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Muhammad Asad   
And do not take any human being's life -[the life] which God has willed to be, sacred-otherwise than in [the pursuit of] justice. Hence, if anyone has been slain wrongfully, We have empowered the defender of his rights [to exact a just retribution]; but even so, let him not exceed the bounds of equity in [retributive] killing. [And as for him who has been slain wrongfully -] behold, he is indeed succoured [by God]
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
Do not take a ˹human˺ life—made sacred by Allah—except with ˹legal˺ right. If anyone is killed unjustly, We have given their heirs the authority, but do not let them exceed limits in retaliation, for they are already supported ˹by law˺.
Safi Kaskas   
And do not kill the soul which God has forbidden-unless in the pursuit of justice. If anyone has been killed unjustly, We have given legal recourse to his heir [to claim justice]; but, even then, he should not be excessive in taking life. For he is helped [by God's law].

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
وَلَا تَقۡتُلُوا۟ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِی حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّۗ وَمَن قُتِلَ مَظۡلُومࣰا فَقَدۡ جَعَلۡنَا لِوَلِیِّهِۦ سُلۡطَـٰنࣰا فَلَا یُسۡرِف فِّی ٱلۡقَتۡلِۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مَنصُورࣰا ۝٣٣
Transliteration (2021)   
walā taqtulū l-nafsa allatī ḥarrama l-lahu illā bil-ḥaqi waman qutila maẓlūman faqad jaʿalnā liwaliyyihi sul'ṭānan falā yus'rif fī l-qatli innahu kāna manṣūra
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
And (do) not kill the soul which has forbidden Allah, except by right. And whoever (is) killed wrongfully, verily We have made for his heir an authority, but not he should exceed in the killing. Indeed, he is helped.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
And do not take any human being's life -[the life] which God has willed to be, sacred-otherwise than in [the pursuit of] justice. Hence, if anyone has been slain wrongfully, We have empowered the defender of his rights [to exact a just retribution]; but even so, let him not exceed the bounds of equity in [retributive] killing. [And as for him who has been slain wrongfully -] behold, he is indeed succoured [by God]
M. M. Pickthall   
And slay not the life which Allah hath forbidden save with right. Whoso is slain wrongfully, We have given power unto his heir, but let him not commit excess in slaying. Lo! he will be helped
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
Nor take life - which Allah has made sacred - except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand qisas or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the Law)
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
Do not take a ˹human˺ life—made sacred by Allah—except with ˹legal˺ right. If anyone is killed unjustly, We have given their heirs the authority, but do not let them exceed limits in retaliation, for they are already supported ˹by law˺.
Safi Kaskas   
And do not kill the soul which God has forbidden-unless in the pursuit of justice. If anyone has been killed unjustly, We have given legal recourse to his heir [to claim justice]; but, even then, he should not be excessive in taking life. For he is helped [by God's law].
Wahiduddin Khan   
Do not take life which God has made inviolateexcept by right. If anyone is killed wrongfully, We have given authority to his heirs to demand retribution, but let them not transgress the prescribed limits in exacting retribution; for then he will be assisted [by the law]
Shakir   
And do not kill any one whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause, and whoever is slain unjustly, We have indeed given to his heir authority, so let him not exceed the just limits in slaying; surely he is aided
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
And kill not a soul that God forbade, but rightfully. And whoever was slain as one who is treated unjustly, surely, We assigned for his protector, authority, but he should not exceed all bounds in killing. Truly, he would be one who is helped by the Law.
T.B.Irving   
Do not kill any soul whom God has forbidden you to, except through [due process of] law. We have given his nearest relatives authority for anyone who is killed unjustly-yet let him not overdo things in killing [the culprit], inasmuch as he has been so supported.
Abdul Hye   
Don’t kill a soul which Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause. And whoever is killed wrongfully, and then surely We have made for its heir (guardian) an authority. But let him not exceed limits in killing (should not kill except the killer only). Surely, he is helped (by Islamic law).
The Study Quran   
And slay not the soul that God has made inviolable, save by right. And whosoever is slain unjustly, We have appointed authority unto his heir. Then let him not be excessive in slaying. Verily he shall be helped
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
Don’t take a life that God deemed sacred, except in the course of justice. If someone is killed unjustly, We’ve given his heir authority, but he must not take life excessively; he will be assisted.
