←Prev   Ayah az-Zumar (The Troops, Throngs, The Companies) 39:42   Next→ 

Popular and/or Featured Works
Muhammad Asad   
It is God [alone that has this power - He] who causes all human beings to die at the time of their [bodily] death, and [causes to be as dead], during their sleep, those that have not yet died: thus, He withholds [from life] those upon whom He has decreed death, and lets the others go free for a term set [by Him]. In [all] this, behold, there are messages indeed for people who think
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
˹It is˺ Allah ˹Who˺ calls back the souls ˹of people˺ upon their death as well as ˹the souls˺ of the living during their sleep. Then He keeps those for whom He has ordained death, and releases the others until ˹their˺ appointed time. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect.
Safi Kaskas   
God retrieves people's souls at the time of their death, and the souls of the living during their sleep. He then keeps those for which He has decreed death and releases the others until an appointed term. There are signs in this for people who reflect.

Listen: 
Did you notice?

 You can SEARCH IslamAwakened: 

Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
ٱللَّهُ یَتَوَفَّى ٱلۡأَنفُسَ حِینَ مَوۡتِهَا وَٱلَّتِی لَمۡ تَمُتۡ فِی مَنَامِهَاۖ فَیُمۡسِكُ ٱلَّتِی قَضَىٰ عَلَیۡهَا ٱلۡمَوۡتَ وَیُرۡسِلُ ٱلۡأُخۡرَىٰۤ إِلَىٰۤ أَجَلࣲ مُّسَمًّىۚ إِنَّ فِی ذَ ٰلِكَ لَءَایَـٰتࣲ لِّقَوۡمࣲ یَتَفَكَّرُونَ ۝٤٢
Transliteration (2021)   
al-lahu yatawaffā l-anfusa ḥīna mawtihā wa-allatī lam tamut fī manāmihā fayum'siku allatī qaḍā ʿalayhā l-mawta wayur'silu l-ukh'rā ilā ajalin musamman inna fī dhālika laāyātin liqawmin yatafakkarūn
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
Allah takes the souls (at the) time (of) their death, and the one who (does) not die in their sleep. Then He keeps the one whom, He has decreed for them the death, and sends the others for a term specified. Indeed, in that surely (are) signs for a people who ponder.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
It is God [alone that has this power - He] who causes all human beings to die at the time of their [bodily] death, and [causes to be as dead], during their sleep, those that have not yet died: thus, He withholds [from life] those upon whom He has decreed death, and lets the others go free for a term set [by Him]. In [all] this, behold, there are messages indeed for people who think
M. M. Pickthall   
Allah receiveth (men's) souls at the time of their death, and that (soul) which dieth not (yet) in its sleep. He keepeth that (soul) for which He hath ordained death and dismisseth the rest till an appointed term. Lo! herein verily are portents for people who take thought
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
It is Allah that takes the souls (of men) at death; and those that die not (He takes) during their sleep: those on whom He has passed the decree of death, He keeps back (from returning to life), but the rest He sends (to their bodies) for a term appointed verily in this are Signs for those who reflect
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
˹It is˺ Allah ˹Who˺ calls back the souls ˹of people˺ upon their death as well as ˹the souls˺ of the living during their sleep. Then He keeps those for whom He has ordained death, and releases the others until ˹their˺ appointed time. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect.
Safi Kaskas   
God retrieves people's souls at the time of their death, and the souls of the living during their sleep. He then keeps those for which He has decreed death and releases the others until an appointed term. There are signs in this for people who reflect.
Wahiduddin Khan   
It is God who takes away mens souls upon their death and the souls of the living during their sleep. Then He withholds those for whom He has ordained death and restores the souls of others for an appointed term. There are certainly signs in this for those who reflect
Shakir   
Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep; then He withholds those on whom He has passed the decree of death and sends the others back till an appointed term; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
God calls the souls to Himself at the time of their death and those that die not during their slumbering. He holds back those for whom He decreed death and sends the others back for a term, that which is determined. Truly, in that are signs for a folk who reflect.
T.B.Irving   
God recalls souls at the time of their death, and those who have not died, during their sleep. He holds on to anyone whom death has been decided for, and sends the others back for a specific period. In that are signs for folk who meditate.
Abdul Hye   
It is Allah who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that don’t die during their sleep. He keeps those souls for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for an appointed term. Surely, in that there are signs for people who think deeply.
The Study Quran   
God takes souls at the moment of their death, and those who die not, during their sleep. He withholds those for whom He has decreed death, and sends forth the others till a term appointed. Truly in that are signs for a people who reflect
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
God takes the souls at the time of their death and those that haven’t died in their sleep. He retains those for whom death was decreed, and He sends the others back until their appointed time. In this are signs for those who reflect.
Talal Itani (2012)   
God takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that have not died during their sleep. He retains those for which He has decreed death, and He releases the others until a predetermined time. In that are signs for people who reflect
Dr. Kamal Omar   
Allah: He completes (a span over) the Anfus at the time of her (i.e., a Nafs’s) death; and (also for) that one — she has not died during (the duration of) her sleep. Then He withholds that on whom the (decree of) death stands issued; and sends back the other (on whom a decree for sleep, but not death, was issued) for a specified period. Certainly, in this are indeed signs for a nation who think and ponder
M. Farook Malik   
It is Allah Who recalls the souls of men upon their death, and of the living during their sleep. He withholds the souls of those on whom He has passed the decree of death, and restores the rest till an appointed term. Surely there are signs in this for those who think
