Al-Qur'an Surah Saba Verse 21

Mufti Taqi Usmani

He did not have any power over them, but for the reason that We should recognize the one who believes in the Hereafter as distinct from the one who is in doubt about it; and your Lord is Watchful over every thing.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

He does not have any authority over them, but ˹Our Will is˺ only to distinguish those who believe in the Hereafter from those who are in doubt about it. And your Lord is a ˹vigilant˺ Keeper over all things.”

Ruwwad Translation Center

even though he had no authority over them, except that We might distinguish those who believe in the Hereafter from those who are in doubt about it. Your Lord is Watchful over all things.”

A. J. Arberry

Yet he had no authority over them, but that We might know him who believed in the Hereafter from him who was in doubt thereof Thy Lord is Guardian over everything.

Abdul Haleem

even though he had no authority over them. But [We aim] to distinguish those who believe in the life to come from those who doubt it: [Prophet], your Lord observes everything.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And he hath no authority over them except that We would know him who believeth in the Hereafter from him who is in doubt thereof. And thy Lord is over everything a Warden.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

But he had no authority over them,- except that We might test the man who believes in the Hereafter from him who is in doubt concerning it; and thy Lord doth watch over all things.

Abul Ala Maududi

Iblis had no authority over them and whatever happened was in order that We might know him who believes in the Hereafter as distinct from him who is in doubt about it. Your Lord is watchful over everything.

Ahmed Ali

He had no authority over them save for the purpose of Our knowing who believed in the world to come, and who doubted it. For your Lord keeps a watch over everything.

Ahmed Raza Khan

And Satan had no control over them at all, except that We willed to reveal as to who believes in the Hereafter and who is in doubt of it; and your Lord is a Guardian over all things.

Ali Quli Qarai

He had no authority over them, but that We may ascertain those who believe in the Hereafter from those who are in doubt about it, and your Lord is watchful over all things.

Ali Ünal

And yet, he had no authority over them (to compel them to do anything), except in that (by testing humankind through him) We distinguish those who truly believe in the Hereafter from those who are in doubt concerning it. Your Lord keeps watch and record of all things.

Amatul Rahman Omar

Though he (- Iblîs) had no authority over them (for it is by their own wrong beliefs and evil deeds that mankind brings about their spiritual ruin). (It happened thus) so that We might distinguish those who believed in the Hereafter from those who were suffering from doubts about it. Indeed, your Lord is Watchful over and Preserver of everything.

English Literal

And nothing from a power/authority/control was for him on them, except to know who believes with (in) the end (other life) than who he is from it in doubt/suspicion, and your Lord (is) on every thing (an) honest protector/observor .

Faridul Haque

And Satan had no control over them at all, except that We willed to reveal as to who believes in the Hereafter and who is in doubt of it; and your Lord is a Guardian over all things.

Hamid S. Aziz

And certainly Satan found true his calculations concerning them, so they follow him, except a party of the believers.

Hilali & Khan

And he (Iblis Satan) had no authority over them, except that We might test him, who believes in the Hereafter from him who is in doubt about it. And your Lord is a Hafiz over everything. (AllKnower of everything i.e. He keeps record of each and every person as regards deeds, and then He will reward them accordingly).

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And the devil indeed found true his conjecture concerning them, so they follow him, except a party of the believers.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And he has no authority over them, but that We may distinguish him who believes in the hereafter from him who is in doubt concerning it; and your Lord is the Preserver of all things

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

And he had no warrant whatsoever against them, save that We would know him who believeth in the Hereafter from him who is in doubt thereof; and thy Lord (O Muhammad) taketh note of all things.

Muhammad Sarwar

He did not have any authority over them except to the extent that would allow Us to know who had faith in the life to come and who had doubts about it. Your Lord is a Guard over all things.

Qaribullah & Darwish

Yet he had no authority over them except that We would know who believed in the Everlasting Life, from he who doubted. Your Lord is the Watcher over all things.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And he had no authority over them, -- except that We might test him who believes in the Hereafter, from him who is in doubt about it. And your Lord is Watchful over everything.

Wahiduddin Khan

but he had no authority over them; We only desired to distinguish those who believed in the Hereafter from those who were in doubt concerning it. Your Lord is watchful over all things.

Talal Itani

He had no authority over them; except that We willed to distinguish him who believes in the Hereafter, from him who is doubtful about it. Your Lord is Guardian over all things.

Tafsir jalalayn

And he did not have any warrant over them, any power to sway [them], from Us, but that We might know, by [this] knowledge being made manifest, him who believed in the Hereafter from him who was in doubt thereof, and so requite each of the two accordingly. And your Lord is Preserver, Watcher, of all things.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

وَمَا كَانَ لَهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّن سُلْطَانٍ


And he (Iblis) had no authority over them,

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him said,

"This means, he had no proof."

إِلاَّ لِنَعْلَمَ مَن يُوْمِنُ بِالاْخِرَةِ مِمَّنْ هُوَ مِنْهَا فِي شَكٍّ

except that We might test him who believes in the Hereafter, from him who is in doubt about it.

means, `We gave him power over them only to show who believes in the Hereafter and that it will come to pass.'

The people will be brought to account and rewarded or punished accordingly, so that he will worship his Lord properly in this world -- and to distinguish these believers from those who are in doubt about the Hereafter.

وَرَبُّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَفِيظٌ




And your Lord is a Watchful over everything.

means, despite His watching, those who follow Iblis go astray, but by His watching and care, the believers who follow the Messengers are saved