Talal Itani (2012)   
And do not kill the soul which God has made sacred, except in the course of justice. If someone is killed unjustly, We have given his next of kin certain authority. But he should not be excessive in killing, for he will be supported
Dr. Kamal Omar   
And do not kill any Nafs (person) that Allah has forbidden/protected, except under a just cause. And whoever is killed as a victim of transgression, then surely, We have given his heir the authority [to demand Qisas (providing the same punishment to one who commits crime), or to accept Diya (blood money), or to forgive)]. But he must not exceed limits in the matter of the murder. (i.e., he should not ask for punishment for any one but only the killer). Verily, he is insured [under protection and help (of the Divine law)]
M. Farook Malik   
You shall not kill anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for just cause under the law. If anyone is killed unjustly, We have granted the right of retribution to his heir, but let him not carry his vengeance too far in killing the culprit through taking the law in his own hands, as he is supported by the law
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
And do not kill the self that Allah has prohibited, except by truthful (right) (Literally: with the truth). And whoever is killed unjustly, We have (already) appointed to his patron authority. So let him not exceed (Literally: be extravagant) in killing; surely he will be vindicated
Muhammad Sarwar   
Do not kill a respectable soul without a just cause. If anyone is wrongfully killed, we have given the heirs of that person the right (to demand satisfaction or to forgive). He must not exceed the law in having vengeance; his victim shall also be assisted (by law)
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
Do not kill any person the life of whom is sanctified by Allah, except for a just reason. And whoever is killed unjustly, We have invested his heir with authority (of equal retaliation), but he must not cross the limit in the matter of killing. Surely, he will be helped
Shabbir Ahmed   
You shall not kill any person, for Allah has made all life sacred, except in the course of justice through an appropriate court. In case of unjust killing, We have given rights to the victim's family. With that right of retribution, comes the responsibility that since the law is helping them, they must not exceed the limits. (2:178), (5:32), (6:152), (42:40)
Dr. Munir Munshey   
And do not kill anyone. Allah has prohibited it, except when it is rightful and befitting (and corresponds to the crime). We have awarded a right (of redress) to the heir of a person wrongfully killed. But let him not exceed the bounds and overdo in (his quest to seek redress by) killing. He is to be helped
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
And do not take life— Which Allah has made holy— Except for just (and true) cause. And if anyone is killed wrongfully, We have given his heir the right (to demand justice within due limits or to forgive): But let him not exceed the limits in the matter of taking life; Verily, he (too) is helped (by Islamic law)
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly - We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law]
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
And do not kill, for God has made this forbidden, except in the course of justice. And whoever is killed unjustly, then We have given his heir authority, so let him not transgress in the taking of a life, for He will be given victory
Abdel Haleem   
Do not take life, which God has made sacred, except by right: if anyone is killed wrongfully, We have given authority to the defender of his rights, but he should not be excessive in taking life, for he is already aided [by God]
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
And slay not anyone whom Allah hath forbidden except for justification; and whosoever is slain wrongfully, We have surely given his next-of-kin authority so let him not be extravagant in slaying; verily he is ever succoured
Ahmed Ali   
And do not take a life, which God has forbidden, except in a just cause. We have given the right (of redress) to the heir of the person who is killed, but he should not exceed the limits (of justice) by slaying (the killer), for he will be judged (by the same law)
Aisha Bewley   
Do not kill any person Allah has made inviolate, except with the right to do so. If someone is wrongly killed We have given authority to his next of kin. But he should not be excessive in taking life. He will be helped.
