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Popular and/or Featured Works
Muhammad Asad   
THERE SHALL BE no coercion in matters of faith. Distinct has now become the right way from [the way of] error: hence, he who rejects the powers of evil and believes in God has indeed taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way: for God is all-hearing, all-knowing
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
Let there be no compulsion in religion, for the truth stands out clearly from falsehood. So whoever renounces false gods and believes in Allah has certainly grasped the firmest, unfailing hand-hold. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Safi Kaskas   
There is no compulsion in religion. The difference between guidance and error has been made clear. Whoever rejects false gods and believes in God has grasped a firm, unshakable support. God hears all and knows all

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
لَاۤ إِكۡرَاهَ فِی ٱلدِّینِۖ قَد تَّبَیَّنَ ٱلرُّشۡدُ مِنَ ٱلۡغَیِّۚ فَمَن یَكۡفُرۡ بِٱلطَّـٰغُوتِ وَیُؤۡمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱسۡتَمۡسَكَ بِٱلۡعُرۡوَةِ ٱلۡوُثۡقَىٰ لَا ٱنفِصَامَ لَهَاۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِیعٌ عَلِیمٌ ۝٢٥٦
Transliteration (2021)   
lā ik'rāha fī l-dīni qad tabayyana l-rush'du mina l-ghayi faman yakfur bil-ṭāghūti wayu'min bil-lahi faqadi is'tamsaka bil-ʿur'wati l-wuth'qā lā infiṣāma lahā wal-lahu samīʿun ʿalīmu
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
(There is) no compulsion in the religion. Surely has become distinct the right (path) from the wrong. Then whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in Allah, then surely he grasped the handhold - [the] firm, (which) not (will) break [for it]. And Allah (is) All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
THERE SHALL BE no coercion in matters of faith. Distinct has now become the right way from [the way of] error: hence, he who rejects the powers of evil and believes in God has indeed taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way: for God is all-hearing, all-knowing
M. M. Pickthall   
There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
Let there be no compulsion in religion, for the truth stands out clearly from falsehood. So whoever renounces false gods and believes in Allah has certainly grasped the firmest, unfailing hand-hold. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Safi Kaskas   
There is no compulsion in religion. The difference between guidance and error has been made clear. Whoever rejects false gods and believes in God has grasped a firm, unshakable support. God hears all and knows all
Wahiduddin Khan   
There shall be no compulsion in religion: true guidance has become distinct from error. But whoever refuses to be led by Satan and believes in God has grasped the strong handhold that will never break. God is all hearing and all knowing
Shakir   
There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever disbelieves in the Shaitan and believes in Allah he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handle, which shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
There is no compulsion in the way of life. Surely, right judgment became clear from error. So whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in God, then, surely, he held fast to the most firm handhold. It is not breakable. And God is Hearing, Knowing.
T.B.Irving   
There should be no compulsion in religion. Normal behavior stands out clearly from error; so anyone who rejects the Arrogant ones and believes in God has grasped the Firmest Handle which will never break. God is Alert, Aware.
Abdul Hye   
There is no compulsion in religion. Surely, the Right Way has become distinct from the wrong (way). Whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in Allah, indeed has grasped the firm handle that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.
