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Muhammad Asad   
O you who have attained to faith! Avoid most guesswork [about one another] for, behold, some of [such] guesswork is [in itself] a sin; and do not spy upon one another, and neither allow yourselves to speak ill of one another behind your backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, you would loathe it! And be conscious of God. Verily, God is an acceptor of repentance, a dispenser of grace
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
O believers! Avoid many suspicions, ˹for˺ indeed, some suspicions are sinful. And do not spy, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of their dead brother? You would despise that! And fear Allah. Surely Allah is ˹the˺ Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.
Safi Kaskas   
Believers, avoid being suspicious. Some suspicions are sinful. And don't spy or backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? No, you would hate it. So remain mindful of God. God is the Acceptor of repentance, the Mercy giver.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱجۡتَنِبُوا۟ كَثِیرࣰا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعۡضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثۡمࣱۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا۟ وَلَا یَغۡتَب بَّعۡضُكُم بَعۡضًاۚ أَیُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمۡ أَن یَأۡكُلَ لَحۡمَ أَخِیهِ مَیۡتࣰا فَكَرِهۡتُمُوهُۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابࣱ رَّحِیمࣱ ۝١٢
Transliteration (2021)   
yāayyuhā alladhīna āmanū ij'tanibū kathīran mina l-ẓani inna baʿḍa l-ẓani ith'mun walā tajassasū walā yaghtab baʿḍukum baʿḍan ayuḥibbu aḥadukum an yakula laḥma akhīhi maytan fakarih'tumūhu wa-ittaqū l-laha inna l-laha tawwābun raḥīmu
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
O you who believe! Avoid much of the assumption. Indeed, some assumption (is) sin. And (do) not spy and (do) not backbite some of you (to) others. Would like one of you to eat (the) flesh (of) his brother, dead? Nay, you would hate it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah (is) Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
O you who have attained to faith! Avoid most guesswork [about one another] for, behold, some of [such] guesswork is [in itself] a sin; and do not spy upon one another, and neither allow yourselves to speak ill of one another behind your backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, you would loathe it! And be conscious of God. Verily, God is an acceptor of repentance, a dispenser of grace
M. M. Pickthall   
O ye who believe! Shun much suspicion; for lo! some suspicion is a crime. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Ye abhor that (so abhor the other)! And keep your duty (to Allah). Lo! Allah is Relenting, Merciful
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it...But fear Allah: For Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
O believers! Avoid many suspicions, ˹for˺ indeed, some suspicions are sinful. And do not spy, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of their dead brother? You would despise that! And fear Allah. Surely Allah is ˹the˺ Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.
Safi Kaskas   
Believers, avoid being suspicious. Some suspicions are sinful. And don't spy or backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? No, you would hate it. So remain mindful of God. God is the Acceptor of repentance, the Mercy giver.
Wahiduddin Khan   
Believers, avoid much suspicion. Indeed some suspicion is a crime. And do not spy on one another and do not backbite. Would any of you like to eat his dead brothers flesh? No, you would hate it. Fear God, God is ever forgiving and most merciful
Shakir   
O you who believe! avoid most of suspicion, for surely suspicion in some cases is a sin, and do not spy nor let some of you backbite others. Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? But you abhor it; and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, surely Allah is Oft-returning (to mercy), Merciful
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
O those who believed! Avoid suspicion much. Truly, some suspicion is a sin. And spy not nor backbite some by some other. Would one of you love to eat the flesh of his lifeless brother? You would have disliked it. And be Godfearing of God. Truly, God is Accepter of Repentance, Compassionate.
T.B.Irving   
You who believe, refrain from conjecturing too much: even a little suspicion forms a vice. Do not spy on one another, nor let any of you backbite others. Would one of you like to eat his dead brother´s flesh? You would loathe it! Heed God, for God is Relenting, Merciful!
Abdul Hye   
O you who believe! Avoid much of suspicions, indeed some suspicions are sins. Don’t spy, nor backbite some of you to others. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of its dead brother? You would hate it. Fear Allah. Surely, Allah is the one who Accepts repentance, Merciful.
The Study Quran   
O you who believe! Shun much conjecture. Indeed, some conjecture is a sin. And do not spy upon one another, nor backbite one another. Would any of you desire to eat the dead flesh of his brother? You would abhor it. And reverence God. Truly God is Relenting, Merciful
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
O you who believe, avoid most suspicion, for some suspicions are sinful. Don’t spy or backbite each other. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Surely, you would hate it. Fear God. God is Accepting of repentance, Most Merciful.
