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Popular and/or Featured Works
Muhammad Asad   
IT DOES NOT behove a prophet to keep captives unless he has battled strenuously on earth. You may desire the fleeting gains of this world-but God desires [for you the good of] the life to come: and God is almighty, wise
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
It is not fit for a prophet that he should take captives until he has thoroughly subdued the land. You ˹believers˺ settled with the fleeting gains of this world, while Allah’s aim ˹for you˺ is the Hereafter. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.
Safi Kaskas   
It is not right for a prophet to take prisoners of war before he has conquered the land. You [people] desire the temporary gains of this world, but God desires for you the good of the life to come. God is Almighty and Wise.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
مَا كَانَ لِنَبِیٍّ أَن یَكُونَ لَهُۥۤ أَسۡرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ یُثۡخِنَ فِی ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ تُرِیدُونَ عَرَضَ ٱلدُّنۡیَا وَٱللَّهُ یُرِیدُ ٱلۡءَاخِرَةَۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِیزٌ حَكِیمࣱ ۝٦٧
Transliteration (2021)   
mā kāna linabiyyin an yakūna lahu asrā ḥattā yuth'khina fī l-arḍi turīdūna ʿaraḍa l-dun'yā wal-lahu yurīdu l-ākhirata wal-lahu ʿazīzun ḥakīmu
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
Not is for a Prophet that (there) should be for him prisoners of war until he has battled strenuously in the land. You desire (the) commodities (of) the world, but Allah desires (for you) the Hereafter. And Allah (is) All-Mighty, All-Wise.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
IT DOES NOT behove a prophet to keep captives unless he has battled strenuously on earth. You may desire the fleeting gains of this world-but God desires [for you the good of] the life to come: and God is almighty, wise
M. M. Pickthall   
It is not for any prophet to have captives until he hath made slaughter in the land. Ye desire the lure of this world and Allah desireth (for you) the Hereafter, and Allah is Mighty, Wise
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
It is not fitting for a prophet that he should have prisoners of war until he hath thoroughly subdued the land. Ye look for the temporal goods of this world; but Allah looketh to the Hereafter: And Allah is Exalted in might, Wise
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
It is not fit for a prophet that he should take captives until he has thoroughly subdued the land. You ˹believers˺ settled with the fleeting gains of this world, while Allah’s aim ˹for you˺ is the Hereafter. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.
Safi Kaskas   
It is not right for a prophet to take prisoners of war before he has conquered the land. You [people] desire the temporary gains of this world, but God desires for you the good of the life to come. God is Almighty and Wise.
Wahiduddin Khan   
It is not right for a Prophet to keep captives unless he has battled strenuously in the land. You desire the gain of this world, while God desires for you the HereafterGod is mighty and wise
Shakir   
It is not fit for a prophet that he should take captives unless he has fought and triumphed in the land; you desire the frail goods of this world, while Allah desires (for you) the hereafter; and Allah is Mighty, Wise
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
It had not been for a Prophet that he would have prisoners of war unless he gives a sound thrashing in the region. You want the advantages of the present, but God wants the world to come. And God is Almighty, Wise.
T.B.Irving   
It is not proper for a Prophet to have any prisoners [of war] until he has subdued [everyone] on earth. You (all) want worldly show while God wants the Hereafter [for you]. God is Powerful, Wise.
Abdul Hye   
It is not fit for a Prophet that he should have prisoners of war until he has thoroughly subdued the land. You (Muslims) desire the good of this world while Allah desires for you the Hereafter. Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.
The Study Quran   
It is not for a prophet to take captives until he overwhelms [his enemy] in the land. You desire the ephemeralities of this world, while God desires the Hereafter. And God is Mighty, Wise
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
It’s not for a prophet to take captives until he has thoroughly subdued the land. You desire the goods of this world, while God desires the Hereafter. God is Mighty and Wise.