The Study Quran   
There is no coercion in religion. Sound judgment has become clear from error. So whosoever disavows false deities and believes in God has grasped the most unfailing handhold, which never breaks. And God is Hearing, Knowing
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
There is no coercion in matters of faith; the right way has become distinct from the erroneous one. Whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Talal Itani (2012)   
There shall be no compulsion in religion; the right way has become distinct from the wrong way. Whoever renounces evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy handle; which does not break. God is Hearing and Knowing
Dr. Kamal Omar   
There is no compulsion in Religion. The desirable way has been fully explained and separated from the undesirable. So whoever rejects Taghut and Believes in Allah, so he has definitely grasped the most powerful pillar — there is no crumbling or breahead of state for it. And Allah is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower
M. Farook Malik   
There is no compulsion in religion. True guidance has been made clearly distinct from error. Therefore, whoever renounces ‘Taghut’ (forces of Satan) and believes in Allah has grasped the firm hand-hold that will never break. Allah, Whose hand-hold you have grasped, hears all and knows all
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
There is no compulsion in the religion; right-mindedness has already been evidently (distinct) from misguidance. So whoever disbelieves in the Taghut (i.e. false gods, idols, devils and seducers) and believes in Allah, then he has already upheld fast the most binding Grip, with no disjunction (ever); and Allah is Ever-Hearing, Ever-Knowing
Muhammad Sarwar   
There is no compulsion in religion. Certainly, right has become clearly distinct from wrong. Whoever rejects the devil and believes in God has firmly taken hold of a strong handle that never breaks. God is All-hearing and knowing
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
There is no compulsion in Faith. The correct way has become distinct from the erroneous. Now, whoever rejects the Taghut (the Rebel, the Satan) and believes in Allah has a firm grasp on the strongest ring that never breaks. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing
Shabbir Ahmed   
(Although this Message has been sent down by the Almighty), there is absolutely no compulsion or coercion in religion. This Rule shall have no exception because Right has been made distinct from Wrong (3:4). Whoever rejects false gods such as the priesthood, and attains conviction in the Word of Allah, has grasped the Unbreakable Support. This assurance comes from Allah, the Hearer the Knower
Dr. Munir Munshey   
There is no compulsion (and coercion) in religion. The right (and the upright) has been sifted (and marked out clearly) from the wrong (and the ruinous). Whoever defies the forces of evil and believes in Allah, has indeed latched on to a safe and secure grip. It will not snap or split. Allah is the all-Hearing and the all-Knowing
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
Let there be no force (or compulsion) in religion: Surely— Truth stands out clear from error: Whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah has held the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. And Allah is All Hearing (Sami'), All Knowing (Aleem)
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
There is no compulsion in the system; the proper way has been made clear from the wrong way. Whoever rejects evil, and believes in God, then he has grasped the most solid branch that will never break. God is Hearer, Knower
Abdel Haleem   
There is no compulsion in religion: true guidance has become distinct from error, so whoever rejects false gods and believes in God has grasped the firmest hand-hold, one that will never break. God is all hearing and all knowing
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
No constraint is there in the religion; surely rectitude hath become manifestly distinguished from the error. Whosoever then disbelieveth in the devil and believeth in Allah, hath of a surety rain hold of the firm cable whereof there is no giving way. And Allah is Hearing, Knowing
Ahmed Ali   
There is no compulsion in matter of faith. Distinct is the way of guidance now from error. He who turns away from the forces of evil and believes in God, will surely hold fast to a handle that is strong and unbreakable, for God hears all and knows everything
Aisha Bewley   
There is no compulsion where the deen is concerned. Right guidance has become clearly distinct from error. Anyone who rejects false gods and has iman in Allah has grasped the Firmest Handhold, which will never give way. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Ali Ünal   
There is no compulsion in the Religion. The right way stands there clearly distinguished from the false. Hence he who rejects the taghut (false deities, and powers of evil who institute patterns of faith and rule in defiance of God) and believes in God (as the only God, Lord and Object of Worship) has indeed taken hold of the firm, unbreakable handle; and God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing
Ali Quli Qara'i   
There is no compulsion in religion: rectitude has become distinct from error. So one who disavows the Rebels and has faith in Allah has held fast to the firmest handle for which there is no breaking; and Allah is all-hearing, all-knowing
Hamid S. Aziz   
There is no compulsion in religion; the right way is henceforth distinct from the wrong. And whoever rejects Taghut (false deities) and believes in Allah, he has grasped a firm handle which will not break; but Allah is both Hearer and Knower
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
There is no compulsion in religion (i.e. religion is not to be forced on anyone), the right course has been clarified from error, and whoever disbelieves in the rebellious ones and believes in God has indeed grabbed on to the strong handle that does not break. God hears all and knows all.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
Let there be no compulsion in religion. Indeed right is clear, as is wrong. Whoever rejects wrong and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never slips, and God hears and knows all things
Musharraf Hussain   
There is no compulsion in religion. Guidance is clearly distinct from error. Whoever rejects false gods and believes solelyin Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold, which will never break. Allah is the Hearing, the Knowing
Maududi   
There is no compulsion and coercion in regard to religion. The right thing has been made distinct from the wrong thing: now whoever rejects taghut and believes in Allah has taken a firm support that never gives way
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
There is no compulsion in the system; the proper way has been clarified from the wrong way. Whoever rejects evil, and believes in God, indeed he has taken grasp of the strongest hold that will never break. God is Hearer, Knower.