Talal Itani (2012)   
O you who believe! Avoid most suspicion—some suspicion is sinful. And do not spy on one another, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would detest it. So remain mindful of God. God is Most Relenting, Most Merciful
Dr. Kamal Omar   
O you who have Believed! Avoid most of the suspicion. Surely some types of suspicions (are) sin. And spy not, and some of you shall not back-bite some (others). Would anyone of you like that he may devour the flesh of his dead brother? So (definitely) you people disliked and hated it. And pay obedience to Allah. Verily, Allah is Oft-Returning (in Forgiveness), continuously Merciful
M. Farook Malik   
O believers! Avoid immoderate suspicion, for in some cases suspicion is a sin. Do not spy on one another, nor backbite one another (to say something about another behind ones back that if one hears it, dislikes it). Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Surely you would abhor it. Fear Allah; for Allah is the Accepter of repentance, Merciful
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
O you who have believed, avoid much surmise; surely some surmise is a vice. And do not spy on each other, (Literally: some of you on some others) nor backbite one another; would any of you love to eat the flesh of his brother dead? So you would hate it! And be pious to Allah; surely Allah is Superbly Relenting, Ever-Merciful
Muhammad Sarwar   
Believers, stay away from conjecture; acting upon some conjecture may lead to sin. Do not spy on one another or back-bite. Would any of you like to eat the disgusting dead flesh of your brother? Have fear of God; God accepts repentance and is All-merciful
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
O you who believe, abstain from many of the suspicions. Some suspicions are sins. And do not be curious (to find out faults of others), and do not backbite one another. Does one of you like that he eats the flesh of his dead brother? You would abhor it. And fear Allah. Surely Allah is Most-Relenting, Very-Merciful
Shabbir Ahmed   
O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Avoid much suspicion and guesswork. For, behold, some of such suspicion and guesswork deplete your communal energy. And spy not upon one another, nor shall you backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, you would detest it! Be mindful of Allah. Verily, Allah is Relenting, Merciful
Dr. Munir Munshey   
Oh you who believe! Avoid being overly suspicious. Some suspicions are, in fact, outright sins. Do not engage in (unwarranted) curiosity; and do not speak ill of others behind their back. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? (Surely) you would feel disgust (at such a thought). So fear Allah! Indeed, Allah accepts repentance and is the most Kind
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion (as much as possible): Indeed some (types of) suspicion are sins: And do not spy on each other, do not speak ill of each other, behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? No! You would hate it... But fear Allah: Verily, Allah is One Who accepts repentance (Tawwab), Most Merciful (Raheem)
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
O you who believe, you shall avoid much suspicion, for some suspicion is sinful. And do not spy on one another, nor shall you backbite one another. Would one of you enjoy eating the flesh of his dead brother You certainly would hate this. You shall observe God. God is Redeemer, Merciful
Abdel Haleem   
Believers, avoid making too many assumptions- some assumptions are sinful- and do not spy on one another or speak ill of people behind their backs: would any of you like to eat the flesh of your dead brother? No, you would hate it. So be mindful of God: God is ever relenting, most merciful
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
O ye who believe! avoid much suspicion; verily some suspicion is a sin. And espy not, nor backbite one another: would any of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Ye detest that. And fear Allah verily Allah is Relenting, Merciful
Ahmed Ali   
O you who believe, avoid most suspicions: Some suspicions are indeed sins. So do not pry into others' secrets and do not backbite. Would any of you like to eat a dead brother's flesh? You would surely be revolted by it Then fear God. He is certainly forgiving and kind
Aisha Bewley   
You who have iman! avoid most suspicion. Indeed some suspicion is a crime. And do not spy and do not backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat his brother´s dead flesh? No, you would hate it. And have taqwa of Allah. Allah is Ever-Returning, Most Merciful.
