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Popular and/or Featured Works
Muhammad Asad   
so that I might act righteously in whatever I have failed [aforetime]!” Nay, it is indeed but a [meaningless] word that he utters: for behind those [who leave the world] there is a barrier [of death] until the Day when all will be raised from the dead
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
so I may do good in what I left behind.” Never! It is only a ˹useless˺ appeal they make. And there is a barrier behind them until the Day they are resurrected.
Safi Kaskas   
so that I may make amends for what I left undone." Never! This is but a word he is saying; for behind them there is a [dimensional) barrier until the Day when all will be resurrected!

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
لَعَلِّي أَعْمَلُ صَالِحًا فِيمَا تَرَكْتُ كَلَّا إِنَّهَا كَلِمَةٌ هُوَ قَائِلُهَا وَمِن وَرَائِهِم بَرْزَخٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُون
Transliteration (2021)   
laʿallī aʿmalu ṣāliḥan fīmā taraktu kallā innahā kalimatun huwa qāiluhā wamin warāihim barzakhun ilā yawmi yub'ʿathūn
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
That I may do righteous (deeds) in what I left behind." No! Indeed, it (is) a word he speaks it, and from and before them (is) a barrier till (the) Day they are resurrected.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
so that I might act righteously in whatever I have failed [aforetime]!” Nay, it is indeed but a [meaningless] word that he utters: for behind those [who leave the world] there is a barrier [of death] until the Day when all will be raised from the dead
M. M. Pickthall   
That I may do right in that which I have left behind! But nay! It is but a word that he speaketh; and behind them is a barrier until the day when they are raised
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
"In order that I may work righteousness in the things I neglected." - "By no means! It is but a word he says."- Before them is a Partition till the Day they are raised up
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
so I may do good in what I left behind.” Never! It is only a ˹useless˺ appeal they make. And there is a barrier behind them until the Day they are resurrected.
Safi Kaskas   
so that I may make amends for what I left undone." Never! This is but a word he is saying; for behind them there is a [dimensional) barrier until the Day when all will be resurrected!
Wahiduddin Khan   
so that I may do good works in the world I have left behind. Never! It is indeed but a meaningless word that he utters. A barrier shall stand behind such people till the Day they are raised up again
Shakir   
Haply I may do good in that which I have left. By no means! it is a (mere) word that he speaks; and before them is a barrier until the day they are raised
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
so that perhaps I will do as one in accord with morality in what I left behind. No indeed! Truly, it is only a word that one who converses says. And ahead of them is a barrier until the Day they are raised up.
T.B.Irving   
so I may act honorably with anything I may have left behind"´ Indeed not! It is merely a remark he is making. Beyond them there lies a barrier till the day when they will be raised up again.
Abdul Hye   
so that I may do good in that which I have left behind!” No! It is but a word that he speaks, and behind them is a barrier until the Day when they will be resurrected.
The Study Quran   
that haply I may work righteousness with regard to that which I left.” Nay, indeed these are words that he speaks. And behind them is a barrier till the Day they are resurrected
Dr. Kamal Omar   
so that I may act in righteousness in that which I rejected." Certainly impossible! It is indeed (only) a statement, he is an emitter to it. And behind them is Barzakh until the Day when they will be resurrected
Farook Malik   
so that I may do good deeds in the world that I have left behind." Never! This is just a statement which carries no value, it will be too late because there will be a barrier between them and the world they have just left till the Day they are raised to life again
Talal A. Itani (new translation)   
That I may do right in what I have neglected.' By no means! It is just a word that he utters. And behind them is a barrier, until the Day they are resurrected
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
That possibly I will do righteousness in that which I have left (behind)." Not at all! surely it is (only) a word he says, and beyond them (i.e., all mankind) is an isthmus until the Day they are made to rise again
Muhammad Sarwar   
so that perhaps I shall act righteously for the rest of my life." Although he will say so but his wish will never come true. After death they will be behind a barrier until the day of their resurrection
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
so that I may act righteously in that (world) which I have left behind. Never! It is simply a word he utters, and in front of such people there is a barrier till the day when they will be resurrected
Shabbir Ahmed   
That I may do good works in that I left behind! But, nay! It is a mere word of no significance that he speaks. And behind them is a barrier until the Day they are raised. (39:58)
Dr. Munir Munshey   
"To the place I left behind! Perhaps, I will do good deeds (this time around)." Definitely not! These are mere words he utters. A barrier behind the dead (preventing their return to this life) shall exist till the day of their resurrection
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
"So that I may work rightfully the things that I neglected." — "By no means! It is only a word that he says." — Before them is a partition till the Day they are raised up
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
That I might do righteousness in that which I left behind." No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
"So that I may do good in that which I have left behind." No, it is but a word he is speaking. And there is a barrier to prevent them from going back until the Day they are all resurrected
Abdel Haleem   
so as to make amends for the things I neglected.’ Never! This will not go beyond his words: a barrier stands behind such people until the very Day they are resurrected
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
That I may work righteously in that which have left. By no means! It is but a word he uttereth; and before them is a barrier until the Day when they shall be raised
Ahmed Ali   
That I may do some good I did not do (in the world)." Not so. These are only words he utters. Behind them lies the intervening barrier (stretching) to the day of their resurrection
Aisha Bewley   
so that perhaps I may act rightly regarding the things I failed to do!´ No indeed! It is just words he utters. Before them there is an interspace until the Day they are raised up.
Ali Ünal   
"That I may act righteously with respect to whatever I have left undone in the world." No, never! It is merely a word that he utters over and over again. Before those (who are dead) is an intermediate world (of the grave, where they will stay) until the Day when they will be raised up
Ali Quli Qara'i   
that I may act righteously in what I have left behind.’ ‘By no means! These are mere words that he says.’ And ahead of them is a barrier until the day they will be resurrecte
Hamid S. Aziz   
That I may do right in that which I have left behind." Nay! It is but a mere word he speaks; behind them is a barrier until the Day they shall be raised
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
so that I do good work in what I left behind (and neglected). No way, indeed it is only a word that he says it. And there is a barrier behind them until a day they are raised
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
“In order that I may do right by the things I neglected.” By no means, it is only words he says. Before them is a partition until the day they are raised up
Musharraf Hussain   
so that I may act righteously in whatever I previously omitted.” Never! What he is saying are empty words; and before them lies a vast barrier, uncrossable till the day they are resurrected
Maududi   
that I have left behind. I am likely to do good." Nay, it is merely a word that he is uttering. There is a barrier behind all of them (who are dead) until the Day when they will be raised up
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
"So that I may do good in that which I have left behind." No, it is but a word he is speaking. And there is a barrier to prevent them from going back until the Day they are all resurrected
Mohammad Shafi   
"So that I may do good deeds in what I have left behind." Nay! It is just a wishful utterance that he makes. And before them is a barrier until the day they are raised

