←Prev   Ayah al-Isra` (Children of Israel, The Israelites) 17:16   Next→ 

Popular and/or Featured Works
Muhammad Asad   
But when [this has been done, and] it is Our will to destroy a community, We convey Our last warning to those of its people who have lost themselves entirely in the pursuit of pleasures; and [if] they [continue to] act sinfully, the sentence [of doom] passed on the community takes effect, and We break it to smithereens
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
Whenever We intend to destroy a society, We command its elite ˹to obey Allah˺ but they act rebelliously in it. So the decree ˹of punishment˺ is justified, and We destroy it utterly.
Safi Kaskas   
But when We decide to destroy a community, We first give Our final warning to all the decadent in it, but they defiantly disobey. Our sentence is justly carried out, and We then, destroy it utterly.

Listen: 
Did you notice?

 You can SEARCH IslamAwakened: 

Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
وَإِذَاۤ أَرَدۡنَاۤ أَن نُّهۡلِكَ قَرۡیَةً أَمَرۡنَا مُتۡرَفِیهَا فَفَسَقُوا۟ فِیهَا فَحَقَّ عَلَیۡهَا ٱلۡقَوۡلُ فَدَمَّرۡنَـٰهَا تَدۡمِیرࣰا ۝١٦
Transliteration (2021)   
wa-idhā aradnā an nuh'lika qaryatan amarnā mut'rafīhā fafasaqū fīhā faḥaqqa ʿalayhā l-qawlu fadammarnāhā tadmīra
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
And when We intend that We destroy a town, We order its wealthy people but they defiantly disobey therein; so (is) proved true against it the word, and We destroy it (with) destruction.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
But when [this has been done, and] it is Our will to destroy a community, We convey Our last warning to those of its people who have lost themselves entirely in the pursuit of pleasures; and [if] they [continue to] act sinfully, the sentence [of doom] passed on the community takes effect, and We break it to smithereens
M. M. Pickthall   
And when We would destroy a township We send commandment to its folk who live at ease, and afterward they commit abomination therein, and so the Word (of doom) hath effect for it, and we annihilate it with complete annihilation
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
When We decide to destroy a population, We (first) send a definite order to those among them who are given the good things of this life and yet transgress; so that the word is proved true against them: then (it is) We destroy them utterly
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
Whenever We intend to destroy a society, We command its elite ˹to obey Allah˺ but they act rebelliously in it. So the decree ˹of punishment˺ is justified, and We destroy it utterly.
Safi Kaskas   
But when We decide to destroy a community, We first give Our final warning to all the decadent in it, but they defiantly disobey. Our sentence is justly carried out, and We then, destroy it utterly.
Wahiduddin Khan   
When We decide to destroy a town, We command the affluent section of its people, but they transgress therein; thus the word [sentence of punishment] is justified, then We destroy the town utterly
Shakir   
And when We wish to destroy a town, We send Our commandment to the people of it who lead easy lives, but they transgress therein; thus the word proves true against it, so We destroy it with utter destruction
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
And when We wanted to cause a town to perish, We commanded ones who are given ease, but they disobeyed therein. So the saying was realized against it. Then, We destroyed it with utter destruction.
T.B.Irving   
yet whenever We want to wipe out some town, We order its high-livers so they act depraved in it; thus the Sentence about it is proven to be right and We utterly annihilate it.
Abdul Hye   
And when We decide to destroy a town, We first send commandments to its wealthy luxurious people, but they transgress in it. Thus the word (of punishment) is justified against it. Then We destroy it with complete destruction.
The Study Quran   
And when We desire to destroy a town, We command those who live a life of luxury within it; yet they commit iniquity therein. Thus the Word comes due against it and We annihilate it completely
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
When We decide to destroy a town, We command its affluent ones, who then commit transgressions therein, thus justifying the sentence against it, and We destroy it completely.
Talal Itani (2012)   
When We decide to destroy a town, We command its affluent ones, they transgress in it, so the word becomes justified against it, and We destroy it completely
Dr. Kamal Omar   
And when We intended that We destroy a township We ordered its ‘upper-class’ (to return to the Book of Allah) but they indulged in Fisq therein, thus the order of torment became justified against it. Then We destroyed it in complete destruction
M. Farook Malik   
Whenever We have intended to destroy a town, it was because We sent Our commandments to its people who were leading easy lives but they showed disobedience; as a result Our Judgment was passed, and We razed that city to the ground
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
And when We will to cause a town to perish, We command its (people) luxurious (life), then they committed immorality therein; so the Word came true against it, (and) then We destroyed it an utter destruction
Muhammad Sarwar   
When We decide to destroy a town We warn the rich ones therein who commit evil. Thus it becomes deserving to destruction and We destroy its very foundations
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
And when We intend to destroy a habitation, We command its affluent people (to do good), then they commit sins therein, and thus the word (of punishment) becomes applicable to it (habitation), and We annihilate it totally
Shabbir Ahmed   
(Here is the Divine Law of Requital for nations.) We let the leaders of a nation commit corruption, drift out of discipline and consider themselves above Law. Then Our Law annihilates them completely. (And the leaders and the public are left blaming one another (7:38), (10:28), (14:21), (16:86)
Dr. Munir Munshey   
When We resolve to ruin a town, (and before We actually destroy it), We first order its affluent inhabitants (to obey). They carry on their lives of sin. So the prediction (against them) comes to pass. Thereafter, We finish them off completely
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
When We decide to destroy a town (a population) We (first) send a firm order to those from them who are given the good things of this life and still exceed (their) limits; So that the word (of warning) is proved true against them: After this We destroy it to total destruction
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
And when We intend to destroy a city, We command its affluent but they defiantly disobey therein; so the word comes into effect upon it, and We destroy it with [complete] destruction
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
And if We wish to destroy a town, We allow the carefree to rule it, then they will commit evil in it, then it will deserve the punishment, then We will destroy it completely
Abdel Haleem   
When We decide to destroy a town, We command those corrupted by wealth [to reform], but they [persist in their] disobedience; Our sentence is passed, and We destroy them utterly
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
And when We intend that We shall destroy a town We command the affluent people thereof, then they transgress therein; wherefore the word is justified on them; then We annihilate it with Utter annihilation
Ahmed Ali   
"And when We destroy a human habitation We send Our command to (warn) its people living a life of ease; and when they disobey, the sentence against them is justified, and We destroy them utterly
Aisha Bewley   
When We desire to destroy a city, We send a command to the affluent in it and they become deviant in it and the Word is justly carried out against it and We annihilate it completely.
Ali Ünal   
And when We finally will to destroy a township (that has deserved destruction), We leave those of its people lost in the pursuit of pleasures to their own devices, and so they transgress all limits therein. In consequence, the word (of punishment) is justified against it, and so We annihilate it, reducing it to nothing
Ali Quli Qara'i   
And when We desire to destroy a town We command its affluent ones [to obey Allah]. But they commit transgression in it, and so the word becomes due against it, and We destroy it utterly
Hamid S. Aziz   
And when We desire to destroy a people We send commands to the opulent ones thereof who yet work abomination therein; and then due sentence is pronounced; and We destroyed it utterly
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
And when We want to destroy any town, We instruct its rich ones (to obedience), then they disobey in it, then the word is justified against it, then We destroy it with utmost destruction.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
When We decide to destroy a population, We send a definite order to those among them who are given the good things of this life, and yet transgress, so that the word is proved true against them. Then We completely destroy them
Musharraf Hussain   
When We plan to destroy a town, first We teach its well-off people to change, if they continue to disobey, the judgement comes to pass and We destroy them.
Maududi   
When We decide to destroy a town We command the affluent among them, whereupon they commit sins in it, then the decree (of chastisement) becomes due against them and thereafter We destroy that town utterly
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
And if We wish to destroy a town, We allow its carefree to rule it, then they commit wickedness in it, then it deserves the punishment, then We destroy it completely.
Mohammad Shafi   
And when We wish to destroy a town, We send Our commandment to its wealthy people who lead easy lives, but they defiantly disobey! So the divine Word takes effect against that town, and We deal with it destructively

