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Muhammad Asad   
NOW THOSE who have attained to faith say, “Would that a revelation [allowing us to fight] was bestowed from on high!” But now that a revelation clear in and by itself, mentioning war, has been bestowed from on high, thou canst see those in whose hearts is disease looking at thee, [O Muhammad,] with the look of one who is about to faint for fear of death! And yet, far better for them would b
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
And the believers say, “If only a sûrah was revealed ˹allowing self-defence˺!” Yet when a precise sûrah is revealed, in which fighting is ˹explicitly˺ mentioned, you see those with sickness in their hearts staring at you like someone in the throes of death. It would have been better for them
Safi Kaskas   
Those who believe ask "why no chapter has been sent down [about fighting]." Yet when a decisive chapter is sent down, and fighting is mentioned in it, you see those with sickness in their hearts looking at you like someone about to faint from fear of death. It is more appropriate

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَوْلَا نُزِّلَتْ سُورَةٌ فَإِذَا أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ مُّحْكَمَةٌ وَذُكِرَ فِيهَا الْقِتَالُ رَأَيْتَ الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَيْكَ نَظَرَ الْمَغْشِيِّ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ فَأَوْلَىٰ لَهُم
Transliteration (2021)   
wayaqūlu alladhīna āmanū lawlā nuzzilat sūratun fa-idhā unzilat sūratun muḥ'kamatun wadhukira fīhā l-qitālu ra-ayta alladhīna fī qulūbihim maraḍun yanẓurūna ilayka naẓara l-maghshiyi ʿalayhi mina l-mawti fa-awlā lahu
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
And say those who believe, "Why not has been revealed a Surah?" But when is revealed a Surah precise and is mentioned in it the fighting, you see those who, in their hearts, (is) a disease looking at you - a look (of) fainting over them from the death. But more appropriate for them

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
NOW THOSE who have attained to faith say, “Would that a revelation [allowing us to fight] was bestowed from on high!” But now that a revelation clear in and by itself, mentioning war, has been bestowed from on high, thou canst see those in whose hearts is disease looking at thee, [O Muhammad,] with the look of one who is about to faint for fear of death! And yet, far better for them would b
M. M. Pickthall   
And those who believe say: If only a surah were revealed! But when a decisive surah is revealed and war is mentioned therein, thou seest those in whose hearts is a disease looking at thee with the look of men fainting unto death. Therefor woe unto them
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
Those who believe say, "Why is not a sura sent down (for us)?" But when a sura of basic or categorical meaning is revealed, and fighting is mentioned therein, thou wilt see those in whose hearts is a disease looking at thee with a look of one in swoon at the approach of death. But more fitting for them
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
And the believers say, “If only a sûrah was revealed ˹allowing self-defence˺!” Yet when a precise sûrah is revealed, in which fighting is ˹explicitly˺ mentioned, you see those with sickness in their hearts staring at you like someone in the throes of death. It would have been better for them
Safi Kaskas   
Those who believe ask "why no chapter has been sent down [about fighting]." Yet when a decisive chapter is sent down, and fighting is mentioned in it, you see those with sickness in their hearts looking at you like someone about to faint from fear of death. It is more appropriate
Wahiduddin Khan   
Those who believe ask why no chapter [about fighting] has been sent down. Yet when a decisive chapter that mentions fighting is sent down, you can see the sick of heart looking at you [Prophet] as if they were under the shadow of death. Therefore, woe to them
Shakir   
And those who believe say: Why has not a chapter been revealed? But when a decisive chapter is revealed, and fighting is mentioned therein you see those in whose hearts is a disease look to you with the look of one fainting because of death. Woe to them then
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
And those who believed say: Why was a Chapter of the Quran not caused to descend? But when was caused to descend a definitive Chapter of the Quran and fighting was remembered in it, thou hadst seen those who in their hearts is a sickness looking on thee with the look of one who is fainting at death.
T.B.Irving   
Those who believe say: ´If a chapter were only sent down!"; yet whenever some decisive chapter is sent down and fighting is mentioned in it, you will see the ones whose hearts contain malice looking at you as if they were going to faint from [fear of] death. It would be more fitting for them
Abdul Hye   
Those who believe say: “Why is not a Surah (chapter of the Qur’an) sent down (to allow us to fight)? But when a decisive Surah is sent down and fighting (in Allah’s Cause) is mentioned in it, you will see those in whose hearts is a disease (of hypocrisy) looking at you with a look of one fainting to death. But it was better for them.
