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Popular and/or Featured Works
Muhammad Asad   
for, whoever on that day turns his back on them-unless it be in a battle manoeuvre or in an endeavour to join another troop [of the believers] - shall indeed have earned the burden of God's condemnation, and his goal shall be hell: and how vile a journey's end
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
And whoever does so on such an occasion—unless it is a manoeuvre or to join their own troops—will earn the displeasure of Allah, and their home will be Hell. What an evil destination!
Safi Kaskas   
for whoever turns his back on them, unless it is a battle tactic or an attempt to join another group, will earn the wrath of God and his home will be Hell, a terrible destination.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
وَمَن یُوَلِّهِمۡ یَوۡمَىِٕذࣲ دُبُرَهُۥۤ إِلَّا مُتَحَرِّفࣰا لِّقِتَالٍ أَوۡ مُتَحَیِّزًا إِلَىٰ فِئَةࣲ فَقَدۡ بَاۤءَ بِغَضَبࣲ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَأۡوَىٰهُ جَهَنَّمُۖ وَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمَصِیرُ ۝١٦
Transliteration (2021)   
waman yuwallihim yawma-idhin duburahu illā mutaḥarrifan liqitālin aw mutaḥayyizan ilā fi-atin faqad bāa bighaḍabin mina l-lahi wamawāhu jahannamu wabi'sa l-maṣīr
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
And whoever turns to them that day his back except (as) a strategy of war or (to) join to a group, certainly (he has) incurred wrath of Allah and his abode (is) Hell, a wretched destination.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
for, whoever on that day turns his back on them-unless it be in a battle manoeuvre or in an endeavour to join another troop [of the believers] - shall indeed have earned the burden of God's condemnation, and his goal shall be hell: and how vile a journey's end
M. M. Pickthall   
Whoso on that day turneth his back to them, unless manoeuvring for battle or intent to join a company, he truly hath incurred wrath from Allah, and his habitation will be hell, a hapless journey's end
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
If any do turn his back to them on such a day - unless it be in a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own)- he draws on himself the wrath of Allah, and his abode is Hell,- an evil refuge (indeed)
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
And whoever does so on such an occasion—unless it is a manoeuvre or to join their own troops—will earn the displeasure of Allah, and their home will be Hell. What an evil destination!
Safi Kaskas   
for whoever turns his back on them, unless it is a battle tactic or an attempt to join another group, will earn the wrath of God and his home will be Hell, a terrible destination.
Wahiduddin Khan   
whoever turns his back on such an occasion, unless it be as a stratagem of war, or in an endeavour to join another group [of the believers] will indeed draw down upon himself the wrath of God, and Hell shall be his abode and the worst indeed is that destination
Shakir   
And whoever shall turn his back to them on that day-- unless he turn aside for the sake of fighting or withdraws to a company-- then he, indeed, becomes deserving of Allah's wrath, and his abode is hell; and an evil destination shall it be
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
And whoever turns his back that Day—but one who withdraws from fighting for a purpose—or one who moves aside to another faction, he, surely, drew the burden of the anger from God and his place of shelter will be hell. And miserable will be the Homecoming!
T.B.Irving   
Anyone who turns his back on them on such a day, except while maneuvering for battle or wheeling towards some detachment, will incur wrath from God; his lodging will be Hell and how awful is such a goal!
Abdul Hye   
and those who turn their back to them that Day, unless as strategy of war, or retreat to a troop (of their own), they indeed have incurred the wrath of Allah. Their abode is hell, and worst indeed is that destination!
The Study Quran   
And whosoever turns his back to them that day—unless it be a stratagem of battle or to withdraw to another company—shall certainly earn wrath from God. And his refuge shall be Hell. What an evil journey’s end
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
On that day, whoever turns their back to them—unless maneuvering for battle or intending to join another group—has incurred wrath from God, and his abode is Hell, a most terrible destination.
