceded from thy Lord until a stated term, it had been decided between them. But those to whom the Book has been given as an inheritance after them, behold, they are in doubt of it disquieting
George Sale   
Those who lived in times past were not divided among themselves, until after that the knowledge of God's unity had come unto them; through their own perverseness: And unless a previous decree had passed from thy Lord, to bear with them till a determined time, verily the matter had been decided between them, by the destruction of the gain-sayers. They who have inherited the scriptures after them, are certainly in a perplexing doubt concerning the same
Edward Henry Palmer   
But they did not part into sects until after the knowledge had come to them, through mutual envy; and had it not been for thy Lord's word already passed for an appointed time, it would surely have been decided between them; but, verily, those who have been given the Book as an inheritance after them, are in hesitating doubt concerning it
John Medows Rodwell   
Nor were they divided into sects through mutual jealousy, till after that "the knowledge" had come to them: and had not a decree from thy Lord gone forth respiting them to a fixed time, verily, there had at once been a decision between them. And they who have inherited "the Book" after them, are in perplexity of doubt concerning it
N J Dawood (2014)   
Yet they did not divide themselves, through their own wickedness, until knowledge was given them. And but for a word that had already gone forth from your Lord reprieving them for an appointed term, judgement would have surely been passed among them. And those who inherited the Scriptures after them have their grave doubts too

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
And they were not divided except after that the knowledge had come to them due to their mutual begrudging. And had it not been for a word that had gone forth from your Lord till an appointed term, the matter would have been decreed among them. And truly those who are made to inherit the book after them are surely in doubtful incredulity about it.
Munir Mezyed   
They only fell into division after having received the Knowledge of Truth due to jealousy and resentment among themselves. Had it not been for a Word that had already gone forth from your Lord for an appointed term, then the whole issue would have been settled between them. Those who were made to inherit the Scripture after them are surely in disquieting doubt about their own books.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
And they only broke up after the knowledge had reached them out of transgression amongst each other, and had not a word from your Lord gone before until a fixed term, it would have been decided between them, and those who inherited the book after them are in severe doubt about it.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
(The religious sects) became divided only after knowledge had come to them, due to sinfulness among them. If it had not been for a prior Word sent forth from your Lord, concerning an appointed term, the matter would have been resolved among them. Truly, those who have inherited the Book from them are suspicious about it.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
And they did not become disunited except after knowledge had come to them, thereby oppressing one another. And were it not for a word that had preceded from yoursg Lord (to defer judgment) to a stated term, judgment would have been decreed between them. And indeed, those who were made to inherit the Scripture after them are in grave doubt about it.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
They only separated after knowledge had come to them, because of envy towards one another. If word from your lord had not already gone ahead till a specific period, things would already have been determined among them. Those who inherited the Book (the Scriptures) after them feel a suspicious doubt concerning it.
Samy Mahdy   
And they did not separate except after the knowledge had come to them - out of hostility between them. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord till a named term, it would have been decreed between them. And surely, those who inherited the book after them, from it are in suspicious doubt.
Ahmed Hulusi   
And they fell into division, after the knowledge (of the reality) came to them, out of jealousy between themselves! Had their life-span not been already decreed by your Rabb, surely the matter between them would have been concluded! As for those who were granted inheritance of the knowledge after them (the people of the Book), they are in dubious doubt concerning it (the Quran).
Mir Aneesuddin   
And they became divided only after the knowledge that came to them, (because of ) mutual envy. And had a statement from your Fosterer not gone forth (for giving them time) till an appointed term it would have been judged between them. And those who were made to inherit the book after them, are in a restless doubt concerning the ( Quran ). would have been judged between them. And those who were made to inherit the book after them, are in a restless doubt concerning the ( Quran ).
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
Yet they only became divided into sects and factions, through envy and enmity, each with a belief cherished in their minds after their acquaintance with facts and intellectual perception of the truth. And had it not been for Allah's word proclaimed beforehand to put punishment in respite to a determined point of time, their Hereafter would have been planted in the now. And now your contemporaries, the successors who have inherited the Book AL-Tawrah (the Torah) are in perplexity about it on account of its present Intricate characte
The Wise Quran   
And they separated not except after the knowledge came to them, envy between them; and if not for a word that preceded from your Lord to a named term, surely, it would have been decided between them; and indeed, those who were made to inherit the Book after them are surely in hesitating doubt of it.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
And they became divided only after Knowledge reached them,- through selfish envy as between themselves. Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord, (tending) to a Term appointed, the matter would have been settled between them: But truly those who have inherited the Book after them are in suspicious (disquieting) doubt concerning it
OLD Literal Word for Word   
And not they became divided until after [what] came to them the knowledge (out of) rivalry, among them. And if not (for) a word (that) preceded from your Lord for a term specified, surely, it (would have) been s between them. And indeed, those who were made to inherit the Book after them (are) surely in doubt concerning it - disquieting
OLD Transliteration   
Wama tafarraqoo illa min baAAdi ma jaahumu alAAilmu baghyan baynahum walawla kalimatun sabaqat min rabbika ila ajalin musamman laqudiya baynahum wa-inna allatheena oorithoo alkitaba min baAAdihim lafee shakkin minhu mureebin