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Muhammad Asad   
But [there is many a one] who says to his parents [whenever they try to imbue him with faith in God]: “Fie upon both of you! Do you promise me that I shall be brought forth [from the dead], although [so many] generations have passed away before me?” And [while] they both pray for God’s help [and say], “Alas for thee! For, behold, God’s promise always comes true!” - he but answers, “All this is nothing but fables of ancient times!”
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
But some scold their parents, “Enough with you! Are you warning me that I will be brought forth ˹from the grave˺, while many generations had already perished before me ˹for good˺?” The parents cry to Allah for help, ˹and warn their child,˺ “Pity you. Have faith! Surely Allah’s promise is true.” But the deniers insist, “This is nothing but ancient fables.”
Safi Kaskas   
As for him who says to his parents, "Enough of you; Are you warning me that I will be resurrected when generations have passed and gone before me?" While they both cry for God's help, "Please believe! The promise of God is true." But he says, "These are only ancient tales"

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
وَٱلَّذِی قَالَ لِوَ ٰلِدَیۡهِ أُفࣲّ لَّكُمَاۤ أَتَعِدَانِنِیۤ أَنۡ أُخۡرَجَ وَقَدۡ خَلَتِ ٱلۡقُرُونُ مِن قَبۡلِی وَهُمَا یَسۡتَغِیثَانِ ٱللَّهَ وَیۡلَكَ ءَامِنۡ إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقࣱّ فَیَقُولُ مَا هَـٰذَاۤ إِلَّاۤ أَسَـٰطِیرُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِینَ ۝١٧
Transliteration (2021)   
wa-alladhī qāla liwālidayhi uffin lakumā ataʿidāninī an ukh'raja waqad khalati l-qurūnu min qablī wahumā yastaghīthāni l-laha waylaka āmin inna waʿda l-lahi ḥaqqun fayaqūlu mā hādhā illā asāṭīru l-awalīn
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
But the one who says to his parents, "Uff to both of you! Do you promise me that I will be brought forth, and have already passed away the generations from before me?" And they both seek help (of) Allah. "Woe to you! Believe! Indeed, (the) Promise (of) Allah (is) true." But he says, "Not (is) this but (the) stories (of) the former (people)."

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
But [there is many a one] who says to his parents [whenever they try to imbue him with faith in God]: “Fie upon both of you! Do you promise me that I shall be brought forth [from the dead], although [so many] generations have passed away before me?” And [while] they both pray for God’s help [and say], “Alas for thee! For, behold, God’s promise always comes true!” - he but answers, “All this is nothing but fables of ancient times!”
M. M. Pickthall   
And whoso saith unto his parents: Fie upon you both! Do ye threaten me that I shall be brought forth (again) when generations before me have passed away? And they twain cry unto Allah for help (and say): Woe unto thee! Believe! Lo! the promise of Allah is true. But he saith: This is naught save fables of the men of old
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
But (there is one) who says to his parents, "Fie on you! Do ye hold out the promise to me that I shall be raised up, even though generations have passed before me (without rising again)?" And they two seek Allah's aid, (and rebuke the son): "Woe to thee! Have faith! for the promise of Allah is true." But he says, "This is nothing but tales of the ancients!"
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
But some scold their parents, “Enough with you! Are you warning me that I will be brought forth ˹from the grave˺, while many generations had already perished before me ˹for good˺?” The parents cry to Allah for help, ˹and warn their child,˺ “Pity you. Have faith! Surely Allah’s promise is true.” But the deniers insist, “This is nothing but ancient fables.”
Safi Kaskas   
As for him who says to his parents, "Enough of you; Are you warning me that I will be resurrected when generations have passed and gone before me?" While they both cry for God's help, "Please believe! The promise of God is true." But he says, "These are only ancient tales"
Wahiduddin Khan   
But he who says to his parents, Shame upon you! Do you threaten me with being taken out of the grave after death while many a generation has passed away before me and none has risen from among them? The parents both cry for God's help and say to him, Believe! Alas for you! God's promise is true. But he says, These are nothing but ancient fables
Shakir   
And he who says to his parents: Fie on you! do you threaten me that I shall be brought forth when generations have already passed away before me? And they both call for Allah's aid: Woe to you! believe, surely the promise of Allah is true. But he says: This is nothing but stories of the ancients
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
But he who would say to ones who are his parents a word of disrespect to both of them: Promise you me that I will be brought out when generations before me passed away? And they will both cry to God for help: Woe unto thee! Believe! Truly, the promise of God is true. But he said: This is only the fables of the ancient ones.