Talal Itani (2012)   
It is not for a prophet to take prisoners before he has subdued the land. You desire the materials of this world, but God desires the Hereafter. God is Strong and Wise
Dr. Kamal Omar   
It is not for a Prophet (i.e., it suits him not or it is not expected of him) that (the infidels) may become, under him, prisoners (as an outcome of a treacherous catch or a silent kidnapping) unless and until (the Muslim Force) engages (itself) in open and declared war on the earth. You desire the benefit of this world, and Allah desires (for you) the Hereafter (also). And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise
M. Farook Malik   
It is not fit for a Prophet that he should take prisoners of war until he has thoroughly subdued the land. Do you, O followers of Muhammad, desire the temporal goods of this world, while Allah desires for you the hereafter? Allah is Mighty, Wise
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
In no way can any Prophet have captives until he has subjugated (the enemy) in the earth; you (i.e., the believers) are willing to have the (chance) advantages of the present (life), (Literally: the lowly "life", i.e., the life of this world) and Allah wills the Hereafter; and Allah is Ever-Mighty, Ever-Wise
Muhammad Sarwar   
The Prophet is not supposed to take any captives to strengthen his position on the earth. You want worldly gains but God wants the life hereafter for you. God is Majestic and All-wise
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
It is not befitting a prophet that he has captives with him unless he has subdued the enemy by shedding blood in the land. You intend to have the stuff of this world, while Allah intends the Hereafter (for you). And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise
Shabbir Ahmed   
It is beyond the dignity of a Prophet that he may hold any captives, except temporarily, during warfare. They must be freed at the conclusion of hostilities by way of kindness, for ransom, or by exchange of prisoners of war, and there is no other option to keep them (47:4). You may desire the fleeting gains of this world, but Allah desires for you the good of Eternal Achievement, the life to come. Allah is Mighty, Wise
Dr. Munir Munshey   
It is not (befitting) for the prophet to take prisoners (during the battle) until he had thoroughly crushed (the enemy) in the land. You desire the lure of this world, while Allah intends (to give you) the (eternal) life to come. Allah is the most Powerful, the Wisest
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
It is not appropriate for a prophet that he should take prisoners of war (for ransom monies) until he has fought and completely won over the land. You may wish for the material gains of this world; But Allah desires the Hereafter (for you): And Allah is Supreme in Strength (Aziz), All Wise (Hakeem)
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
It is not for a prophet to have captives [of war] until he inflicts a massacre [upon Allah 's enemies] in the land. Some Muslims desire the commodities of this world, but Allah desires [for you] the Hereafter. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
And it was not for any prophet to take prisoners unless it was in battle. You desire the materials of this world, while God wants the Hereafter for you. God is Noble, Wise
Abdel Haleem   
It is not right for a prophet to take captives before he has conquered the battlefield. You [people] desire the transient goods of this world, but God desires the Hereafter [for you]- God is mighty and wise
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
It behoveth not a prophet that he should have captives until he hath greatly slaughtered in the land. Ye seek the gear of the world, while Allah seeketh the Hereafter; and Allah is Mighty, Wise
Ahmed Ali   
No apostle should take captives until he has battled and subdued the country. You desire the vanities of this world, but God wills (for you the reward) of the world to come; and God is all-mighty and all-wise
Aisha Bewley   
It is not fitting for a Prophet to take captives until he has let much blood in the land. You desire the goods of this world, whereas Allah desires the Next World. Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.
Ali Ünal   
It is not for a Prophet to have captives until he has widely exhausted the enemies in the land. You (O believers) seek the fleeting gains of the present, worldly life, but God wills that the Hereafter will be yours. God is All-Glorious with irresistible might, All-Wise
Ali Quli Qara'i   
A prophet may not take captives until he has thoroughly decimated [the enemy] in the land. You desire the transitory gains of this world, while Allah desires [for you] [the reward of] the Hereafter, and Allah is all-mighty, all-wise
Hamid S. Aziz   
It has not been for any Prophet to take captives until he hath subdued the land! You desire the lure of this world, but Allah desires the Hereafter, for Allah is Mighty, Wise
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
It is not for a prophet to have captives unless he has fought hard in the land (to capture them during the battle). You want materials of the world while God wants the Hereafter (for you). God is powerful and wise.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
It is not fitting for a prophet to have prisoners of war until he has fought in the land. You look for the temporary goods of the present, but God looks to the hereafter, and God is Exalted in Might, the Wise
Musharraf Hussain   
It is not fitting for a prophet to take captives until he has won on the battle field. Believers, you want what this world offers,but Allah desires the Hereafter for you. Allah is Almighty, Wise.
