Al-Qur'an Surah Al-Anbya Verse 28

Mufti Taqi Usmani

He knows what is in front of them and what is behind them, and they make recommendation for none but for whom He likes, and in awe of Him they are fearful.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

He ˹fully˺ knows what is ahead of them and what is behind them. They do not intercede except for whom He approves, and they tremble in awe of Him.

Ruwwad Translation Center

He knows what is ahead of them and what is behind them. They cannot intercede except for whom He pleases, and they are fearful in awe of Him.

A. J. Arberry

He knows what is before them and behind them, and they intercede not save for him with whom He is well-pleased, and they tremble in awe of Him.

Abdul Haleem

He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede without His permission––indeed they themselves stand in awe of Him.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

He knoweth whatsoever is before them and whatsoever is behind them; and they intercede not except for him whom He approveth, and in awe of Him they are fearful.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of His (Glory).

Abul Ala Maududi

He knows whatever is before them and whatsoever is remote from them and they do not intercede except for him, intercession on whose behalf pleases Him, and they stand constantly in awe of Him.

Ahmed Ali

He knows what was there before them and what came after them; and they did not intercede for any one but whom He willed, and they were filled with awe of Him.

Ahmed Raza Khan

He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for him whom He likes, and they fear with awe of Him. (The Holy Prophets and virtuous people will be given the permission to intercede. Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him – will be the first to intercede.)

Ali Quli Qarai

He knows that which is before them and that which is behind them, and they do not intercede except for someone He approves of, and they are apprehensive for the fear of Him.

Ali Ünal

He knows what lies before them and what lies after them (what lies in their future and in their past, what is known to them and what is hidden from them); and they cannot intercede for any but His believing servants, those with whom He is well-pleased, and they themselves quake for reverent awe of Him.

Amatul Rahman Omar

He knows all that is before them (- their future) and all that is behind them (- their past). And they do not intercede except for the person for whom He is pleased to accord permission. And they are full of awe and reverence out of His Majesty.

English Literal

He knows what (is) between their hands and what (is) behind them, and they do not mediate except to who He accepted/approved, and they are from His fear are guarding/cautious .

Faridul Haque

He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for him whom He likes, and they fear with awe of Him. (The Holy Prophets and virtuous people will be given the permission to intercede. Prophet Mohammed - peace and blessings be upon him - will be the first to intercede.)

Hamid S. Aziz

They speak not until He speaks; and they act by His command (John30).

Hilali & Khan

He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

They speak not before He speaks, and according to his command they act.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for him whom He approves and for fear of Him they tremble.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

He knoweth what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him whom He accepteth, and they quake for awe of Him.

Muhammad Sarwar

He knows all that is in front of them and all that is behind them. (These servants of God) will not intercede with Him for anyone without His permission and they tremble in awe (before His greatness).

Qaribullah & Darwish

He knows what is before them and what is behind them. They intercede for none except for him whom He is well pleased, and they tremble in awe of Him.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him.

Wahiduddin Khan

He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede without His permission. Indeed they themselves stand in awe of Him.

Talal Itani

He knows what is before them, and what is behind them; and they do not intercede except for him whom He approves; and they tremble in awe of Him.

Tafsir jalalayn

He knows what is before them and what is behind them, that is, what they have done and what they will do, and they do not intercede except for him with whom He is satisfied, that he be interceded for, and they, for awe of Him, exalted be He, are apprehensive, fearful.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ

He knows what is before them, and what is behind them,

وَلَا يَشْفَعُونَ إِلاَّ لِمَنِ ارْتَضَى

and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased.

This is like the Ayat;

مَن ذَا الَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ

Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His permission. (2;255)

وَلَا تَنفَعُ الشَّفَـعَةُ عِندَهُ إِلاَّ لِمَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ

Intercession with Him profits not except for him whom He permits. (34;23).

There are many Ayat which say similar things.

وَهُم مِّنْ خَشْيَتِهِ

And they for fear of Him,

means, because they fear Him.

مُشْفِقُونَ