T.B.Irving   
Anyone who says to his parents: Phooey on you! Do you promise me that I´ll come forth [from my grave] while generations have passed on before me?"",-and while they both implore God´s help: ""It will be too bad for you! Believe: God´s promise will come true,"" he merely says: ""These are only legends about primitive men."" "
Abdul Hye   
But one who says to its parents: “Uff upon you both! Do you hold out the promise to me that I shall be raised up again and surely generations before me have passed away (without rising)?” While they (father and mother) invoke Allah (for help and rebuke their son): “Woe to you! Believe! Surely, the Promise of Allah is true.” But he says: “This is nothing but the tales of the ancient.”
The Study Quran   
As for one who says to his parents, “Fie upon you both! Do you promise me that I shall be brought forth when generations have passed away before me?” while they call upon God for succor, “Woe unto you! Believe! Surely God’s Promise is true.” Whereat he says, “This is naught but fables of those of old.
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
However, the one who says to his parents, “Enough of you! Are you threatening me with resurrection, even though generations have passed before me?” And they both appeal to God for help, “Woe to you! Believe! The promise of God is true!” Yet, he replies, “This is nothing but tales of the ancients.”
Talal Itani (2012)   
As for him who says to his parents, 'Enough of you! Are you promising me that I will be raised up, when generations have passed away before me?' While they cry for God's help, 'Woe to you! Believe! The promise of God is true!' But he says, 'These are nothing but tales of the ancients.'
Dr. Kamal Omar   
And (on the other hand is) that one who said to his parents: “Fie upon you both! Do you twain hold out a promise to me that I shall be raised up (alive after becoming a part of the dust and mud), and surely, the generations have passed away before me (but none has risen from the dead)?” While those two (the father and the mother) both invoke Allah for help (and admonish their son thus): “What a pitty for you! Develop Faith, surely the Promise of Allah is true.” Still he utters: “This (Al-Kitab) is not but written records of the initial people.”
M. Farook Malik   
But he who rebukes his parents and says: "Uff (as if to say, do not bother me)! Do you threaten me with a resurrection, whereas many a generations have passed before me and none has come back from among them?" And they both cry for Allah’s help and say: "Woe to you! Be a good believer. Surely the promise of Allah is true." But he replies: "This is nothing but tales of the ancients."
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
And he who says to his parents, "Fie upon you (both)! Do you (definitely) promise me that I will be brought out, when already generations have passed away before me?" And they both ask Allah for succor, "Woe to you! Believe; surely the promise of Allah is true." Yet he says, "In no way is this anything except myths of the earliest (people)
Muhammad Sarwar   
There are people who say to their parents, "Fie upon you! Are you telling us that we shall be raised from our graves? So many people have died before us and (none of them have been raised)" Their parents plead to God and say to their child, "Woe to you! Have faith; the promise of God is certainly true" They reply, "What you say is only ancient legends"
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
And (Contrary to this is the case of) the one who said to his parents, .Fie upon you both! Do you promise to me that I shall be brought out (from the grave), while generations have passed before me?. And they (the parents) were crying for Allah‘s help, (and saying to their son,) .Woe to you. Accept the true faith. Allah‘s promise is certainly true. Then he says, .This is nothing but the tales of the ancients
Shabbir Ahmed   
And whoever says to his parents, "Shameful it is for both of you! Do you threaten me that I shall be brought forth again although so many generations have passed away before me?" And they both pray for Allah's help and say, "Alas for you! Believe! Behold, Allah's promise always comes true. But he replies, "All this is nothing but fables of the ancient."
Dr. Munir Munshey   
(On the other hand), there is the one who says to his parents, "Oh really, I am fed up with you two! Are you really asking me to believe that I would be restored back to life (after my death)? Generations have passed before me, (and nobody has ever come back)!" His parents invoke Allah´s help and say, "Woe unto you! Believe it! Allah´s promise is indeed the truth." But he (doesn´t listen, and) says, "These are nothing but (old) tales of people long gone."
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
But (there is such a person) who says to his parents, "Shame upon you! Do you hold out the promise to me that I shall be raised up (for Judgment), even though generations have passed before me (without rising again)?” And they too seek Allah’s help, (and talk back to the son): “Misery to you! Have Faith! Verily, the Promise of Allah is true.” But he says: “This is nothing but stories from the distant past!"