Maududi   
It behoves not a Prophet to take captives until he has sufficiently suppressed the enemies in the land. You merely seek the gains of the world whereas Allah desires (for you the good) of the Hereafter. Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
And it was not for any prophet to take prisoners until he is bound by a campaign. You desire the materials of this world, while God wants the Hereafter for you. God is Noble, Wise.
Mohammad Shafi   
It is not fit for a prophet that he should have captives unless he is firmly established on the earth. You desire to avail goods of this world, while Allah desires for you the Hereafter. And Allah is Omnipotent, Wise

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
It is not befitting to any Prophet that he should make captive to infidels, until he has immensely shed their blood in the land. You desire the goods of the world; and Allah desires the Here after. And Allah is Dominant, Wise.
Rashad Khalifa   
No prophet shall acquire captives, unless he participates in the fighting. You people are seeking the materials of this world, while GOD advocates the Hereafter. GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
It is not for any Prophet to have prisoners in order to slaughter many in the land. You want the gains of this life, and Allah wants the Everlasting Life, and Allah is Mighty, Wise
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
It is not fit for a prophet to take captives unless he has fought and triumphed in the land. You desire the frail goods of this world, while Allah desires (for you) the Hereafter. And Allah is Mighty, Wise
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
(It) was not to a prophet that (there) be for him captives/prisoners so that he hardens/exceeds in killing (tyrannizes) in the earth/Planet Earth, you want the present world's enjoyable accessories/vanities , and God wants the end (other life), and God (is) glorious/mighty , wise/judicious
Bijan Moeinian   
It is beneath the dignity of a prophet to hold people captive, after the war is over [and after their ransom is being paid.] For you the possessions of this world is important (and that is why you want to keep the captives, humiliate them and even kill them) while it is Hereafter that God recommends to you and, of course [He knows what is the best for you as], God is the Most Knowledgeable, the Most High
Faridul Haque   
It does not befit any Prophet to capture the disbelievers alive until he has profusely shed their blood in the land; you people desire the wealth of this world; and Allah wills the Hereafter, and Allah is Almighty, Wise
Sher Ali   
It does not behove a Prophet that he should have captives until he engages in regular fighting in the land. If you take captives, except in regular fighting, you will be regarded as desiring the goods of this world, while ALLAH desires for you the Hereafter. And ALLAH is Mighty, Wise
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
It is not for a Prophet that he should have (disbelievers as) prisoners of war, until he has let much of the blood of these (mischief-monger terrorist militants) in the land. You (people) desire the riches of the world, and Allah intends (prosperity in) the Hereafter, and Allah is Almighty, Most Wise
Amatul Rahman Omar   
It does not behove a Prophet to keep captives unless He has triumphed after a regular bloody fighting in the land. (If you take captives without warfare,) you desire the temporary and frail goods of this world, while Allah desires (for you the good of) the Hereafter. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
It is not for a Prophet that he should have prisoners of war (and free them with ransom) until he had made a great slaughter (among his enemies) in the land. You desire the good of this world (i.e. the money of ransom for freeing the captives), but Allah desires (for you) the Hereafter. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
It is not for any Prophet to have prisoners until he make wide slaughter in the land. You desire the chance goods of the present world, and God desires the world to come; and God is All-mighty, All-wise
George Sale   
It hath not been granted unto any prophet, that he should possess captives, until he had made a great slaughter of the infidels in the earth. Ye seek the accidental goods of this world, but God regardeth the life to come; and God is mighty and wise
Edward Henry Palmer   
It has not been for any prophet to take captives until he hath slaughtered in the land! Ye wish to have the goods of this world, but God wishes for the next, for God is mighty, wise
John Medows Rodwell   
No prophet hath been enabled to take captives until he had made great slaughter in the earth. Ye desire the passing fruitions of this world, but God desireth the next life for you. And God is Mighty, Wise
N J Dawood (2014)   
A prophet may not take captives until he has fought and triumphed in the land. You¹ seek the chance gain of this world, but God desires for you the world to come. God is mighty and wise

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
If it not fitting for a prophet to have captives until he has thoroughly embattled [the enemies] in the land. You are seeking the transient good of this world while Allah seeks the hereafter and Allah is All-mighty, All-wise.
