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Muhammad Asad   
And God propounds [to you] the parable of two [other] men -one of them dumb, unable to do anything of his own accord, and a sheer burden on his master: to whichever task the latter directs him, he accomplishes no good. Can such a one be considered the equal of [a wise man] who enjoins the doing of what is right and himself follows a straight way
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
And Allah sets forth a parable of two men: one of them is dumb, incapable of anything. He is a burden on his master. Wherever he is sent, he brings no good. Can such a person be equal to the one who commands justice and is on the Straight Path?
Safi Kaskas   
And God provides another parable of two [other] men. One of them is mute, unable to do anything by himself, a burden to his caretaker. Whatever task he is directed to do, he accomplishes nothing beneficial. Can such a one be considered equal to one who commands justice [in his community], and is on the straight path?

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلࣰا رَّجُلَیۡنِ أَحَدُهُمَاۤ أَبۡكَمُ لَا یَقۡدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَیۡءࣲ وَهُوَ كَلٌّ عَلَىٰ مَوۡلَىٰهُ أَیۡنَمَا یُوَجِّههُّ لَا یَأۡتِ بِخَیۡرٍ هَلۡ یَسۡتَوِی هُوَ وَمَن یَأۡمُرُ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ صِرَ ٰطࣲ مُّسۡتَقِیمࣲ ۝٧٦
Transliteration (2021)   
waḍaraba l-lahu mathalan rajulayni aḥaduhumā abkamu lā yaqdiru ʿalā shayin wahuwa kallun ʿalā mawlāhu aynamā yuwajjihhu lā yati bikhayrin hal yastawī huwa waman yamuru bil-ʿadli wahuwa ʿalā ṣirāṭin mus'taqīmi
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
And sets forth Allah an example (of) two men, one of them (is) dumb, not he has power on anything, while he (is) a burden on his master. Wherever he directs him not he comes with any good. Is equal he and (the one) who commands [of] justice, and he (is) on a path straight?

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
And God propounds [to you] the parable of two [other] men -one of them dumb, unable to do anything of his own accord, and a sheer burden on his master: to whichever task the latter directs him, he accomplishes no good. Can such a one be considered the equal of [a wise man] who enjoins the doing of what is right and himself follows a straight way
M. M. Pickthall   
And Allah coineth a similitude: Two men, one of them dumb, having control of nothing, and he is a burden on his owner; whithersoever he directeth him to go, he bringeth no good. Is he equal with one who enjoineth justice and followeth a straight path (of conduct)
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
Allah sets forth (another) Parable of two men: one of them dumb, with no power of any sort; a wearisome burden is he to his master; whichever way be directs him, he brings no good: is such a man equal with one who commands Justice, and is on a Straight Way
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
And Allah sets forth a parable of two men: one of them is dumb, incapable of anything. He is a burden on his master. Wherever he is sent, he brings no good. Can such a person be equal to the one who commands justice and is on the Straight Path?
Safi Kaskas   
And God provides another parable of two [other] men. One of them is mute, unable to do anything by himself, a burden to his caretaker. Whatever task he is directed to do, he accomplishes nothing beneficial. Can such a one be considered equal to one who commands justice [in his community], and is on the straight path?
Wahiduddin Khan   
God makes another comparison between two men, one of whom is dumb and cannot do a thing, and is a burden on his master. Wherever he sends him on an errand, he brings [him] no good. Is he equal to someone who commands justice and is on a straight path
Shakir   
And Allah sets forth a parable of two men; one of them is dumb, not able to do anything, and he is a burden to his master; wherever he sends him, he brings no good; can he be held equal with him who enjoins what is just, and he (himself) is on the right path
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
And God propounded a parable of two men, one of them unwilling to speak. He has no power over anything and he is a heavy burden to his defender. Whichever way he turns his face, he brings no good. Is he on the same level as the one who commands justice and he who is on a straight path?
T.B.Irving   
God offers another comparison between two men, one of whom is dumb and cannot do a thing, and is a nuisance to his master. Wherever he sends him on an errand, he brings [him] no good. Is he equal to someone who gives proper orders and is on a Straight Road?
Abdul Hye   
And Allah puts forward an example of 2 men: one of them is dumb, has no power over anything, and is a burden to his master, whatever way he directs him, he brings no good. Is he equal to one who commands justice, and he is on the Right Way?
