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Popular and/or Featured Works
Muhammad Asad   
Or [dost thou deem thyself equal to] one who devoutly worships [God] throughout the night, prostrating himself or standing [in prayer], ever- mindful of the life to come, and hoping for his Sustainer’s grace?” Say: “Can they who know and they who do not know be deemed equal?” [But] only they who are endowed with insight keep this in mind
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
˹Are they better˺ or those who worship ˹their Lord˺ devoutly in the hours of the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of their Lord? Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” None will be mindful ˹of this˺ except people of reason.
Safi Kaskas   
Is one who worships devoutly during periods of the night-bowing down and standing [in prayer], being mindful of the Hereafter, and hoping for his Lord's mercy-[like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only those who have understanding will keep this in mind.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَائِمًا يَحْذَرُ الْآخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُو رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَاب
Transliteration (2021)   
amman huwa qānitun ānāa al-layli sājidan waqāiman yaḥdharu l-ākhirata wayarjū raḥmata rabbihi qul hal yastawī alladhīna yaʿlamūna wa-alladhīna lā yaʿlamūna innamā yatadhakkaru ulū l-albāb
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
Is (one) who [he] (is) devoutly obedient - (during) hours (of) the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter and hoping (for the) Mercy (of) his Lord? Say, "Are equal those who know and those who (do) not know?" Only will take heed those of understanding.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
Or [dost thou deem thyself equal to] one who devoutly worships [God] throughout the night, prostrating himself or standing [in prayer], ever- mindful of the life to come, and hoping for his Sustainer’s grace?” Say: “Can they who know and they who do not know be deemed equal?” [But] only they who are endowed with insight keep this in mind
M. M. Pickthall   
Is he who payeth adoration in the watches of the night, prostrate and standing, bewaring of the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, (to be accounted equal with a disbeliever)? Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Are those who know equal with those who know not? But only men of understanding will pay heed
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
Is one who worships devoutly during the hour of the night prostrating himself or standing (in adoration), who takes heed of the Hereafter, and who places his hope in the Mercy of his Lord - (like one who does not)? Say: "Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
˹Are they better˺ or those who worship ˹their Lord˺ devoutly in the hours of the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of their Lord? Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” None will be mindful ˹of this˺ except people of reason.
Safi Kaskas   
Is one who worships devoutly during periods of the night-bowing down and standing [in prayer], being mindful of the Hereafter, and hoping for his Lord's mercy-[like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only those who have understanding will keep this in mind.
Wahiduddin Khan   
Is he who prays devoutly to God in the hours of the night, prostrating himself and standing in prayer, who is ever mindful of the life to come and hopes for the mercy of his Lord [like one who does not]? Say, Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Truly, only those endowed with understanding will take heed
Shakir   
What! he who is obedient during hours of the night, prostrating himself and standing, takes care of the hereafter and hopes for the mercy of his Lord! Say: Are those who know and those who do not know alike? Only the men of understanding are mindful
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
Is he one who is morally obligated during the night watch, one who prostrates himself or one who is standing up in prayer being fearful of the world to come and hoping for the mercy of his Lord? Say: Are those who know on the same level as those who know not? Only those imbued with intuition recollect.
T.B.Irving   
Who is so prayerful during the small hours of the night, bowing down on his knees [in worship], standing on his guard about the Hereafter, and hoping for his Lord´s mercy? SAY: "Are those who know, to be considered equal to those who do not know? Only prudent men reflect [on this]."
Abdul Hye   
Can the one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating or standing (in prayer) during the Hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of the Lord (be compared with a disbeliever)? Say: “Are those who know equal to those who don’t know?” It is only people of understanding who will remember.
The Study Quran   
What of one who is devoutly obedient during the watches of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], wary of the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord? Say, “Are those who know and those who do not know equal? Only possessors of intellect reflect.
