Al-Qur'an Surah Az-Zumar Verse 9

Mufti Taqi Usmani

Can (such people be equal to) the one who worships during the hours of night, prostrating himself and standing, fearing the Hereafter and having hopes in his Lord’s mercy? Say, “Can those who know and those who do not know become equal?” It is only the people of understanding who are receptive of the advice.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

˹Are they better˺ or those who worship ˹their Lord˺ devoutly in the hours of the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of their Lord? Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” None will be mindful ˹of this˺ except people of reason.

Ruwwad Translation Center

[Is he better] or the one who constantly worships during the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord? Say, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” It is only the people of understanding who will take heed.

A. J. Arberry

Or is he who is obedient in the watches of the night, bowing himself and standing, he being afraid of the world to come and hoping for the mercy of his Lord..? Say: 'Are they equal -- those who know and those who know not?' Only men possessed of minds remember.

Abdul Haleem

What about someone who worships devoutly during the night, bowing down, standing in prayer, ever mindful of the life to come, hoping for his Lord’s mercy? Say, ‘How can those who know be equal to those who do not know?’ Only those who have understanding will take heed.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

Is he who is devout, in the watches of the night prostrating himself and standing, bewaring of the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord to be dealt with like a wicked infidel? Say thou: shall they who know and those who know not be held equal? It is only men of understanding who receive admonition.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Is one who worships devoutly during the hour of the night prostrating himself or standing (in adoration), who takes heed of the Hereafter, and who places his hope in the Mercy of his Lord - (like one who does not)? Say; "Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition.

Abul Ala Maududi

Is such a person (preferable or he) who is obedient, and prostrates himself in the watches of the night, stands (in Prayer), is fearful of the Hereafter, and looks forward to the mercy of His Lord? Ask them: “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” Only those endowed with understanding take heed.

Ahmed Ali

Can one who prays in the watches of the night, bowing in homage or standing attentive, fearful of the life to come, and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, (be like one who does not)? Say: "Can those who know, and those who do not know, be equal? Only they think who are wise."

Ahmed Raza Khan

Will he, whose night hours pass in obedience while prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, ever be equal to the disobedient? Proclaim, “Are the knowledgeable and the ignorant equal?” It is only the men of intellect who heed advice.

Ali Quli Qarai

Is he who supplicates in the watches of the night, prostrating and standing, apprehensive of the Hereafter and expecting the mercy of his Lord...? Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’ Only those who possess intellect take admonition.

Ali Ünal

Is he who worships God devoutly in the watches of the night prostrating and standing, who fears the Hereafter and hopes for the mercy of his Lord (to be likened to that other)? Say: "Are they ever equal, those who know and those who do not know?" Only the people of discernment will reflect on (the distinction between knowledge and ignorance, and obedience to God and disobedience,) and be mindful.

Amatul Rahman Omar

Can he who is obedient and prays (to Allâh) devoutly in the hours of the night, (now) falling prostrate, (now) standing upright (in Prayer) taking precaution against (the grave sequel of) the Hereafter and hopes for the mercy of His Lord, (be treated like him who is disobedient)? Say, `Are those who know (their obligations) equal to those who know (them) not? Only those (endowed) with pure understanding do take heed.´

English Literal

Or who he is obeying humbly/prolonging the prayer (during) the nights` hours, prostrating and standing/keeping up he fears the end (other life) and hopes/expects his lord`s mercy, say: "Do (they) become equal/alike, those who know and those who do not know?" But (owners) of the pure minds/hearts mention/remember.

Faridul Haque

Will he, whose night hours pass in obedience while prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, ever be equal to the disobedient? Proclaim, “Are the knowledgeable and the ignorant equal?” It is only the men of intellect who heed advice.

Hamid S. Aziz

What! Is he who is obedient during hours of the night, prostrating himself and standing, takes heed of the Hereafter and hopes for the mercy of his Lord (like one who does not)! Say: Are those who know and those who do not know alike? But only the men of understanding are mindful.

Hilali & Khan

Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)? Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e. get a lesson from Allah's Signs and Verses).

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And when distress afflicts a man he calls upon his Lord, turning to Him; then when He grants him a favour from Him, he forgets that for which he called upon Him before, and sets up rivals to Allah that he may cause (men) to stray from His path. Say: Enjoy thine ungratefulness for a little, surely thou art of the companions of the Fire.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

What! he who is obedient during hours of the night, prostrating himself and standing, takes care of the hereafter and hopes for the mercy of his Lord! Say: Are those who know and those who do not know alike? Only the men of understanding are mindful.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

Is he who payeth adoration in the watches of the night, prostrate and standing, bewaring of the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, (to be accounted equal with a disbeliever)? Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Are those who know equal with those who know not? But only men of understanding will pay heed.

