←Prev   Ayah al-A`raf (The Heights, The Elevated Places) 7:148   Next→ 

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Muhammad Asad   
AND IN his absence the people of Moses took to worshipping the effigy of a calf [made] of their ornaments, which gave forth a lowing sound." Did they not see that it could neither speak unto them nor guide them in any way? [And yet] they took to worshipping it, for they were evildoers
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
In the absence of Moses, his people made from their ˹golden˺ jewellery an idol of a calf that made a lowing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to the ˹Right˺ Path? Still they took it as a god and were wrongdoers.
Safi Kaskas   
In his absence, Moses' people started worshipping a calf, making lowing sounds. It was made from their jewelry. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them in any way. [Yet], they worshipped it because they were unjust.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
وَٱتَّخَذَ قَوۡمُ مُوسَىٰ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦ مِنۡ حُلِیِّهِمۡ عِجۡلࣰا جَسَدࣰا لَّهُۥ خُوَارٌۚ أَلَمۡ یَرَوۡا۟ أَنَّهُۥ لَا یُكَلِّمُهُمۡ وَلَا یَهۡدِیهِمۡ سَبِیلًاۘ ٱتَّخَذُوهُ وَكَانُوا۟ ظَـٰلِمِینَ ۝١٤٨
Transliteration (2021)   
wa-ittakhadha qawmu mūsā min baʿdihi min ḥuliyyihim ʿij'lan jasadan lahu khuwārun alam yaraw annahu lā yukallimuhum walā yahdīhim sabīlan ittakhadhūhu wakānū ẓālimīn
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
And took (the) people (of) Musa, from after him from their ornaments (of) a calf - an image [for] it (had) a lowing sound. Did not they see that it (could) not speak to them and not guide them (to) a way? They took it (for worship) and they were wrongdoers.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
AND IN his absence the people of Moses took to worshipping the effigy of a calf [made] of their ornaments, which gave forth a lowing sound." Did they not see that it could neither speak unto them nor guide them in any way? [And yet] they took to worshipping it, for they were evildoers
M. M. Pickthall   
And the folk of Moses, after (he left them), chose a calf (for worship), (made) out of their ornaments, of saffron hue, which gave a lowing sound. Saw they not that it spake not unto them nor guided them to any way? They chose it, and became wrong-doers
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
The people of Moses made, in his absence, out of their ornaments, the image of calf, (for worship): it seemed to low: did they not see that it could neither speak to them, nor show them the way? They took it for worship and they did wrong
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
In the absence of Moses, his people made from their ˹golden˺ jewellery an idol of a calf that made a lowing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to the ˹Right˺ Path? Still they took it as a god and were wrongdoers.
Safi Kaskas   
In his absence, Moses' people started worshipping a calf, making lowing sounds. It was made from their jewelry. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them in any way. [Yet], they worshipped it because they were unjust.
Wahiduddin Khan   
In his absence, the people of Moses made a calf from their ornaments, an image which made a lowing sound. Could they not see that it did not speak to them or guide them in any way? Yet they took to worshipping it: they were evil-doers
Shakir   
And Musa's people made of their ornaments a calf after him, a (mere) body, which gave a mooing sound. What! could they not see that it did not speak to them nor guide them in the way? They took it (for worship) and they were unjust
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
And the folk of Moses took to themselves after him from out of their glitter a calf, a lifeless body like one that has the lowing sound of flocks. See they not that it neither speaks to them nor guides them to a Way?• Yet they took it to themselves. And they had been the ones who are unjust.
T.B.Irving   
After he had gone, Moses´ folk designed a calf [made] out of their jewelry, a (mere) body that mooed. Did they not see that it neither spoke to them nor guided them along any way? They adopted it and (thereby) became wrongdoers.
Abdul Hye   
And the people of Moses after him (during absence) made the body of a calf (for worship) from their ornaments which had a sound (of mooing). Did they not see that neither it can speak to them nor guide them to the way? Yet, they took it (for worship) and they were the wrongdoers.