The Study Quran   
Those who believe say, “Would that a surah were sent down.” Then when a definitive surah wherein fighting is mentioned is sent down, thou seest those in whose hearts is a disease looking at thee as if death had overcome them. More fitting for the
Dr. Kamal Omar   
And those who have Believed say: “Why is not a Surah sent down?” So when a decisive Surah has been sent and Qital (an armed encounter) has been mentioned therein — you have seen those in whose hearts is sickness — they look towards you with the look of one who has a shadow of death hanging over him. But preferable for them (is) —
Farook Malik   
The believers were asking: "Why is not a Surah revealed allowing us to fight?" But when a decisive Surah carrying the order of allowing them to fight is revealed, you saw those in whose hearts was a disease looking at you like the one under the shadow of death. Woe to them
Talal A. Itani (new translation)   
Those who believe say, 'If only a chapter is sent down.' Yet when a decisive chapter is sent down, and fighting is mentioned in it, you see those in whose hearts is sickness looking at you with the look of someone fainting at death. So woe to them
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
And the ones who have believed say, "Had a s?rah been successively sent down!" Then, when a clear s?rah is sent down, and therein fighting is mentioned, you see the ones in whose hearts is sickness looking at you with the look of one enveloped by the swooning of death; yet worthier of them would be
Muhammad Sarwar   
The believers say, "Why is a chapter about jihad - fighting for the cause of God - not revealed?" But when such a chapter, with clear commands and a mention of jihad is revealed, you will see those whose hearts are sick look at you as if suffering the agony of death. One can expect nothing better from them
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
And the believers say, .Why has a (new) Surah not been revealed?. Then, once an operative Surah is sent down, and fighting (in Allah‘s way) is mentioned in it, you notice those who have disease in their hearts, looking to you like one who is faint because of death. So, destruction is very close to them
Shabbir Ahmed   
Now those who have believed, say, "Why is not an injunction revealed (permitting us to fight in self-defense?)" But now when a decisive injunction has been revealed about fighting, you find the hypocrites looking at you as if they were fainting to death. And yet, the foremost good for them would be
Dr. Munir Munshey   
And those who believe were wondering out loud, as to why no revelation has been sent down (exhorting fighting to defend themselves)? Did you observe? When the definite order about fighting was revealed, those with diseased hearts stared at you like the one about to faint with the fear of death! So, evil is for them
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
Those who believe say, "Why is a (specific) Sura not sent down (for us)?" But when a Sura of basic or clear meaning is revealed, and fighting is said in it, you will see those (hypocrites) in whose heart is a disease looking at you with a look of one with great fear at the approach of death, but it is better (more fitting) for them—
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
Those who believe say, "Why has a surah not been sent down? But when a precise surah is revealed and fighting is mentioned therein, you see those in whose hearts is hypocrisy looking at you with a look of one overcome by death. And more appropriate for them [would have been]
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
And those who believe Say: "If only a chapter is sent down!" But when a firm chapter is sent down, and fighting is mentioned in it, you see those who have a disease in their hearts look at you, as if death had already come to them. It thus revealed them
Abdel Haleem   
Those who believe ask why no sura [about fighting] has been sent down. Yet when a decisive sura [that mentions fighting] is sent down, you can see the sick at heart looking at you [Prophet] and visibly fainting at the prospect of death- better for the
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
And those who believe say wherefore hath not a Surah been revealed? Then when there is sent down a Surah firmly constructed, and fighting is mentioned therein, thou seest those in whose hearts is a disease looking at thee with the look of one swooning Unto death. So also for them
Ahmed Ali   
Those who believe say: "How is it no Surah was revealed?" But when a categorical Surah is revealed that mentions war, you should see those who are sceptical staring at you like a man in the swoon of death. Alas the woe for them
Aisha Bewley   
Those who have iman say, ´If only a sura could be sent down.´ But when a straightforward sura is sent down and fighting is mentioned in it, you see those with sickness in their hearts looking at you with the look of someone about to faint from fear of death. More fitting for them