Dr. Kamal Omar   
Is one who is content and devout during the portions of the night — one in prostration and one who is in standing position — he prepares a shield for the Hereafter and has a hope for the Mercy from his Nourisher-Sustainer (— could he be treated as equal to him who even rejects the fundamentals and becomes an arrogant disbeliever)? Say: “Do those who know and those who do not know, stand at equal footing?” Surely, what (is a fact is that only) those receive and accept the Message who are possessors of understanding and knowledge
Farook Malik   
Can he who is obedient, pass the hours of night prostrating in worship or standing in adoration, fearing the hereafter and hoping to earn the Mercy of his Lord, be compared to the man who does not? Are the knowledgeable and the ignorant equal? In fact, none will take heed except the people of understanding
Talal A. Itani (new translation)   
Is he who worships devoutly during the watches of the night, prostrating himself and standing up, mindful of the Hereafter, and placing his hope in the mercy of his Lord? Say, 'Are those who know and those who do not know equal?' Only those possessed of reason will remember
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
Is he who is devoutly (praying) at various times of the night, prostrate and upright, being wary of the Hereafter, and hoping for the mercy of his Lord (the same as the disbeliever)? Say, "Are the ones who know equal to the ones who do not know?" Surely only the ones endowed with intellects would remind themselves
Muhammad Sarwar   
Can this one be considered equal to one who worships God during the night, prostrating and standing, who has fear of the Day of Judgment, and who has hope in the mercy of his Lord? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only the people of reason take heed"
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
Can (such people be equal to) the one who worships during the hours of night, prostrating himself and standing, fearing the Hereafter and having hopes in his Lord‘s mercy? Say, .Can those who know and those who do not know become equal?. It is only the people of understanding who are receptive of the advice
Shabbir Ahmed   
Is it not better to be one of those who are humble, adoring Him - even in the hours of the night, and standing, keeping in mind the life to come and hoping for his Lord's grace? Say, "Are those who know (that that the 'Self' can evolve) equal to those who know not?" But only those who build their insight will take this to heart
Dr. Munir Munshey   
Could the one who is obedient (ever go to hell)? The one who prostrates before Allah and stands (in prayers) during all of hours of the night? The one who dreads the afterlife and hopes for the mercy of his Lord? Ask (them), "Can those who know, be equal to the ones who do not?" In fact, only the sensible ones heed (the advice)
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
Is one who is obedient (to Allah) with love and sincerity in the hours of the night prostrating himself or standing (up in love and admiration), who pays attention to the Hereafter, and who places his hope in the Mercy of his Lord, (like one who does not)? Say: "Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know?" It is those who have understanding that receive guidance
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
As for one who is meditating in the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter, and seeking the mercy of his Lord. Say: "Are those who know equal to those who do not know" Only those who possess understanding will remember
Abdel Haleem   
What about someone who worships devoutly during the night, bowing down, standing in prayer, ever mindful of the life to come, hoping for his Lord’s mercy? Say, ‘How can those who know be equal to those who do not know?’ Only those who have understanding will take heed
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
Is he who is devout, in the watches of the night prostrating himself and standing, bewaring of the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord to be dealt with like a wicked infidel? Say thou: shall they who know and those who know not be held equal? It is only men of understanding who receive admonition
Ahmed Ali   
Can one who prays in the watches of the night, bowing in homage or standing attentive, fearful of the life to come, and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, (be like one who does not)? Say: "Can those who know, and those who do not know, be equal? Only they think who are wise."
Aisha Bewley   
What of him who spends the night hours in prayer, prostrating and standing up, mindful of the Next World, hoping for the mercy of his Lord? Say: ´Are they the same — those who know and those who do not know?´ It is only people of intelligence who pay heed.