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
Allah takes up the selves at the time of their death and the ones which have not died, in their sleeping. Then He holds back the ones against which He has decreed death, and sends (forth) the others till a stated term. Surely in that are indeed signs for a people who meditate
Muhammad Sarwar   
God will receive their souls when they die. Their souls do not die when they are sleeping. During people's sleep He withholds those souls which He has decreed to die and releases the others for an appointed time. In this there is evidence (of the Truth) for the thoughtful people
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
Allah fully takes away the souls (of the people) at the time of their death, and (of) those who do not die, in their sleep. Then He withholds those on whom He had decreed death, and sends others back, up to an appointed term. Surely, in this, there are signs for a people who ponder
Shabbir Ahmed   
(Only the living of the mind and heart can make choices in this world.) It is Allah Who takes their 'Conscious' upon death, and of the living during their sleep. He withholds it for those upon whom He has passed the decree of death, and restores the others until an appointed time. Herein, behold, are Signs for people who think. (39:6)
Dr. Munir Munshey   
At the time of death, Allah takes full possession of the soul of the deceased, and also the souls of those who are asleep and not dead. He then holds back those for whom He has decreed death. He sends back the souls of others for an appointed time. In that, indeed, is a sign for a nation that ponders
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
It is Allah, Who takes the souls at their death; And from those who do not die during their sleep (He takes as they sleep): Those for whom He has ordered death, He does not let (them to return to life), but He sends the others (to their bodies) for a length of time. Surely, in this, are (His) Signs for those who think
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes] during their sleep. Then He keeps those for which He has decreed death and releases the others for a specified term. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
God takes the souls when they die, and during their sleep. He then keeps those that have been overtaken by death, and He sends the others back until a predetermined time. In that are signs for a people who will think
Abdel Haleem   
God takes the souls of the dead and the souls of the living while they sleep- He keeps hold of those whose death He has ordained and sends the others back until their appointed time- there truly are signs in this for those who reflect
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
Allah it is who taketh away souls at the time of their death, and those which die not in their sleep: then He withhold those on which He hath decreed death, and sendeth back the rest for an appointed term. Verily herein are signs for a people who ponder
Ahmed Ali   
God gathers up the souls of those who die, and of those who do not die, in their sleep; then He keeps back those ordained for death, and sends the others back for an appointed term. Surely there are signs in this for those who reflect
Aisha Bewley   
Allah takes back people´s souls when their death arrives and those who have not yet died, while they are asleep. He keeps hold of those whose death has been decreed and sends the others back for a specified term. There are certainly Signs in that for people who reflect.
Ali Ünal   
God takes the spirits at the time of the death of (the souls), and in their sleep those (of the ones) that have not died. He withholds (the spirits of) those for whom He has decreed death, and the rest He sends back (to their bodies to live on) for a term appointed by Him. Surely in that are signs (important lessons) for people who reflect and are mindful
Ali Quli Qara'i   
Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those who have not died in their sleep. Then He retains those for whom He has ordained death and releases the others until a specified time. There are indeed signs in that for a people who reflect
Hamid S. Aziz   
Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep; then He withholds those on whom He has passed the decree of death and sends the others back till an appointed term; most surely there are signs in this for a peo
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
God takes back the consciousness/souls at the time of their death, and the one who has not died, (He will take their consciousness/soul) in their sleep. He keeps the one whom He has decided death for them and sends the others back for a limited period. Indeed, there are signs in that for people who think.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
God removes the souls at the time of death. And those who did not die, He removes their soul while they sleep. He then keeps those who death has chosen, and He sends the others back for a time to be announced. Indeed in this are signs for those who reflect
Musharraf Hussain   
Allah takes away the souls of people dying and the souls of the living during their sleep. He keeps hold of those whose time of death has come, but sends back others, so they will die at their fixed time. In this are lessons for thinkers
Maududi   
It is Allah Who takes away the souls of people at the hour of their death, and takes away at the time of sleep the souls of those that have not died. Then He retains the souls of those against whom He had decreed death and returns the souls of others till an appointed time. Surely there are Signs in this for a people who reflect
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
God seizes the souls at the time of their death; and for those that have not died, during their sleep. He then keeps those that have been overtaken by death, and He sends the others back until a predetermined time. In that are signs for a people who will think
Mohammad Shafi   
It is Allah Who takes away the souls of people at their death; and in their sleep, of those that have not died. Then He retains the souls of those against whom He had decreed death and returns those of others till an appointed time. In that indeed are signs for people who reflect