Ali Ünal   
Those who believe (look forward to a new surah conveying knowledge of Divine truths and God’s new commandments being sent down, and) say: "If only a new surah were sent down!" But when a decisive surah has been sent down in which fighting is mentioned (clearly as a commanded duty), you see those in whose hearts there is sickness looking at you with a look of one swooning to death. That is, in fact, what is expected of them
Ali Quli Qara'i   
The faithful say, ‘If only a surah were sent down!’ But when a definitive surah is sent down and war is mentioned in it, you see those in whose hearts is a sickness looking upon you with the look of someone fainting at death. So woe to them
Hamid S. Aziz   
And those who believe say, "Why has not a chapter been revealed?" But when a decisive chapter is revealed, and fighting is mentioned therein, you see those in whose heart is a disease look at you with the look of one fainting because of (fear o
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
And those who believed say: why was not a chapter sent down? So when a firm (and decisive) chapter is sent down and the fighting is mentioned in it, you see those who have disease in their hearts look at you with the look of someone who is fainting because of the death. So (death) is more suitable for them
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
Those who believe say, “Why is a Surah not sent down for us?” But when a precise Surah is revealed, and fighting is mentioned in it, you will see those in whose hearts is a disease, looking at you with a look of one about to faint at the prospect of death, but more fitting for them
Musharraf Hussain   
And the believers say, “Why hasn’t a surat been revealed about fighting?” When a decisive surat is revealed that mentions fighting, you will see people with a disease in their hearts looking at you like the one who is in death throes. It would be far better for them
Maududi   
The believers used to say: "Why is a surah (that would ordain fighting) not revealed?" But when a definitive surah was revealed wherein fighting was mentioned, you saw that those in whose hearts there was a sickness looked at you as though they were about to faint at the approach of death. Pity on them
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
And those who believe say: "If only a chapter is sent down!" But when a lawgiving chapter is sent down, and fighting is mentioned in it, you see those who have a disease in their hearts look at you, as if death had already come to them. It thus revealed them
Mohammad Shafi   
And those who beieve say "Would that divine revelation [as desired by us] is sent down!" But now that an unambiguous revelation about war has been sent down, you [Muhammad] can see those, in whose hearts is a disease, looking at you with the look of one who is about to faint for fear of death! Far better for them woud be [continued to next Verse

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
And the muslims say, 'why not a sure has been sent down? But when any decisive Sura is sent down and therein fighting is ordained, you will see those in whose hearts is sickness looking at you with a look of one upon whom death has overshadowed but it was better for them.
Rashad Khalifa   
Those who believed said: "When will a new sura be revealed?" But when a straightforward sura was revealed, wherein fighting was mentioned, you would see those who harbored doubts in their hearts looking at you, as if death had already come to them. They were thus exposed.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
The believers ask: 'Has a chapter been sent down? ' But when a clear chapter is sent down and fighting is mentioned in it, you see those in whose hearts is sickness looking towards you as one who swoons at death
Maulana Muhammad 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
Muhammad Ahmed - Samira   
And those who believed said: "If only a chapter of the Koran was descended." So if a perfected/confirmed chapter of the Koran was descended and the fighting was mentioned in it, you saw those whom in their hearts/minds (is) sickness/disease (doubt) looking to you, (the) vision/sight (of) the unconscious on him from the death/lifelessness (the sight of one afraid of death), so (a) warning/threat (so Hell) to them
Bijan Moeinian   
The believers were used to ask, “Why God does not send a verse to let us fight [to protect ourselves]?” But when a decisive verse about the right to fight was sent down, you saw, those who harbored doubt in their hearts, looking at you as though the shadow of death is hanging over them
Faridul Haque   
And the Muslims say, “Why was not a chapter sent down?” So when a positive chapter was sent down, and war was commanded in it, you will see those in whose hearts is a disease looking at you with the dazed looks of a dying man; so it would be better for them.