The Study Quran   
God sets forth a parable: two men, one of whom is dumb, with power over naught, who is a burden unto his master; wheresoever he dispatches him, he brings no good. Is he equal to one who enjoins justice, and who is on a straight path
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
God illustrates another example: Two men, one mute, incapable of doing anything useful, is completely dependent on his master; no matter how he directs him, he brings nothing good. Can he be compared to one who promotes justice and follows a straight path?
Talal Itani (2012)   
And God cites the example of two men: one of them dumb, unable to do anything, and is a burden on his master; whichever way he directs him, he achieves nothing good. Is he equal to him who commands justice, and is on a straight path
Dr. Kamal Omar   
And Allah brought forward (another) example of two male-adults; one of these two is dumb, he has no power over any thing, and he completely depends on his master; whichever way he (i.e., the master) directs him, he brings no good. Does become equal he and that who commands with justice and he is on the Permanent Path
M. Farook Malik   
Well! Allah gives you another example of two men: one of them is dumb and has no ability to do anything - a burden on his master whenever he sends him on an errand, he does nothing useful. Can he be equal to the one who executes orders properly and follows the directions in a Right Way
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
And Allah has struck a similitude: two men, one of them dumb, unable to determine anything, and he is wholly dependent upon his patronizer-wherever he directs him, he comes up with no charitable (acts). Is he equal to him who commands to justice and is on a straight Path
Muhammad Sarwar   
God tells a parable about two men. One of them is dumb and useless and a burden on his friend. Wherever he goes, he returns with nothing. Can he be considered equal to the one who maintains justice and follows the right path
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
And Allah gives another example: There are two men. One of them is dumb who is unable to do anything, and he is a burden on his master. Wherever he directs him to, he brings no good. Can he be equal to the one who enjoins justice and is on the straight path
Shabbir Ahmed   
Allah gives you another example of two men. One of them is he whose faculties of speech and mind are totally disabled. He cannot do anything of his own accord and he is totally dependent on his care-provider, unable to bring forth any good in any way. Can such a one be considered equal of the man who is fit, enjoins justice and himself walks the Straight Path? (Allah expects you to use your faculties to the best of your abilities)
Dr. Munir Munshey   
Allah quotes another example, that of the two men. One is deaf and dumb, has no ability and is nothing but a liability for his master. He fails every task he is asked to perform. Can he be compared to the man who manages his affairs with fairness, and is on the straight path
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
And Allah brings forward (another) case of two men: One of them dumb, with no power of any type, he is a tiresome burden on his master; Wherever he (master) directs him (the dumb one), he brings no good: Is such a man equal to one who acts justly, and is on the Straight Path
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
And Allah presents an example of two men, one of them dumb and unable to do a thing, while he is a burden to his guardian. Wherever he directs him, he brings no good. Is he equal to one who commands justice, while he is on a straight path
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
And God puts forth the example of two men, one of them is mute and he cannot achieve anything, and he is a burden to his guardian. Wherever he points him, he does not come with any good. Is he the same as one who orders good and he is upon a straight pat
Abdel Haleem   
God presents another illustration: two men, one of them dumb, unable to do anything, a burden to his carer- whatever task he directs him to, he achieves nothing good- can he be considered equal to one who commands justice and is on the straight path
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
And Allah propoundeth a similitude: there are two men, one of them dumb who hath of Power over aught and is a weariness unto his master, whithersoever he directeth him he bringeth not any good; is he equal with one who commandeth justice and in himself on a straight patht
Ahmed Ali   
God presents another example of two men, one dumb and unable to do a thing and is a burden on his master. Wherever he is sent he returns without any good (result). Could he be equal to one who enjoins what is just, and follows the right path
Aisha Bewley   
Allah makes another metaphor: two men, one of them deaf and dumb, unable to do anything, a burden on his master, no matter where he directs him he brings no good, is he the same as someone who commands justice and is on a straight path?
Ali Ünal   
And God strikes a parable of two (other) men: one of them dumb, unable to control anything (unable to answer any call, unable to decide any matter or meet any need). He is a burden upon his master; wherever he directs him, he brings no good. Is he equal with one who enjoins right and justice and is himself on a straight path
Ali Quli Qara'i   
Allah draws [another] parable: Two men, one of whom is dumb, having no power over anything and who is a liability to his master: wherever he directs him he does not bring any good. Is he equal to someone who enjoins justice and is [steady] on a straight path
Hamid S. Aziz   
And Allah coins another similitude (parable): two men, one of them dumb, able to do nothing, a burden to his lord; wherever he directs him he brings no success; is he to be held equal with him who bids what is just and who is on the Straight Way
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
And God gave an example of two men, one of them is dumb and has no power over anything and he is a burden to his master, and he does not bring any good wherever he directs him, is he equal to the one who orders to justice and is on a straight path?