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
Haply, now I may earn some good in that what I have left behind. Never, this is only a word, which he utters. And in front of them is a barrier until the Day when they shall, be raised.
Rashad Khalifa   
"I will then work righteousness in everything I left." Not true. This is a false claim that he makes. A barrier will separate his soul from this world until resurrection.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
that I should do righteousness in that I forsook. ' No! It is only a word which he will speak. Behind them there shall stand a barrier till the Day that they shall be resurrected
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
That I may do good in that which I have left. By no means! It is but a word that he speaks. And before them is a barrier, until the day they are raised
Muhammad Ahmed - Samira   
Maybe/perhaps I make/do correct/righteous deeds in what I left. No but it is a word/expression he is saying it, and from behind them (is) a barrier to a day/time they be resurrected/revived
Bijan Moeinian   
What a big lie (they will go back to their old tricks, if they are returned.) A barrier will separate them from the world till the Day of Resurrection
Faridul Haque   
"Perhaps I may do some good deeds in what I have left behind"; this is just a word that he utters from his mouth; and confronting them is a barrier until the day in which they will be raised
Sher Ali   
That I may do righteous deeds in the life that I have left behind.' That cannot be ! It is only a word that he utters. And behind them is a barrier until the day when they shall be raised again
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
So that I may do some righteous works in that (world) which I have left behind.’ No way! He will be saying this (only in despair). And ahead of them is a barrier (erected) till the Day (when) they will be raised up (from the graves)
Amatul Rahman Omar   
`So that I may do righteous (deeds) which I failed to do (in the worldly life).' `Never, that can never be,' (is the answer he receives). It is but a word (of excuse) which he utters. And there is a barrier behind them which shall remain till the day when they shall be raised to life (again)
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
"So that I may do good in that which I have left behind!" No! It is but a word that he speaks, and behind them is Barzakh (a barrier) until the Day when they will be resurrected

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
haply I shall do righteousness in that I forsook.' Nay, it is but a word he speaks; and there; behind them, is a barrier until the day that they shall be raised up
George Sale   
that I may do that which is right; in professing the true faith which I have neglected. By no means. Verily these are the words which he shall speak: But behind them there shall be a bar, until the day of resurrection
Edward Henry Palmer   
haply I may do right in that which I have left!' Not so! - a mere word he speaks! - but behind them is a bar until the day they shall be raised
John Medows Rodwell   
That I may do the good which I have left undone." "By no means." These are the very words which he shall speak: But behind them shall be a barrier, until the day when they shall be raised again
N J Dawood (2014)   
that I may do good works in the world I have left behind.‘ Never! These are the very words which he will speak. Behind them there shall stand a barrier till the Day of Resurrection

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
“…so that I may work righteously in the things I neglected.” Nonsense! Truly, it is only a vow he/she says. Before them is a partition until the day they are resurrected.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
so I may act honorably with anything I may have left behind"' Indeed not! It is merely a remark he is making. Beyond them there lies a barrier till the day when they will be raised up again.
Sayyid Qutb   
so that I may act righteously in whatever I have failed to do.' By no means! It is but a word he says. Behind them there stands a barrier till the day when all will be raised from the dead.
Ahmed Hulusi   
“So that I might do righteousness in that which I left behind (i.e. a faithful life that I did not heed or give importance to; the potential that I did not utilize and activate).” No! (It is impossible to go back!) His words are invalid! (His request is unrecognized in the system) and behind them is a barrier (an isthmus; a difference of dimension) until the Day they are resurrected (they cannot go back; reincarnation, being re-born for another worldly life, is not possible!).
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
That I might do righteousness in that which I have left behind!' Nay! It is but a(mere) word that he says; and, behind them, is a partition until the Day when they shall be raised up
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur'an al-Karim   
He says: "If given the chance" I may be able to do all I have neglected and left undone and imprint my deeds with wisdom and piety. Never. But this is a wish he expresses in words! Once the souls have been disembodied and crossed to the other world, it is then a one - way journey with no return. Behind them there is an impassable barrier barricading the passage back until the Day of Resurrection when people are then restored to life
Mir Aneesuddin   
(Some people continue to do evil) until when death comes to one of them (then) he says. "My Fosterer! send me back

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
"In order that I may work righteousness in the things I neglected." - "By no means! It is but a word he says."- Before them is a Partition till the Day they are raised up
OLD Literal Word for Word   
That I may do righteous (deeds) in what I left behind." No! Indeed, it (is) a word he speaks it, and before them (is) a barrier till (the) Day they are resurrected