Al-Qur'an Surah Muhammad Verse 21

Mufti Taqi Usmani

The (reality of their) obedience and (truthfulness of their) speech is fully known (as being mere deception). So, had they been truthful to Allah when the matter had become serious, it would have been much better for them.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

to obey and speak rightly. Then when fighting was ordained, it surely would have been better for them if they were true to Allah.

Ruwwad Translation Center

to obey and say good words. Once the fighting was ordained, it would be better for them to be truthful to Allah.

A. J. Arberry

obedience, and words honourable. Then, when the matter is resolved, if they were true to God, it would be better for them.

Abdul Haleem

would be obedience and fitting words; it would also be better for them to be true to God when the decision to fight has been made.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

Their obedience and speech are known. Then when the affair is determined, if even then they gave credence Unto Allah, it would have been better for them.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Were it to obey and say what is just, and when a matter is resolved on, it were best for them if they were true to Allah.

Abul Ala Maududi

(They keep affirming their) obedience and saying good words. But when a course of action was clearly determined, it would have been better for them if they had proved true to Allah.

Ahmed Ali

Obedience and modest speech (would have been more becoming). And when the matter has been determined it is best for them to be true to God.

Ahmed Raza Khan

To obey and speak good; so when the manifest command came – it would have been better for them if they had remained faithful to Allah.

Ali Quli Qarai

Obedience and upright speech.... So when the matter has been resolved upon [concerning going to war], if they remain true to Allah that will surely be better for them.

Ali Ünal

(Whereas, what true believers are expected to do in response to any Divine order is) obedience and a proper word. So, if they were true to God when the command has been resolved upon (and it calls them to do what their pledge to God requires them), it would certainly be good for them.

Amatul Rahman Omar

(More fitting and proper for them was) to obey and to say what is just and good. And when the matter (of fighting) is (once) resolved upon (and war breaks out) it is better for them if they remain true to Allâh (and fulfill the covenant they made with Him).

English Literal

Obedience and a generous word/opinion and belief , so if the matter/affair (was) determined/decided , so if they were truthful (to) God (it) would have been better for them.

Faridul Haque

To obey and speak good; so when the manifest command came - it would have been better for them if they had remained faithful to Allah.

Hamid S. Aziz

Obedience and just (or civil, appropriate) words would be proper; but when the affair becomes settled, then if they remain true to Allah it would certainly be better for them.

Hilali & Khan

Obedience (to Allah) and good words (were better for them). And when the matter (preparation for Jihad) is resolved on, then if they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them.

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And those who believe say: Why is not a chapter revealed? But when a decisive chapter is revealed, and fighting is mentioned therein, thou seest those in whose hearts is a disease look to thee with the look of one fainting at death. So woe to them!

Mohammad Habib Shakir

Obedience and a gentle word (was proper); but when the affair becomes settled, then if they remain true to Allah it would certainly be better for them.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

Obedience and a civil word. Then, when the matter is determined, if they are loyal to Allah it will be well for them.

Muhammad Sarwar

Since they have (pledged) Us obedience and to speak reasonably, it would be more proper for them, when it is decided (that everyone must take part in the battle), to remain true (in their pledge to God).

Qaribullah & Darwish

Yet obedience and honorable words (would be better for them). Then, when the matter is decided, if they were true to Allah it would be better for them.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

Obedience and good words. And when the matter is resolved, then if they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them.

Wahiduddin Khan

Obedience and saying what is just would become them more; when the decision is taken, it would be better for them if they acted sincerely towards God.

Talal Itani

Obedience and upright speech. Then, when the matter is settled, being true to God would have been better for them.

Tafsir jalalayn

would be [to offer] obedience and honourable words, that is, [words] that are kind to you. Then, when the matter has been resolved upon, that is to say, [when] fighting has been prescribed, if they are loyal to God, in faith and obedience, it will be better for them (the sentence beginning with law, `if', constitutes the response to idh, `when').

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

طَاعَةٌ وَقَوْلٌ مَّعْرُوفٌ

But it was better for them, obedience and good words.

which means that it would have been better for them to listen and obey in that present situation.

فَإِذَا عَزَمَ الاْإَمْرُ

When the matter (of fighting) is resolved.

which means when the situation becomes serious and the time of fighting truly arrives.

فَلَوْ صَدَقُوا اللَّهَ

if they had been true to Allah,

meaning, by making their intentions sincerely for Him.

لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ



it would have been better for them.

Allah then says