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Muhammad Asad   
[Remember that day] when you were at the near end of the valley [of Badr], and they were at its farthest end, while the caravan was below you. And if you had known that a battle was to take place, you would indeed have refused to accept the challenge: but [the battle was brought about none the less,] so that God might accomplish a thing [which He willed] to be done, [and] that he who would perish might perish in clear evidence of the truth, and that he who would remain alive might live in clear evidence of the truth. And, behold, God is indeed all-hearing, all-knowing
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
˹Remember˺ when you were on the near side of the valley, your enemy on the far side, and the caravan was below you. Even if the two armies had made an appointment ˹to meet˺, both would have certainly missed it. Still it transpired so Allah may establish what He had destined—that those who were to perish and those who were to survive might do so after the truth had been made clear to both. Surely Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Safi Kaskas   
You were near the end of the valley [of Badr] and they were at the far end, and the caravan was below you. Even if you had made a prior arrangement to meet there, you would have missed it, but [You have met] so that God might bring about a matter already decided. This was so that those who would die might die in clear sight of the Truth and that he who would remain alive might live in clear sight of the Truth. God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
إِذْ أَنتُم بِالْعُدْوَةِ الدُّنْيَا وَهُم بِالْعُدْوَةِ الْقُصْوَىٰ وَالرَّكْبُ أَسْفَلَ مِنكُمْ وَلَوْ تَوَاعَدتُّمْ لَاخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِي الْمِيعَادِ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَقْضِيَ اللَّهُ أَمْرًا كَانَ مَفْعُولًا لِّيَهْلِكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ عَن بَيِّنَةٍ وَيَحْيَىٰ مَنْ حَيَّ عَن بَيِّنَةٍ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَسَمِيعٌ عَلِيم
Transliteration (2021)   
idh antum bil-ʿud'wati l-dun'yā wahum bil-ʿud'wati l-quṣ'wā wal-rakbu asfala minkum walaw tawāʿadttum la-ikh'talaftum fī l-mīʿādi walākin liyaqḍiya l-lahu amran kāna mafʿūlan liyahlika man halaka ʿan bayyinatin wayaḥyā man ḥayya ʿan bayyinatin wa-inna l-laha lasamīʿun ʿalīmu
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
When you (were) on the nearer side (of) the world (valley) and they (were) on the side, the farther and the caravan (was) lower than you. And if you (had) made an appointment certainly you would have failed in the appointment. But that might accomplish Allah a matter (that) was destined, that (might be) destroyed (those) who (were to be) destroyed on a clear evidence and (might) live (those) who (were to) live on a clear evidence. And indeed, Allah (is) All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
[Remember that day] when you were at the near end of the valley [of Badr], and they were at its farthest end, while the caravan was below you. And if you had known that a battle was to take place, you would indeed have refused to accept the challenge: but [the battle was brought about none the less,] so that God might accomplish a thing [which He willed] to be done, [and] that he who would perish might perish in clear evidence of the truth, and that he who would remain alive might live in clear evidence of the truth. And, behold, God is indeed all-hearing, all-knowing
M. M. Pickthall   
When ye were on the near bank (of the valley) and they were on the yonder bank, and the caravan was below you (on the coast plain). And had ye trysted to meet one another ye surely would have failed to keep the tryst, but (it happened, as it did, without the forethought of either of you) that Allah might conclude a thing that must be done; that he who perished (on that day) might perish by a clear proof (of His Sovereignty) and he who survived might survive by a clear proof (of His Sovereignty). Lo! Allah in truth is Hearer, Knower
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
Remember ye were on the hither side of the valley, and they on the farther side, and the caravan on lower ground than ye. Even if ye had made a mutual appointment to meet, ye would certainly have failed in the appointment: But (thus ye met), that Allah might accomplish a matter already enacted; that those who died might die after a clear Sign (had been given), and those who lived might live after a Clear Sign (had been given). And verily Allah is He Who heareth and knoweth (all things)
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
˹Remember˺ when you were on the near side of the valley, your enemy on the far side, and the caravan was below you. Even if the two armies had made an appointment ˹to meet˺, both would have certainly missed it. Still it transpired so Allah may establish what He had destined—that those who were to perish and those who were to survive might do so after the truth had been made clear to both. Surely Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Safi Kaskas   