Sher Ali   
And those who believe say, `Why is not a Surah revealed?' But when a decisive Surah is revealed and fighting is mentioned therein, thou seest those in whose hearts is a disease, looking towards thee like the look of one who is fainting on account of approaching death. So woe to them
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
And the believers say why a Sura (Chapter) is not revealed (about the command of defensive fighting). But when a clear Sura is revealed and (defensive) fighting for the cause of Allah is (plainly) mentioned in it, you see those who have the disease (of hypocrisy) in their hearts looking at you like someone who is fainting to death. So, for them is disaster
Amatul Rahman Omar   
Those who believe say, `Why is no Surah (- Qur'anic chapter permitting us to go to war) revealed?' But when a (definite) Surah of basic and categorical meaning and speaking of war was revealed you find those in whose hearts is a disease (of hypocrisy) looking at you like the looking of a person whose understanding is clouded for (fear of approaching) death. Therefore woe to them
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
Those who believe say: "Why is not a Soorah (chapter of the Quran) sent down (for us)? But when a decisive Soorah (explaining and ordering things) is sent down, and fighting (Jihad holy fighting in Allahs Cause) is mentioned (i.e. ordained) therein, you will see those in whose hearts is a disease (of hypocrisy) looking at you with a look of one fainting to death. But it was better for them (hypocrites, to listen to Allah and to obey Him)

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
Those who believe say, 'Why has a sura not been sent down?' Then, when a clear sura is sent down, and therein fighting is mentioned, thou seest those in whose hearts is sickness looking at thee as one who swoons of death; but better for them would b
George Sale   
The true believers say, hath not a sura been revealed commanding war against the infidels? But when a sura without any ambiguity is revealed, and war is mentioned therein, thou mayest see those in whose hearts is an infirmity, look towards thee with the look of one whom death overshadoweth
Edward Henry Palmer   
Those who misbelieve say, 'Why has not a surah been revealed?' but when a decisive surah is revealed and fighting is mentioned therein, thou mayest see those in whose heart is sickness looking towards thee with the look of one fainting in death
John Medows Rodwell   
The believers say, "Oh, would that a Sura were sent down!" but when a peremptory Sura is revealed, whose burden is war, thou mayest see the diseased of heart look toward thee, with a look of one on whom the shadows of death have fallen! But better in them would be obedience and becoming language
N J Dawood (2014)   
And the faithful say: ‘If only a sūrah were revealed!‘ But when a forthright sūrah is revealed and fighting is mentioned therein, you see the infirm of heart staring at you as though they are fainting away for fear of death

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
Believers say, “Why is a [new]Chapter not sent?” But when a preciseChapter mentioning war is revealed, you will notice those with diseased hearts looking at you [Prophet Muhammed] with a look of one approaching death. It would be more appropriate for them…
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
Those who believe say: 'If a chapter were only sent down!"; yet whenever some decisive chapter is sent down and fighting is mentioned in it, you will see the ones whose hearts contain malice looking at you as if they were going to faint from [fear of] death. It would be more fitting for them
Ahmed Hulusi   
The believers say, “Why has a surah (chapter) not been disclosed (regarding the rules of battle)?” But when a surah with clear rules is disclosed and battle is mentioned therein, you will see those in whose hearts is sickness (duality, hypocrisy) looking at you like one who has fainted in fear of death! (Whereas) this is better for them!
Mir Aneesuddin   
And those who believe say, “Why is not a sura, (a chapter of the Quran) sent down?” But when a decisive sura is sent down and fighting is mentioned therein, you see those in whose hearts is a disease, looking at you with a look of one who is fainting because of death, so sorrowful is their state.
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur'an al-Karim   
And those who have conformed to Islam say: " If only a Surah (Chapter) be revealed ordaining war against those who deny Allah (or Jihad in His cause)!" yet when a Surah is revealed wherein Allah does not play with metaphor but He comes to the point, then you see those whose hearts melt away in disease and lassitude look toward you with a countenance standing similitude exact of someone who has fallen into a fainting fit in conflict with the encounter with death and it serves them right

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
Those who believe say, "Why is not a sura sent down (for us)?" But when a sura of basic or categorical meaning is revealed, and fighting is mentioned therein, thou wilt see those in whose hearts is a disease looking at thee with a look of one i n swoon at the approach of death. But more fitting for them
OLD Literal Word for Word   
And say those who believe, "Why not has been revealed a Surah?" But when is revealed a Surah precise and is mentioned in it the fighting, you see those who, in their hearts, (is) a disease looking at you - a look (of) one fainting from the death. But more appropriate for the