Mohammad Shafi   
No compulsion in religion. Surely, the right has become distinct from the wrong. So whoever has rejected false gods and believed in Allah, he/she has taken a firm hold of a strong link that shall never break. And Allah sees, He knows

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
There is no compulsion in religion; no doubt the virtuous path has become clearly distinct from the erring; then whoso does not accept devil and believes in Allah, he grasped a very firm knot which is never to open and Allah Hears and Knows.
Rashad Khalifa   
There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
There is no compulsion in religion. Righteousness is now distinct from error. He who disbelieves in the idol and believes in Allah has grasped the firmest tie that will never break. Allah is Hearing, Knowing
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
There is no compulsion in religion -- the right way is indeed clearly distinct from error. So whoever disbelieves in the devil and believes in Allah, he indeed lays hold on the firmest handle which shall never break. And Allah is Hearing, Knowing
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
No compulsion/force in the religion, the correct/right had been clarified , from the misguidance/failure , so who disbelieves with the devil/every thing worshipped other than God and believes with God, so he had held fast/clung to with the tie/handle , the tight/affirmed, no breaking/cutting to it, and God (is) hearing/listening, knowledgeable
Bijan Moeinian   
There is no force in belief. The right and the wrong are clearly defined. The one who reject the idols (in any shape and form) and choose to believe in God has indeed hung to a strong rope of security that never breaks. God Hears and is Aware
Faridul Haque   
There is no compulsion at all in religion; undoubtedly the right path has become very distinct from error; and whoever rejects faith in the devil (false deities) and believes in Allah has grasped a very firm handhold; it will never loosen; and Allah is All Hearing, All Knowing
Sher Ali   
There is no compulsion in religion. Surely the right has become distinct from error; so whosoever refuses to be led by those who transgress and believes in ALLAH, has surely grasped a strong handle which knows no breaking. And ALLAH is All-Hearing. All-Knowing
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
There is no compulsion in Din (Religion). Surely, the guidance has been evidently distinguished from error. So he who rejects false gods and believes in Allah has grasped such a firm handhold that will never (possibly) give way. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing
Amatul Rahman Omar   
There is no compulsion of any sort in religion (as) the right way does stand obviously distinguished from the way of error. Now he that shall reject the transgressor and accepts Allah (let such know that he) has laid hold of a support firm and strong which knows no breaking. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghoot and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
No compulsion is there in religion. Rectitude has become clear from error. So whosoever disbelieves in idols and believes in God, has laid hold of the most firm handle, unbreaking; God is All-hearing, All-knowing
George Sale   
Let there be no violence in religion. Now is right direction manifestly distinguished from deceit: Whoever therefore shall deny Tagut(false gods), and believe in God, he shall surely take hold on a strong handle, which shall not be broken; God is he who heareth and seeth
Edward Henry Palmer   
There is no compulsion in religion; the right way has been distinguished from the wrong, and whoso disbelieves in Taghut and believes in God, he has got hold of the firm handle in which is no breaking off; but God both hears and knows
John Medows Rodwell   
Let there be no compulsion in Religion. Now is the right way made distinct from error. Whoever therefore shall deny Thagout and believe in God - he will have taken hold on a strong handle that shall not be broken: and God is He who Heareth, Knoweth
N J Dawood (2014)   
There shall be no compulsion in religion. True guidance is now distinct from error. He that renounces idol-worship and puts his faith in God shall grasp a firm handle that will never break. God hears all and knows all

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
There is no compulsion in the religion. The guidance [to the right way] has become distinct from the misguidance. So whoever disbelieves in the false deity (taghut) and believes in Allah, he indeed has held fast unto the firm rope which breaks not and Allah is All-hearing, All-knowing.