Ali Ünal   
Is he who worships God devoutly in the watches of the night prostrating and standing, who fears the Hereafter and hopes for the mercy of his Lord (to be likened to that other)? Say: "Are they ever equal, those who know and those who do not know?" Only the people of discernment will reflect on (the distinction between knowledge and ignorance, and obedience to God and disobedience,) and be mindful
Ali Quli Qara'i   
Is he who supplicates in the watches of the night, prostrating and standing, apprehensive of the Hereafter and expecting the mercy of his Lord . . . ? Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’ Only those who possess intellect take admonition
Hamid S. Aziz   
What! Is he who is obedient during hours of the night, prostrating himself and standing, takes heed of the Hereafter and hopes for the mercy of his Lord (like one who does not)! Say: Are those who know and those who do not know alike? But only the men of
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
Is someone who is obedient, prostrating (and showing humbleness) and standing (in prayer) in the night's hours, fearing the hereafter and hoping for his Master’s mercy (better off or a disbeliever)? Say: are those who know and those who do not know equal? Only the people of understanding (reasonable people) take notice
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
Is one who worships devoutly during the hours of the night, prostrating himself and standing, who is aware of the hereafter, and who places his hope in the mercy of his Lord like one who does not? Say, “Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who are endued with understanding that remember.
Musharraf Hussain   
Can such a person be compared to the obedient, prostrating and standing during the night, fearful of the Hereafter and hopeful of his Lord’s kindness? Say: “Can those who know be equal to those who don’t know? Only the understanding people pay attention.
Maududi   
Is such a person (preferable or he) who is obedient, and prostrates himself in the watches of the night, stands (in Prayer), is fearful of the Hereafter, and looks forward to the mercy of His Lord? Ask them: "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only those endowed with understanding take heed
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
Is one better who is dutiful during the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter, and seeking the mercy of his Lord? Say: "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only those who possess intelligence will remember.
Mohammad Shafi   
Or [take the example of] one who remembers Allah assiduously during parts of the night, prostrating and standing, fears the Hereafter, and seeks His Lord's mercy [and] ask, "Are those who know [like that one] equal to those who do not know?" Only those endowed with insight take heed

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
will he who passes the hours of the night in devoted obedience, prostrating and standing fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of His Lord (be like dis-obedient)? Say you, 'Are those who know equal to those who know not'? Only those who are endued with understanding receive admonition.
Rashad Khalifa   
Is it not better to be one of those who meditate in the night, prostrating and staying up, being aware of the Hereafter, and seeking the mercy of their Lord? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
Or, is he who is obedient that prostrates himself and stands during parts of the night, being afraid of the Everlasting Life but hoping for the Mercy of the Lord (to be compared to the unbeliever)? ' Say: 'Are they equal, those who know and those who do not know? ' Only those with minds remember
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
Is he who is obedient during hours of the night, prostrating himself and standing, taking care of the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord --? Say: Are those who know and those who know not alike? Only men of understanding mind
Muhammad Ahmed - Samira   
Or who he is obeying humbly/prolonging the prayer (during) the nights' hours, prostrating and standing/keeping up he fears the end (other life) and hopes/expects his lord's mercy, say: "Do (they) become equal/alike, those who know and those who do not know?" But (owners) of the pure minds/hearts mention/remember
Bijan Moeinian   
Is it not better to be one of those who devote a part of their nights to meditation and worshipping their Lords in the state of standing and prostration? Such people are aware of the Hereafter and seek the mercy of their Lord. Ask them: “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” Only men of understanding listen to learn
Faridul Haque   
Will he, whose night hours pass in obedience while prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, ever be equal to the disobedient? Proclaim, “Are the knowledgeable and the ignorant equal?” It is only the men of intellect who heed advice
Sher Ali   
Is he who prays devoutly to ALLAH in the hours of the night, prostrating himself and standing in Prayer and fears the Hereafter and hopes for the mercy of his Lord, like him who is disobedient? Say, `Are those who know equal to those who know not?' Verily, only those endowed with understanding will take heed
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
Well! (Is this polytheist better or) that (believer) who worships during the hours of the night standing and in prostration, lives in fear of the Hereafter and expects mercy from his Lord?’ Say: ‘Can those who have knowledge and those who do not be alike?’ So only the wise do receive the admonition
Amatul Rahman Omar   
Can he who is obedient and prays (to Allah) devoutly in the hours of the night, (now) falling prostrate, (now) standing upright (in Prayer) taking precaution against (the grave sequel of) the Hereafter and hopes for the mercy of His Lord, (be treated like him who is disobedient)? Say, `Are those who know (their obligations) equal to those who know (them) not? Only those (endowed) with pure understanding do take heed.
