Al-Qur'an Surah An-Nisa Verse 51

Mufti Taqi Usmani

Have you not seen those who have been given a share from the Book? They believe in Jibt and Tāghūt and say concerning those who disbelieve, “They are better guided in their way than those who believe.”

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Have you ˹O Prophet˺ not seen those who were given a portion of the Scriptures yet believe in idols and false gods and reassure the disbelievers[[ i.e., the polytheists.]] that they are better guided than the believers?

Ruwwad Translation Center

Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture, who believe in idols and Tāghoot [false gods], and they say to the disbelievers that they are more guided than the believers?

A. J. Arberry

Hast thou not regarded those who were given a share of the Book believing in demons and idols, and saying to the unbelievers, 'These are more rightly guided on the way than the believers'?

Abdul Haleem

Do you not see how those given a share of the Scripture, [evidently] now believe in idols and evil powers? They say of the disbelievers, ‘They are more rightly guided than the believers.’

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

Hast thou not observed those unto whom is vouchsafed a portion of the Book testifying to idols and devils, and saying of those who have disbelieved: these are better guided as regards the way than the believers?

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Hast thou not turned Thy vision to those who were given a portion of the Book? they believe in sorcery and Evil, and say to the Unbelievers that they are better guided in the (right) way Than the believers!

Abul Ala Maududi

Have you not seen those to whom a portion of the Book was given? They believe in baseless superstitions and taghut (false deities), and say about the unbelievers that they are better guided than those who believe.

Ahmed Ali

Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Book, who believe in false deities and evil powers, and say of unbelievers: "These are better guided than those who believe."

Ahmed Raza Khan

Did you not see those who received a portion of the Book, that they believe in idols and the devil, and say regarding the disbelievers that they are more rightly guided than the Muslims?

Ali Quli Qarai

Have you not regarded those who were given a share of the Book, believing in idols and fake deities and saying of the pagans: ‘These are better guided on the way than the faithful’?

Ali Ünal

Do you not consider those who were given a portion of the Book, how they believe in any false deity and all manner of powers of evil (who institute patterns of faith and rule in defiance of God), and say about those (idolaters) who disbelieve that they are more rightly guided (in the way they follow) than those who believe?

Amatul Rahman Omar

Have you not considered the case of those who were given a portion of the Scripture? They believe in nonsense things devoid of good and follow those who transgress, and they say of those who disbelieve, `These are better guided in the (right) way than those who believe (in Islam).´

English Literal

Did you not see to those who were given a share from The Book , they believe with the idol/sorcery/sorcerer and the anything worshipped other than God/the devil , and they say to those who disbelieved: "Those (are) more guided from those who believed (by) a way/path."

Faridul Haque

Did you not see those who received a portion of the Book, that they believe in idols and the devil, and say regarding the disbelievers that they are more rightly guided than the Muslims?

Hamid S. Aziz

Shall they have a portion of the kingdom? Why, even then they would not give to men a jot.

Hilali & Khan

Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture? They believe in Jibt and Taghut and say to the disbelievers that they are better guided as regards the way than the believers (Muslims).

Maulana Mohammad Ali

See how they forge lies against Allah! And sufficient is this as a manifest sin.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

Have you not seen those to whom a portion of the Book has been given? They believe in idols and false deities and say of those who disbelieve: These are better guided in the path than those who believe.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

Hast thou not seen those unto whom a portion of the Scripture hath been given, how they believe in idols and false deities, and how they say of those (idolaters) who disbelieve: "These are more rightly guided than those who believe"?

Muhammad Sarwar

Have you seen how those who had been given a share of the Book believe in idols and Satan and who say, "The disbelievers are better guided than the believers".

Qaribullah & Darwish

Have you not seen those to whom a portion of the Book was given believing in (the two statutes of Mecca) jibt and taghout and say to those who disbelieve: 'Those are more guided on the way than those who believe.'

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture They believe in Jibt and Taghut and say to those who disbelieve, "These people are better guided on the way, " than the believers.

Wahiduddin Khan

Have you not seen those who were in possession of a portion of the Book? They believe in idols and devils. They say of those who deny the truth, "They are more rightly guided than the believers."

Talal Itani

Have you not considered those who were given a share of the Book? They believe in superstition and evil powers, and say of those who disbelieve, “These are better guided on the way than the believers.”

Tafsir jalalayn

The following was revealed regarding Ka`b b. al-Ashraf and other such scholars from among the Jews, when they came to Mecca and saw those killed at Badr, and began to incite the idolaters to avenge them [their dead] by waging war against the Prophet (s); Have you not seen those who were given a share of the Book, how they believe in al-Jibt and al-Tght, two idols belonging to Quraysh, and say to the disbelievers, to Ab Sufyn and his companions, when they [the latter] said to them; `Are we, who are the guardians of the House, who give drink to the pilgrim, offer hospitality to the guest, set free the captive, and do such and such ... not more rightly guided than Muhammad, he who has contravened the religion of his forefathers, severed the ties of kinship, and abandoned the Sanctuary?', `These, in other words, you, are more rightly guided, upon a more upright way, than the believers'?

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ نَصِيبًا مِّنَ الْكِتَابِ يُوْمِنُونَ بِالْجِبْتِ وَالطَّاغُوتِ

Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture! They believe in Jibt and Taghut.

Muhammad bin Ishaq said from Hassan bin Fa'id that Umar bin Al-Khattab said,

"Jibt is sorcery and Taghut is the Shaytan."

Abu Nasr Ismail bin Hammad Al-Jawhari, the renowned scholar, said in his book As-Sihah,

"Al-Jibt means idol, soothsayer and sorcerer."

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that;

Jabir bin Abdullah was asked about Taghut, and he said, "They are soothsayers upon whom the devils descend."

Mujahid said

"Taghut is a devil in the shape of man, and they refer to him for judgment."

Imam Malik said,

"Taghut is every object that is worshipped instead of Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored."
Disbelievers Are not Better Guided Than Believers

Allah said,

وَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ هَوُلاء أَهْدَى مِنَ الَّذِينَ امَنُواْ سَبِيلً



and say to those who disbelieve, "These people are better guided on the way," than the believers.

preferring the disbelievers over Muslims, because of their ignorance, un-religious nature and disbelief in Allah's Book which is before them.

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ikrimah said,

"Huyay bin Akhtab and Ka`b bin Al-Ashraf (two Jewish leaders) came to the people of Makkah, who said to them, `You (Jews) are people of the Book and knowledge, so judge us and Muhammad.'

They said, `Describe yourselves and describe Muhammad.'

They said, `We keep relation with kith and kin, slaughter camels (for the poor), release the indebted and provide water for the pilgrims.

As for Muhammad he is without male children, he severed our relations, and the thieves who rob pilgrims (the tribe of) Ghifar follow him. So who is better, we or him?'

They said, `You are more righteous and better guided.'

Thereafter, Allah sent down,
لَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ نَصِيبًا
(Have you not seen those who were given a portion)."

This story was also reported from Ibn Abbas and several others among the Salaf.

Allah's Curse on the Jews

Allah said,

أُوْلَـيِكَ الَّذِينَ لَعَنَهُمُ اللّهُ وَمَن يَلْعَنِ اللّهُ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُ نَصِيرًا