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Muhammad Asad   
THEY WILL ASK thee about the new moons. Say: "They indicate the periods for [various doings of] mankind, including the pilgrimage." However, piety does not consist in your entering houses from the rear, [as it were,] but truly pious is he who is conscious of God. Hence, enter houses through their doors, and remain conscious of God, so that you might attain to a happy state
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
They ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about the phases of the moon. Say, “They are a means for people to determine time and pilgrimage.” Righteousness is not in entering your houses from the back doors. Rather, righteousness is to be mindful ˹of Allah˺. So enter your homes through their ˹proper˺ doors, and be mindful of Allah so you may be successful.
Safi Kaskas   
They ask you about new moons. Say, "They show times for people and for the Hajj." It is not right to enter houses from the back. Rather, righteousness is to be mindful of God and to enter houses through their front doors. Always be mindful of God, so that you may succeed.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
۞ یَسۡءَلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡأَهِلَّةِۖ قُلۡ هِیَ مَوَ ٰقِیتُ لِلنَّاسِ وَٱلۡحَجِّۗ وَلَیۡسَ ٱلۡبِرُّ بِأَن تَأۡتُوا۟ ٱلۡبُیُوتَ مِن ظُهُورِهَا وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلۡبِرَّ مَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰۗ وَأۡتُوا۟ ٱلۡبُیُوتَ مِنۡ أَبۡوَ ٰبِهَاۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ ۝١٨٩
Transliteration (2021)   
yasalūnaka ʿani l-ahilati qul hiya mawāqītu lilnnāsi wal-ḥaji walaysa l-biru bi-an tatū l-buyūta min ẓuhūrihā walākinna l-bira mani ittaqā watū l-buyūta min abwābihā wa-ittaqū l-laha laʿallakum tuf'liḥūn
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
They ask you about the new moons. Say, "They (are) indicators of periods for the people, and (for) the Hajj." And it is not [the] righteousness that you come (to) the houses from their backs, [and] but [the] righteous (is one) who fears (Allah). And come (to) the houses from their doors. And fear Allah so that you may (be) successful.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
THEY WILL ASK thee about the new moons. Say: "They indicate the periods for [various doings of] mankind, including the pilgrimage." However, piety does not consist in your entering houses from the rear, [as it were,] but truly pious is he who is conscious of God. Hence, enter houses through their doors, and remain conscious of God, so that you might attain to a happy state
M. M. Pickthall   
They ask thee, (O Muhammad), of new moons, say: They are fixed seasons for mankind and for the pilgrimage. It is not righteousness that ye go to houses by the backs thereof (as do the idolaters at certain seasons), but the righteous man is he who wardeth off (evil). So go to houses by the gates thereof, and observe your duty to Allah, that ye may be successful
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
They ask thee concerning the New Moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time in (the affairs of) men, and for Pilgrimage. It is no virtue if ye enter your houses from the back: It is virtue if ye fear Allah. Enter houses through the proper doors: And fear Allah: That ye may prosper
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
They ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about the phases of the moon. Say, “They are a means for people to determine time and pilgrimage.” Righteousness is not in entering your houses from the back doors. Rather, righteousness is to be mindful ˹of Allah˺. So enter your homes through their ˹proper˺ doors, and be mindful of Allah so you may be successful.
Safi Kaskas   
They ask you about new moons. Say, "They show times for people and for the Hajj." It is not right to enter houses from the back. Rather, righteousness is to be mindful of God and to enter houses through their front doors. Always be mindful of God, so that you may succeed.
Wahiduddin Khan   
They ask you about the phases of the moon. Say, They are a means of determining time for the regulation of peoples affairs and for the pilgrimage. Piety does not consist in entering your houses from the rear. Indeed, one who guards himself against evil out of fear of God is the truly righteous one. Enter your houses by their doors and be mindful of God, so that you may prosper
Shakir   
They ask you concerning the new moon. Say: They are times appointed for (the benefit of) men, and (for) the pilgrimage; and it is not righteousness that you should enter the houses at their backs, but righteousness is this that one should guard (against evil); and go into the houses by their doors and be careful (of your duty) to Allah, that you may be successful
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
They ask thee about the new moons. Say: They are appointed times for humanity, and the pilgrimage to Makkah. It is not virtuous conduct that you approach houses from the back. Rather, virtuous conduct was to be Godfearing, and approach houses from their front doors. And be Godfearing of God so that perhaps you will prosper.