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)? Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e. get a lesson from Allahs Signs and Verses)

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
Or is he who is obedient in the watches of the night, bowing himself and standing, he being afraid of the world to come and hoping for the mercy of his Lord . . ? Say: 'Are they equal -- those who know and those who know not?' Only men possessed of minds remember
George Sale   
Shall he who giveth himself up to prayer in the hours of the night, prostrate, and standing, and who taketh heed as to the life to come, and hopeth for the mercy of his Lord, be dealt with as the wicked unbeliever? Say, shall they who know their duty, and they who know it not, be held equal? Verily the men of understanding only will be warned
Edward Henry Palmer   
Shall he who is devout throughout the night, adoring and standing, cautious concerning the hereafter, and hoping for the mercy of his Lord . . . ? Say, 'Shall those who know be deemed equal with those who know not? only those will remember, who are endowed with minds!
John Medows Rodwell   
Shall he who observeth the hours of the night, prostrate or standing in devotion, heedful of the life to come, and hoping for the mercy of his Lord . . .? SAY: Shall they who have knowledge and they who have it not, be treated alike? In sooth, men of understanding only will take the warning
N J Dawood (2014)   
Can he who passes the night in adoration, standing or on his knees, who bewares the life to come and hopes to earn the mercy of his Lord, . . . ?‘ Say: ‘Are they equals, those that have knowledge and those that have none?‘ Truly, none will take thought but those that are of good sense possessed

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
Consider one who worships devoutly during the night, prostrating or standing, considering the hereafter and placing his/her hope in the mercy of his/her Lord. Say, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Those who are endowed with understanding will take heed.”
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
[Is this one better or someone] Who is so prayerful during the small hours of the night, bowing down on his knees [in worship], standing on his guard about the Hereafter, and hoping for his Lord's mercy? SAY: "Are those who know, to be considered equal to those who do not know? Only prudent men reflect [on this]." (II)
Sayyid Qutb   
How about one who devoutly worships God during the hours of the night prostrating himself or standing in prayer, ever mindful of the life to come, and hoping for his Lord's mercy? Say: 'Can those who know and those who do not know be deemed equal?' Only those who are endowed with insight will take heed.
Ahmed Hulusi   
(Is this better or) one who experiences prostration in the part of the night and stands (with the Qayyum) preparing for the requisites of the eternal life to come (in a state of complete submission), in hope of the grace of his Rabb (the manifestations of the various qualities pertaining to the Names comprising his essential reality)? Say, “Can one who knows be equal to one who does not know? Only those with intellects that contemplate can discern this.”
Mir Aneesuddin   
Is he who devoutly prostrates and stands (for worship) during the hours of night, being cautious of the hereafter, and hopes for the mercy of his Fosterer (equal to one who does not do this)? Say, “Are those who know and those who do not know equal?” Only men of understanding are mindful.
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur'an al-Karim   
Does he who spends a part of the night prostrating his reason to divine revelation and his body comely in worship and submission and his heart and mind in applying remembrance to Allah in standing, bewaring the Hereafter and hopeful of Allah's mercy and blessings compare with him who is heedless of it all! Ask them O Muhammad: "Do they compare, those who apply their minds' eyes and their hearts' ears to the acquisition of learning and by consequence they are well- informed and those who are ignorant of the facts! it is only those who exercise their intellect and lift to Allah their inward sight

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
Is one who worships devoutly during the hour of the night prostrating himself or standing (in adoration), who takes heed of the Hereafter, and who places his hope in the Mercy of his Lord - (like one who does not)? Say: "Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition
OLD Literal Word for Word   
Is (one) who [he] (is) devoutly obedient - (during) hours (of) the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter and hoping (for the) Mercy (of) his Lord? Say, "Are equal those who know and those who (do) not know?" Only will take heed those of understanding