Muhammad Sarwar

Can this one be considered equal to one who worships God during the night, prostrating and standing, who has fear of the Day of Judgment, and who has hope in the mercy of his Lord? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only the people of reason take heed".

Qaribullah & Darwish

Or, is he who is obedient that prostrates himself and stands during parts of the night, being afraid of the Everlasting Life but hoping for the Mercy of the Lord (to be compared to the unbeliever)' Say: 'Are they equal, those who know and those who do not know' Only those with minds remember.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

Is one who is obedient to Allah, Ana'a Al-Layl prostrating and standing fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not" It is only men of understanding who will remember.

Wahiduddin Khan

Is he who prays devoutly to God in the hours of the night, prostrating himself and standing in prayer, who is ever mindful of the life to come and hopes for the mercy of his Lord [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Truly, only those endowed with understanding will take heed.

Talal Itani

Is he who worships devoutly during the watches of the night, prostrating himself and standing up, mindful of the Hereafter, and placing his hope in the mercy of his Lord? Say, “Are those who know and those who do not know equal?” Only those possessed of reason will remember.

Tafsir jalalayn

Or is he who (read, softened, a-man) devotes himself [in worship], observing duties of obedience, in the watches of the night, [during] its hours, prostrating and standing, in prayer, apprehensive of the [eventuality of the] Hereafter, in other words, fearing its chastisement, and hoping for the mercy, the Paradise, of his Lord ... ?, like one who is disobedient through disbelief or otherwise? (a variant reading has am-man, pronouncing the hamza, so that am has the sense of bal, `rather'). Say; `Are those who know equal with those who do not know?', in other words, they are not equal, just as the person of knowledge is not equal to the ignorant one. Only people of pith, possessors of intellect, remember, [only they] are admonished.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

The Obedient and the Sinner are not equal

Allah says, `is the one who is like this equal to one who associates others in worship with Allah and sets up rivals to Him?'

They are not equal before Allah, as He says;

لَيْسُواْ سَوَاءً مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَـبِ أُمَّةٌ قَأيِمَةٌ يَتْلُونَ ءَايَـتِ اللَّهِ ءَانَأءَ الَّيْلِ وَهُمْ يَسْجُدُونَ

Not all of them are alike; a party of the People of the Scripture stands for the right, they recite the Ayat of Allah Ana'a Al-Layl, prostrating themselves (in prayer). (3;113)

And Allah says here;

أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ انَاء اللَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَايِمًا

Is one who is obedient to Allah, Ana'a Al-Layl prostrating and standing,

meaning, one who is humble and fears Allah when he prostrates and stands (in prayer).

It was reported that Ibn Mas`ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said;

"The obedient one is one who obeys Allah and His Messenger."

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, Al-Hasan, As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd said,
Ana'a Al-Layl means in the depths of the night.

يَحْذَرُ الاْخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُو رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِ

fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord.

means, in his worship he feels both fear and hope. Both are essential in worship, and fear should be stronger during one's lifetime.

Allah says;
يَحْذَرُ الاْخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُو رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِ
(fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord), At the time of death, hope is uppermost, as Imam `Abd bin Humayd recorded in his Musnad from Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, who said,

"The Messenger of Allah entered upon a man who was dying, and said to him,
كَيْفَ تَجِدُكَ
(How do you feel?)

He said, `I am both afraid and hopeful.'

The Messenger of Allah said;

لَاا يَجْتَمِعَانِ فِي قَلْبِ عَبْدٍ فِي مِثْلِ هَذَا الْمَوْطِنِ إِلاَّ أَعْطَاهُ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ الَّذِي يَرْجُو وَأَمَّنَهُ الَّذِي يَخَافُه

"These do not co-exist in a person's heart at times such as this, but Allah will give him what he hopes for and protect him from that which he fears."

This was recorded by At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa'i in Al-Yawm wal-Laylah, and Ibn Majah from the Hadith of Yasar bin Hatim from Ja`far bin Sulayman.

At-Tirmidhi said, "Gharib."

Imam Ahmad recorded that Tamim Ad-Dari, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah said;

مَنْ قَرَأَ بِمِايَةِ ايَةٍ فِي لَيْلَةٍ كُتِبَ لَهُ قُنُوتُ لَيْلَة


Whoever recites one hundred Ayat in one night, it will be recorded as if he prayed all night.

This was also recorded by An-Nasa'i in Al-Yawm wal-Laylah.

قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

Say;"Are those who know equal to those who know not?"

means, is this one equal with the one who sets up rivals to Allah to mislead (men) from His path?

إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُوْلُوا الاَْلْبَابِ



It is only men of understanding who will remember.

means, the only one who will understand the difference between them is the one who has understanding.

And Allah knows best