T.B.Irving   
They will ask you about the phases of the moon. SAY: "They serve as datelines for mankind as well as the Pilgrimage. It is no virtue for you to go into houses through their backdoors, but virtue lies in doing one´s duty; approach houses through their [front] doors and heed God, so that you may prosper.
Abdul Hye   
They ask you (Muhammad) of the new moons. Say: They are (to determine) the periods for mankind and for pilgrimage. It is not piety that you enter the houses from the back doors, but the pious is the one who fears Allah. So enter the houses through their (proper) doors and fear Allah so that you may be successful.
The Study Quran   
They ask thee about the new moons. Say, “They are markers of time for mankind and for the ?ajj.” It is not piety that you should come to houses from their rear, but piety is he who is reverent and comes into houses by their doors. So reverence God, that haply you may prosper
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
They ask you about the new moons. Say, “They are time markers for people and for the Hajj.” Virtue is not in entering homes from their backs, but virtue is in righteousness. So, enter homes through their doors, and be mindful of God, so you be successful.
Talal Itani (2012)   
They ask you about the crescents. Say, 'They are timetables for people, and for the Hajj.' It is not virtuous that you approach homes from their backs, but virtue is to be pious. So approach homes from their doors, and observe God, that you may succeed
Dr. Kamal Omar   
They ask you about the crescents (new moons). Say: They are signs to mark periods of time for mankind and for Al-Hajj. And it is no virtue that (if you have watched a crescent) you may enter the houses from their backs, but virtue is: one who has paid obedience. And enter the houses through their entrances. And obey Allah so that you may prosper
M. Farook Malik   
They question you about the new moon. Tell them: it is to determine the periods of time for the benefit of mankind and for the Hajj (pilgrimage). It is not righteous to enter your houses from the back doors during Hajj times. Righteousness is to fear Allah. Enter your houses through the proper doors and fear Allah so that you may prosper
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
They ask you concerning the new moons (Literally: crescents). Say, "They are fixed times for mankind, and (for) the Pilgrimage." And benignancy is not to come up to the homes from their backs; but benignancy is for man to be pious; and come up to the homes by their doors, and be pious towards Allah, so that possibly you would prosper
Muhammad Sarwar   
(Muhammad), they ask you about the different phases of the moon. Tell them that they are there to indicate to people the phases of time and the pilgrimage season. It is not a righteous act to enter houses from the back. Righteousness is to be pious and enter the houses from the front door. Have fear of God so that perhaps you will have lasting happiness
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
They ask you about the new moons. Say: They are indicative of time for the people, and of the Hajj. It is not righteousness that you come into your houses from their backs, but righteousness is that one fears Allah. So come into houses through their doors; and fear Allah so that you may be successful
Shabbir Ahmed   
(The exhortation of righteousness must not be considered confined to the Month of Ramadan.) They ask you (O the Messenger) about the phases of the Moon. Say, "They should serve as signs to mark certain timings for people. And for Hajj." (Misconceptions and superstitions about the sun and the moon have nothing to do with righteousness). You attain righteousness by upholding the Commands in a straightforward manner. Exponential development of humanity cannot be achieved by entering the System through the back door of ritualism - just as you must not enter houses through the back doors (2:177). (Since there is no such thing as a part-time Muslim) you shall be mindful of Allah all the time in order to reap a rich harvest. ((2:138), (2:208))
Dr. Munir Munshey   
They ask you about the (cyclical changes in the) moon. Say, "It serves as a calendar for mankind, and to mark the time for pilgrimage." Piety is not (a ritual requiring) that you enter your home through its rear. Piety is to (know and) fear Allah. Enter your homes through its front door, and fear Allah. Perhaps, you would prosper
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
They (the people) ask you (the Prophet) concerning the new moons. Say: "They are only Signs to mark fixed periods of time in (the affairs of) men, and for Pilgrimage." It is no virtue if you enter your houses from the back: It is virtue if you fear Allah enter houses through the proper doors: And fear Allah that you may prosper
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the new moons. Say, "They are measurements of time for the people and for hajj." And it is not righteousness to enter houses from the back, but righteousness is [in] one who fears Allah. And enter houses from their doors. And fear Allah that you may succeed
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
They ask you regarding the new moons, Say: "They are a timing mechanism for the people as well as for the Pilgrimage." And piety is not that you would enter a home from its back, but piety is whomever is righteous and come to the homes from their main doors. And be aware of God that you may succeed
Abdel Haleem   
They ask you [Prophet] about crescent moons. Say, ‘They show the times appointed for people, and for the pilgrimage.’ Goodness does not consist of entering houses by the back [door]; the truly good person is the one who is mindful of God. So enter your houses by their [main] doors and be mindful of God so that you may prosper
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
They ask thee of new moons. Say thou: they are time-marks to mankind and for pilgrimage. And it is not piety that ye enter your houses by the backs thereof, but Piety is of him who feareth God; so enter the houses by the doors thereof, and fear Allah that haply ye may thrive
Ahmed Ali   
They ask you of the new moons. Say: "These are periods set for men (to reckon) time, and for pilgrimage." Piety does not lie in entering the house through the back door, for the pious man is he who follows the straight path. Enter the house through the main gate, and obey God. You may haply find success
Aisha Bewley   
They will ask you about the crescent moons. Say, ´They are set times for mankind and for the hajj.´ It is not devoutness for you to enter houses by the back. Rather devoutness is possessed by those who have taqwa. So come to houses by their doors and have taqwa of Allah, so that hopefully you will be successful.