The Study Quran   
And while he was away, the people of Moses took a calf [made] from their ornaments—a body that lowed. Did they not consider that it spoke not unto them, nor guided them to any way? They took it up, and they were wrongdoers
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
In Moses’ absence, his people crafted a calf from their jewelry—a body that emitted a mooing sound. Couldn’t they see that it could neither communicate with them nor guide them on a path? They took it as an object of worship and were in the wrong.
Talal Itani (2012)   
In his absence, the people of Moses adopted a calf made from their ornaments—a body which lowed. Did they not see that it could not speak to them, nor guide them in any way? They took it for worship. They were in the wrong
Dr. Kamal Omar   
And the nation of Musa carved, in his absence, out of their ornaments, the body-form of a calf (mechanising) to it a mooing sound. Did they not see that it does not speak to them and does not guide them the way? They picked it (as a god in cow-worship) and they became transgressors
M. Farook Malik   
In his absence the nation of Moses made an image of a calf for worship from their jewelry which produced a mooing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor give them the guidance? Yet they took it for worship and became wrongdoers
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
And the people of Musa (Moses) took to themselves even after him, of their (diverse) ornaments, a corporeal Calf that had a lowing (voice). Did they not see that it did not speak to them nor did it guide them upon any way? They took it to themselves and were an unjust (people).
Muhammad Sarwar   
In Moses' absence, his people manufactured a hollow sounding calf out of their ornaments. Could they not see that it could not speak to them or provide them with any guidance? They gained only evil by worshipping the calf
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
And in the absence of Musa, his people made a calf from their ornaments, which was merely a sculpture with a moaning sound. Did they not see that it neither talked to them nor could it guide them to any way? They adopted it (as god), and were so unjust
Shabbir Ahmed   
The people of Moses made up a calf out of their ornaments while Moses was on the Mount Sinai. They made it such that blowing into it produced a lowing sound. They didn't even see that it couldn't talk to them or show them any way. Still they chose it as a god, and thus wronged their own "Self"
Dr. Munir Munshey   
In his absence, the nation of Musa molded their jewelry in the effigy of a calf that made a mooing sound. Did they not see that it neither talked to them, nor showed them the way? Yet, they accepted it for worship; they were the evil doers
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
During his absence, the People of Musa (Moses), from their (own) ornaments made, the image of a calf, (for worship): It seemed so low (and improper): (That also, it had a low pitch sound when struck) did they not see that it could not speak to them, nor show them the Way? They took it (for worship) and they did wrong
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
And the people of Moses made, after [his departure], from their ornaments a calf - an image having a lowing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to a way? They took it [for worship], and they were wrongdoers
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
And the people of Moses, in his absence, made from their ornaments the image of a calf which made a sound. Did they not see that it could not speak to them, nor guide them to any way They took it and they were wicked
Abdel Haleem   
In his absence, Moses’ people took to worshipping a mere shape that made sounds like a cow- a calf made from their jewellery. Could they not see that it did not speak to them or guide them in any way? Yet they took it for worship: they were evildoers
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
And ehe people of Musa, after him, took of their trinkets a calf: a body with a low. Saw they not that it spake nor unto them nor could guide them to a way? They took it, and became wrong-doers
Ahmed Ali   
In the absence of Moses his people prepared the image of a calf from their ornaments, which gave out the mooing of a cow. Yet they did not see it could neither speak to them nor guide them to the right path. Even then they took it (for a deity) and did wrong
Aisha Bewley   
After he left, Musa´s people adopted a calf made from their ornaments, a form which made a lowing sound. Did they not see that it could not speak to them or guide them to any way? They adopted it and so they were wrongdoers.