Munir Mezyed   
There is no compulsion in religion. The right (path) has become clearly distinct from the wrong one. So as for whoever renounces the fabled gods or the devil, and accepts Allâh into his life, he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold. It will never break off. Lo! Allâh is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
There is no compulsion in religion. Right and wrong are self-evident. One who rejects idols and believes in Allah holds on to a reliable link which cannot break, and Allah listens and knows.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
(There shall be) no compulsion in religion; prudence has henceforth become distinct from delusion. So whoever denies false masters and attains faith in Allah, then he has truly grasped the firmest handhold which never fractures. For Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
Allow no coercion in religion. Truth is evident from error. Whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah has latched onto the most dependable grip that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
There should be no compulsion in religion. Normal behavior stands out clearly from error; so anyone who rejects the fake ones and believes in Allah (God) has grasped the Firmest Handle which will never break. Allah (God) is Alert, Aware.
Samy Mahdy   
No compulsion in religion. Already the righteous guidance has been demonstrated from the temptation. So, whoever disbelieves in the false god and believes in Allah has withhold the most trustworthy handhold, which has not broken off. And Allah is Hearer, Knowledgeable.
Thomas Cleary   
There is to be no compulsion in religion. True direction is in fact distinct from error: so whoever disbelieves in idols and believes in God has taken hold of the most reliable handle, which does not break. For God is all-hearing and all-knowing.
Ahmed Hulusi   
There is no compulsion in (acceptance of) the religion (the system and order of Allah; sunnatullah)! The reality has become apparent (in its most perfect state) and has become distinct from corrupted ideas. Whoever abandons Taghut (worshipping the forces that don’t exist, but are assumed to exist through illusion) and believes in Allah (the Names that form his essence) indeed he has grasped a strong grip within his essence, that can never be broken. Allah is the Sami and the Aleem.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
There is no compulsion in religion. Truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error. Therefore, whoever rejects false deities (taghut) and believes in Allah, has grasped the firmest handle, that shall never break; and Allah is All-Hearing, All-knowing
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
Compulsion is incompatible with religion, therefore let there be no compulsion in religion. Now the path of righteousness has been distinguished from the path of error and holiness distinguished from vindictiveness. Therefore, he who rejects false beliefs and turns his attention to Allah with a religious mind, will have firmly grasped the eternal, unchangeable and most secure handhold which shall never separate, nor shall it suffer a break, and Allah is Sami‘un and 'Alimun
Mir Aneesuddin   
There is no compulsion in religion, indeed the right way has become clear from error, so he who does not believe in false deities and believes in Allah has indeed caught hold of a strong handle for which there is no breaking off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy hand- hold, that never breaks. And God heareth and knoweth all things
OLD Literal Word for Word   
(There is) no compulsion in the religion. Surely has become distinct the right (path) from the wrong. Then whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in Allah, then surely he grasped the handhold - [the] firm, (which) not (will) break [for it]. And Allah (is) All-Hearing, All-Knowing
OLD Transliteration   
La ikraha fee alddeeni qad tabayyana alrrushdu mina alghayyi faman yakfur bialttaghooti wayu/min biAllahi faqadi istamsaka bialAAurwati alwuthqa la infisama laha waAllahu sameeAAun AAaleemun