Ali Ünal   
O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, for some suspicion is a grave sin (liable to God’s punishment); and do not spy (on one another), nor backbite (against one another). Would any of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would abhor it! Keep from disobedience to God in reverence for Him and piety. Surely God is One Who truly returns repentance with liberal forgiveness and additional reward, All-Compassionate (particularly towards His believing servants)
Ali Quli Qara'i   
O you who have faith! Avoid much suspicion. Indeed some suspicions are sins. And do not spy on or backbite one another. Will any of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it. And be wary of Allah; indeed Allah is all-clement, all-merciful
Hamid S. Aziz   
O you who believe! Avoid most of suspicion, for surely suspicion in some cases is a sin, and do not spy nor let some of you backbite others. Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? But you abhor it; and be careful of (your duty to) All
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
You who believe, avoid most suspicions, as indeed some suspicions are sins, and do not snoop, and do not defame/backbite each other (or gossip), for would any one of you like to eat his dead brother’s flesh? You would hate it. And be cautious of God. Indeed, God is acceptor of repentance and merciful.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
O you who believe, avoid suspicion as much as possible, for suspicion in some cases is harmful. And do not spy on each other or backbite, would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? No, you would abhor it. So be conscious of God, for God is Oft-Returning, the Merciful Redeemer
Musharraf Hussain   
Believers, do not be suspicious, since some suspicions are sins. Neither spy on one another nor backbite about each other. Would anyone of you like to eat the meat of his dead brother? Never! You would hate it. So be fearful of Allah. Allah is indeed Forgiving, Caring
Maududi   
Believers, avoid being excessively suspicious, for some suspicion is a sin. Do not spy, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would surely detest it. Have fear of Allah. Surely Allah is much prone to accept repentance, is Most Compassionate
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
O you who believe, you shall avoid much suspicion, for some suspicion is sinful. And do not spy on one another, nor shall you backbite. Would any of you enjoy eating the flesh of his dead brother? You certainly would hate this. You shall observe God. God is Redeemer, Merciful.
Mohammad Shafi   
O you who believe! Avoid most of speculation! Speculation in some cases indeed is sin. And spy not on one another, nor let some of you backbite on others. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would abhor it! And fear Allah! Allah is indeed Acceptor of repentance, Merciful

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
'O believers! Avoid most suspicions, verily some suspicion is a sin and do not look out for faults and do not backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would abominate it. And fear Allah, Verily Allah is Oft Returning, Merciful.
Rashad Khalifa   
O you who believe, you shall avoid any suspicion, for even a little bit of suspicion is sinful. You shall not spy on one another, nor shall you backbite one another; this is as abominable as eating the flesh of your dead brother. You certainly abhor this. You shall observe GOD. GOD is Redeemer, Most Merciful.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
Believers, abstain from most suspicion, some suspicion is a sin. Neither spy nor backbite one another would any of you like to eat the flesh of his deadbrother? Surely, you would loathe it. Fear Allah, without doubt Allah turns (in mercy) and He is the Merciful
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
O you who believe, avoid most of suspicion, for surely suspicion in some cases is sin; and spy not nor let some of you backbite others. Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You abhor it! And keep your duty to Allah, surely Allah is Oft-returning (to mercy), Merciful
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
You, you those who believed, avoid/distance yourselves from much of the doubt/suspicion , that truly some/part (of) the doubt/suspicion (is a) sin/crime, and do not spy/seek information (about others) and some of youdo not backbite some (each other). Does any of you love/like that (E) he eats his dead/lifeless brother's flesh ? So you hated it, and fear and obey God, that truly God (is) forgiving, merciful
Bijan Moeinian   
It is forbidden for the believers to have an extremely suspicious mind. Some kind of suspicions are indeed sins. Do not spy on each other [peeping into the neighbor’s house, opening one’s private letters, listening to the private conversations, etc.] and do not backbite one another [this is as detestable as eating your dead brother’s flesh]; is there any among you who would like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Indeed none. Be mindful of God as He accepts the repentance; He is the Most Merciful
Faridul Haque   
O People who Believe! Avoid excessive assumptions; indeed assumption sometimes becomes a sin, and do not seek faults, and do not slander one another; would any one among you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? So you will hate that! And fear Allah; indeed Allah is Most Acceptor of Repentance, Most Merciful
Sher Ali   
O ye who believe ! avoid much suspicion; for suspicion in some cases is a sin. And spy not on one another, neither back-bite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Certainly, you would loath it. And fear ALLAH, surely, ALLAH is oft-Returning with compassion and is Merciful
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
O believers! Avoid most conjectures. Indeed, some conjectures are sins (liable to punishment in the Hereafter). And spy not (on someone’s unknown matters or secrets), nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it. And fear Allah (in all such matters). Indeed, Allah is Ever-Returning, Ever-Merciful
Amatul Rahman Omar   
O you who believe! eschew much suspicion, for suspicion in some cases is a sin. And do not spy into the secrets of one another, nor backbite one another, would anyone of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Why, you would loath it. Take Allah as (your) shield. Surely, Allah is Oft-Returning (with compassion and is) Ever Merciful
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
O you who believe! Avoid much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting) . And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
O believers, eschew much suspicion; some suspicion is a sin. And do not spy, neither backbite one another; would any of you like to eat the flesh of his brother dead? You would abominate it. And fear you God; assuredly God turns, and He is All-compassionate
George Sale   
O true believers, carefully avoid entertaining a suspicion of another: For some suspicions are a crime. Inquire not too curiously into other mens failings: Neither let the one of you speak ill of another in his abscence. Would any of you desire to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Surely ye would abhor it. And fear God: For God is easy to be reconciled, and merciful
Edward Henry Palmer   
O ye who believe! carefully avoid suspicion; verily, some suspicion is a sin. And do not play the spy, nor backbite each other; would one of you like to eat his dead brother's flesh?- why! ye would abhor it! then fear God; verily, God is relentant, compassionate
John Medows Rodwell   
O Believers! avoid frequent suspicions, for some suspicions are a crime; and pry not: neither let the one of you traduce another in his absence. Would any one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Surely ye would loathe it. And fear ye God: for God is Ready to turn, Merciful
N J Dawood (2014)   
Believers, avoid immoderate suspicion, for in some cases suspicion is a crime. Do not spy on one another, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Surely you would loathe it. And fear God; God pardons and is compassionate

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
O you who believe! Keep away from much of the suspicion truly some of the suspicion is a sin and do not spy on and do not backbite one another. Would any of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You do abhor it so revere Allah. Truly Allah is Acceptor of repentance, Most Merciful.