Ali Ünal   
The people of Moses, after he (had left them to meet with his Lord), adopted for worship a calf (in effigy, made) of their ornaments, which gave out a lowing sound. Did they not see that it neither spoke to them nor guided them to a way? They adopted it for worship and so became wrongdoers (acting contrary to all the truths of creation and Divine commandments, and thereby wronging their very selves)
Ali Quli Qara'i   
The people of Moses took up in his absence a calf [cast] from their ornaments —a body that gave out a lowing sound. Did they not regard that it did not speak to them, nor did it guide them to any way? They took it up [for worship] and they were wrongdoers
Hamid S. Aziz   
And the people of Moses, after he had left them, chose (for worship) an image of a lowing calf (or one that seemed to low) made out of their ornaments. Did they not see that it could not speak to them or guide them in the path? They chose it and became w
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
And people of Moses, after him (in his absence), took a body of a calf made from their ornaments which made a sound (as god). Did they not see that it does not speak to them and does not guide them to any way? They took it (as god), and they became wrongdoers.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
The people of Moses made out of their ornaments, in his absence, the image of a calf. It was low. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them, nor show them the way? They took it for worship and they did wrong
Musharraf Hussain   
Meanwhile Musa’s people took a calf as god, with a mooing sound and a body moulded from their jewellery. Wasn’t it obvious to them it neither spoke to them nor guided them along any path? Nevertheless, they adopted it as a god and so became wrongdoers
Maududi   
And in the absence of Moses his people made the image of a calf from their ornaments, which lowed. Did they not observe that it could neither speak nor give them any guidance? And still they made it an object of worship. They were indeed wrong-doing
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
And the people of Moses, in his absence, made from their ornaments a sculpture of a calf that emitted a cry. Did they not see that it could not speak to them, nor guide them to any way? They took it and they were wicked.
Mohammad Shafi   
And Moses' people, after he left, made a calf of their ornaments — just a body, which emanated a sound.Could they not see that it did not speak to them nor guide them to any way? They took to it and indulged in wrong-doing

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
And after Musa, his people made a calf out of their ornaments, a lifeless body, producing a lowing sound. Did they not see that neither it talked to them and nor guided them to any way? They took it, and they were unjust.
Rashad Khalifa   
During his absence, Moses' people made from their jewelry the statue of a calf, complete with the sound of a calf. Did they not see that it could not speak to them, or guide them in any path? They worshiped it, and thus turned wicked.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
In his absence, the nation of Moses made a calf from their ornaments, a body with a hollow sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them, nor guide them to a path? Yet they took it in worship and were harmdoers
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
And Moses’ people made of their ornaments a calf after him -- a (lifeless) body, having a lowing sound. Could they not see that it spoke not to them, nor guided them in the way? They took it (for worship) and they were unjust
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
And Moses' nation took/received from after him from their jewel/ornament/decoration a calf's body, for him (a) moo/bellow; do they not see/understand that it does not converse/speak/talk (to) them, and nor guide them a way/road/path ? They took/received it, and they were unjust/oppressive
Bijan Moeinian   
While Moses was absent [receiving the most important code of behavior for the believers], his people melted down their jewelries to make the statue of a cow with a capacity to make a sound. Were they not able to see that it could not neither talk nor guide them to the right path? Yet they took it as their god; how unjust of them
Faridul Haque   
And behind Moosa, his people moulded a calf from their ornaments - a lifeless body making sounds like a cow; did they not see that it neither speaks to them nor guides them in any way? They chose it (for worship), and were unjust
Sher Ali   
And the people of Moses made, in his absence, out of their ornaments, a calf - a lifeless body, producing a lowing sound. Did they not see that it spoke not to them, nor guided them to any way? They took it for worship and they were transgressors
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
And after Musa ([Moses] left for the Mount of Tur), his people contrived a calf out of their ornaments (which was) a carving with a mooing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor show them any path? They took the same (as god) and they were unjust
Amatul Rahman Omar   
And the people of Moses in his absence, made out of their ornaments a calf; a mere frame (of saffron hue), with a lowing sound. Could they not see that it neither spoke to them, nor guided them to any way? Yet they took it (for god to worship) and became wrongdoers
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
And the people of Moosa (Moses) made in his absence, out of their ornaments, the image of a calf (for worship). It had a sound (as if it was mooing). Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to the way? They took it for worship and they were Zalimoon (wrong-doers)

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
And the people of Moses took to them, after him, of their ornaments a Calf -- a mere body that lowed. Did they not see it spoke not to them, neither guided them upon any way? Yet they took it to them, and were evildoers
George Sale   
And the people of Moses made, in his absence, out of their ornaments, a calf -- a lifeless body, producing a lowing sound. Did they not see that it spoke not to them, nor guided them to any way? They took it for worship and they were transgressors
Edward Henry Palmer   
And Moses' people after him took to themselves of their ornaments a corporeal calf that lowed; did they not see that it could not speak with them, nor could it guide them in the path? They took it and they were unjust
John Medows Rodwell   
And the people of Moses took during his absence a calf made of their ornaments, and ruddy like gold, and lowing. Saw they not that it could not speak to them, nor guide them in the way? Yet they took if for a God and became offenders
N J Dawood (2014)   
And in his absence the people of Moses made a calf from their ornaments, an image with a hollow sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor give them guidance? Yet they worshipped it and thus committed evil

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
The people of Moses took from their ornaments the effigy of a calf after him. It had a lowing sound. Did they not see that he spoke not to them and did not guide them to anyway? They took it [for worship] and they were those who wronged their own souls.