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
But one who says to his parents, "Uff to you; do you promise me that I will be brought forth [from the earth] when generations before me have already passed on [into oblivion]?" while they call to Allah for help [and to their son], "Woe to you! Believe! Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth." But he says, "This is not but legends of the former people"
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
And the one who says to his parents: "Enough of you! Are you promising me that I will be resurrected, when the generations who died before me never came back" While they both will implore God: "Woe to you; believe! For God's promise is the truth." He would Say: "This is nothing but tales from the past!"
Abdel Haleem   
But some say to their parents, ‘What? Are you really warning me that I shall be raised alive from my grave, when so many generations have already passed and gone before me?’ His parents implore God for help; they say, ‘Alas for you! Believe! God’s promise is true,’ but still he replies, ‘These are nothing but ancient fables.’
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
And he who saith Unto his parents: fie upon you both! threaten me ye that I shall be taken forth, whereas generations have passed away before me? and the twain implore Allah's assistance woe Unto thee! come to believe! verily the promise of Allah is true; yet he saith: naught is this but fables of the ancients."
Ahmed Ali   
But he who says to his parents: "Shame on you: You intimidate me that I will be resurrected when many generations will have passed before me?" And (the parents) would implore God's help: "Woe to you. You better believe. The promise of God is certainly true." Yet he answers: "These are only fables of long ago."
Aisha Bewley   
But what of him who says to his parents, ´Fie on you! Do you promise me that I will be resurrected when generations before me have passed away?´ They both call on Allah for help: ´Woe to you! Have iman! Allah´s promise is true.´ But he says, ´This is nothing but the myths of previous peoples.´
Ali Ünal   
But (there is many a one) who says to his parents (who call him to righteousness and faith): "Uff to you both! (I am fed up with you!) Do you threaten me that I will be brought forth from the dead (to a new life and judgment), while so many generations have passed away before me (and so far not a single person has been raised)?" And they both pray to God for help (in the guidance of their child, and say to him): "Woe to you! Believe! God’s promise is certainly true!" But he says: "All this is nothing but fables of the ancients!"
Ali Quli Qara'i   
As for him who says to his parents, ‘Fie on you! Do you promise me that I shall be raised [from the dead] when generations have passed away before me?’ And they invoke Allah’s help [and say]: ‘Woe to you! Believe! Indeed Allah’s promise is true.’ But he says, ‘These are nothing but myths of the ancients.’
Hamid S. Aziz   
And he who says to his parents, "Fie on you! Do you threaten me that I shall be brought forth when generations have already passed away before me?" And they both (parents) call for Allah´s aid, (rebuking their son) "Woe to you! Have
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
And the one who says to his parents: “Ugh (yuck) to you, do you promise me that I am brought out while generations before me have passed away (and they were not resurrected)?” And they both ask for God’s help (saying:) “Woe to you, believe, as God’s promise is indeed true.” Then he says: “This is only stories of the earlier ones.”
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
But there is one who says to his parents a word of disrespect. “Do you promise me that I will be raised up, as will the generations who have passed away before me?” Then the parents seek God's help and say, “Woe to you. Believe, for the promise of God is true.” But he says, “This is nothing but tales of the ancient.
Musharraf Hussain   
Theres the one who angrily said to his parents, “How come! You threaten me with being brought out of the grave, yet generations have passed away before me.” Both parents beg Allah for help and say to the son, “Woe to you! Believe in Allah’s true promise.” He replies by saying, “These are stories of the ancient.”
Maududi   
But he who says to his parents: "Fie on you! Do you threaten me that I shall be resurrected, although myriad generations have passed away before me (and not one of them was resurrected)?" The parents beseech Allah (and say to their child): "Woe to you, have faith. Surely Allah´s promise is true." But he says: "All this is nothing but fables of olden times."
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
And the one who says to his parents: "Enough of you! Are you promising me that I will be resurrected, when the generations who died before me never came back?" While they both will implore God: "Woe to you; believe! For the promise of God is the truth." He would say: "This is nothing except fictional tales of old!
Mohammad Shafi   
And he who says to his parents, "Fie upon you both! Do you tell me that I shall be brought out (to life again) and generations before me have passed away!?" And the two cry to Allah for help and say, "Woe to you! Believe! Allah's promise is indeed true." But he says, "These are nothing but fables of the ancient people!"

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
And he who said to his parents, 'Fie, I am fed up with you both, do you promise me that I shall be brought forth again, whilst generations have already passed before me? And they both cry unto Allah for help, Woe to you; believe you, verily the promise of Allah is true. Then he says, 'this is not but the tales of the ancients'.
