Popular Translations
Muhammad Asad
NOW WHEN you meet [in war] those who are bent on denying the truth, smite their necks until you overcome them fully, and then tighten their bonds; but thereafter [set them free,] either by an act of grace or against ransom, so that the burden of war may be lifted: thus [shall it be]. And [know that] had God so willed, He could indeed punish them [Himself]; but [He wills you to struggle] so as to test you [all] by means of one another. And as for those who are slain in God’s cause, never will He let their deeds go to waste
Arthur John Arberry
When you meet the unbelievers, smite their necks, then, when you have made wide slaughter among them, tie fast the bonds; then set them free, either by grace or ransom, till the war lays down its loads. So it shall be; and if God had willed, He would have avenged Himself upon them; but that He may try some of you by means of others. And those who are slain in the way of God, He will not send their works astray
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded): but if it had been Allah's Will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them (Himself); but (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the Way of Allah,- He will never let their deeds be lost
Arabic
فَإِذَا لَقِیتُمُ ٱلَّذِینَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَضَرۡبَ ٱلرِّقَابِ حَتَّىٰۤ إِذَاۤ أَثۡخَنتُمُوهُمۡ فَشُدُّوا۟ ٱلۡوَثَاقَ فَإِمَّا مَنَّۢا بَعۡدُ وَإِمَّا فِدَاۤءً حَتَّىٰ تَضَعَ ٱلۡحَرۡبُ أَوۡزَارَهَاۚ ذَ ٰلِكَۖ وَلَوۡ یَشَاۤءُ ٱللَّهُ لَٱنتَصَرَ مِنۡهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن لِّیَبۡلُوَا۟ بَعۡضَكُم بِبَعۡضࣲۗ وَٱلَّذِینَ قُتِلُوا۟ فِی سَبِیلِ ٱللَّهِ فَلَن یُضِلَّ أَعۡمَـٰلَهُمۡ ٤
Transliteration (2021)
fa-idhā laqītumu alladhīna kafarū faḍarba l-riqābi ḥattā idhā athkhantumūhum fashuddū l-wathāqa fa-immā mannan baʿdu wa-immā fidāan ḥattā taḍaʿa l-ḥarbu awzārahā dhālika walaw yashāu l-lahu la-intaṣara min'hum walākin liyabluwā baʿḍakum bibaʿḍin wa-alladhīna qutilū fī sabīli l-lahi falan yuḍilla aʿmālahu