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
And when We intend to destroy any town, We send Our Commands to its well-to-do people, then they disobey therein, then the word is fulfilled on them, and then We destroy it with complete ruination.
Rashad Khalifa   
If we are to annihilate any community, we let the leaders commit vast corruption therein. Once they deserve retribution, we annihilate it completely.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
When We desire to annihilate a village, We command those who live in ease, but they commit evil therein, then the Word is realized against it and it is utterly annihilated
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
And when We wish to destroy a town, We send commandments to its people who lead easy lives, but they transgress therein; thus the word proves true against it, so We destroy it with utter destruction
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
And if We willed/wanted that (E) We destroy/perish a village/urban city, We ordered/commanded its luxuriated ungrateful and arrogant, so they debauched in it, so the saying/words was deserved on it, so We destroyed it destructively
Bijan Moeinian   
Before I destroy a town, I send My Commandments to their elite people. When they choose to continue their wrongdoings, then I totally annihilate them
Faridul Haque   
And when We will to destroy a township We send the commands to its prosperous people, thereupon they do not obey them, and so the Word is proved upon it - We therefore destroy and ruin it
Sher Ali   
And when WE intend to destroy a township, WE command its people who live in comfort to adopt the way of righteousness but they transgress therein, so the sentence of punishment becomes due against it, so WE destroy it with utter destruction
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
And when We resolve to destroy a town, We send (some) command to the rich and the affluent amongst them (so that the common man and the poor may make amends) but they act disobediently in (the town). Thus Our decree (of torment) becomes due against it. Then We totally demolish that town
Amatul Rahman Omar   
And when We intend to destroy a township, We (first) address Our command to its lawless people who lead lazy lives (to show obedience), but they revolt therein so that it stands condemned and We destroy it with an utter destruction
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
And when We decide to destroy a town (population), We (first) send a definite order (to obey Allah and be righteous) to those among them (or We (first) increase in number those of its population) who are given the good things of this life. Then, they transgress therein, and thus the word (of torment) is justified against it (them). Then We destroy it with complete destruction