Rashad Khalifa   
Then there is the one who says to his parents, "Woe to you; are you telling me that (after death) I will come back to life? How come those who died before us never come back?" The parents would cry for GOD's help and say, "Woe to you; please believe! GOD's promise is the truth." He would say, "Tales from the past!"
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
But he who says to his father and his mother, 'Fie on you! Do you promise me that I shall be brought forth, when entire generations have passed away before me? ' Yet they supplicate to Allah for help 'Woe to you! Believe, surely the promise of Allah is true. ' Then he says: 'This is nothing but fairytales of the ancients.
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
And he who says to his parents: Fie on you! Do you threaten me that I shall be brought forth, when generations have passed away before me? And they both call for Allah’s aid: Woe to thee! Believe; surely the promise of Allah is true. But he says: This is nothing but stories of the ancients
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
And who said to his parents: "Ugh to you (B) do you (B) promise me that (E) I will be brought out, and the generations/centuries had past/expired from before me?" And they (B), they (B) seek/ask for help (from) God: "Your calamity/scandal/woe believe, that truly God's promise (is) truth ." So he says: "That (is) not except the first's/beginner's myths/baseless stories ."
Bijan Moeinian   
As for the one who mocks his parent saying: “Do you want me to believe that I will be brought back to life after my death? How come none has been brought back out of so many generations before?” The parents will turn then to God to guide their child and say: “Please believe; God’s promise is true.” Such disbeliever will then say: “These none senses are ancient mythology!”
Faridul Haque   
And the one who said to his parents, “Uff - I am fed up with both of you! What! You promise me that I will be raised again whereas generations have passed away before me?” And they both seek Allah’s help and say to him, “May you be ruined, accept faith! Indeed Allah’s promise is true”; he therefore answers, “This is nothing except stories of former people.”
Sher Ali   
But the one who says to his parents, `Fie on you both; do you threaten me that I shall be brought forth again, when generations have already passed away before me?' And they both cry unto ALLAH for help and say to him. `Woe unto thee ! believe, for the promise of ALLAH is true.' But he says, `This is nothing but the fables of the ancients.
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
And he who says to his parents: ‘Fie on you! Do you promise me that I shall be brought forth (from the grave and given life once more) when generations have passed away before me?’ Now both (the parents) pray to Allah for help (and say to the son:) ‘Woe to you, (O son!) Accept faith. Surely, Allah’s promise is true.’ But he says (in reply): ‘These (words) are nothing but the fiction of the bygone people.
Amatul Rahman Omar   
Yet there is another (hard-hearted) one who says to his parents, `Fie upon you both! Do you threaten me that I shall be resurrected (to live again after death), when so many generations have already passed away before me (without any one of them having been raised to life).' While both (- the believing parents) ask Allah's help (and say to their child), `Alas for you. Have faith, surely the promise of Allah is true.' But he says, `This is nothing but mere fables of the ancients.
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
But he who says to his parents: "Fie upon you both! Do you hold out the promise to me that I shall be raised up (again) when generations before me have passed away (without rising)?" While they (father and mother) invoke Allah for help (and rebuke their son): "Woe to you! Believe! Verily, the Promise of Allah is true." But he says: "This is nothing but the tales of the ancient."

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
But he who says to his father and his mother, 'Fie upon you! Do you promise me that I shall be brought forth, when already generations have passed away before me?' while they call upon God for succour -- 'Woe upon thee! Believe; surely God's promise is true'; then he says, 'This is naught but the fairy-tales of the ancients' -
George Sale   
He who saith unto his parents, fie on you! Do ye promise me that I shall be taken forth from the grave, and restored to life; when many generations have passed away before me, and none of them have returned back? And his parents implore God's assistance, and say to their son, alas for thee! Believe: For the promise of God is true. But he answereth, this is no other than silly fables of the ancients
Edward Henry Palmer   
But he who says to his parents, 'Fie upon you! Do ye promise me that I shall be brought forth when generations have passed away before me?' - then shall they both cry to God for help. Woe to thee! Believe! Verily, the promise of God is true. Then says he, 'This is but old folks' tales.
John Medows Rodwell   
But he who saith to his parents, "Fie on you both! Promise ye me that I shall be taken forth from the grave alive, when whole generations have already passed away before me?" But they both will implore the help of God, and say, "Alas for thee! Believe: for the promise of God is true." But he saith, "It is no more than a fable of the ancients."