Munir Mezyed   
After (Moses had left them to meet with his Lord), his people made of their ornaments the image of Calf (for worship), which gave a mooing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to the (right) path? They took it for worship, and voluntarily and consciously abandoned the Full Knowledge of the Truth in favour of their own whims.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
And after he had gone, the people of Musa (Moses) fashioned some of their jewellery into the shape of a calf which had a mooing sound; did they not consider that it did not speak to them nor guide them the way? They fashioned it and were wrongdoers.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
In his absence, the people of Moses used their ornaments to make the image of a calf. It seemed to moo [because of a wind instrument designed into its nose]. Could they not see that it neither spoke to them nor showed them the way? They accepted it [as a god], and they sinned.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
And in his absence the people of Moses took a calf made from their ornaments—a body which lowed. Did they not see that it could not speak to them or guide them to any way? They took it (for worship), and thus they became unjust.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
After he had gone, Moses' folk designed a calf [made] out of their jewelry, a (mere) body that mooed. Did they not see that it neither spoke to them nor guided them along any way? They adopted it and (thereby) became wrongdoers.
Samy Mahdy   
And Moses’s kinfolk took after him, from their ornaments a calf, a lifeless body having a lowing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to a pathway? They took it, and they were oppressors.
Sayyid Qutb   
In his absence, the people of Moses took to the worship of the effigy of a calf made of their ornaments, which gave a lowing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor give them any guidance? Yet they took to worshipping it, for they were evildoers.
Ahmed Hulusi   
And the people of Moses made, after him (after his departure to Mount Sinai) a bellowing calf, from their valuable ornaments... Did they not realize that the calf was neither able to talk to them, nor guide them to a path? They took it (as a deity) and became of the wrongdoers (they wronged themselves)!
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
And the people of Moses made of their ornaments a calf after him, a (mere) body that lowed. Did they not see that it did not speak to them, nor did it guide them to any way? They took it (for worship) and they were unjust
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
Influenced by idolatrous Egypt, the people of Mussa took advantage of his absence on the Mount, being absorbed in the intense spiritual communion with Allah, and melted all their gold ornaments and built a body in the image of a calf* lowing like cattle when down wind. Did they not perceive that it was mute! Never did it speak to them nor would it guide them or determine the course of events! Yet they reverenced it and adored it with appropriate acts and rites, and were wrongful of actions
Mir Aneesuddin   
And the people of Musa, after he (had left), took (for worship) the (mere) body of a calf (which they had made) from their ornaments, the (calf) had a hollow sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them (to the right) way? They took it (for worship) and they were unjust. to the right) way? They took it (for worship) and they were unjust.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
The people of Moses made, in his absence, out of their ornaments, the image of calf, (for worship): it seemed to low: did they not see that it could neither speak to them, nor show them the way? They took it for worship and they did wrong
OLD Literal Word for Word   
And took (the) people (of) Musa, after him from their ornaments an image (of) a calf [for] it (had) a lowing sound. Did not they see that it (could) not speak to them and not guide them (to) a way? They took it (for worship) and they were wrongdoers
OLD Transliteration   
Waittakhatha qawmu moosa min baAAdihi min huliyyihim AAijlan jasadan lahu khuwarun alam yaraw annahu la yukallimuhum wala yahdeehim sabeelan ittakhathoohu wakanoo thalimeena