Al-Qur'an Surah Al-Ahqaf Verse 3

Mufti Taqi Usmani

We did not create the heavens and the earth but with true purpose and for a specified term. But those who disbelieve are averse to what they are warned of.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

We only created the heavens and the earth and everything in between for a purpose and an appointed term. Yet the disbelievers are turning away from what they have been warned about.

Ruwwad Translation Center

We have not created the heavens and earth and all that is between them except for a true purpose and for a set term, yet those who disbelieve turn away from what they have been warned of.

A. J. Arberry

We have not created the heavens and the earth, and what between them is, save with the truth and a stated term; but the unbelievers are turning away from that they were warned of.

Abdul Haleem

It was for a true purpose and a specific term that We created heaven and earth and everything in between, yet those who deny the truth ignore the warning they have been given.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

We created not the heavens and the earth and whatsoever is in-between the twain save with truth, and for a term stated. And those who disbelieve are from that whereof they are warned backsliders.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

We created not the heavens and the earth and all between them but for just ends, and for a Term Appointed; But those who reject Faith turn away from that whereof they are warned.

Abul Ala Maududi

We have created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in Truth and for an appointed term. But those who disbelieve have turned away from what they were warned against.

Ahmed Ali

We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them but with a purpose for an appointed time. Yet the unbelievers turn away from the warning.

Ahmed Raza Khan

We did not create the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except with the truth, and for a fixed term; and the disbelievers have turned away from what they are warned!

Ali Quli Qarai

We did not create the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them except with consummate wisdom and for a specified term. Yet the faithless are disregardful of what they are warned.

Ali Ünal

We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them save with truth (for meaningful purposes, and on solid foundations of truth), and for an appointed term. But those who disbelieve turn away from that (Day of Judgment) about which they are warned.

Amatul Rahman Omar

We have not created the heavens and the earth and what lies between them both but with an eternal purpose and for a term appointed. Yet those who have disbelieved in what they have been warned of are the ones who turn away (from this Qur´ân).

English Literal

We did not create the skies/space and the earth/Planet Earth and what (is) between them (B) except with the truth , and a named/identified (specified) term/time, and those who disbelieved (are) objecting/opposing from what they were warned/given notice (of).

Faridul Haque

We did not create the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except with the truth, and for a fixed term; and the disbelievers have turned away from what they are warned!

Hamid S. Aziz

We did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them two save with Truth and for an appointed term; and those who disbelieve turn aside from what they are warned of.

Hilali & Khan

We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except with truth, and for an appointed term. But those who disbelieve turn away from that whereof they are warned.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

The revelation of the Book is from Allah, the Mighty, the Wise.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

We did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them two save with truth and (for) an appointed term; and those who disbelieve turn aside from what they are warned of.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them save with truth, and for a term appointed. But those who disbelieve turn away from that whereof they are warned.

Muhammad Sarwar

We have created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them ONLY for a genuine purpose and an appointed time. The unbelievers ignore that of which they have been warned.

Qaribullah & Darwish

It was in truth that We created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, for an appointed term. Yet the unbelievers do not turn away from that which they were warned.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except with truth, and for a specified term. But those who disbelieve, turn away from that whereof they are warned.

Wahiduddin Khan

We created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them purely for just ends, and for a specific term, but those who reject Faith turn away from what they have been warned of.

Talal Itani

We did not create the heavens and the earth and what lies between them except with reason, and for a finite period. But the blasphemers continue to ignore the warnings they receive.

Tafsir jalalayn

We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except, as a creation, in truth, so that it may be an indication of Our power and Our Oneness, and for an appointed term, until [the point of] their annihilation on the Day of Resurrection. Yet those who disbelieve are disregardful of what they are warned, [of what] they are threatened with in the way of [impending] chastisement.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

مَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالاْاَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا إِلاَّ بِالْحَقِّ.

We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except in truth,

meaning, not in idle play and falsehood.

..
وَأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى

and for a specified term.

meaning, for a fixed and specified duration that will not increase or decrease.

Allah continues,

وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا عَمَّا أُنذِرُوا مُعْرِضُونَ



But those who disbelieve, turn away from that of which they are warned.

Meaning, the disbelievers are distracted from what is intended for them. Allah has indeed revealed to them a Book and sent to them a Messenger. Yet, they obstinately turn away from all of that. Therefore, they will soon realize the consequence of their behavior.
Refuting the Idolators

Allah then says