Al-Qur'an Surah Ash-Shuraa Verse 40

Mufti Taqi Usmani

The recompense of evil is evil like it. Then the one who forgives and opts for compromise has his reward undertaken by Allah. Surely, He does not like the unjust.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

The reward of an evil deed is its equivalent. But whoever pardons and seeks reconciliation, then their reward is with Allah. He certainly does not like the wrongdoers.

Ruwwad Translation Center

The retribution of harm is its equivalent harm, but whoever pardons and seeks reconciliation, his reward is with Allah. Indeed, He does not like the wrongdoers.

A. J. Arberry

and the recompense of evil is evil the like of it; but whoso pardons and puts things right, his wage falls upon God; surely He loves not the evildoers.

Abdul Haleem

Let harm be requited by an equal harm, though anyone who forgives and puts things right will have his reward from God Himself––He does not like those who do wrong.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

The meed of an ill-deed is an ill the like thereUnto; but whosoever pardoneth and amendeth, his hire is on Allah; verily He approveth not the wrong-doers.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree); but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah; for (Allah) loveth not those who do wrong.

Abul Ala Maududi

The recompense of evil is evil the like of it. But he who forgives and makes amends, his reward lies with Allah. Surely He does not love the wrong-doers.

Ahmed Ali

The retribution of evil is the equal of evil (done); yet those who forgive and rehabilitate will be rewarded by God. Verily He does not like those who do wrong.

Ahmed Raza Khan

The retribution of a harmful deed is the harm equal to it; so whoever forgives and makes amends, so his reward is upon Allah; indeed He does not befriend the unjust.

Ali Quli Qarai

The requital of evil is an evil like it, so whoever excuses and conciliates, his reward lies with Allah. Indeed, He does not like the wrongdoers.

Ali Ünal

The recompense of an evil deed can only be an evil equal to it; but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from God. Surely He does not love the wrongdoers.

Amatul Rahman Omar

And (they keep in mind that) the recompense of an evil done is a punishment equal to it (for an evil merits an equal evil). But he who pardons (an offender) and (thereby) improves the matter (and effects thereby a reform in the offender) shall have his reward from Allâh. Behold! He does not love the wrong doers.

English Literal

And a sin`s/crime`s reimbursement (is) a sin/crime equal to it , so who forgave/pardoned and corrected/repaired , so his reward (is) on God, that He truly does not love/like the unjust/oppressors.

Faridul Haque

The retribution of a harmful deed is the harm equal to it; so whoever forgives and makes amends, so his reward is upon Allah; indeed He does not befriend the unjust.

Hamid S. Aziz

And the recompense of evil is punishment like it, but whoever forgives and amends, he shall have his reward from Allah; surely He does not love the unjust.

Hilali & Khan

The recompense for an evil is an evil like thereof, but whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah. Verily, He likes not the Zalimun (oppressors, polytheists, and wrong-doers, etc.).

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And those who, when great wrong afflicts them, defend themselves.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And the recompense of evil is punishment like it, but whoever forgives and amends, he shall have his reward from Allah; surely He does not love the unjust.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

The guerdon of an ill-deed is an ill the like thereof. But whosoever pardoneth and amendeth, his wage is the affair of Allah. Lo! He loveth not wrong-doers.

Muhammad Sarwar

The recompense for evil will be equivalent to the deed. He who pardons (the evil done to him) and reforms himself, will receive his reward from God. God certainly does not love the unjust.

Qaribullah & Darwish

The recompense of a sin is a sin like it, but whosoever forgives and seeks to reform, his wage will be with Allah. Surely, He does not love the harmdoers.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

The recompense for an evil is an evil like thereof; but whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allah. Verily, He likes not the wrongdoers.

Wahiduddin Khan

Let harm be requited by an equal harm. But whoever pardons and amends will find his reward with God. He does not love the wrongdoers.

Talal Itani

The repayment of a bad action is one equivalent to it. But whoever pardons and makes reconciliation, his reward lies with God. He does not love the unjust.

Tafsir jalalayn

For the requital of an evil deed is an evil deed like it; the latter is [also] referred to as `an evil deed' because in [outward] form it resembles the former; this is evident in what concerns retaliation for wounds. Some [scholars] say that even if another were to say, `May God disgrace you!', then one should respond [equally] with, `May God disgrace you!'. But whoever pardons, his wrongdoer, and reconciles, the amity between himself and the one pardoned, his reward will be with God, that is to say, God will give him his reward without doubt. Truly He does not like wrongdoers, that is, those who initiate acts of wrongdoing and so merit His punishment.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

Forgiving or exacting Revenge on Wrongdoers

Allah says,

وَجَزَاء سَيِّيَةٍ سَيِّيَةٌ مِّثْلُهَا

The recompense for an evil is an evil like thereof.

This is like the Ayat;

فَمَنِ اعْتَدَى عَلَيْكُمْ فَاعْتَدُواْ عَلَيْهِ بِمِثْلِ مَا اعْتَدَى عَلَيْكُمْ

Then whoever transgresses the prohibition against you, you transgress likewise against him. (2;194)

and,

وَإِنْ عَاقَبْتُمْ فَعَاقِبُواْ بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبْتُمْ بِهِ

And if you punish, then punish them with the like of that with which you were afflicted. (16;126)

Justice, has been prescribed, in the form of the prescribed laws of equality in punishment (Al-Qisas), but the better way, which means forgiving, is recommended, as Allah says;

وَالْجُرُوحَ قِصَاصٌ فَمَن تَصَدَّقَ بِهِ فَهُوَ كَفَّارَةٌ لَّهُ

and wounds equal for equal. But if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity, it shall be for him expiation. (5;45)

Allah says here;

فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ

but whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allah.

means, that will not be wasted with Allah. As it is said in a Sahih Hadith;

وَمَا زَادَ اللهُ تَعَالَى عَبْدًا بِعَفْوٍ إِلاَّ عِزًّا

Allah does not increase the person who forgives except in honor.

إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ



Verily, He likes not the wrongdoers.

means, the aggressors, i.e., those who initiate the evil actions.

وَلَمَنِ انتَصَرَ بَعْدَ ظُلْمِهِ فَأُوْلَيِكَ مَا عَلَيْهِم مِّن سَبِيلٍ