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
Allah takes away the souls at the time of their death and of those who die not, during their sleep, then He withholds that against which He has decreed death and sends back the other till an appointed time. Undoubtedly in it are signs for those who reflect.
Rashad Khalifa   
GOD puts the souls to death when the end of their life comes, and also at the time of sleep. Thus, He takes some back during their sleep, while others are allowed to continue living until the end of their predetermined interim. This should provide lessons for people who reflect.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
Allah takes away souls at the time of their death (the temporary death of sleep), and those who do not die during their sleep He withholds that upon whichHe has decreed death, but turns lose the other till a stated term. Surely, there are signs in this for a nation who contemplate
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
Allah takes (men’s) souls at the time of their death, and those that die not, during their sleep. Then He withholds those on whom He has passed the decree of death and sends the others back till an appointed term. Surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
God makes the selves die (at the) time of its death/lifelessness, and which did not die in its sleep , so He holds/seizes which He ordered the death/lifelessness on it, and He sends the other (others) to a named/identified (specified) term/time, that (E) truly in that (are) evidences/signs (E) to a nation thinking
Bijan Moeinian   
God is the One Who summons the souls at the time of the death. God also takes your souls away when you go to sleep. Then He restores it back at His Will and let you live as long as He has predestined or may decide not to restore it at all and let you die at bed. There is a food for thought in this for those who possess the intelligence
Faridul Haque   
It is Allah Who gives death * to living beings at the time of their demise, and to those who do not die, during their sleep; so He restrains the soul on which the decree of death has been passed, and leaves the other till the appointed term; indeed in this are signs for people who reflect. (*Death is of 2 types – passing to the next world, and sleeping.
Sher Ali   
ALLAH takes away the souls of men at the time of their death; and of those also that are not yet dead, during their sleep. Then HE withholds those against which HE has decreed death, and sends back the others till an appointed term. In that, surely, are Signs for a people who reflect
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
Allah takes away souls at the time of their death and those whose death has not yet arrived during their sleep. Then He withholds those souls whose death He has ordained and sets other (souls) free till an appointed time. Surely, in it are signs for those who contemplate
Amatul Rahman Omar   
Allah takes away the souls (of human being) at the time of their death and (also) of those who are not (yet) dead during their sleep. He detains (the souls of) those against whom He passes the verdict of death and sends (back those of) others till a fixed period of time. There are signs in this for a people who would reflect
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
It is Allah Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed. Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
God takes the souls at the time of their death, and that which has not died, in its sleep; He withholds that against which He has decreed death, but looses the other till a stated term. Surely in that are signs for a people who reflect. Or have they taken intercessors apart from God
George Sale   
God taketh unto himself the souls of men at the time of their death; and those which die not He also taketh in their sleep: And He withholdeth those on which He hath passed the decree of death, but sendeth back the others till a determined period. Verily herein are signs unto people who consider
Edward Henry Palmer   
God takes to Himself souls at the time of their death; and those which do not die (He takes) in their sleep; and He holds back those on whom He has decreed death, and sends others back till their appointed time;- verily, in that are signs unto a people who reflect
John Medows Rodwell   
God taketh souls unto Himself at death; and during their sleep those who do not die: and he retaineth those on which he hath passed a decree of death, but sendeth the others back till a time that is fixed. Herein are signs for the reflecting
N J Dawood (2014)   
God claims back every soul upon its death, and the souls of the living when they are asleep. Those that are doomed to die He keeps, and lets the others go for a time ordained. Surely in this there are signs for people that reflect