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
God sets forth a parable of two people. One of them having no voice, with no power of any sort, a wearisome burden is he to his overseer. Whichever way he directs him, he brings no good. Is such a person equal with one who commands justice, and is on a straight way
Musharraf Hussain   
Allah gives you another example of two men; one of them is dumb, helpless and a burden to his master. Whatever task he sets him, he fails miserably; can he be equal to the man who commands justice and is on the straight path?
Maududi   
Allah sets forth another parable: There are two men, one of whom is dumb and has no power over anything; he is a burden to his master, and wheresoever his master directs him, he fails to bring forth any good. Can such a person be the equal of one who enjoins justice and himself follows the Right Way
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
And God puts forth the example of two men, one of them is mute and he cannot achieve anything, and he is a burden to his guardian. Wherever he points him, he does not come with any good. Is he the same as one who orders good and he is upon a straight path?
Mohammad Shafi   
And Allah gives another example, of two men, one of whom is dumb, unable to do anything, and a burden on his master. He is not good at whatever task the master gives him. Can he be held equal to him who enjoins what is just, and is himself on the right path

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
And Allah explained an example, there are two men, one dumb who can do nothing and is a burden over his master wherever he sends him, he brings to him no good. Will he be equal to him who orders Justice and he is himself on the straight path?
Rashad Khalifa   
And GOD cites the example of two men: one is dumb, lacks the ability to do anything, is totally dependent on his master - whichever way he directs him, he cannot produce anything good. Is he equal to one who rules with justice, and is guided in the right path?
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
And Allah strikes a parable. Two men, one is dumb and powerless, a burden to his master wherever he sends him he returns with no good. Is he equal with one who orders justice and follows the Straight Path
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
And Allah sets forth a parable of two men: One of them dumb, controlling naught, and he is a burden to his master; wherever he sends him, he brings no good. Is he equal with him who enjoins justice, and he is on the right path
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
And God gave an example (of) two men, one of them (B) is mute, he is not capable/able on (of) a thing, and he is tired/weak (tiresome/burdensome) on (to) his master/friend/owner wherever he aims/turns him, he does not come/bring with goodness , does he become equal/alike, he and who orders/commands with the justice/equality and he is on a straight/direct/balanced road/way
Bijan Moeinian   
As another example, consider two men. One of them is dumb and (like the creatures of God who are totally dependent upon Him) incapable of doing any thing good. Is such person equal to the other one who (like God) rules with justice and follows the right way? (If the answer is no, then why are you making good for nothing gods of yours equal to God?
Faridul Haque   
And Allah has illustrated an example - two men - one of them dumb, unable to do anything, and he is a burden on his master - wherever his master sends him, he brings back no good; will he be equal to one who gives the command of justice and is on the Straight Path
Sher Ali   
And ALLAH sets forth another parable of two men - one of them is dumb, having no power over anything, and he is a burden on his master; withersoever he sends him, he brings no good. Can he be equal to him who enjoins justice and who is on the straight path
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
And Allah has illustrated an example of two (such) men of whom one is dumb, has no power over anything and is a burden on his master; wherever he (the master) sends him, he brings no good. Can he (the dumb) be equal to the (other) one who (holds such an office that he) enjoins the people to do justice, and he himself also follows the straight path
Amatul Rahman Omar   
And Allah sets forth an excellent description of (other) two men. One of them is dumb and has no power over anything and he is a useless burden on his master; wherever he sends him he fetches no good. Can he be like the man who enjoins justice and who follows the exact right path? (No, not at all.
