Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad
BEHOLD, the number of months, in the sight of God, is twelve months, [laid down] in God's decree on the day when He created the heavens and the earth; [and] out of these, four are sacred: this is the ever-true law [of God]. Do not, then, sin against yourselves with regard to these [months]. And fight against those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God, all together-just as they fight against you, [O believers,] all together -and know that God is with those who are conscious of Him
M. M. Pickthall
Lo! the number of the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah's ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them. And wage war on all of the idolaters as they are waging war on all of you. And know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him)
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year)- so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred: that is the straight usage. So wrong not yourselves therein, and fight the Pagans all together as they fight you all together. But know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab
Indeed, the number of months ordained by Allah is twelve—in Allah’s Record since the day He created the heavens and the earth—of which four are sacred. That is the Right Way. So do not wrong one another during these months. And together fight the polytheists as they fight against you together. And know that Allah is with those mindful ˹of Him˺.
Safi Kaskas
According to God’s Plan, on the day when He created heavens and Earth, the number of months is twelve. Of these, four are sacred; this is the correct way. So, do not wrong one another during them. However, fight against the unbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. You should know that God is with those who are mindful of Him.
Wahiduddin Khan
On the Day God created heaven and earth, He decreed that the number of months should be twelve in number. Out of these, four are sacred. That is the true religion. Do not wrong your souls in these months. Fight the polytheists all together, as they fight you all together,[17] and know that God is with the righteous
Shakir
Surely the number of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah's ordinance since the day when He created the heavens and the earth, of these four being sacred; that is the right reckoning; therefore be not unjust to yourselves regarding them, and fight the polytheists all together as they fight you all together; and know that Allah is with those who guard (against evil)
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar
Truly, the period of months with God is twelve lunar months in the Book of God. On the day when He created the heavens and the earth of them. Four are sanctified. That is the truth-loving way of life. So do not wrong yourselves in it. And fight the ones who are polytheists collectively, as they fight you collectively. And know that God is with the ones who are Godfearing.
T.B.Irving
The number of months with God is twelve: [they were] in God´s book on the day He created Heaven and Earth. Out of them, four are sacred; such is the established religion. Do not harm yourselves during them, yet fight associators to a finish, just as they fight you to a finish. Know that God stands by the heedful.
Abdul Hye
Surely, the number of months with Allah is 12 months (in a year) in the book of Allah since the day when Allah created the heavens and the earth. Of them 4 are sacred; that is the right religion. So don’t wrong yourselves in it. But fight against the polytheists collectively, as they fight against you collectively. Know that Allah is with those who are pious.
The Study Quran
Truly the number of months in the Eyes of God is twelve months, [laid down] in the Book of God, the day He created the heavens and the earth. Of them four are sacred. That is the upright religion. So wrong not yourselves during them. And fight the idolaters all together, just as they fight you all together. And know that God is with the reverent
Talal Itani & AI (2024)
Since the day God created the heavens and the earth, God ordained twelve months in a year, four of which are sanctified. This is the correct order, so make no mistake about them. Fight the polytheists collectively, as they fight you collectively, and know that God is with the righteous.
Talal Itani (2012)
The number of months, according to God, is twelve months—in the decree of God—since the Day He created the heavens and the earth, of which four are sacred. This is the correct religion. So do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight the polytheists collectively, as they fight you collectively, and know that God is with the righteous
Dr. Kamal Omar
Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in one year) in Kitabullah (since) the Day He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred and protected (i.e., the last four months of every lunar year. See Verse number 28 of this Surah , and also Verses 1st to 5th). This is the Established Religion (and it creates an atmosphere of peace and tranquility throughout the world during the month of Fasting and the three-months’ season of Hajj). So wrong not therein your ownselves (by initiating armed encounters). And do indulge in Qital with Mushrikun collectively as they make Qital with you collectively (if and when they pay no regard to the ‘protected’ status of the closing four months). And be aware that Allah is with those who are righteous
The number of months ordained by Allah is twelve in the Book of Allah since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Of these, four are sacred; that is the established principle of Deen. Therefore, do not wrong yourselves by violating them. But you may fight against the pagans in all these months if they fight against you in all of them. Know that Allah is with the righteous
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali
Surely the (right) (i.e. fixed) number of the months in the Providence of Allah is twelve months (ordained) in the Book of Allah the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are prohibiting. (i.e., fighting is prohibited during them) That is the most upright religion. So do not do (any) injustice to yourselves during them; (i.e., durimg the prohibited during them) and fight the associators as a whole as they fight you as a whole; and know that Allah is with the pious.