Ali Ünal   
They ask you (O Messenger) about the new moons (because of the month of Ramadan). Say: "They are appointed times (markers) for the people (to determine time periods) and for the Pilgrimage." (Do not link them to superstitions and superstitious behavior like entering dwellings by the back rather than the front.) It is not virtue that you enter dwellings from the backs of them, but virtue is (the state of) one who (truly believing in God) strives to attain righteousness and piety (by carrying out His commandments and refraining from His prohibitions). So come to dwellings (in the normal way) by their doors. (Do everything according to the rule and establish relations with your leader and among yourselves in proper terms.) And strive to obey God in due reverence for Him and piety so that you may prosper
Ali Quli Qara'i   
They question you concerning the new moons. Say, ‘They are timekeeping signs for the people and [for the sake of] ḥajj.’ It is not piety that you come into houses from their rear; rather piety is [personified by] one who is Godwary, and come into houses from their doors, and be wary of Allah, so that you may be felicitous
Hamid S. Aziz   
They will ask you about the New Moon; say, "They are indications of time for men and for the pilgrimage." And it is not righteousness that you should enter into your houses from behind them (in superstition), but righteous is he who fears (Alla
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
They ask you about the new moons, say: “They are time keeping (a calendar) for people and for pilgrimage (Hajj).” It is not goodness that you enter the houses from their backs, but good is someone who is cautious (of God). Enter the houses from their doors. And be cautious of God so you may be successful.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
They ask you concerning the new moons. Say, “They are signs to mark fixed periods of time for humanity, including the Hajj.” It is not righteous to enter your houses from the back. But it is righteous to be one who is conscious of God, and to enter houses through there proper doors, and to be aware of God, that you may flourish
Musharraf Hussain   
They ask you about the crescent moon, say: “It is to helppeople keep track of time, not leastfor the pilgrimage”. There is no virtue in entering homes from the back, but virtue lies in piety. Enterhomes from front doors, and be mindful of Allah so you may be successful
Maududi   
They ask you about the phases of the moon. Say, "These are signs for the people to reckon dates and fix the periods for hajj." Also tell them, "It is no virtue to enter your houses from their backs during the Hajj days); real virtue is that one should refrain from incurring the displeasure of Allah; so enter your houses by their proper doors. and fear Allah so that you may gain (true) success
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
They ask you regarding the crescent moons, say: "They are a timing mechanism for the people and the Pilgrimage." And piety is not that you would enter a home from its back, but piety is whoever is righteous and comes to the homes from their main doors. And be aware of God that you may succeed.
Mohammad Shafi   
They ask you about the new moons. Say, "These are fixed points in time, for mankind and the Hajj." And it is not righteousness that you enter the houses from their backsides. The righteousness, on the other hand, comes from those who fear Allah. So enter the houses through their front doors, and fear Allah in order that you may be successful

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
They ask you about the new moons. Say you, 'They are the signs of time for the people and pilgrimage (Haj). And it is no virtue that you enter your houses by the backs thereof, yes, the virtue is piety, so come in houses by their doors and fear Allah in the hope that you may get prosperity.