Munir Mezyed   
It is not appropriate for a prophet to take captives unless he has battled strenuously on the land. You may seek the fleeting gains of this worldly life, whereas Allâh desires for you the Hereafter. Lo! Allâh is Almighty, All-Wise.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
It is not fit for the prophet to take captives until he has established himself in the land; you want the offering of the world and Allah wants the hereafter, and Allah is mighty and wise.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
It is not proper for a prophet to have prisoners of war until he has fought and triumphed over the land. You want the material things of this world, but Allah values the afterlife. Allah is Victorious, Perfectly Wise.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
Never would it befit any prophet to (stop the battle and) take captives before he has subjugated (the enemy) in the battlefield. Youpl want the materials of the Earlier (Life), but Allah wants the Hereafter. For Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
It is not proper for a Prophet to have any prisoners [of war] until he has subdued [everyone] on earth. You (all) want worldly show while Allah (God) wants the Hereafter [for you]. Allah (God) is Powerful, Wise.
Samy Mahdy   
It is not for a prophet to have captives until he has, massacre on the earth. You want the Dunya (this world) offer, and Allah wants the Hereafter. And Allah is Mighty, Wise.
Sayyid Qutb   
It does not behove a Prophet to have captives unless he has battled strenuously in the land. You may desire the fleeting gains of this world, but God desires for you the good of the life to come. God is Almighty, Wise.
Ahmed Hulusi   
It is not for a Nabi to have captives (without war) until he is dominant in the land... You desire the goods of the world (by wishing to capture rather than to slay your opponent), but Allah desires (for you) the eternal life to come... Allah is the Aziz, the Hakim.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
It is not (fit) for any prophet to have captives unless he has thoroughly triumphed in the land. You desire the transitory world, while Allah desires (for you) the Hereafter; and Allah is the Mighty the Wise
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
No Prophet is entitled to take prisoners of war under the circumstances when the infidels are doing their best to defy Allah's religion, until he has humbled the avowed enemies of faith and subdued the land at the peril of their lives. To take prisoners and ransom them at this stage means that you Muslims are concerned with the interests and pleasures of this life when Allah's concern is the Hereafter, and Allah is Azizun and Hakimun
Mir Aneesuddin   
It does not befit a prophet that he should have prisoners (of war, his purpose is to fight) to the extent that he totally dominates in the land (so as to establish his religion). You intend (to have the) apparent good of the world while Allah intends (good for you in) the hereafter and Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
It is not fitting for an apostle that he should have prisoners of war until he hath thoroughly subdued the land. Ye look for the temporal goods of this world; but God looketh to the Hereafter: And God is Exalted in might, Wise
OLD Literal Word for Word   
Not is for a Prophet that (there) should be for him prisoners of war until he has battled strenuously in the land. You desire (the) commodities (of) the world, but Allah desires (for you) the Hereafter. And Allah (is) All-Mighty, All-Wise
OLD Transliteration   
Ma kana linabiyyin an yakoona lahu asra hatta yuthkhina fee al-ardi tureedoona AAarada alddunya waAllahu yureedu al-akhirata waAllahu AAazeezun hakeemun