Popular Translations
Muhammad Asad
[And sometimes] he invokes [another human being] one that is far more likely to cause harm than benefit: vile, indeed, is such a patron and vile the follower
Arthur John Arberry
He calls upon him who is likelier to hurt him, rather than to profit him -- an evil protector indeed, he, an evil friend
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
(Perhaps) they call on one whose hurt is nearer than his profit: evil, indeed, is the patron, and evil the companion (or help)
Arabic
یَدۡعُوا۟ لَمَن ضَرُّهُۥۤ أَقۡرَبُ مِن نَّفۡعِهِۦۚ لَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمَوۡلَىٰ وَلَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡعَشِیرُ ١٣
Transliteration (2021)
yadʿū laman ḍarruhu aqrabu min nafʿihi labi'sa l-mawlā walabi'sa l-ʿashīr