Talal Itani (2012)   
Anyone who turns his back on them on that Day, except while maneuvering for battle, or to join another group, has incurred wrath from God, and his abode is Hell—what a miserable destination
Dr. Kamal Omar   
And whoever turns to them on such a day (his) back — except as a stratagem for Qital (a just fighting in arms in the interest of Islam), or as an approach towards a group (of your own, who is separated from you) — so indeed (such a one) has drawn upon himself wrath from Allah; and his abode is Hell, and (it is) a bad place to stay
M. Farook Malik   
and whoever turns his back to them on such an occasion - unless it be a strategy of war, or to join towards a detachment - shall incur the wrath of Allah and his abode shall be hell, and how awful shall be that dwelling
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
And whoever turns his back upon that day to them, except (in case) of turning off (i.e., turning off "e.g., the road" as a stratagem or to regroup) to fight or taking the side of (another) community, he has then incurred anger from Allah, and his abode is Hell, and miserable is the Destiny
Muhammad Sarwar   
(Whoever deserts the believers) will incur the wrath of God and will dwell in hell, a terrible dwelling
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
Whoever turns his back to them on such a day,__ unless it is for a tactic in the battle, or to join a company,__turns with wrath from Allah, and his abode is Jahannam (Hell), and it is an evil place to return
Shabbir Ahmed   
Anyone who turns back on that day, unless strategically or to join his own troops, incurs Allah's disapproval. His abode shall be Hell, a miserable destination
Dr. Munir Munshey   
On that day, whoever (retreats and) turns his back _ except as a battle strategy, or to join another of his group _ incurs the wrath of Allah. Hell shall be his abode; and it is the worst destination
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
And if anyone turns his back on them on such a day, unless it is a plan of the war, or to come back to (his own) army— He has indeed drawn on himself the Anger of Allah, and his home is Hell, an evil refuge to be
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
And whoever turns his back to them on such a day, unless swerving [as a strategy] for war or joining [another] company, has certainly returned with anger [upon him] from Allah , and his refuge is Hell - and wretched is the destination
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
And whoever on that day flees from them; unless it is part of the battle strategy or if he is retreating back to his group; then he has drawn God's wrath upon him, and his abode will be Hell. What a miserable destiny
Abdel Haleem   
if anyone does so on such a day- unless maneuvring to fight or to join a fighting group- he incurs the wrath of God, and Hell will be his home, a wretched destination
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
And whosoever turneth his back to them on such a day, unless it be swerving to a fight or wriggling round to anot her company, hath surely drawn upon himself indignation from Allah, and his resort is Hell--an evil destination
Ahmed Ali   
For any one who turns his back on that day, except to manoeuvre or rally to his side, will bring the wrath of God on himself, and have Hell as abode; and what an evil destination
Aisha Bewley   
Anyone who turns his back on them that day, unless he is withdrawing to rejoin the fight or withdrawing to support another group, brings Allah´s anger down upon himself. His refuge is Hell. What an evil destination!
Ali Ünal   
For whoever turns his back on them on the day of such an engagement – except that it be tactical maneuvering to fight again or joining another troop of believers (or taking up a position against another enemy host) – has indeed incurred God’s condemnation, and his final refuge is the Fire; how evil a destination to arrive at
Ali Quli Qara'i   
Whoever turns his back [to flee] from them that day —unless [he is] diverting to fight or retiring towards another troop— shall certainly earn Allah’s wrath, and his refuge shall be hell, an evil destination
Hamid S. Aziz   
For he who turns his back that day, save as a stratagem of war, or to retreat to his own troop, brings down upon himself the wrath of Allah, and his resort is Hell, an evil refuge
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
Anyone who turns his back to them on such a day, except to return back for fight or to retreat to join other troops, has indeed incurred the anger of God and his place will be hell, a miserable destination.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
If any turn his back to them on such a day, unless it be in a strategy of war, or to retreat to join the other troops, he draws on himself the punishment of God, and his abode is hell, what a terrible place
Musharraf Hussain   
On that day, whoever turns his back except in tactical retreat to attack again, or else to rejoin another fighting party, will suffer the fury of Allah, and Hell will be his home. What an evil destination!
Maududi   
For he who turns his back on them on such ar occasion - except that it be for tactical reasons, or turning to join another company - he shall incur the wrath of Allah and Hell shall be his abode. It is an evil destination
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
And whoever on that day flees from them; unless it is part of the battle strategy or if he is retreating back to his group; then he has drawn the wrath of God upon him, and his abode will be Hell. What a miserable destiny.
Mohammad Shafi   
And whoever turns his back to them on that day — unless it is only to turn back to fighting or to withdraw to one's own company — then he does indeed incur Allah's wrath, and his abode is Hell. And it is an evil destination

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
And whosoever will turn his back to them that day, but for practising the art of war or for the sake of joining his company, then he returns in the wrath of Allah and his abode is Hell, and what an evil place is to return to.
Rashad Khalifa   
Anyone who turns back on that day, except to carry out a battle plan, or to join his group, has incurred wrath from GOD, and his abode is Hell; what a miserable destiny!