Rashad Khalifa   
They ask you about the phases of the moon! Say, "They provide a timing device for the people, and determine the time of Hajj." It is not righteous to beat around the bush; righteousness is attained by upholding the commandments and by being straightforward. You shall observe GOD, that you may succeed
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
They question you about the crescents. Say: 'They are times fixed for people and for the pilgrimage. ' Righteousness does not consist in entering dwellings from the back. But righteousness is he who wardsoff (sin). Enter dwellings by their doors and fear Allah, so that you will prosper
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
They ask thee of the new moons. Say: They are times appointed for men, and (for) the pilgrimage. And it is not righteousness that you enter the houses by their backs, but he is righteous who keeps his duty. And go into the houses by their doors; and keep your duty to Allah, that you may be successful
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
They ask/question you about the crescents . Say: "It is appointed times to the people, and the pilgrimage , and the righteousness is not that you come to the houses/homes from its backs, and but the righteousness (is) who feared and obeyed (God), and came (to) the houses/homes from its doors/entrances. And fear and obey God, maybe you succeed/win."
Bijan Moeinian   
People ask you about the significance of the phases of the moon. Let them know: “They are simply a part of the natural calendar so that people [keep track of time] and prepare themselves for [the religious rituals such as] the pilgrimage to Mecca.” [In this connection let them know that:] “The virtue is not [practicing a bunch of nonsense such as] entering your houses from the back [as it was practiced before the advent of Islam during the month of the pilgrimage.] The real virtue is to respect the Lord. So (do not act like the idiots and) enter your houses by their proper doors; respect the Lord so that you may be included among the successful ones
Faridul Haque   
They ask you, (O dear Prophet Mohammed - peace and blessings be upon him), regarding the crescents; say, "They are indicators of time for mankind and for Hajj (the pilgrimage)"; and it is not a virtue at all that you enter the houses by demolishing their back portions, but in reality virtue is piety; and enter the houses using their gates - and keep fearing Allah, hoping that you achieve success
Sher Ali   
They ask thee about the new moons. Say, `They are means for measuring time, for the general convenience of people and for the Pilgrimage.' And it is not righteousness that you come into houses by the backs thereof, but truly righteous is he who fears God. And you should come into houses by the doors thereof; and fear ALLAH that you may prosper
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
(O Beloved!) People ask you about the new moons. Say: ‘These are signs to indicate time for the people and for (determining) the month of Hajj (Pilgrimage).’ And it is not righteousness that you enter your houses from the rear (whilst in ihram—the sacred dress for Hajj). In fact, righteousness is doing pious acts (instead of observing such meaningless customs). And enter your houses through their (entrance) doors, and always fear Allah so that you may prosper
Amatul Rahman Omar   
They ask you about the lunar months. Say, `They are appointed periods of time for (general convenience of) people and for determining the time of Pilgrimage. And it is no virtue that you come into the houses from the backs of them but the true virtue is his who guards against evils. So (instead of fostering superstitious habits) you should rather enter the houses from their proper doors and take Allah as a shield so that you may be successful
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
They ask you (O Muhammad SAW) about the new moons. Say: These are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage. It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, etc.) that you enter the houses from the back but Al-Birr (is the quality of the one) who fears Allah. So enter houses through their proper doors, and fear Allah that you may be successful

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
They will question thee concerning the new moons. Say: 'They are appointed times for the people, and the Pilgrimage.' It is not piety to come to the houses from the backs of them; but piety is to be godfearing; so come to the houses by their doors, and fear God; haply so you will prosper
George Sale   
They will ask thee concerning the phases of the moon: Answer, they are times appointed unto men, and to shew the season of the pilgrimage to Mecca. It is not righteousness that ye enter your houses by the back parts thereof, but righteousness is of him who feareth God. Therefore enter your houses by their doors; and fear God, that ye may be happy
Edward Henry Palmer   
They will ask thee about the phases of the moon; say, 'They are indications of time for men and for the pilgrimage.' And it is not righteousness that ye should enter into your houses from behind them, but righteousness is he who fears; so enter into your houses by the doors thereof and fear God; haply ye may prosper yet
John Medows Rodwell   
They will ask thee of the new moons. SAY: They are periods fixed for man's service and for the Pilgrimage. There is no piety in entering your houses at the back, but piety consists in the fear of God. Enter your houses then by their doors; and fear God that it may be well with you
N J Dawood (2014)   
They ask you about the phases of the moon. Say: ‘They are times set for the people and for the Pilgrimage.‘ Righteousness does not consist in entering your dwellings from the back.¹ The righteous are those that fear God. Enter dwellings by their doors and fear God, so that you may prosper

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
They ask you about the crescents. Say, “They are markers of time for the mankind and for the pilgrimage.” And piety does not consist of coming to the houses from their backs but rather piety is in such a one who guards his own soul. Therefore come to the houses from their doors and revere Allah. Perhaps you will be successful.