You were near the end of the valley [of Badr] and they were at the far end, and the caravan was below you. Even if you had made a prior arrangement to meet there, you would have missed it, but [You have met] so that God might bring about a matter already decided. This was so that those who would die might die in clear sight of the Truth and that he who would remain alive might live in clear sight of the Truth. God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Wahiduddin Khan   
You were on the nearer side of the valley, and they were on the farther side, and the caravan was below you. Had you wished to set a time by mutual agreement, you would certainly have disagreed on the timing. However, the encounter took place, so that God might settle a matter which had already been ordained, so that he who was to perish might perish after clear evidence of the truth, and he who was to live might live in clear evidence of the truth. Surely, God is all hearing and all-knowing
Shakir   
When you were on the nearer side (of the valley) and they were on the farthest side, while the caravan was in a lower place than you; and if you had mutually made an appointment, you would certainly have broken away from the appointment, but-- in order that Allah might bring about a matter which was to be done, that he who would perish might perish by clear proof, and he who would live might live by clear proof; and most surely Allah is Hearing, Knowing
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
Mention when you were on the nearer bank of the valley and they were on the farther bank of the valley and the cavalcade was below you. Even if you made a promise together, you would be, certainly, at variance as to the solemn declaration because God decrees a command that had been one that is accomplished so that he who perishes would have perished by a clear portent and he who lives would live on by a clear portent. And, truly, God is Hearing, Knowing.
T.B.Irving   
When you (all) were on the nearer bank and they were on the further bank, and the baggage train was lower than you were, even if you had made [previous] arrangements with one another, you would have failed to keep the appointment; but [it happened] so God might settle a matter which had already been determined, so that anyone who perished might perish in order to set an example, and anyone who survived might (also) survive as an example. God is so Alert, Aware!
Abdul Hye   
(And remember) when you (the Muslim army) were on the near side of the valley, and they were on the further side, and the caravan was on the ground lower than you. If you had made a mutual appointment to meet, you would surly have failed in the appointment; but Allah might accomplish a matter that was already ordained (in His Knowledge), so that those who were destined to perish might die with a clear evidence, and those who were destined to live (believers) might live with a clear evidence. Surely, Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.
The Study Quran   
when you were on the near slope and they were on the far slope, and the caravan was below you. And had you made a tryst with each other, you would have failed the tryst. But [it came to pass] so that God may conclude a matter that was to be done, so that whosoever should perish, perishes according to a clear proof, and whosoever should live, lives according to a clear proof. And truly God is Hearing, Knowing
Dr. Kamal Omar   
When you are by the nearer side and they at the farther side and the riding column lower down to you: and if you had made a mutual promise, surely you would have differed about the time period but (you were made to face each other) so that Allah may give decision in the matter which stands accomplished (as a prediction from Allah) — so that may be annihilated who must perish in an open and evident (encounter), and continue to stay who must stay after an open and evident (encounter). And indeed, Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower
Farook Malik   
Remember when you were on this side of the valley and they on the farther side, and the caravan was on lower ground than you both. If you had made a mutual appointment to fight, you would have certainly failed; but Allah sought to accomplish what He has ordained, that those who were destined to perish might die by clear proof and those who were destined to live might survive by clear proof. Surely, Allah is He Who hears all and knows all
Talal A. Itani (new translation)   
Recall when you were on the nearer bank, and they were on the further bank, and the caravan was below you. Had you planned for this meeting, you would have disagreed on the timing, but God was to carry out a predetermined matter, so that those who perish would perish by clear evidence, and those who survive would survive by clear evidence. God is Hearing and Knowing
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
As you were on the closer embankment, and they were on the remotest embankment, and the cavalcade (of riders) was below you; and if you had made a mutual appointment, you would indeed have differed about the promised appointment, but that Allah might decree a Command that was to be performed, that whoever perished might perish by a supreme evidence, and whoever lived might live by a supreme evidence; and surely Allah is indeed Ever-Hearing, Ever-Knowing
Muhammad Sarwar   
