Al-Qur'an Surah At-Tawbah Verse 46

Mufti Taqi Usmani

Had they wished to set out, they would have made some preparation for it, but Allah disliked their going forth, so He made them lag behind, and it was said to them, “Stay back with those who are staying back.”

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Had they ˹really˺ intended to march forth, they would have made preparations for it. But Allah disliked that they should go, so He let them lag behind, and it was said ˹to them˺, “Stay with those ˹helpless˺ who remain behind.”

Ruwwad Translation Center

If they had truly intended to march forth, they would have made necessary preparations for it. But Allah disliked their going forth, so He made them lag behind, and they were told, “Stay behind with those who are staying behind.”

A. J. Arberry

If they had desired to go forth, they would have made some preparation for it; but God was averse that they should be aroused, so He made them pause, and it was said to them, 'Tarry you with the tarriers.'

Abdul Haleem

If they had really wanted to go out [to battle] with you, they would have made preparations, but God was loath to let them rise up and made them hold back. It was said, ‘Stay with those who stay behind.’

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And had they intended the going forth, they would have made some preparation therefor; But Allah was averse to their wending, wherefore He withheld them, and the word was passed: stay of home with the stay-at-homes.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

If they had intended to come out, they would certainly have made some preparation therefor; but Allah was averse to their being sent forth; so He made them lag behind, and they were told, "Sit ye among those who sit (inactive)."

Abul Ala Maududi

Had they truly intended to march forth to fight, they would have certainly made some preparation for it. But Allah was averse to their going forth, so He made them lag behind, and they were told: "Stay behind with those that are staying behind."

Ahmed Ali

If they had intended to go out (to fight) they would surely have made preparations. But God did not like their setting forth, and they were held back and told: "Stay at home with those who stay behind."

Ahmed Raza Khan

And if going forth were acceptable to them, they would have made preparations for it, but Allah Himself disliked their getting up (to fight) so He filled them with laze and it was said “Continue sitting with those who remain seated.”

Ali Quli Qarai

Had they desired to go forth, they would have surely made some preparations for it; but Allah was averse to arouse them, so He held them back, and it was said [to them], ‘Be seated with those who sit back.’

Ali Ünal

Had they truly meant to go forth for war, they would surely have made certain preparation (demonstrating their intent). But God was averse to their rising to fight (unwillingly and without sincerity of purpose), and so He caused them to hold back, and it was decreed for them: "Stay at home with the stay-at-homes (women and children)."

Amatul Rahman Omar

If they had (really) intended to go forth they would certainly have made some preparations (for the expedition), but Allâh disliked their attending (to their duty) and He held them back and it was said (to them), `Remain back with those who stay behind.´

English Literal

And if they wanted/intended the exit they would have prepared (E) for it tools/outfit and but God hated their urging to get out (to battle) so He blocked/ delayed them and (it) was said: "Sit/remain 125with the sitting/remaining."

Faridul Haque

And if going forth were acceptable to them, they would have made preparations for it, but Allah Himself disliked their getting up (to fight) so He filled them with laze and it was said "Continue sitting with those who remain seated."

Hamid S. Aziz

Had they wished to go forth, they would certainly have prepared some equipment; but Allah was averse from their being sent forth, and held them back, and they were told "Sit you with the inactive (sedentary or passive)."

Hilali & Khan

And if they had intended to march out, certainly, they would have made some preparation for it, but Allah was averse to their being sent forth, so He made them lag behind, and it was said (to them), "Sit you among those who sit (at home)."

Maulana Mohammad Ali

They alone ask leave of thee who believe not in Allah and the Last Day, and their hearts are in doubt, so in their doubt they waver.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

And if they had intended to go forth, they would certainly have provided equipment for it, but Allah did not like their going forth, so He withheld them, and it was said (to them): Hold back with those who hold back.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

And if they had wished to go forth they would assuredly have made ready some equipment, but Allah was averse to their being sent forth and held them back and it was said (unto them): Sit ye with the sedentary!

Muhammad Sarwar

Had they (the hypocrites) wanted to join your army, they would have prepared themselves, but God did not wish to motivate them, so He caused them to linger behind with those whose joining you in battle would be of no use.

Qaribullah & Darwish

Had they intended to set forth with you, they would have prepared themselves for it. But Allah did not like their going forth and held them back, and it was said: 'Stay back with those who stay back'

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

And if they had intended to march out, certainly, they would have made some preparation for it; but Allah was averse to their being sent forth, so He made them lag behind, and it was said (to them): "Sit among those who sit (at home)."

Wahiduddin Khan

If they had wished to go forth, they would surely have made some preparation for it, but God disliked their setting out [and being raised high in God's eyes] and held them back. They were told to stay behind with those who stay behind.

Talal Itani

Had they wanted to mobilize, they would have made preparations for it; but God disliked their participation, so he held them back, and it was said, “Stay behind with those who stay behind.”

Tafsir jalalayn

If they had desired to go forth, with you, they would have made some preparation for it, some equipment, such as tools and provisions, but God was averse that they should be sent forth, that is, He did not want them to go forth, so He slowed them down, He made them [feel] lethargic, and it was said, to them; `Stay back with those who stay back!', [with] the sick, the women and the children; in other words, God decreed this.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

Exposing Hypocrites

Allah said,

وَلَوْ أَرَادُواْ الْخُرُوجَ

And if they had intended to march out,

with you to participate in Jihad,

لاأَعَدُّواْ لَهُ عُدَّةً

certainly, they would have made some preparation for it,

they would have prepared for such task,

وَلَـكِن كَرِهَ اللّهُ انبِعَاثَهُمْ

but Allah was averse to their being sent forth,

Allah hated that they should go with you,

فَثَبَّطَهُمْ

so He made them lag behind, and stay away (from Jihad),

وَقِيلَ اقْعُدُواْ مَعَ الْقَاعِدِينَ



and it was said (to them);"Sit you among those who sit (at home)."

as a part of what was decreed for them (not that He legislated that they stay behind).

Allah then explained why He disliked that they march with the believers, saying