Muhammad Sarwar
According to the Book of God, from the day He created the heavens and the earth, the number of months are twelve, four of which are sacred. (This is part of the law) of the religion. Do not commit injustice against your souls during the sacred months but fight all the pagans just as they fight against all of you. Know that God is with the pious ones
Muhammad Taqi Usmani
Surely, the number of months according to Allah is twelve (as written) in the Book of Allah on the day He created the heavens and the Earth, of which there are Four Sacred Months. That is the right faith. So, do not wrong yourself therein. And fight the Mushriks all together, as they fight you all together, and be sure that Allah is with the God-fearing
Shabbir Ahmed
Allah has ordained twelve months in one year. This has been Allah's Ordinance since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Four of these Months are Sacred, forbidden for all warfare. (Mankind, through international treaties, must agree to shun all kind of warfare during these four months. This will give them a cooling off period that sense may prevail over emotions). This is the Firm Religion, the right way. So, do not wrong yourselves by fighting during the Sacred Months. However, you may fight the idolaters in any or all these months if they fight against you in any or all of them (2:194). And know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves. (Four Sacred Months: (2:194), (9:1-5))
Dr. Munir Munshey
The fact is, the number of months according to Allah are twelve (in a year). It was so ordained by Allah at the time when He created the heavens and the earth. Four of those months are sacred. Therefore, do not commit a sin against yourself (by violating the sanctity of these months). Fight against the ´mushriqeen´ _ (those who ascribe partners for Allah) _ on all fronts with unity in your ranks, just as they fight you. Be aware, that surely Allah is with the pious
Syed Vickar Ahamed
Verily, in the sight of Allah, the number of months (in a year) is twelve — So decided by Him, the day when he created the heavens and the earth; Of them (the twelve months) four are sacred: That is the proper religion. So do not go wrong yourselves about it: And fight the pagans (idolaters and polytheists) all together as they fight you all together. But know that Allah is with those who are pious (and hold themselves back from evil)
Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him]
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)
The count of the months with God is twelve months in God's record the day He created the heavens and the Earth; four of them are restricted. This is the correct system; so do not wrong yourselves in them; and fight those who set up partners collectively as they fight you collectively. And know that God is with the righteous
Abdel Haleem
God decrees that there are twelve months- ordained in God’s Book on the Day when He created the heavens and earth- four months of which are sacred: this is the correct calculation. Do not wrong your souls in these months- though you may fight the idolaters at any time, if they first fight you- remember that God is with those who are mindful of Him
Abdul Majid Daryabadi
Verily the number of months with Allah is twelve months ordained in the writ of Allah on the day whereon He created the heavens and the earth; of these four sacred: that is the right religion. Wherefore wrong not yourselves in respect thereof. And fight the associators, all of them even as they fight all of you; and knew that Allah is with the God-fearin
Ahmed Ali
The number of months with God is twelve in accordance with God's law since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Of these four are holy. This is the straight reckoning. So do not exceed yourselves during them; but fight the idolaters to the end as they fight you in like manner; and remember, God is with those Who preserve themselves from evil and do the right
Aisha Bewley
There have been twelve months with Allah in the Book of Allah, from the day He first created the heavens and earth. Four of them are haram. That is the True Deen. So do not wrong one another during them. However, fight the idolaters totally just as they fight you totally, and know that Allah is with those who have taqwa.
Ali Ünal
The number of the months, in God’s sight, is twelve as determined and decreed by God on the day when He created the heavens and the earth (and set them moving in the present conditions). Four of them are sacred (in that fighting is forbidden during them). This is the upright, ever-true Religion (the order that God has established for the operation of the universe and life of humanity). Do not, therefore, wrong yourselves with respect to these months. Nevertheless, fight all together against those who associate partners with God just as they fight against you all together; and know well that God is with the God-revering, pious who keep their duties to Him
Ali Quli Qara'i
Indeed the number of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah’s Book, the day when He created the heavens and the earth. Of these, four are sacred. That is the upright religion. So do not wrong yourselves during them. Fight all the polytheists, just as they fight you all, and know that Allah is with the Godwary
Hamid S. Aziz
Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah´s Book, ordained on the day when He created the heavens and the earth. Of these four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves in them. But fight the idolaters
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad
Indeed, the number of months before God is twelve months in God's book since the day He created the skies and the earth. Four of them are sacred (fighting is forbidden in them). This is the lasting (and right) way of life (religion). Do not wrong yourselves in them. And fight the idolaters together as they fight you together. And know that God is with those who are cautious (of God).
