Al-Qur'an Surah Ash-Shuraa Verse 17

Mufti Taqi Usmani

Allah is the One who has sent down the Book with truth, and the Balance as well. And what can let you know? May be, the Hour (the Day of Judgment) is near.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

It is Allah Who has revealed the Book with the truth and the balance ˹of justice˺. You never know, perhaps the Hour is near.

Ruwwad Translation Center

It is Allah Who has sent down the Book with the truth and justice. How could you know that perhaps the Hour is near?

A. J. Arberry

God it is who has sent down the Book with the truth, and also the Balance. And what shall make thee know? Haply the Hour is nigh.

Abdul Haleem

It is God who has sent down the Scripture with Truth and the Balance. How can you tell? The Last Hour may well be near:

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

Allah it is Who hath sent down the Book with the truth and the balance. And what shall make thee know the Hour may haply be nigh.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

It is Allah Who has sent down the Book in Truth, and the Balance (by which to weigh conduct). And what will make thee realise that perhaps the Hour is close at hand?

Abul Ala Maududi

Allah it is Who sent down this Book with the Truth and the Balance. And what would make you know that the Hour (of Judgement) has drawn near?

Ahmed Ali

It is God who has sent down the Book with the truth, and the Balance. How do you know the Hour is not near?

Ahmed Raza Khan

It is Allah Who has sent down the Book with the truth, and the Scales of Justice; and what do you know – possibly the Last Day could really be near!

Ali Quli Qarai

It is Allah who has sent down the Book with the truth and [He has sent down] the Balance. What do you know—maybe the Hour is near!

Ali Ünal

God is He Who has sent down the Book with truth and the Balance, (setting out the truth and what is right in all matters). And for all you know, the Last Hour may well be near.

Amatul Rahman Omar

Allâh is He Who has sent down the perfect Book, suiting your requirements, with the lasting truth, and an Equitable law. How should you know that the (promised) Hour may be near at hand?

English Literal

God (is) who descended The Book with the truth , and the scale/measuring instrument , and what makes you know/informs you, maybe/perhaps the Hour/Resurrection (is) near/close.

Faridul Haque

It is Allah Who has sent down the Book with the truth, and the Scales of Justice; and what do you know - possibly the Last Day could really be near!

Hamid S. Aziz

Allah it is Who revealed the Book with truth, and the Balance, and what shall make you realise that perhaps the Hour be nigh?

Hilali & Khan

It is Allah Who has sent down the Book (the Quran) in truth, and the Balance (i.e. to act justly). And what can make you know that perhaps the Hour is close at hand?

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And those who dispute about Allah after obedience has been rendered to Him, their plea is null with their Lord, and upon them is wrath, and for them is severe chastisement.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

Allah it is Who revealed the Book with truth, and the balance, and what shall make you know that haply the hour be nigh?

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

Allah it is Who hath revealed the Scripture with truth, and the Balance. How canst thou know? It may be that the Hour is nigh.

Muhammad Sarwar

It is God who revealed the Book and the Balance for a truthful purpose. You never know. Perhaps the Hour of Doom is close at hand.

Qaribullah & Darwish

It is Allah who has sent down the Book in truth and the Scale. And what will let you know? The Hour is near.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

It is Allah Who has sent down the Book in truth, and the Balance. And what can make you know that perhaps the Hour is close at hand

Wahiduddin Khan

It is God who has sent down the Book with the truth and the scales of justice. What will make you realize that the Hour might well have drawn near?

Talal Itani

It is God who revealed the Book with the truth, and the Balance. And what will make you realize that perhaps the Hour is near?

Tafsir jalalayn

God it is Who has revealed the Book, the Qur'n, with the truth (bi'l-haqqi is semantically connected to anzala, `revealed') as well as the Balance, Justice. And what do you know -- perhaps the Hour, that is, its arrival, is near! (la`alla, `perhaps', comments on the verb describing the action, with what follows it functioning as two direct objects).

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

اللَّهُ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ

It is Allah Who has sent down the Book in truth,

referring to all the Books which were revealed from Him to His Prophets.

وَالْمِيزَانَ

and the Balance.

means, justice and fairness.

This was the view of Mujahid and Qatadah.

This is like the Ayat;

لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَـتِ وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَـبَ وَالْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ

Indeed We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance that mankind may keep up justice. (57;25)

وَالسَّمَأءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ الْمِيزَانَ

أَلاَّ تَطْغَوْاْ فِى الْمِيزَانِ

وَأَقِيمُواْ الْوَزْنَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَلَا تُخْسِرُواْ الْمِيزَانَ

And the heaven He has raised high, and He has set up the Balance. In order that you may not transgress (due) balance. And observe the weight with equity and do not make the balance deficient. (55;7-9)

وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّ السَّاعَةَ قَرِيبٌ



And what can make you know that perhaps the Hour is close at hand?

This is encouragement (to strive) for its sake, a terrifying warning, and advice to think little of this world