Al-Qur'an Surah An-Nahl Verse 38

Mufti Taqi Usmani

They swore by Allah on solemn oaths: “Allah will not resurrect those who die.” Why not? It is a promise on His part, which is due to come true, but most of the people do not know.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

They swear by Allah their most solemn oaths that Allah will never raise the dead to life. Yes ˹He will˺! It is a true promise binding on Him, but most people do not know.

Ruwwad Translation Center

They swear by Allah their solemn oaths that Allah will not resurrect those who die. Yes He will! It is a true promise upon Him, but most people do not know –

A. J. Arberry

have sworn by God the most earnest oaths God will never raise up him who dies; nay, it is a promise binding upon Him, but most men know not,

Abdul Haleem

They have sworn by God with their strongest oaths that He will not raise the dead to life. But He will- it is His binding promise, though most people do not realize it-

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And they swear by God the most solemn of oaths that God would not raise him who dieth. Yea! it is a promise on Him incumbent but most of mankind know not.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

They swear their strongest oaths by Allah, that Allah will not raise up those who die; Nay, but it is a promise (binding) on Him in truth; but most among mankind realise it not.

Abul Ala Maududi

They swear most solemnly in the name of Allah and say: "Allah shall not raise to life any who dies." (Yes, He will do so); that is a promise by which He is bound, even though most people do not know that.

Ahmed Ali

They swear emphatically in the name of God that God will not raise the dead. On the contrary, it is a promise incumbent on Him, though most men do not understand,

Ahmed Raza Khan

And they swore by Allah most vehemently in their oaths that, “Allah will not raise up the dead”; yes He will, why not? A true promise obligatory upon Him, but most men do not know.

Ali Quli Qarai

They swear by Allah with solemn oaths that Allah will not resurrect those who die. Yes indeed [He will], it is a promise binding upon Him, but most people do not know,

Ali Ünal

And by God they swear their most solemn oaths, "God will never raise from the dead anyone who has died!" No! but it is a promise (that He has laid) upon Himself in truth, but most people do not know (being ignorant and lacking desire for knowledge of the truth).

Amatul Rahman Omar

And they have sworn by Allâh their most earnest oaths that Allâh will not raise the dead to life. Why not? It is a promise binding (in accordance with His will) upon Him. (He has guaranteed it,) but most people do not know (this true fact).

English Literal

And they swore/made oath by God their rights`/oaths` utmost , (that) God does not send/resurrect/revive who dies, yes/certainly a promise on Him truth , and but most of the people do not know.

Faridul Haque

And they swore by Allah most vehemently in their oaths that, "Allah will not raise up the dead"; yes He will, why not? A true promise obligatory upon Him, but most men do not know.

Hamid S. Aziz

They swear by their strongest oath, "Allah will not raise up him who dies."- Nay! But it is a promise binding on Him in truth. But most know not.

Hilali & Khan

And they swear by Allah their strongest oaths, that Allah will not raise up him who dies. Yes, (He will raise them up), a promise (binding) upon Him in truth, but most of mankind know not.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

If thou desirest their guidance, yet Allah will not guide him who leads astray, or have they any helpers.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And they swear by Allah with the most energetic of their oaths: Allah will not raise up him who dies. Yea! it is a promise binding on Him, quite true, but most people do not know;

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

And they swear by Allah their most binding oaths (that) Allah will not raise up him who dieth. Nay, but it is a promise (binding) upon Him in truth, but most of mankind know not,

Muhammad Sarwar

They strongly swear by God that God will not bring the dead to life. God's promise (of the Resurrection) will certainly come true but many people do not know.

Qaribullah & Darwish

They solemnly swear by Allah that Allah will never raise the dead to life. No, surely the promise of Allah is binding upon Him, though most people do not know.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And they swear by Allah with their strongest oaths, that Allah will not raise up one who dies. Yes, (He will raise them up), a promise (binding) upon Him in truth, but most of mankind know not.

Wahiduddin Khan

They swear their strongest oaths by God that God will never raise the dead to life -- nonetheless, it is a promise truly binding on Him, even though most people do not realize it --

Talal Itani

And they swear by God with their most solemn oaths, “God will not resurrect anyone who dies.” Yes indeed, it is a promise binding on Him, but most people do not know.

Tafsir jalalayn

And they swear by God their most earnest oaths, in other words, with their utmost earnestness therein, that God will not resurrect the dead. God, exalted be He, says; Nay, He will resurrect them; it is a promise binding upon Him (both wa`dan and haqqan are verbal nouns, used for emphasis, and are in the accusative because of the verbal actions implicit in them; in other words, He promised that and made it a binding truth) but most people, that is, the people of Mecca, do not know, that.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

The Resurrection after Death is true, there is Wisdom behind it, and it is easy for Allah

Allah says;

وَأَقْسَمُواْ بِاللّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْ لَا يَبْعَثُ اللّهُ مَن يَمُوتُ

And they swear by Allah with their strongest oaths, that Allah will not raise up one who dies.

meaning that they made oaths swore fervently that Allah would not resurrect the one who died. They considered that to be improbable, and did not believe the Messengers when they told them about that, swearing that it could not happen.

Allah said, refuting them;

بَلَى

Yes,

meaning it will indeed happen,

وَعْدًا عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا

a promise (binding) upon Him in truth,

- meaning it is inevitable,

وَلـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ



but most of mankind know not.

means, because of their ignorance they oppose the Messengers and fall into disbelief.

Then Allah mentions His wisdom and the reason why He will resurrect mankind physically on the Day of Calling (between the people of Fire and of Paradise).

He says