Recall when your army was positioned at the less defensible brink of the valley, (the pagans') army had the more defensible higher side of the valley and the caravan was led (out of your reach) below. This situation did not take place according to your previous plans, otherwise, everything would have been different. (It was God's plan ) to place you in a vulnerable position, exposed to the enemy and it was His plan to lead the caravan out of your reach) so that His decree that you would be granted a victory by a miracle would become a doubtless fact and so that those who were to be destroyed would face destruction with a clear knowledge of the Truth and those who were to survive would also survive with a clear knowledge of the Truth. God is All-hearing and All-knowing
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
(Remember) when you were on the nearest end of the valley, and they were on the farthest one, and the caravan was downwards from you. Had you made an appointment with each other, you would have disagreed about the appointment. But (it happened like this) so that Allah might accomplish what was destined to be done, so that whoever is going to perish may perish knowingly, and whoever is going to live may live knowingly. Allah is indeed All-Hearing, All-Knowing
Shabbir Ahmed   
You were on the Northern, Madinah side of the Valley of Badr, and they were on the Southern, Makkah side of the Valley. And the caravan of the Makkans was proceeding south along the low Western coast, from Syria to Makkah. Had you attacked the caravan, it would not have accomplished Allah's Will. He wanted you to have a decisive victory over the hostile army. Allah had decreed that the Truth shall survive and falsehood shall vanish. Allah is Hearer, Knower
Dr. Munir Munshey   
(That day) you were (camped) on the near side of the valley, while they were (camped) on the farther side. Their caravan was on a lower ground than yours. If you had made a prior appointment to meet each other there in battle, you would surely have failed to keep it. (But it happened as it did), so that Allah may bring to pass events that simply had to happen. So that those who perish, might perish with a clear proof; and those who live might live on with a clear proof. Allah is certainly the all-Hearing and the all-Knowing
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
(And remember) when you (the army of the believers) were on the near side of the valley, and they were on the far side (of the valley), and the caravan (of Quraish) on lower ground than you. Even if you had made a mutual time to meet (for war), you would certainly have failed at that time: But (again you met) for Allah to complete an act already decided; So that those who died would die after a clear Sign (of Allah), and those who lived would live after a clear Sign (of Allah). And surely Allah is All Seeing (Sami’) and All Knowing (Aleem, all things)
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
[Remember] when you were on the near side of the valley, and they were on the farther side, and the caravan was lower [in position] than you. If you had made an appointment [to meet], you would have missed the appointment. But [it was] so that Allah might accomplish a matter already destined - that those who perished [through disbelief] would perish upon evidence and those who lived [in faith] would live upon evidence; and indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
When you were on the near side, and they were on the far side, then the supply line became directly beneath you. And had you planned for this meeting, you would have disagreed on its timing, but God was to enforce a command that was already done. So that He would destroy those to be destroyed with proof, and to let those who will live be alive with proof. God is Hearer, Knowledgeable
Abdel Haleem   
Remember when you were on the near side of the valley, and they were on the far side and the caravan was below you. If you had made an appointment to fight, you would have failed to keep it [but the battle took place] so that God might bring about something already ordained, so that those who were to die might die after seeing a clear proof, and so that those who were to live might live after seeing a clear proof- God is all hearing and all seeing
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
And recall what time ye were on the hither side and they were on the yonder side and the caravan below you. And if ye had mutually appointed ye would surely have failed the appointment. But the action wao brought about in order that Allah may decree an affair already enacted, so that he who was to perish, should perish after an evidence and he who was to remain alive may remain alive after an evidence. And verily Allah is Hearing, Knowing
Ahmed Ali   
(That day) when you were at one end of the valley, (the unbelievers) at the other, and the caravan below you (on the lowland by the coast), you would surely have declined to fight if (the Makkans) had offered you battle. (But the battle did take place) that God may end the matter which had been accomplished, so that he who had to die may perish after a clear demonstration, and he who had to live may survive in the light of positive proof, for God hears all and knows everything
Aisha Bewley   