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)
The number of months in the sight of God is twelve, ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth. Of them four are sacred. That is the upright religion. Thus do not wrong yourselves, and fight the pagans together as they fight you together, but know that God is with those who restrain themselves
Musharraf Hussain
The number of months recorded in Allah’s book since the day He created the Heavens and the Earth is twelve, four of them are sacred; this is the established law of nature, so don’t be mistaken regarding them. You may fight the idolaters all out just as they fight you all out, and know Allah is with those who are mindful of Him
Maududi
Surely the reckoning of months, in the sight of Allah, is twelve months, laid down in Allah´s decree on the day when He created the heavens and the earth; and out of these months four are sacred. That is the true ordainment. Do not, therefore, wrong yourselves, with respect to these months. And fight all together against those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity in the manner that they fight against you all together, and know well that Allah is with the God-fearing
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)
The count of the months with God is twelve months in the book of God the day He created the heavens and the earth; four of them are restricted. This is the correct system; so do not wrong yourselves in them; and fight the polytheists collectively as they fight you collectively. And know that God is with the righteous.
Mohammad Shafi
Indeed, since the day when Allah created the heavens and the earth, the number of months recorded with Allah is twelve, of which four are sacred.That is the established way. So, commit no wrong in this regard and fight the polytheists in the same total way as they fight you. And know that Allah is with those who fear Him and do righteous things
Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)
Undoubtedly, the number of months with Allah is twelve in the Book of Allah since the day He made the Heavens and Earth four of them are sacred. This is the right religion, then wrong not yourselves in these months, and fight the infidels at all times, as they fight with you, all times And know that Allah is with the pious ones.
The count of months, as far as GOD is concerned, is twelve. This has been GOD's law, since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred. This is the perfect religion; you shall not wrong your souls (by fighting) during the Sacred Months. However, you may declare all-out war against the idol worshipers (even during the Sacred Months), when they declare all-out war against you, and know that GOD is on the side of the righteous.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah
The number of the months, with Allah, is twelve in the Book of Allah, the day when He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the right religion. Therefore, do not wrong yourselves in them and fight against the unbelievers all together as they themselves fight against you all together; know that Allah is with the cautious
Maulana Muhammad Ali
Surely the number of months with Allah is twelve months by Allah’s ordinance, since the day when He created the heavens and the earth -- of these four are sacred. That is the right religion; so wrong not yourselves therein. And fight the polytheists all together as they fight you all together. And know that Allah is with those who keep their duty
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira
That the months' number/count at God (are) twelve in God's scripture , (on) the day He created the skies/space and the earth/Planet Earth, from it four (are) sacred, that (is) the religion the straight , so do not cause injustice to/oppress your selves in them, and fight/kill the sharers/takers of partners (with God) all, as/like they fight/kill you all, and know that God (is) with the fearing and obeying
Bijan Moeinian
The Lord’s official calendar (since the creation of the heavens and the earth) has been twelve months [lunar year.] Four out of these twelve months are declared as sacred [during which certain acts of violence are forbidden.] Do not be unjust to your souls by violating these laws. However, if the disbelievers start fighting with you during these sacred month, fight with them and present a united front against them in the same manner that they put a united front against you; be sure that God is with those who respect Him
Faridul Haque
Indeed the number of months before Allah is twelve - in the Book of Allah - since the day He created the heavens and the earth, of which four are sacred; this the straight religion; so do not wrong yourselves in those months; and constantly fight against the polytheists as they constantly fight against you; and know well that Allah is with the pious
Sher Ali
The number of months with ALLAH is twelve months by ALLAH's ordinance since the day when HE created the heavens and the earth. Of these four are sacred. That is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves therein. And fight the idolaters all together; and know that ALLAH is with those who fear HIM
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri
Indeed, the number of months with Allah has been (inscribed as) twelve in the Book of Allah (i.e., permanent Law of Nature) since the day He created the (system of) the heavens and the earth. Of these, four months (Rajab, Dhu al-Qa‘da, Dhu al-Hijja and Muharram) are sacred. This is the right Din (Religion). So do not wrong your souls during these months (by involving yourselves in fighting and war), and fight against all the idolaters (in retaliation) the same way as they all (allied) have imposed war upon all of you, and bear in mind that Allah is surely with the Godfearing
Amatul Rahman Omar
Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year) according to the law of Allah since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Of these four (months) are sacred (- Rajab, Muharram, Dhul-Qa`dah and Dhul-Hijjah). That is the established law. Do not do injustice to yourselves (by waging wars) during these (sacred months). And fight the polytheists all together (in your defence) just as they fight you all together. And know that Allah is indeed with those who become secure against evil
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali
Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred, (i.e. the 1st, the 7th, the 11th and the 12th months of the Islamic calendar). That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein, and fight against the Mushrikoon (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) collectively, as they fight against you collectively. But know that Allah is with those who are Al-Muttaqoon (the pious - see V.2:2)
New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame
Truly the number of the months in the sight of Allah is twelve months in the book of Allah on the day He created the heavens and the earth. Four out of them are sacred. That is the religion the most upright. Therefore do not wrong your own souls in the course of them and fight against those who ascribe partners to Allah all together as they fight against you all together and know that Allah indeed is with those who safeguard their own souls.