N J Dawood (2014)   
But he that says to his parents: ‘Fie on you both! Do you threaten me with a resurrection, when generations have passed away before me?‘ ― he that, when they pray for God‘s help and say: ‘Woe betide you! Have faith; the promise of God is true,‘ replies: ‘This is but a fable of the ancients‘

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
As for the one who says to his parents, “Fie unto both of you. Do both of you promise me that I will be brought forth [after death] when the generations had passed before me?” But the two of them seek the help of Allah [and they say], “Woe unto you! Believe! Truly Allah’s promise is true.” But he says, “This is nothing but the fables of the ancients.”
Munir Mezyed   
Yet there is one who says: "Fie upon you both! Do you threaten me that I shall be raised up, when already generations have passed away before me?”. They both cry unto Allâh for help and say to their child: "Woe betide you! Put your Faith in Allâh! Most surely the promise of Allâh is true." But he says: “This is nothing but myths of the ancients."
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
And he who says to his parents: get off, are you promising me that I will be raised when generations before me have gone by? And they implore Allah, (saying) woe to you, believe, for the promise of Allah is true, but he says: these are only stories of old.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
Someone says to his/her parents, “Phooey on you! Do you promise me that I shall be resurrected even though generations have died before me?” They seek Allah’s help [as they answer]: “Woe to you! Believe! Truly, the promise of Allah is true.” He/she says, “This is nothing but old fairy tales.”
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
As for the one who said to his parents, “Fie on both of you! Are you promising me that I will be brought out when generations have passed away before me?” Meanwhile, they both cry for Allah’s help, “Woe to you, believe! The promise of Allah is true!” But he says, “These are nothing but legends of the ancients.”
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
Anyone who says to his parents: "Phooey on you! Do you promise me that I'll come forth [from my grave] while generations have passed on before me?",-and while they both implore Allah (God)'s help: "It will be too bad for you! Believe: Allah (God)'s promise will come true," he merely says: "These are only legends about primitive men."
Samy Mahdy   
And the one who said for his parents, "Uff for you do you promise me that I will exit out, and have already passed away the generations before me?" while they seek rescue from Allah, "Woe to you! Believe! Surely, Allah’s promise is the right." So, he says, "This is not except the Former’s legends"
Ahmed Hulusi   
But there is one who says to his parents, “Woe to you! Are you threatening me with being brought forth (resurrected), even though so many generations have passed on before me?” While his parents ask Allah for help and say, “Woe to you! Believe! Indeed, the promise of Allah is true”... But he persists and says, “This is nothing but the fables of the past!”
Mir Aneesuddin   
And he who says to his parents, “Fie* on you both, do you threaten me that I will be brought out when generations have passed away before me?” And they both seek Allah’s help, “Sorrowful is your state, believe, Allah’s promise is certainly true," then he says, "These are nothing but the stories of the ancient.” *An expression of disgust generations have passed away before me?” And they both seek Allah’s help, “Sorrowful is your state, believe, Allah’s promise is certainly true," then he says, "These are nothing but the stories of the ancient.” *An expression of disgust
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
But he who contemptuously says to his parents: " Fie on you " " How disgusting what both of you tell me!" "do you afford me ground of expectation of Resurrection when all generations who had departed life long ago never came out of their graves ? " They both-the parents-exercise pity and appeal to Allah for help and they rebuke him -the son- for his disposition and for want of Faith, and they utter denunciation against him and say to him: " You had better commit yourself to Allah Whose promise is true. " But he says to them: " This is nothing but fables of old."

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
But (there is one) who says to his parents, "Fie on you! Do ye hold out the promise to me that I shall be raised up, even though generations have passed before me (without rising again)?" And they two seek God's aid, (and rebuke the son): "Woe to thee! Have faith! for the promise of God is true." But he says, "This is nothing but tales of the ancients!"
OLD Literal Word for Word   
But the one who says to his parents, "Uff to both of you! Do you promise me that I will be brought forth, and have already passed away the generations before me?" And they both seek help (of) Allah. "Woe to you! Believe! Indeed, (the) Promise (of) Allah (is) true." But he says, "Not (is) this but (the) stories (of) the former (people).
OLD Transliteration   
Waallathee qala liwalidayhi offin lakuma ataAAidaninee an okhraja waqad khalati alquroonu min qablee wahuma yastagheethani Allaha waylaka amin inna waAAda Allahi haqqun fayaqoolu ma hatha illa asateeru al-awwaleena