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
If anyone on that day turns his back to them in flight, except when maneuvering to fight, or to join another party, he shall be laden with the Anger of Allah and Gehenna shall be his refuge an evil arrival
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
And whoso turns his back to them on that day -- unless manoeuvring for battle turning to join a company -- he, indeed, incurs Allah’s wrath and his refuge is hell. And an evil destination it is
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
And who turns his back/end away (from) them that day except swerving/inclining to fighting/killing or leaning/enjoining to a group, so he had returned/settled with anger from God, and his shelter/refuge (is) Hell , and how bad (is) the end/destination
Bijan Moeinian   
Those who turn their backs (except for tactical reasons), they will earn the Lord’s anger and will end up in the Hell which is an awful place to live in
Faridul Haque   
And on that day whoever turns his back to them, except for a battle strategy or to join one’s own company, has then turned towards Allah’s wrath, and his destination is hell; and what an evil place of return
Sher Ali   
And whoso turns his back to them on such a day, unless manoeuvring for battle or turning to join another company, he indeed draws upon himself the wrath of ALLAH, and Hell shall be his abode. And an evil resort it is
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
And he who turns his back on them that day, except he who is maneuvering in the fight, or he who wants to join one of his own troops (for support), certainly he returns with the wrath of Allah and Hell is his abode and that is (the most) evil abode
Amatul Rahman Omar   
And he that shows his back to them at such a time, unless he is maneuvering in warfare or as a measure to rally to another company, has truly incurred the displeasure of Allah, and his refuge is Gehenna. What an evil destined end it is
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
And whoever turns his back to them on such a day - unless it be a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own), - he indeed has drawn upon himself wrath from Allah. And his abode is Hell, and worst indeed is that destination

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
Whoso turns his back that day to them, unless withdrawing to fight again or removing to join another host, he is laden with the burden of God's anger, and his refuge is Gehenna -- an evil homecoming
George Sale   
And whoso turns his back to them on such a day, unless manoeuvring for battle or turning to join another company, he indeed draws upon himself the wrath of God, and Hell shall be his abode. And an evil resort it is
Edward Henry Palmer   
for he who turns to them that day his hinder parts, save turning to fight or rallying to a troop, brings down upon himself wrath from God, and his resort is hell, and an ill journey shall it be
John Medows Rodwell   
Whoso shall turn his back to them on that day, unless he turn aside to fight, or to rally to some other troop, shall incur wrath from God: Hell shall be his abode and wretched the journey thither
N J Dawood (2014)   
If anyone on that day turns his back to them, except for tactical reasons, or to join another band, he shall incur the ire of God and Hell shall be his shelter: a wretched fate

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
And whoever on that day turns his back on them, unless he be one who is retreating for battle or one who is rejoining another group, then he indeed is surely gone away with an anger from Allah and his resting place will be hellfire and what a woeful place of ending.
Munir Mezyed   
And whosoever turns his back to them on such a day -- unless maneuvering for battle or turning to join another company -- certainly draws upon himself the wrath of Allâh, and his abode is Gehenna-- an evil journey’s end!
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
And whoever turns his back that day, except to reposition for fighting or to join a detachment, he has already brought upon himself the anger of Allah and his abode is hell, a bad destination.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
If anyone does turn his back to them on such a day –unless it is part of a war plan or unless it is to join his/her troops— he/she reaps the wrath of Allah. His/her abode is Hell, a wretched destination.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
For whoever turns his back to them on that day, except while maneuvering for combat or to side with another battalion, then he has surely incurred wrath from Allah, and his shelter is Hell—and what a miserable destiny!
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
Anyone who turns his back on them on such a day, except while manoeuvring for battle or wheeling towards some detachment, will incur wrath from Allah (God); his lodging will be Hell and how awful is such a goal! The Struggle Part 9 179
Samy Mahdy   
And whoever turns to them, his back on that Day, except while maneuvering for a war, or to back up to a group, so he is already incurred by anger from Allah, and his shelter is Gohanam (Hell), and a wretched is the destiny?
Sayyid Qutb   
Anyone who turns his back to them on that day, except when manoeuvring for battle or in an endeavour to join another troop, shall incur God's wrath, and hell shall be his abode: how vile a journey's end.
Ahmed Hulusi   
And whoever turns his back to them, unless as a strategy or to join another troop (of believers), will indeed return with the wrath of Allah... His abode will be fire (suffering)! And what a wretched destination that is!
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
And whoever turns his back to them on that day, unless withdrawing to fight again or removing to join another troop, he has incurred wrath from Allah, and his abode is Hell; and an evil destination it is
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
And he who turns his back, reverses his course or retreats, unless it be a stratagem for gaining advantage over the enemy or for falling back on other troops projected and directed as the larger military movement and operation of the campaign, will have come within the measure of Allah's wrath and be destined to the abode in Hell, and how evil is the destination
Mir Aneesuddin   
and whoever turns his back on that day, unless (it be for) altering his position (as a strategy) for the war or to withdraw (to join his) group, then he indeed becomes deserving of the anger of Allah and his settling place is hell and it is an evil destination. Allah and his settling place is hell and it is an evil destination.
The Wise Quran   
And whoever turns his back that day to them, except turning to fight or rallying to a troop, then certainly, he has returned with anger of God, and his abode is Hell, and evil is the destination.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
If any do turn his back to them on such a day - unless it be in a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own)- he draws on himself the wrath of God, and his abode is Hell,- an evil refuge (indeed)
OLD Literal Word for Word   
And whoever turns to them his back that day except (as) a strategy of war or (to) join to a group, certainly (he has) incurred wrath of Allah and his abode (is) Hell, a wretched destination
OLD Transliteration   
Waman yuwallihim yawma-ithin duburahu illa mutaharrifan liqitalin aw mutahayyizan ila fi-atin faqad baa bighadabin mina Allahi wama/wahu jahannamu wabi/sa almaseeru