Al-Qur'an Surah Al-'Ankabut Verse 65

Mufti Taqi Usmani

So when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allah, having their faith purely in Him. But when He saves them (and brings them) to the land, in no time they start committing shirk (ascribing partners to Allah),

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

If they happen to be aboard a ship ˹caught in a storm˺, they cry out to Allah ˹alone˺ in sincere devotion. But as soon as He delivers them ˹safely˺ to shore, they associate ˹others with Him once again˺.

Ruwwad Translation Center

When they board a ship, they supplicate Allah, devoting their faith sincerely to Him. But as soon as He rescues them to the land, they associate partners with Him,

A. J. Arberry

When they embark in the ships, they call on God, making their religion sincerely His; but when He has delivered them to the land, they associate others with Him,

Abdul Haleem

Whenever they go on board a ship they call on God, and dedicate their faith to Him alone, but once He has delivered them safely back to land, see how they ascribe partners to Him!

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

So When they mount upon the ships they call on Allah making pure for Him the religion, then when He delivereth them safely on the land, lo! they associate

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Now, if they embark on a boat, they call on Allah, making their devotion sincerely (and exclusively) to Him; but when He has delivered them safely to (dry) land, behold, they give a share (of their worship to others)!-

Abul Ala Maududi

When they embark in the ships they call upon Allah, consecrating their faith to Him. But when He rescues them and brings them to land, they suddenly begin to associate others with Allah in His Divinity

Ahmed Ali

When they board a ship they call on God, placing their faith wholly in Him. But when He brings them safely back to shore, they begin to associate others with Him,

Ahmed Raza Khan

And when they board the ships they pray to Allah, believing purely in Him; so when He delivers them safely to land, they immediately begin ascribing partners (to Him)!

Ali Quli Qarai

When they board the ship, they invoke Allah putting exclusive faith in Him, but when He delivers them to land, behold, they ascribe partners [to Him],

Ali Ünal

When they embark on a ship (and find themselves in danger), they call upon God sincerely believing in Him alone (as the only Deity, Lord, and Sovereign). But when He brings them safe to land, see, they begin again to associate partners with God!

Amatul Rahman Omar

And when they board a ship (and find themselves in danger they pray to Allâh with sincere and single-minded faith in Him; but as soon as He lands them safe they begin to associate partners (with Him again),

English Literal

So if they rode/embarked in the ship/ships, they called God faithful/loyal/devoted to him (in) the religion, so when He saved/rescued them to the shore/land, then they share/make partners (with Him).

Faridul Haque

And when they board the ships they pray to Allah, believing purely in Him; so when He delivers them safely to land, they immediately begin ascribing partners (to Him)!

Hamid S. Aziz

This life of the world is nothing but a pastime and game (or a sport and a play); but, verily, the abode of the Hereafter, that is life, if they did but knew!

Hilali & Khan

And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him only, but when He brings them safely to land, behold, they give a share of their worship to others.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And if thou ask them, Who is it that sends down water from the clouds, then gives life to the earth with it after its death? they will say, Allah. Say: Praise be to all! Nay most of them understand not.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

So when they ride in the ships they call upon Allah, being sincerely obedient to Him, but when He brings them safe to the land, lo! they associate others (with Him);

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

And when they mount upon the ships they pray to Allah, making their faith pure for Him only, but when He bringeth them safe to land, behold! they ascribe partners (unto Him),

Muhammad Sarwar

When they sail in a boat, they sincerely pray to God with pure faith. But when We bring them safely to land, they start considering things equal to God.

Qaribullah & Darwish

When they embark upon ships, they call to Allah making their religion sincerely His; but when He brings them safe to the land, they associate others with Him

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allah, making their faith pure for Him only, but when He brings them safely to land, behold, they give a share of their worship to others.

Wahiduddin Khan

When they board a vessel, they call on God, sincere in their faith for Him alone; but when He brings them safe to land, they begin to ascribe partners to Him.

Talal Itani

When they embark on a vessel, they pray to God, devoting their faith to Him; but once He has delivered them safely to land, they attribute partners to Him.

Tafsir jalalayn

And when they board the ship, they call on God, making their supplications purely to Him, in other words, they do not call on any other besides Him, suffering distress which only He is able to remove; but when He delivers them to land, behold! they ascribe partners, to Him,

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

فَإِذَا رَكِبُوا فِي الْفُلْكِ دَعَوُا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ

And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allah, making their faith pure for Him only,

This is like the Ayah,

وَإِذَا مَسَّكُمُ الْضُّرُّ فِى الْبَحْرِ ضَلَّ مَن تَدْعُونَ إِلَا إِيَّاهُ فَلَمَّا نَجَّـكُمْ إِلَى الْبَرِّ أَعْرَضْتُمْ

And when harm touches you upon the sea, those that you call upon vanish from you except Him (Allah Alone). But when He brings you safely to land, you turn away. (17;67)

Allah says here;

فَلَمَّا نَجَّاهُمْ إِلَى الْبَرِّ إِذَا هُمْ يُشْرِكُونَ



but when He brings them safely to land, behold, they give a share of their worship to others.

Muhammad bin Ishaq reported from Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl that when the Messenger of Allah conquered Makkah, he (Ikrimah) ran away, fleeing from him. When he was on the sea, headed for Ethiopia, the ship started to rock and the crew said;

"O people, pray sincerely to your Lord alone, for no one can save us from this except Him."

Ikrimah said;

"By Allah, if there is none who can save us on the sea except Him, then there is none who can save us on land except Him either, O Allah, I vow to You that if I come out of this, I will go and put my hand in the hand of Muhammad and I will find him kind and merciful."

And this is what indeed did happen.

Allah says;

لِيَكْفُرُوا بِمَا اتَيْنَاهُمْ وَلِيَتَمَتَّعُوا فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