when you were on the nearer slope, and they were on the further slope and the caravan was lower down than you. If you had made an appointment with them you would have broken the appointment. However, it happened so that Allah could settle a matter whose result was preordained: so that those who died would die with clear proof, and those who lived would live with clear proof. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Ali Ünal   
(Remember the day) when you were at the nearer end of the valley (of Badr on the Madinah side) and they were at the farther end and the caravan below you (on the coastal plain). If you had mutually made an appointment to meet for battle in such circumstances, indeed you would not have been able to hold to the appointment. But (God caused you to meet for battle in such circumstances) so that God might accomplish a thing that He had already decreed in order that he who was to perish should perish by a clear evidence (of his deserving perishing because he followed falsehood), and he who survived might survive by a clear evidence (of his deserving survival because of his devotion to the truth). Surely God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing
Ali Quli Qara'i   
When you were on the nearer side, and they on the farther side, while the caravan was below you, and had you agreed together on an encounter, you would have certainly failed to keep the tryst, but in order that Allah may carry through a matter that was bound to be fulfilled, so that he who perishes might perish by a manifest proof, and he who lives may live on by a manifest proof, and Allah is indeed all-hearing, all-knowing
Hamid S. Aziz   
When you were on the near side of the valley, and they were on the far side, and the camel caravan was below you, had you made an appointment then to meet, you would have failed to keep it. But it was otherwise, so that Allah might accomplish a thing tha
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
When you were on the nearer side of the valley (Medina) and they were on the further side and the caravan was below you, if you had made an appointment, you would have certainly disagreed about the appointment, but (you met) so that God finishes a matter that was to be done, so anyone who was killed, was killed with clear proof, and anyone who lived on, lived on with clear proof. Indeed God hears all and knows all
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
You were on the near side of the valley, and they on the far side, and the caravan was on lower ground than you. Even if you had made a mutual appointment to meet, you would certainly have failed in that appointment. But you met, so that God might accomplish a matter destined. And that those who died might die after guidance had been given. And that those who lived might live after guidance had been given. And indeed God is He Who hears and knows all things
Musharraf Hussain   
Remember when you were grouped on the near side of the valley, and Makkans on the far side, and the caravan below you. If you had tried to reach a formal agreement to meet there, you would certainly have differed over the time and place; but that occurred so that Allah could accomplish what was preordained, so that whoever perished should do so on the basis of clear proof and whoever survived should do so on the same basis. Allah is the Hearer, the Knower.
Maududi   
And recall when you were encamped at the nearer end of the valley (of Badr) and they were at the farther end and the caravan below you (along the seaside). Had you made a mutual appointment to meet in encounter, you would have declined. But encounter was brought about so that Allah might accomplish what He had decreed, and that he who was to perish should perish through a clear proof, and who was to survive might survive through a clear proof. Surely Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
When you were on the near side, and they were on the far side, then the supply line became directly beneath you. And if you had planned for this meeting, you would have disagreed on its timing, but God was to enforce a command that was already done. So that He would destroy those to be destroyed with proof, and to let those who will live be alive with proof; and God is Hearer, Knowledgeable.
Mohammad Shafi   
The scenario was that you were on the nearer side, and they on the farther side, and the caravan was in the valley down below you. And even if you had planned to attack the caravan, you would certainly have missed the target, so that Allah might accomplish a matter which was to be accomplished — that he would manifestly perish that He wished to perish, and he would manifestly keep alive that He wished to keep alive. And indeed Allah listens, knows

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
When you were on the hither side of the valley and the infidels on the yonder side, and the Caravan was below you (On the Coast Plain), and if you would have made any mutual promise, surely you would not have reached on appointed time, but this has happened in order that Allah might fulfil the work which is to be done; so that whoever was to perish might perish with proof; and whoever was to survive might survive with proof. And undoubtedly, Allah is Hearing, Knowing.