Munir Mezyed
Indeed, the number of months with Allâh is twelve months, which were ordained in the Book of Allâh since the day when He created the heavens and the earth. Of these, four are sacred. This is the right Faith. Now, therefore, do not deal unfairly with your own selves therein. And fight against those who indulge in polytheism collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allâh is with the Pious.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher
The number of months with Allah is twelve months by the decree of Allah on the day He created the heavens and the earth, four of which are sacred. This is the upright religion, so do not wrong yourselves in them, and fight the idolaters as a whole just like they fight you as a whole and know that Allah is with those who beware (of Him).
Linda “iLHam” Barto
Certainly, the number of months in Allah’s sight is twelve. He decreed that on the day that He created the skies and Earth. Of them, four [months] are sacred; that is the correct way. Do not wrong yourselves about that. Fight all the idolaters as they fight all of you. Realize that Allah is with the righteous.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation
Indeed, the number of months according to Allah is twelve months—in the record of Allah (since) the day He created the heavens and the earth, of which four are inviolable. That is the upright religion. So dopl not do injustice to yourselves during them, and combat the polytheists collectively as they combat you collectively, and know that Allah is with the mindful (of Him) .
Irving & Mohamed Hegab
The number of months with Allah (God) is twelve: [they were] in Allah (God)'s book on the day He created Heaven and Earth. Out of them, four are sacred; such is the established religion. Do not harm yourselves during them, yet fight associators to a finish, just as they fight you to a finish. Know that Allah (God) stands by the heedful.
Samy Mahdy
Surely, the months count with Allah are twelve months, in Allah’s Book on a Day when He created the skies and the earth, among which four of them are sacred. That is The Valuable Religion. So do not oppress yourselves in them. And fight the polytheists’ all totally, as they fight you all totally, and know that Allah is with the pious.
Sayyid Qutb
The number of months, in God's sight, is twelve as set by God's decree on the day when He created the heavens and the earth. Of these, four are sacred, according to the ever-true law [of God].
Ahmed Hulusi
Indeed, in the knowledge of Allah, the number of months in the period He created the heavens and the earth is twelve... Four of them are sacred (months): (Muharram, Rajab, Dhu al-Qaida and Dhu al-Hijja)... This is the (valid and constant) Religion... So, do not wrong yourselves during (these months)... Fight with the dualists just like they fight with you collectively... Know well that Allah is with those who are protected (a reference to the unity of existence).
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli
Verily the number of months with Allah is twelve months in the Book of Allah, (since) the day He created the heavens and the earth, four of them are sacred. That is the established religion. So be you not unjust unto your selves during them. And fight polytheists totally even as they fight you totally, and know that Allah is with the pious ones.
The calendar introduced by Allah when He created the universe -the heavens and the earth- determines the month as the space of time from one new moon to the next, corresponding to the period of one complete revolution of the moon in reference to a point, faxed or movable, and divides the year accordingly into twelve revolutions or months, four of which are sacred and exclusively appropriated to some special purpose emblematic of this right and commendable religion. Therefore, do not wrong yourselves during this period of time nor discredit yourselves by word or thought. And fight the idolaters in the whole as they fight you in the whole and do realize that Allah upholds those who entertain the profound reverence dutiful to Him
Mir Aneesuddin
The number of months with Allah is certainly twelve months (in a year) in the ordinance of Allah (since) the day He created the skies and the earth, of them four are sacred (during which fighting is prohibited). That is the established law, so do not be unjust to yourselves concerning them. And fight the polytheists all together as they fight with you all together and know that Allah is certainly with those who guard (against evil).
The Wise Quran
Indeed, the number of months with God is twelve months in God's Book, on the day He created the heavens and the earth; of it, four are sacred; that is the correct religion. So do not wrong yourselves in them. And fight the idolaters one and all, as they fight you one and all, and know that God is with those who fear.