Popular Translations
Muhammad Asad
For We have caused none but angelic powers to lord over the fire [of hell]; and We have not caused their number to be aught but a trial for those who are bent on denying the truth - to the end that they who have been granted revelation aforetime might be convinced [of the truth of this divine writ]; and that they who have attained to faith [in it] might grow yet more firm in their faith; and that [both] they who have been granted the earlier revelation and they who believe [in this one] might be freed of all doubt; and that they in whose hearts is disease and the who deny the truth outright might ask, "What does [your] God mean by this parable?" In this way God lets go astray him that wills [to go astray], and guides aright him that wills [to be guided]. And none can comprehend thy Sustainers forces save Him alone: and all this is but a reminder to mortal man
Arthur John Arberry
We have appointed only angels to be masters of the Fire, and their number We have appointed only as a trial for the unbelievers, that those who were given the Book may have certainty, and that those who believe may increase in belief, and that those who were given the Book and those who believe may not be in-doubt, and that those in whose hearts there is sickness, and the unbelievers, may say, 'What did God intend by this as a similitude?' So God leads astray whomsoever He will, and He guides whomsoever He will; and none knows the hosts of thy Lord but He. And it is naught but a Reminder to mortals
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
And We have set none but angels as Guardians of the Fire; and We have fixed their number only as a trial for Unbelievers,- in order that the People of the Book may arrive at certainty, and the Believers may increase in Faith,- and that no doubts may be left for the People of the Book and the Believers, and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the Unbelievers may say, "What symbol doth Allah intend by this?" Thus doth Allah leave to stray whom He pleaseth, and guide whom He pleaseth: and none can know the forces of thy Lord, except He and this is no other than a warning to mankind
Arabic
وَمَا جَعَلۡنَاۤ أَصۡحَـٰبَ ٱلنَّارِ إِلَّا مَلَـٰۤىِٕكَةࣰۖ وَمَا جَعَلۡنَا عِدَّتَهُمۡ إِلَّا فِتۡنَةࣰ لِّلَّذِینَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِیَسۡتَیۡقِنَ ٱلَّذِینَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَیَزۡدَادَ ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوۤا۟ إِیمَـٰنࣰا وَلَا یَرۡتَابَ ٱلَّذِینَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ وَلِیَقُولَ ٱلَّذِینَ فِی قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضࣱ وَٱلۡكَـٰفِرُونَ مَاذَاۤ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَـٰذَا مَثَلࣰاۚ كَذَ ٰلِكَ یُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ مَن یَشَاۤءُ وَیَهۡدِی مَن یَشَاۤءُۚ وَمَا یَعۡلَمُ جُنُودَ رَبِّكَ إِلَّا هُوَۚ وَمَا هِیَ إِلَّا ذِكۡرَىٰ لِلۡبَشَرِ ٣١
Muhammad Asad
For We have caused none but angelic powers to lord over the fire [of hell]; and We have not caused their number to be aught but a trial for those who are bent on denying the truth - to the end that they who have been granted revelation aforetime might be convinced [of the truth of this divine writ]; and that they who have attained to faith [in it] might grow yet more firm in their faith; and that [both] they who have been granted the earlier revelation and they who believe [in this one] might be freed of all doubt; and that they in whose hearts is disease and the who deny the truth outright might ask, "What does [your] God mean by this parable?" In this way God lets go astray him that wills [to go astray], and guides aright him that wills [to be guided]. And none can comprehend thy Sustainers forces save Him alone: and all this is but a reminder to mortal man