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
Allah it is He who takes the souls at the time of their death and the ones who have not died [he takes] at the time of their sleep. As for the one on whom the sentence of death He has passed, He withholds but the others He sends back till an appointed term. Truly in that surely are signs for a people who reflect.
Munir Mezyed   
It is Allâh Who gathers the souls (of the human beings) at the time of their death, and those which have not died yet during their sleep. Then He withholds those (souls) for which He has ordained death and releases the rest till an appointed term. Surely, in this, there are Signs (of Allâh’s power & glory) for people who persist in meditation.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
Allah receives the souls when they die, and those which did not die in their sleep, then He retains those for whom death has been decreed and sends the others until a fixed term, for in that are signs for people who reflect.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
Allah takes souls at the time of death, and [He keeps] the souls of those who do not die in their sleep. He retains the souls of those for whom death has been decreed. He returns the others, each for an appointed time. Truly, in this are signs for people who ponder.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
Allah takes up the selves at the time of their death, and those that have not died (He takes up) during their sleep. Then He retains those for which He has decreed death and releases the others to (fulfill) a stated term. Most surely, in that are signs for people who reflect.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
Allah (God) recalls souls at the time of their death, and those who have not died, during their sleep. He holds on to anyone whom death has been decided for, and sends the others back for a specific period. In that are signs for folk who meditate.
Samy Mahdy   
Allah deceases the souls at their death time, and which do not die in its sleep. So, He withholds which He has decreed upon her the death and releases the others till a named term. Surely within that is verses for a kinfolk who think.
Sayyid Qutb   
God takes away people's souls upon their death, and the souls of the living during their sleep. He keeps with Him the souls of those whose death He has ordained and sends back the others until their appointed time. In all this there are signs for people who reflect.
Ahmed Hulusi   
Allah causes people to die (renders their bodies dysfunctional) when it is time for them to taste death... And those that have not died, (He takes to the world of consciousness) during their sleep... Then He keeps those for whom He has decreed death and releases the others until a specified time... Indeed, there are signs in this for people who contemplate.
Mir Aneesuddin   
Allah takes the souls (i.e. consciousness of human beings) at the time of their death, and (He takes the soul) of the person who does not die, during his sleep, then He withholds that on which He has decreed death and sends (back) the others till an appointed term. Certainly there are signs in that for a people who reflect. which He has decreed death and sends (back) the others till an appointed term. Certainly there are signs in that for a people who reflect.
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
Allah disembodies the souls at the time of physical death and during physiological sleep. He detains the soul whose body is destined to die during sleep and sends back the other to embody its material being for a predetermined point of time, a phenomenon and a process highly indicative of Allah's Omnipotence and Mysterious controlling power for those who exercise their intellect and do reflect

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
It is God that takes the souls (of men) at death; and those that die not (He takes) during their sleep: those on whom He has passed the decree of death, He keeps back (from returning to life), but the rest He sends (to their bodies) for a term appointed verily in this are Signs for those who reflect
OLD Literal Word for Word   
Allah takes the souls (at the) time (of) their death, and the one who (does) not die in their sleep. Then He keeps the one whom, He has decreed for them the death, and sends the others for a term specified. Indeed, in that surely (are) signs for a people who ponder
OLD Transliteration   
Allahu yatawaffa al-anfusa heena mawtiha waallatee lam tamut fee manamiha fayumsiku allatee qada AAalayha almawta wayursilu al-okhra ila ajalin musamman inna fee thalika laayatin liqawmin yatafakkaroona