Rashad Khalifa   
Recall that you were on this side of the valley, while they were on the other side. Then their caravan had to move to lower ground. Had you planned it this way, you could not have done it. But GOD was to carry out a predetermined matter, whereby those destined to be annihilated were annihilated for an obvious reason, and those destined to be saved were saved for an obvious reason. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
And when you were encamped on the nearside and they (the unbelievers) on the farther side, with the caravan below, had you made an appointment with them, you would have surely failed to keep it; but Allah sought to accomplish what He had ordained, so that by clear evidence, he who was destined to perish might perish, and he who was destined to live might live. Surely, Allah is Hearing, Knowing
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
When you were on the nearer side (of the valley) and they were on the farther side, while the caravan was in a lower place than you. And if you had tried to make a mutual appointment, you would certainly have broken away from the appointment, but -- in order that Allah might bring about a matter which had to be done; that he who perished by clear argument might perish, and he who lived by clear argument might live. And surely Allah is Hearing, Knowing
Muhammad Ahmed - Samira   
When you were by the elevated place/edge of the valley the near, and they are by the edge of the valley the farthest, and the riders/caravan/convoy (is) lower from (than) you, and if you made appointments with each other you would have differed/disagreed in the appointment and but (for) God to execute/order an order/command, (it) was made/done, to perish/destroy who perished/died on/of an evidence, and lives who lived on/of an evidence, and that God (is) hearing/listening (E), knowledgeable
Bijan Moeinian   
Remember the battlefield in which you were in the higher grounds of the valley and they were in the lower side of the valley (destined to suffer from the rain that was sent before the battle) and the caravan was below you. Even if you had agreed to meet each other, you would have not come to the battlefield (as you were low in number and ill-equipped] but God had decided to accomplish His plan and let whoever had to perish to perish and whoever deserved to live to live; thus sending a clear message. Indeed, God hears and knows everything
Faridul Haque   
When you were on the near bank and the disbelievers on the far bank, and the caravan below you; and had you made an agreement between one another, you would have failed to reach on the appointed time - but this is in order that Allah may complete a thing that must be done - that he who dies may die by a clear proof and he who lives may live by a clear proof; and indeed Allah is surely, All Hearing, All Knowing
Sher Ali   
When you were on the nearer bank of the Valley, and they were on the further bank, and the caravan was below you. And if you had to make an appointment between you, you would have certainly differed with regard to the time of the appointment. But the encounter was brought about without appointment that ALLAH might accomplish the thing that was decreed, so that he, who had already perished by a clear proof, should perish, and he, would had already come to life by a clear proof, should live. And certainly ALLAH is All-Hearing, All-Knowing
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
(Remember) when you were on the nearer bank of the valley (the Medina side) and they (the disbelievers) were on the farther bank (the other side) and (the mercantile) caravan was below you; and had you made some mutual appointment (to fight), you would certainly have reached there (at the timings) different from (your) appointment. (But Allah brought you face to face, at the same time, without any appointment.) This took place in order that Allah might lead that matter to completion, which was destined to happen, so that he who had to die might die (with a manifest) evidence to that effect, and he who had to survive might continue to live (with a manifest) evidence to that effect (i.e., the evidence be established for all on the veracity of Islam and the Holy Messenger [blessings and peace be upon him]). Allah is surely All-Hearing, All-Knowing
Amatul Rahman Omar   
When (on that day) you were on the nearer end (-the side nearer to Madinah of the valley of Badr) and those (of the hostile forces of disbelievers) were at its farther end (- the side which was farther from Madinah) and the caravan (of the Quraish from Syria) was on a level lower than yours (- towards the sea-coast). And had you made a mutual appointment beforehand (as to when and where to meet the foe) you would have differed with regard to the place and time of the appointment, (but the encounter did take place), that Allah brought about that which was already decreed (by Him), so that he who had (already spiritually) perished on the altar of reason might perish (physically also), and he who has (already spiritually) come to life through a clear sign might live (physically also). Most surely, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
(And remember) when you (the Muslim army) were on the near side of the valley, and they on the farther side, and the caravan on the ground lower than you. Even if you had made a mutual appointment to meet, you would certainly have failed in the appointment, but (you met) that Allah might accomplish a matter already ordained (in His Knowledge); so that those who were to be destroyed (for their rejecting the Faith) might be destroyed after a clear evidence, and those who were to live (i.e. believers) might live after a clear evidence. And surely, Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
when you were on the nearer bank, and they were on the farther bank, and the cavalcade was below you; and had you made tryst together, you would have surely failed the tryst; but that God might determine a matter that was done, that whosoever perished might perish by a clear sign, and by a clear sign he might live who lived; and surely God is All-hearing, All-knowing
George Sale   
