Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad
He it is who has made the sun a [source of] radiant light and the moon a light [reflected], and has determined for it phases so that you might know how to compute the years and to measure [time]. None of this has God created without [an inner] truth. Clearly does He spell out these messages unto people of [innate] knowledge
M. M. Pickthall
He it is Who appointed the sun a splendour and the moon a light, and measured for her stages, that ye might know the number of the years, and the reckoning. Allah created not (all) that save in truth. He detaileth the revelations for people who have knowledge
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
It is He Who made the sun to be a shining glory and the moon to be a light (of beauty), and measured out stages for her; that ye might know the number of years and the count (of time). Nowise did Allah create this but in truth and righteousness. (Thus) doth He explain His Signs in detail, for those who understand
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab
He is the One Who made the sun a radiant source and the moon a reflected light, with precisely ordained phases, so that you may know the number of years and calculation ˹of time˺. Allah did not create all this except for a purpose. He makes the signs clear for people of knowledge.
Safi Kaskas
He has made the sun a radiant light and the moon a source of enlightenment, for He has plotted out its phases so that you may know how to calculate the years and measure time. There is a purpose to everything God created in Truth. He explains His messages to those who are willing to know.
Wahiduddin Khan
It is He who made the sun radiate a brilliant light and the moon shed its lustre, and ordained for it stages so that you may learn to count out the years and [to make other such] reckoning of time. God has not created all these without a purpose. He makes plain His revelations to men of understanding
Shakir
He it is Who made the sun a shining brightness and the moon a light, and ordained for it mansions that you might know the computation of years and the reckoning. Allah did not create it but with truth; He makes the signs manifest for a people who know
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar
It is He Who made the sun an illumination and the moon as a light and ordained its mansions so that you would know the number of the years and the reckoning. God created that only in Truth. He explains distinctly the signs for a folk who know.
T.B.Irving
He it is Who has placed the sun for radiance and the moon for (reflected) light, and measured it out in phases so you may know how to count out the years and [to make other such] reckoning. God did not create that except for the Truth. He spells out signs for folk who know.
Abdul Hye
It is He Who made the sun with a shining thing and the moon as a light and measured out for its stages so that you may compute the number of years and the reckoning. Allah did not create them but in truth. He has explained the Verses in detail for people who have knowledge.
The Study Quran
He it is Who made the sun a radiance, and the moon a light, and determined for it stations, that you might know the number of years and the reckoning [of time]. God did not create these, save in truth. He expounds the signs for a people who know
Talal Itani & AI (2024)
It is He who made the sun shining and the moon luminous, and determined its phases, so you may calculate the years and the passage of time. God didn’t create this except with truth. He explains the signs in detail for people who know.
Talal Itani (2012)
It is He who made the sun radiant, and the moon a light, and determined phases for it—that you may know the number of years and the calculation. God did not create all this except with truth. He details the revelations for a people who know
Dr. Kamal Omar
He it is Who appointed the sun as a brilliant light and the moon as a reflected light and set to it stages, that you might know the number of years and the reckoning (of time and periods). Allah did not create this but based on fact. He gives details to the Ayaat for a nation who know
He is the One Who gave the sun its brightness and the moon its light, established her phases that you may learn to compute the years and other such counts (days, weeks, months). Allah created them only to manifest the truth. He has spelled out His revelations for people who want to understand
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali
He is The (One) Who has made the sun an illumination, and the moon a light and determined it by phases that you may know the number of years and the reckoning. In no way has Allah created that except with the truth. He expounds the signs for a people who know
Muhammad Sarwar
It is God who has made the sun radiant and the moon luminous and has appointed for the moon certain phases so that you may compute the number of years and other reckonings. God has created them for a genuine purpose. He explains the evidence (of His existence) to the people of knowledge
Muhammad Taqi Usmani
He is the One who has made the sun a glow, and the moon a light, and determined for it stages, so that you may learn the number of the years, and the calculation (of time). Allah has not created all this but for a rightful purpose. He elaborates the signs for a people who understand
Shabbir Ahmed
He it is, Who appointed the sun as a splendid glow, and the moon as a cool light. He appointed stages for the moon, in due measure. You make your calculations and calendars accordingly (6:97), (17:12). Allah has created the Universe as the Absolute Reality and for a Purpose. (It is neither a dream, nor a reflection of the world of ideas). Allah details His Verses for those who wish to learn
Dr. Munir Munshey
He made the sun bright; He made the moon lustrous and destined several stages for it, so you may count the years and have a calendar! Allah created all that with a supreme purpose! He expands the significance of His signs for any nation with understanding
Syed Vickar Ahamed
It is He Who made the sun to be a shining glory and the moon to be a light (of beauty), and set out the phases for it; So that you may know the number of years and count (the time). Allah did not create this except in truth and righteousness. (Like this) He explains His Signs in detail, for people(s) who have knowledge
It is He who made the sun a shining light and the moon a derived light and determined for it phases - that you may know the number of years and account [of time]. Allah has not created this except in truth. He details the signs for a people who kno
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)
He is the One who made the sun to emit light, and the moon to reflect it, and He measured its phases so that you would know the number of the years and the count. God has not created this except for truth. He details the revelations for a people who know
Abdel Haleem
It is He who made the sun a shining radiance and the moon a light, determining phases for it so that you might know the number of years and how to calculate time. God did not create all these without a true purpose; He explains His signs to those who understand
Abdul Majid Daryabadi
He it is who hath made the sun a glow and the moon a light, and hath determined mansions for her that ye may know the number of the years and the reckoning Allah hath not created all this except with a purpose; He detaileth these signs unto those who know
Ahmed Ali
It is He who gave the sun its radiance, the moon its lustre, and appointed its stations so that you may compute years and numbers. God did not create them but with deliberation. He distinctly explains His signs for those who can understand
Aisha Bewley
It is He who appointed the sun to give radiance, and the moon to give light, assigning it phases so you would know the number of years and the reckoning of time. Allah did not create these things except with truth. We make the Signs clear for people who know.