Ali Ünal   
Do not kill any soul, which God has made forbidden, except in just cause. If anyone has been killed wrongfully and intentionally, We have given his heir (as defender of his rights) the authority (to claim retaliation or damages or to forgive outright). But let him (the heir) not exceed the legitimate bounds in (retaliatory) killing. Indeed he has been helped (already and sufficiently by the provisions and procedures of the Law)
Ali Quli Qara'i   
Do not kill a soul [whose life] Allah has made inviolable, except with due cause, and whoever is killed wrongfully, We have certainly given his heir an authority. But let him not commit any excess in killing, for he enjoys the support [of law]
Hamid S. Aziz   
And slay not the soul that Allah has forbidden you (or made sacred), except for just cause; for he who is slain unjustly We have given authority to his heirs (or kin), yet let him not commit excess in slaying; verily, he will be helped
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
And do not kill anyone as God made it sacred (or forbidden), except in just cause (within the due process of law) . And anyone who is killed wrongfully, then We have given his heir authority (to forgive or take ransom or retaliate). So do not be excessive in the killing, indeed he is helped.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
Nor kill the soul which God has made sacred, except for just cause, and if anyone is killed wrongfully, We have given his heir authority, but do not let him exceed bounds in the matter of taking life, for he will be helped
Musharraf Hussain   
You shall not kill anyone since Allah has made life sacred, except for a just cause. However, if someone is wrongly killed, then We give his heirs authority to take revenge, but shouldn’t exceed in taking life. He shall be supported by the authorities
Maududi   
(ix) Do not kill any person whom Allah has forbidden to kill, except with right. We have granted the heir of him who has been wrongfully killed the authority to (claim retribution); so let him not exceed in slaying. He shall be helped
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
And do not take a life, for God has made this forbidden, except in the course of justice. And whoever is killed innocently, then We have given his heir authority, so let him not transgress in the taking of a life, for He will be given victory.
Mohammad Shafi   
And do not kill any one, whose killing Allah has forbidden, unless duly authorized to do so. And whoever is slain unjustly, We have of course given to his heir power to retaliate. But let him not then exceed just limits in killing. He does indeed deserve help

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
And kill not any soul. Which Allah has forbidden without right. And whoso is killed without right, then undoubtedly We have given authority to his heirs, but he should not exceed the limit in killing. Necessarily he is to be helped.
Rashad Khalifa   
You shall not kill any person - for GOD has made life sacred - except in the course of justice. If one is killed unjustly, then we give his heir authority to enforce justice. Thus, he shall not exceed the limits in avenging the murder; he will be helped.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
Do not kill the soul whom Allah has forbidden except by right. If he is slain unjustly, We have given his heir authority. But let him not exceed the limit in slaying, for he will be helped
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
And kill not the soul which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause. And whoever is slain unjustly, We have indeed given to his heir authority -- but let him not exceed the limit in slaying. Surely he will be helped
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
And do not kill the self that God forbade/prohibited except with the truth/right (justice) , and who was killed unjustly/oppressively, so We had made for his guardian a power/authority , so he does not waste/exceed the limit in the killing/murder , that he truly was/is victorious
Bijan Moeinian   
You shall not kill any soul (whose killing has been forbidden by God), except in the course of justice.. If someone is killed unjustly, his heir is thus given the authority to enforce justice. He should not go beyond the boundaries of justice (forgive, demand blood money or equality in punishment) and shall be helped [by the Islamic State.]
Faridul Haque   
And do not wrongfully kill any living being which Allah has forbidden; and for whoever is slain wrongfully, We have given the authority to his heir, so he should not cross limits in slaying; he will surely be helped
Sher Ali   
And slay not the soul, the slaying of which ALLAH has forbidden, save for a just cause. And whoso is slain wrongfully, WE have surely given his heir authority to demand retribution but let him not exceed the prescribed bounds in slaying; for therein he will be supported by law
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
And do not kill any soul whose (killing) Allah has declared unlawful unless (killing him) is just (according to the law and decree of the court). But whoever is killed unjustly, We have indeed given his heir the right (of retribution according to the legal procedure), but he too must not exceed the limits in (retributive) killing. He is indeed helped (by Allah. The responsibility of his legal help and support will be on the government.