When ye were incamped on the hithermost side of the valley, and they were incamped on the further side, and the caravan was below you; and if ye had mutually appointed to come to a battle, ye would certainly have declined the appointment; but ye were brought to an engagement without any previous appointment, that God might accomplish the thing which was decreed to be done, that he who perisheth hereafter may perish after demonstrative evidence, and that he who liveth may live by the same evidence God both heareth and knoweth
Edward Henry Palmer   
When ye were on the near side of the valley, and they were on the far side, and the camels were below you; had ye made an appointment then ye would have failed to keep your appointment - but it was that God might accomplish a thing that was as good as done! that he who was to perish might perish with a manifest sign; and that he who was to live might live with a manifest sign; for, verily, God hears and knows
John Medows Rodwell   
When ye were encamped on the near side of the valley, and they were on the further side, and the caravan was below you, if ye had made an engagement to attack ye would have failed the engagement; but ye were led into action notwithstanding, that God might accomplish the thing destined to be done: That he who should perish might perish with a clear token before him, and that he who liveth might live with it. And verily, God Heareth, Knoweth
N J Dawood (2014)   
You were on the nearer side of the valley and the unbelievers on the farther side, with the caravan below you. Had they offered battle, you would have surely declined; but God sought to accomplish what had been ordained, so that he that was destined to perish might by a clear sign die, and he that was destined to live might by a clear sign survive. Surely God hears all and knows all

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
Remember that you were on the near side of the valley. They were on the far side. The caravan was on lower ground than you were. If you had made plans to meet, your plan would have failed. But Allah wanted to accomplish a matter that was destined [so He did bring you together]. He wanted that those who would meet death to die after a clear sign. He wanted that those who would live to continue living after a clear sign. Truly, Allah is All-hearing, the All-knowing.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
When you (all) were on the nearer bank and they were on the further bank, and the baggage train was lower than you were, even if you had made [previous] arrangements with one another, you would have failed to keep the appointment; but [it happened] so Allah (God) might settle a matter which had already been determined [by Allah (God)], so that anyone who perished might perish in order to set an example, and anyone who survived might (also) survive as an example. Allah (God) is so All-Hearing, All-Knowing!
Sayyid Qutb   
[Remember the day] when you were at the near end of the valley and they were at the farthest end, with the caravan down below you. If you had made prior arrangements to meet there, you would have differed on the exact timing and location. But it was all brought about so that God might accomplish something He willed to be done, and so that anyone who was destined to perish might perish in clear evidence of the truth and anyone destined to live might live in clear evidence of the truth. God certainly hears all and knows all.
Ahmed Hulusi   
(Remember) when you were on the nearest side and they were on the furthest side... And the caravan was lower than you... Had you made an appointment to meet them you could not have met them in as timely a way! But Allah actualized a matter that was already decreed (there is no coincidence)! So that, both those who perished and those who lived would have lived its requirement, based on the clear verdict of the Truth! Certainly Allah is the Sami, the Aleem.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
(Remember) when you were on the down side, and they were on the up side, while the caravan (of the enemy) was in below you; and had you agreed together on a tryst, you would have surely failed the tryst, but in order that Allah might bring about a matter which was to be done, that he who perishes may perish by a clear proof, and verily Allah is All, Hearing, All- knowing
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur'an al-Karim   
You were on the near side of the valley and the infidels on the far side, and the caravan below you marching by; a web of circumstance calculated and timely arranged by the Omnipotent. Had you tried to plan such a precise arrangement you would have failed. Allah had planned it in such a manner as to serve His purpose and to help you obtain an advantage over your enemy who outnumbered you to a great disproportion, the survivors among the infidels will then realize that their defeat was made by Allah's Omnipotence and Authority and the survivors among the Muslim victors realize Allah's Omnipotence and Sovereignty and Allah is indeed Sami'un with unlimited audition and 'Alimun
Mir Aneesuddin   
when you were on the nearer side (of the valley) and they were on the further side and the caravan was on your lower side, and if you had made a mutual appointment, you would have gone against the appointment, but (this arrangement was made) in order that Allah may accomplish an affair which was to be executed : that he who perished might perish (being involved) in a clear proof and he who survived might live (after having been involved) in a clear proof, and Allah is certainly One Who hears, knows.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
Remember ye were on the hither side of the valley, and they on the farther side, and the caravan on lower ground than ye. Even if ye had made a mutual appointment to meet, ye would certainly have failed in the appointment: But (thus ye met), t hat God might accomplish a matter already enacted; that those who died might die after a clear Sign (had been given), and those who lived might live after a Clear Sign (had been given). And verily God is He Who heareth and knoweth (all things)
OLD Literal Word for Word   
When you (were) on the nearer side of the vall and they (were) on the farther side and the caravan (was) lower than you. And if you (had) made an appointment certainly you would have faile in the appointment. But that Allah might accomplish a matter (that) was destined, that (might be) destroyed (those) who (were to be) destroyed on a clear evidence and (might) live (those) who (were to) live on a clear evidence. And indeed, Allah (is) All-Hearing, All-Knowing