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
And when We desire to destroy a city, We command its men who live at ease, and they commit ungodliness therein, then the Word is realized against it, and We destroy it utterly
George Sale   
And when We resolved to destroy a city, We commanded the inhabitants thereof, who lived in affluence, to obey our apostle; but they acted corruptly herein: Wherefore the sentence was justly pronounced against that city; and We destroyed it with an utter destruction
Edward Henry Palmer   
And when we desired to destroy a city we bade the opulent ones thereof; and they wrought abomination therein; and its due sentence was pronounced; and we destroyed it with utter destruction
John Medows Rodwell   
And when we willed to destroy a city, to its affluent ones did we address our bidding; but when they acted criminally therein, just was its doom, and we destroyed it with an utter destruction
N J Dawood (2014)   
When We resolve to raze a city, We first give warning to its prodigals. If they persist in sin therein, judgement is passed, and We destroy it utterly

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
And when We will to destroy a township, We cause its people of affluence to grow and increase and thus they turn renegades therein. Thereupon the word [of punishment] becomes fulfilled against it [the township] then We annihilate it a complete annihilation.
Munir Mezyed   
And when We intend to destroy a town, We command its affluent ones (to pursue righteousness & perfection in Faith). But when they continue to indulge in debauchery, the Word (of the divine retribution) is rightly justified against them. Then We devastate it with utter devastation.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
And if We want to destroy a town, We give authority to its affluent people, then they act immorally in it, so it deserves the decree, and We annihilate it completely.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
When We decide to destroy a population, We send a definite order to those among them who are blessed but still sin so that the word is proven true against them. Then We completely destroy them.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
And when We want to annihilate a town We command its affluent ones (to be righteous), yet they defiantly disobey (Our commands) in it, so it deserves the decree and We annihilate it completely.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
yet whenever We want to wipe out some town, We order its high-livers so they act depraved in it; thus the Sentence about it is proven to be right and We utterly annihilate it.
Samy Mahdy   
And if We want to destroy a village, We command its luxuriant ones, so they are debauching in it, so the saying upon it was truthed, So We devastated it the most, devastation.
Sayyid Qutb   
When it is Our will to destroy a community, We convey Our command to those of its people who live a life of affluence. If they persist in sin, judgement is irrevocably passed, and We utterly destroy them.
Ahmed Hulusi   
And when We intend to destroy a city We order its most affluent ones (to fix themselves through the Rasuls) but they continue to comply with the requirements of their corrupt beliefs... So they deserve to experience the consequence of Our warning... Thus We destroy them.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
And once We determine to exterminate a town, We command its luxurious people (to obey Us) , but they transgress therein, thus the word proves true against it, then We destroy it with utter destruction.
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
And when We justly decide to do away with a town by reason of obliquity, We incite those of its people who live in luxury to indulge in the style of shameless luxury, and there comes to be what was predicted beforehand that they were born to be losers and We reduce it to a useless form
Mir Aneesuddin   
And when We intend to destroy a town, We send our commandment to those who are well-off therein, but they transgress in it, thus the word is proved true against the (town), then We destroy it with utter destruction.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
When We decide to destroy a population, We (first) send a definite order to those among them who are given the good things of this life and yet transgress; so that the word is proved true against them: then (it is) We destroy them utterly
OLD Literal Word for Word   
And when We intend that We destroy a town, We order its wealthy people but they defiantly disobey therein; so (is) proved true against it the word, and We destroy it (with) destruction
OLD Transliteration   
Wa-itha aradna an nuhlika qaryatan amarna mutrafeeha fafasaqoo feeha fahaqqa AAalayha alqawlu fadammarnaha tadmeeran