Al-Qur'an Surah Al-Anfal Verse 59

Mufti Taqi Usmani

The disbelievers should never think that they have surpassed (the divine punishment). Surely, they cannot frustrate (the Divine will).

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Do not let those disbelievers[[ Who survived the Battle of Badr. ]] think they are not within reach. They will have no escape.

Ruwwad Translation Center

The disbelievers should not think that they are unreachable; they cannot escape.

A. J. Arberry

And thou art not to suppose that they who disbelieve have outstripped Me; they cannot frustrate My will.

Abdul Haleem

The disbelievers should not think they have won; they cannot escape.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

Let not those who disbelieve deem that they have escaped, verily they cannot frustrate.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Let not the unbelievers think that they can get the better (of the godly); they will never frustrate (them).

Abul Ala Maududi

Let not the deniers of the truth be deluded that they will gain any advantage. Surely, they, can never overcome Us!

Ahmed Ali

The infidels should not think that they can bypass (the law of God). Surely they cannot get away.

Ahmed Raza Khan

And never may the disbelievers pride that they have escaped; indeed they can never defeat.

Ali Quli Qarai

Let the faithless not suppose that they have outmanoeuvred [Allah]. Indeed, they cannot frustrate [His power].

Ali Ünal

And let not those who disbelieve ever think that they can outdo the believers or otherwise escape Our punishment. They can never frustrate Our will.

Amatul Rahman Omar

And let not those who disbelieve think that they have outstripped (Us). They shall not be able to frustrate (Our purpose).

English Literal

And those who disbelieved do not think/suppose (that) they raced/went ahead/won, that they truly do not disable/frustrate.

Faridul Haque

And never may the disbelievers pride that they have escaped; indeed they can never defeat.

Hamid S. Aziz

Let not those who disbelieve deem that they can outstrip (believers or Allah´s purpose); verily, they cannot frustrate them (or escape).

Hilali & Khan

And let not those who disbelieve think that they can outstrip (escape from the punishment). Verily, they will never be able to save themselves (from Allah's Punishment).

Maulana Mohammad Ali

And if thou fear treachery on the part of a people, throw back to them (their treaty) on terms of equality. Surely Allah loves not the treacherous.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And let not those who disbelieve think that they shall come in first; surely they will not escape.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

And let not those who disbelieve suppose that they can outstrip (Allah's Purpose). Lo! they cannot escape.

Muhammad Sarwar

The unbelievers should not think that they can really escape Us or that they can never be defeated.

Qaribullah & Darwish

Do not suppose that the unbelievers have outstripped (Allah). They cannot frustrate Me.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And let not those who disbelieve think that they can outstrip (escape from the punishment). Verily, they will never be able to save themselves (from Allah's punishment).

Wahiduddin Khan

Let not the deniers think that they will ever get away. They cannot frustrate [God's purpose]. They have not the power to do so.

Talal Itani

Let not the disbelievers assume that they are ahead. They will not escape.

Tafsir jalalayn

The following was revealed regarding those who escaped capture on the day of Badr; And do not, O Muhammad (s), let those who disbelieve suppose that they have outstripped, God, that is, [that] they have eluded Him; indeed they cannot escape, they cannot elude Him (a variant reading has wa-l yahsabanna, `and do not let them suppose', so that the first direct object is omitted, actually being [an implied] anfusahum, `themselves' [sc. `and do not let them suppose themselves to have outstripped']; and according to another [variant reading] anna is read [instead of inna] with an implicit lm [sc. `because they cannot escape']).

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

Making Preparations for War to strike Fear in the Hearts of the Enemies of Allah

Allah says to His Prophet,

وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ سَبَقُواْ إِنَّهُمْ لَا يُعْجِزُونَ



And let not those who disbelieve think that they can outstrip (escape from the punishment). Verily, they will never be able to save themselves (from Allah's punishment).

And let not those who disbelieve think that they can outstrip, Do not think that such disbelievers have escaped Us or that We are unable to grasp them. Rather, they are under the power of Our ability and in the grasp of Our will; they will never escape Us.'

Allah also said,

أَمْ حَسِبَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ السَّيِّيَاتِ أَن يَسْبِقُونَا سَأءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ

Or think those who do evil deeds that they can outstrip Us (escape Our punishment) Evil is that which they judge! (29;4)

لَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مُعْجِزِينَ فِى الااٌّرْضِ وَمَأْوَاهُمُ النَّارُ وَلَبِيْسَ الْمَصِيرُ

Consider not that the disbelievers can escape in the land. Their abode shall be the Fire, and worst indeed is that destination. (24;57)

and,

لَا يَغُرَّنَّكَ تَقَلُّبُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِى الْبِلَـدِ

مَتَـعٌ قَلِيلٌ ثُمَّ مَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ وَبِيْسَ الْمِهَادُ

Let not the free disposal (and affluence) of the disbelievers throughout the land deceive you. A brief enjoyment; then their ultimate abode is Hell; and worst indeed is that place for rest. (3;196-197)

Allah commands Muslims to prepare for war against disbelievers, as much as possible, according to affordability and availability.

Allah said