Munir Mezyed   
They ask you about the new moons. Say to them: ‘They are appointed terms for the people and for the Pilgrimage’. It is (not part of) the virtue ethics if you enter your houses from the back: Acting piously and going into the houses from their doors are of the major parts of virtue ethics. So act piously towards Allâh so that you may achieve salvation.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
They ask you about the moon phases, say they are time-markers for people and the pilgrimage. And godliness is not that you enter the houses from their back doors, but godliness is that you beware (of Allah). Enter the houses from their doors and beware of Allah, so that you can be successful.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
They ask you about the new moons. Say, “They are only signs to mark parts of time for people. They are also [to mark time] for the pilgrimage. It doesn’t help you to enter your houses from their backs. It helps you to fear Allah. Enter homes through the proper doors. Be conscious of Allah so you may be successful.”
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
They ask yousg about the crescents. Say, “They are time-marks for mankind and for the Pilgrimage.” And virtue is not (attained) by approaching houses from their backs; rather, virtue is (exemplified) in one who has been mindful (of God). So approach houses from their doors and be mindful of Allah, that youpl may succeed.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
They will ask you about the phases of the moon. SAY: "They serve as datelines for mankind as well as the Pilgrimage. It is no virtue for you to go into houses through their backdoors, but virtue lies in being righteous; approach houses through their [front] doors and heed Allah (God), so that you may prosper.
Samy Mahdy   
They ask you about the crescents’ time. Say, “They are timetables for people, and for the Hajj.” And it is not the devotion that you come to the houses from its backs, but the devotion that whoever shows piety. And come to the houses from their doors, and show the piety of Allah, perhaps you may be gaining.
Ahmed Hulusi   
They ask you about the phases of the moon (the lunar calendar). Say, “These (determining the times of worship via the lunar calendar) are the measurements for the benefit of people and for Hajj. Experiencing the essence of the reality (albirra) is not to enter houses from the back door (the indirect route to the truth), but to enter from the front door (the direct and short way), in order to be of the protected ones. Protect yourselves from Allah so that you may be enlightened.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
They ask you concerning the new moons; say: ' They are times appointed for mankind and (for) the Hajj'. It is not righteousness that you should enter dwellings from their backs but righteousness is this that one should guard himself (against evil) ; and enter the dwellings by their (proper) doors, and fear Allah: that you may be prosperous
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
They call upon you, O Muhammad, to inform them about the new moons. Say to them: "It is one aspect of the varying appearances of the moon according to the extent of its luminosity indicating the point and passage of time in which the sequence of events take place in the material universe, and for estimating the point of time when AL-Hajj to Allah’s Sacred House is performed." You people must realize that it is not in conformity with conduct to the divine and moral law nor with righteous living that you irrationally enter the houses from the back doors, this is an irreligious notion*. It confers with divine and moral law to enter the houses from the front doors. And see that you lift to Allah your inward sight so that heaven may prosper you
Mir Aneesuddin   
They ask you about the new moons, say "They are ( for the determination of ) times for the (affairs of ) human beings and the pilgrimage. And it is not righteousness that you enter the houses from their backs (while in pilgrim's dress), but righteous is he who guards (against evil). And enter the houses from their proper doors and fear Allah that you may be successful.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
They ask thee concerning the New Moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time in (the affairs of) men, and for Pilgrimage. It is no virtue if ye enter your houses from the back: It is virtue if ye fear God. Enter houses through the proper doors: And fear God: That ye may prosper
OLD Literal Word for Word   
They ask you about the new moons. Say, "They (are) indicators of periods for the people, and (for) the Hajj And it is not [the] righteousness that you come (to) the houses from their backs, [and] but [the] righteous (is one) who consciously reveres (Allah). And come (to) the houses from their doors. And consciously revere Allah so that you may (be) successful
OLD Transliteration   
Yas-aloonaka AAani al-ahillati qul hiya mawaqeetu lilnnasi waalhajji walaysa albirru bi-an ta/too albuyoota min thuhooriha walakinna albirra mani ittaqa wa/too albuyoota min abwabiha waittaqoo Allaha laAAallakum tuflihoona