Munir Mezyed   
O' you who live by Faith! Avoid any kind of suspicion. Indeed, suspicion in some cases is an iniquitous deed. Do not spy or backbite one another. Would anyone of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother when you detest it?! So act piously toward Allâh. Most surely Allâh is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
Oh you believers, greatly shun assumptions, for some assumptions are sinful, and do not spy nor backbite about each other. Would any of you want to eat the flesh of his dead brother? No, you dislike it. And beware of Allah, for Allah is accepting and merciful.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
O Believers, avoid being overly suspicious because some suspicions are sinful. Do not spy on each other, and do not gossip. Would you eat the flesh of your dead brother? No, you would abhor it! Fear Allah who is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
O you who have attained faith, avoid making too many assumptions—indeed, some assumptions are sinful. And do not spy on one another nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would detest it. So be mindful of Allah; indeed, Allah is Granting and Accepting of repentance, Bestowing of mercy.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
You who believe, refrain from conjecturing too much: even a little suspicion forms a vice. Do not spy on one another, nor let any of you backbite others. Would one of you like to eat his dead brother's flesh? You would loathe it! Heed Allah (God), for Allah (God) is Relenting, Merciful!
Samy Mahdy   
O you who believed! Avoid many of the assumptions, surely some of the assumptions are sin. And do not spy, and do not backbite some of you some others. Would one of you love to eat his dead brother's flesh? So, you hated it. And show the piety of Allah. Surely Allah is The Acceptor of Repentance, Merciful.
Ahmed Hulusi   
O you who have believed, avoid most assumptions (guesswork about things of which you have no certain knowledge). Indeed, certain assumptions are an offence (lead to or are an outcome of duality). And do not spy on others (do not inspect or inquire into the private matters of others out of curiosity), and do not backbite. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would detest it! So, protect yourselves from Allah, the Tawwab, the Rahim.
Mir Aneesuddin   
O you who believe! avoid much of suspicion, (because) suspicion in some (cases) is certainly a sin, and do not spy (being inquisitive about the secrets of others) and do not backbite one another, would anyone of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You dislike it! And fear Allah, Allah is certainly the Accepter of repentance, Merciful.
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
O you who believe with hearts reflecting the image of religious and spiritual virtues and their deeds wisdom and piety. Avoid suspicion in many instances and the conjecture of the existence of something evil or wrong without proof; suspicion in some instances is indeed a sin. Nor play the spy upon each other or peer inquisitively and impertinently into the nature of other peoples' actions, nor traduce or slander one another by speaking evil or falsehood or speaking maliciously behind his or her back. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother! Indeed you would shrink from it with horror. Therefore, keep Allah in mind and entertain the profound reverence dutiful to Him, Allah is indeed Tawabun (Relenting) and Rahimun (Merciful). Allah indicates to people that He weighs them not by their parentage, lineage, descent or rank in life, but by the image their hearts reflect

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it...But fear God: For God is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful
OLD Literal Word for Word   
O you who believe! Avoid much of the assumption. Indeed, some assumption (is) sin. And (do) not spy and (do) not backbite some of you (to) others. Would like one of you to eat (the) flesh (of) his brother, dead? Nay, you would hate it. you consciously revere (Allah) And fear Allah; indeed, Allah (is) Oft-Returning, Most Merciful
OLD Transliteration   
Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo ijtaniboo katheeran mina alththanni inna baAAda alththanni ithmun wala tajassasoo wala yaghtab baAAdukum baAAdan ayuhibbu ahadukum an ya/kula lahma akheehi maytan fakarihtumoohu waittaqoo Allaha inna Allaha tawwabun raheemun