Amatul Rahman Omar   
And do not kill anyone, the sanctity of which Allah has upheld (and has forbidden you to slay) except for a just cause. And We have given, of course, to the heir of the person who is killed unjustly the right (to demand retribution or to forgive). But let him not exceed the (prescribed) limits in killing (the murderer) because he is indeed helped (and protected by law)
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
And do not kill anyone which Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause. And whoever is killed (intentionally with hostility and oppression and not by mistake), We have given his heir the authority ((to demand Qisas, Law of Equality in punishment or to forgive, or to take Diya (blood money)). But let him not exceed limits in the matter of taking life (i.e he should not kill except the killer only). Verily, he is helped (by the Islamic law)

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
And slay not the soul God has forbidden, except by right. Whosoever is slain unjustly, We have appointed to his next-of-kin authority; but let him not exceed in slaying; he shall be helped
George Sale   
Neither slay the soul which God hath forbidden you to slay, unless for a just cause; and whosoever shall be slain unjustly, We have given his heir power to demand satisfaction; but let him not exceed the bounds of moderation in putting to death the murderer in too cruel a manner, or by revenging his friend's blood on any other than the person who killed him; since he is assisted by this law
Edward Henry Palmer   
And slay not the soul that God has forbidden you, except for just cause; for he who is slain unjustly we have given his next of kin authority; yet let him not exceed in slaying; verily, he is ever helped
John Medows Rodwell   
Neither slay any one whom God hath forbidden you to slay, unless for a just cause: and whosoever shall be slain wrongfully, to his heir have we given powers; but let him not outstep bounds in putting the manslayer to death, for he too, in his turn, will be assisted and avenged
N J Dawood (2014)   
You shall not kill any man God has forbidden you to kill, except for a just cause. If a man is slain unjustly, his heir shall be entitled to satisfaction. But let him not carry his vengeance to excess, for his victim is sure to be assisted and avenged

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
And do not kill the soul which Allah has made sacred except in truth. Whoever is killed wrongfully, We have indeed given authority to His heir but let him [the heir] not exceed the limits [of just retribution; qisas] in killing. For He [the heir] most certainly is helped [by Allah].
Munir Mezyed   
Don’t kill anyone which Allâh has forbidden except for a just reason. Whoever is slain unjustly, We have given to his heir the authority (to demand justice). But let him not exceed the limits in retaliation. Surely, he is helped (by the law).
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
And do not kill a soul, which Allah has forbidden, except with right. And if somebody was killed wrongfully, We have given authority to his successor, but let him not be excessive in killing, for he will be helped.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
Do not take life, which Allah has made sacred, except for reasons of justice. If anyone is wrongfully killed, We give his/her heirs authority [to demand equity or to forgive], but (an heir) should not exceed limitations in the matter of taking life, as the law already favors him/her.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
And dopl not kill the self which Allah has made inviolable, except in the course of justice. And if someone is killed unjustly, We have given authority to his kinsman who seeks retribution, but he should not be excessive in killing; indeed, he is bound to be aided.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
Do not kill any soul whom Allah (God) has forbidden you to, except through [due process of] law. We have given his nearest relatives authority for anyone who is killed unjustlyyet let him not overdo things in killing [the culprit], inasmuch as he has been so supported.
Samy Mahdy   
And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except with the right. And whoever is being killed in oppression, so We set up for his guardian a Sultan. So, he should not be extravagant in killing. Surely, he is victorious.
Sayyid Qutb   
Do not kill anyone, for God has forbidden killing, except in [the pursuit of] justice. If anyone is slain wrongfully, We have given his heir authority [to seek just retribution]. He [i.e. the heir] must not exceed the bounds of equity in [retributive] killing. He is given help.
Ahmed Hulusi   
And do not kill the one (unless it is for retribution) that Allah has forbidden! And whoever is killed unjustly, We have given his guardian an authority, but let him not exceed limits in killing (in retribution)! For he has been supported.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
And do not kill any one whom Allah has forbidden, save for just cause, and whoever is killed unjustly We have appointed to his heir authority (to demand blood compensation or retaliation) , thus he must not exceed limits in slaying; verily he is (justly) assisted (by Allah) .
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
Nor should you deprive anyone of life Allah has made sacred, unless be justified for a proved crime. And if someone has been killed wrongfully, then his next of kin is authorized by Allah to use the means of procuring redress of grievances through avenging his right or forgiveness, (court of law, now). But should he choose to avenge his right, he must not carry it to excess, for the divine law is on his side
Mir Aneesuddin   
And do not kill any person, whose (killing) Allah has made unlawful except (when his killing is) for the right (cause). And whoever is killed unjustly, then We have given authority to his heir, so let his (heir) not exceed the limits in killing (because) he is helped (by the law).

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
Nor take life - which God has made sacred - except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand qisas or to forgive): but let him nor exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the Law)
OLD Literal Word for Word   
And (do) not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right. And whoever (is) killed wrongfully, verily We have made for his heir an authority, but not he should exceed in the killing. Indeed, he is helped
OLD Transliteration   
Wala taqtuloo alnnafsa allatee harrama Allahu illa bialhaqqi waman qutila mathlooman faqad jaAAalna liwaliyyihi sultanan fala yusrif fee alqatli innahu kana mansooran