Ali Ünal
He it is Who has made the sun a radiant, illuminating light, and the moon a light reflected, and has determined for it stations, that you might know (how to compute) the number of the years and to measure (time). God has not created that but with truth (for a definite purpose and meaningfully). He sets out in detail the signs (and proofs of the truth) for a people seeking knowledge
Ali Quli Qara'i
It is He who made the sun a radiance and the moon a light, and ordained its phases that you might know the number of years and the calculation [of time]. Allah did not create all that except with reason. He elaborates the signs for a people who have knowledge
Hamid S. Aziz
He it is who made the sun a glorious brightness (splendour), and the moon for a light, and decreed for it measured stages, that you may know the number of the years and the reckoning. Allah created not all this but in truth. He details the signs (or reve
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad
He is the One Who made the sun shine and the moon a (reflection of) light and determined its positions so you know the number of years and the count (of days and time). God rightfully created that. He explains the signs for people who know.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)
It is He Who made the Sun to be a shining light, and the Moon to be a reflected light, and measured out stages for it, that you might know the number of years by counting. God did not create this except in truth and righteousness. He explains His signs in detail, for those who understand
Musharraf Hussain
He gave the sun its radiant glow and the moon its light, He determined their phases precisely, so you might calculate the passing years and keep time. Allah created this for a purpose; so people of knowledge can understand the signs of creation.
Maududi
He it is Who gave the sun radiance and the moon light, and determined the stages (for the waxing and waning of the moon) that you may learn the calculation of years and the reckoning of time. Allah has created all this with a rightful purpose (rather than out of play). He expounds His signs for the people who know.
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)
He is the One who has made the sun a radiance, and the moon a light, and He has measured its phases; that you may know the number of the years and the count. God has not created this except with the truth. He clarifies the revelations for a people who know.
Mohammad Shafi
He it is Who made the sun a source of light and the moon a light, and ordained for it phases that you might count years and keep accounts. Allah did not create all that but on purpose. He explains the Verses/signs for people who know.
Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)
It is He who has made the sun shining, and the moon glittering, and appointed for it stages, so that you may know the number of years and calculation. Allah has not created that, but in truth. He explains fully the signs for the people of knowledge
He is the One who rendered the sun radiant, and the moon a light, and He designed its phases that you may learn to count the years and to calculate. GOD did not create all this, except for a specific purpose. He explains the revelations for people who know.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah
It was He that made the sun a brightness and the moon a light, and determined it in phases so that you might know the number of years and the reckoning. Allah did not create them except in truth, and distinguishes the verses to a nation who know
Maulana Muhammad Ali
He it is Who made the sun a shining brightness, and the moon a light, and ordained for it stages that you might know the computation of years and the reckoning. Allah created not this but with truth. He makes the signs manifest for a people who know
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira
He is who made/put the sun light/shining and the moon a light, and He predestined/evaluated it places of descent/sequences/descents to know (the) number/numerous (of) the years and the counting/calculating, God did not create that except with the truth , He details/explains the verses/evidences to a nation knowing
Bijan Moeinian
He is the One Who has made the sun a source of light and the moon to reflect the light. He has made the phases of moon extremely precise so that you may calculate your years and dates. God has not created all this [for fun] but for a specific purpose. See how clearly God explains His revelations for those people who contemplate
Faridul Haque
It is He Who created the sun radiating and the moon shining and appointed positions for it, for you to know the number of the years, and the account; Allah has not created it except with the truth; He explains the verses in detail for the people of knowledge
Sher Ali
HE it is WHO made the sun radiate a brilliant light and the moon reflect a lustre, and ordained for it proper stages, that you might know the count of years and the reckoning of time. ALLAH has not created this system but in accordance with the requirements of truth. HE details the signs for a people who possess knowledge
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri
He is the One Who has made the sun (a source of) light and (with that) made the moon luminous, and appointed for it stages (to appear smaller or bigger) so that you might compute the number of years and the count (of time). Allah has not created (all this) but with a zero-defect strategy. (Through these cosmic realities) He expounds in detail the signs (of His creativity, unicity and might) for those who possess knowledge
Amatul Rahman Omar
He it is Who made the sun (radiate) brilliant light and the moon (reflect) a lustre, and fixed for it (each one of them) stages according to an estimated measure that you might know the counting (and number) of the years and the reckoning (of time). Allah created all this only to suit the requirements of truth and wisdom. He explains in detail these signs for a people who would know
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali
It is He Who made the sun a shining thing and the moon as a light and measured out its (their) stages, that you might know the number of years and the reckoning. Allah did not create this but in truth. He explains the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) in detail for people who have knowledge
New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame
It is He who caused the sun to be a blazing light and the moon to be a cool light and who apportioned for it stations so that you may know the number of years and computation. Allah did not create that except by the truth. He details the signs for a people who know.
Munir Mezyed
He is the One Who made the sun incandescent and the moon illustrious, and ordained for the moon (specific) phases in order that you may know the computation of years and the reckoning. Allâh did not create this (for vain) but for genuine reasons. He distinctly explains what He reveals of the Knowledge of the Truth for a people who have spiritual gift of knowledge.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher
He is who made the sun a torch and the moon a light and decreed for it stages so that you know the number of years and counting; Allah only created this with truth, He explains the signs to people who know.
Linda “iLHam” Barto
He made the sun to shine in splendor and the moon to be bright. He measured phases for (the moon) so you may count the years and figure time. Allah created this only in truth. He explains His signs for wise people.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation
It is He Who made the sun radiance and the moon a light and determined phases for it, that you may know the number of years and the calculation. Allah did not create all this except with the truth. He details the signs for people who know.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab
He it is Who has placed the sun for radiance and the moon for (reflected) light, and measured it out in phases so you may know how to count out the years and [to make other time] reckoning. Allah (God) did not create that except for the Truth. He spells out signs for folk who know.
Samy Mahdy
He is the one who set up the sun an illumination, and the moon a light, and estimated it, many phases, to let you know the lunar years counting and the calculation. Allah did not create that except with the right. He details the verses for a kinfolk who know.
Sayyid Qutb
He it is who made the sun a source of radiant light and the moon a light [reflected], and determined her phases so that you may know how to compute the years and measure [time]. God has not created this otherwise than in accordance with the truth. He makes plain His revelations to people of knowledge.
Ahmed Hulusi
He (is Allah, who) has made the Sun as light (energy) of life; and the Moon as Nur (regulator of the emotional aspect of man; the effect on the hormonal make-up and the amygdala with the force of gravity) and determined it by stations so that you might know the number of years and calculate... Allah created these in Truth (with the qualities denoted by His Names). Thus He explains His signs in detail for those who can think.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli
He it is Who made the sun a radiation and the moon a light, and determined it by stations, that you might know the number of years and the reckoning(of time). Allah did not create that save in truth.(Thus)does He explain the Signs in detail, for a people who know.
He is it who made the sun -the central body of the solar system- emit light*, and the moon** -the satellite of the earth- derive its light from it. and reflect it to earth. He determined the divisions of the ecliptic*** for the moon to occupy them on successive days and present its phases according to the extent of its illumination**. This helps you to know the number of the years or reckon the time occupied by the sun in its apparent passage through the signs of the Zodiac and the period of the earth's revolution round the sun forming a natural unit of time, so that you be able to compute time and determine it by calculation. Never did Allah institute this and bring it about but for a serious end that conforms with the truth and agrees with reality. Thus does Allah expound His revelations and render His discourse readily understood by those who reflect
Mir Aneesuddin
He it is Who has made the sun self luminous and the moon radiant (reflecting the sun light) and programmed for it stages that you may know the number of years and (keep) the account. Allah did not create that but in reality. He explains the signs in detail for a people who have knowledge.
The Wise Quran
He is the one who made the sun a light, and the moon a light, and decreed for it mansions, that you may know the number of the years and the reckoning; God did not create that except with the truth. He details the signs to people who know.