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
And Allah puts forward (another) example of two men, one of them dumb, who has no power over anything (disbeliever), and he is a burden to his master, whichever way he directs him, he brings no good. Is such a man equal to one (believer in the Islamic Monotheism) who commands justice, and is himself on a Straight Path

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
God has struck a similitude: two men, one of them dumb, having no power over anything, and he is a burden upon his master -- wherever he despatches him, he brings no good. Is he equal to him who bids to justice, and is on a straight path
George Sale   
God also propoundeth as a parable two men; one of them born dumb, who is unable to do or understand any thing, but is a burden unto his master; whithersoever he shall send him, he shall not return with any good success: Shall this man, and he who hath his speech and understanding, and who commandeth that which is just, and followeth the right way, be esteemed equal
Edward Henry Palmer   
And God has struck out a parable: two men, one of them dumb, able to do nothing, a burden to his lord wherever he directs him he comes not with success; is he to be held equal with him who bids what is just and who is on the right way
John Medows Rodwell   
God setteth forth also a comparison between two men, one of whom is dumb from his birth, and hath no power over anything, and is a burden to his lord: send him where he will, he cometh not back with success. Shall he and the man who enjoineth what is just, and keepeth in the straight path, be held equal
N J Dawood (2014)   
And God makes this comparison: two men, one dumb and helpless, a burden on his master: wherever he sends him he comes back with nothing good. Is he equal to him that enjoins justice and is on a straight path

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
And Allah sets forth a parable; two men, one of them is dumb who has no power over anything and is completely dependent on his master, wherever he directs him [on a mission], he comes with no good. Is he equal to one who commands [people] unto justice and who himself is on a most straight path?
Munir Mezyed   
Allâh sets forth a parable of two men: one of them is dumb and incapable of doing anything. He is a burden to his master. Wherever he sends him, he brings no good. Can such a person be held equal with one who commands justice and is on the Straight Path?
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
And Allah coins the likeness of two men, one of them dumb, unable to do anything and useless to his master, wherever he directs him, he does not do any good - is he the same as the one who commands justice and is on the straight path?
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
Allah presents the parable of two men. One will not communicate and is not responsible. He is a wearisome burden to his master. No matter which way (the master) directs (his slave), it is of no use. Is such a man equal with one who endorses justice and is on the Straight Way?
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
And Allah set forth a parable of two men: one of them a mute who has no power over anything, and he is wholly dependent upon his patron; wherever he directs him, he achieves nothing good. Can he be equal to one who commands to justice and is on a straight path?
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
Allah (God) offers another comparison between two men, one of whom is dumb and cannot do a thing, and is a nuisance to his master. Wherever he sends him on an errand, he brings [him] no good. Is he equal to someone who gives proper orders and is on a Straight Road?
Samy Mahdy   
And Allah cited an example of two men: one of them dumb, is unable upon a thing, and he is a burden on his guardian; whichever way he directs him, he does not come with a goodness. Is he equal with him who commands, with justice, and is on a straight path?
Sayyid Qutb   
And God makes another comparison between two men, one of whom is dumb and can do nothing of his own accord He is a sheer burden to his master: wherever he sends him, he accomplishes no good. Can he be considered equal to one who enjoins justice and follows a straight path?
Ahmed Hulusi   
And Allah gives example of two people: One of them is dumb and has no power over anything; he is a burden to his master... To whatever task he is directed he brings no good... Can he be equal to the one who duly evaluates what he possesses and who walks upon the right path?
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
And Allah sets forth a parable of two men, one of whom is dumb having authority over nothing, and he is a burden upon his master, wherever he sends him he brings no good. Is he then equal to him who enjoins justice and he ( himself) is on the straight path
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
Again Allah cites an instance of two other men in illustration of a general truth: one of them is mute, unable to accomplish anything, totally dependent on his master for his livelihood. Wherever he sends him to perform a work he utterly fails to accomplish the desired end. Does he compare width his master who is whole just and keeps on the path of righteousness
Mir Aneesuddin   
And Allah sets forth (another) similitude (of) two men, one of them dumb having no power on anything and he is a burden on his guardian, in whichever direction he sends him he brings no good; is he equal to (one) who enjoins justice and is on the straight path?

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
God sets forth (another) Parable of two men: one of them dumb, with no power of any sort; a wearisome burden is he to his master; whichever way be directs him, he brings no good: is such a man equal with one who commands Justice, and is on a S traight Way
OLD Literal Word for Word   
And Allah sets forth an example (of) two men, one of them (is) dumb, not he has power on anything, while he (is) a burden on his master. Wherever he directs him not he comes with any good. Is equal he and (the one) who commands [of] justice, and he (is) on a path straight
OLD Transliteration   
Wadaraba Allahu mathalan rajulayni ahaduhuma abkamu la yaqdiru AAala shay-in wahuwa kallun AAala mawlahu aynama yuwajjihhu la ya/ti bikhayrin hal yastawee huwa waman ya/muru bialAAadli wahuwa AAala siratin mustaqeemin