Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad
O YOU who have attained to faith! Just retribution is ordained for you in cases of killing: the free for the free, and the slave for the slave, and the woman for the woman. And if something [of his guilt] is remitted to a guilty person by his brother, this [remission] shall be adhered to with fairness, and restitution to his fellow-man shall be made in a goodly manner. This is an alleviation from your Sustainer, and an act of His grace. And for him who, none the less, wilfully transgresses the bounds of what is right, there is grievous suffering in store
M. M. Pickthall
O ye who believe! Retaliation is prescribed for you in the matter of the murdered; the freeman for the freeman, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. And for him who is forgiven somewhat by his (injured) brother, prosecution according to usage and payment unto him in kindness. This is an alleviation and a mercy from your Lord. He who transgresseth after this will have a painful doom
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
O ye who believe! the law of equality is prescribed to you in cases of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman. But if any remission is made by the brother of the slain, then grant any reasonable demand, and compensate him with handsome gratitude, this is a concession and a Mercy from your Lord. After this whoever exceeds the limits shall be in grave penalty
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab
O believers! ˹The law of˺ retaliation is set for you in cases of murder—a free man for a free man, a slave for a slave, and a female for a female. But if the offender is pardoned by the victim’s guardian, then blood-money should be decided fairly and payment should be made courteously. This is a concession and a mercy from your Lord. But whoever transgresses after that will suffer a painful punishment.
Safi Kaskas
Believers, just retribution is prescribed in the case of those killed: a free person for a free person, a slave for a slave, a female for a female. But If the aggrieved brother pardons the guilty person, then grant any reasonable demand and pay with kindness. This is a relief and mercy from your Lord. However, if anyone then goes beyond these limits, he will have a painful punishment.
Wahiduddin Khan
Believers, retribution is prescribed for you in cases of murder: the free man for the free man, the slave for the slave, the female for the female. If the offender is granted some remission by the heir of the slain person, the agreed penalty should be equitably exacted and should be discharged in a handsome manner. This is an alleviation from your Lord and an act of grace. He who transgresses after this shall have a painful punishment
Shakir
O you who believe! retaliation is prescribed for you in the matter of the slain, the free for the free, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female, but if any remission is made to any one by his (aggrieved) brother, then prosecution (for the bloodwit) should be made according to usage, and payment should be made to him in a good manner; this is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy; so whoever exceeds the limit after this he shall have a painful chastisement
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar
O those who believed! Reciprocation was prescribed for you for the slain: the freeman for the freeman and the servant for the servant and the female for the female. But whoever was forgiven a thing by his brother, the pursuing be as one who is honorable, and the remuneration be with kindness. That is a lightening from your Lord, and a mercy. And he who exceeded the limits after that, then, for him is a painful punishment.
T.B.Irving
You who believe, compensation for the murder (ed victim) has been prescribed for you: the freeman for the free, the slave for the slave, and female for the female. Anyone who is pardoned in any way for it by his brother should follow this up appropriately, and handsomely make amends with him; that means a lightening as well as mercy from your Lord. Anyone who exceeds the limit after that shall have painful torment.
Abdul Hye
O you who believe! Retribution is prescribed for you in cases of murder: the free for the free, and the captive for the captive, and the female for the female. But if the killer is forgiven by (victim’s) brother (or relatives), then something (of blood money for killing should be decided) according to usage (with fairness) and payment be made to the heir (of the victim) in a good manner. This is less painful and a Mercy from your Lord. Whoever transgresses after this shall have a painful punishment
The Study Quran
O you who believe! Retribution is prescribed for you in the matter of the slain: freeman for freeman, slave for slave, female for female. But for one who receives any pardon from his brother, let it be observed honorably, and let the restitution be made to him with goodness. That is an alleviation from your Lord, and a mercy. Whosoever transgresses after that shall have a painful punishment
Talal Itani & AI (2024)
O you who believe, retribution is prescribed for you in cases of murder: the free for the free, the enslaved for the enslaved, and the female for the female. However, if one is pardoned by his counterpart, grant any reasonable demand and compensate him amicably. This is a leniency and a mercy from your Lord. Whoever transgresses after that will have a severe punishment.
Talal Itani (2012)
O you who believe! Retaliation for the murdered is ordained upon you: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the female for the female. But if he is forgiven by his kin, then grant any reasonable demand, and pay with good will. This is a concession from your Lord, and a mercy. But whoever commits aggression after that, a painful torment awaits him
Dr. Kamal Omar
O you who have Believed! Al-Qisas is prescribed to you in murders. (Kill) the free when the killer happens to be the free, and the bondman when he is a bondman, and the woman when (the killer) is the woman. But who has forgiven something on his (victim’s) behalf to his brother (i.e., to the killer), then fulfil (it) in a desirable way and compensate him with gratitude. This is a concession and mercy from your Nourisher-Sustainer. After this whoever committed any transgression — so, for him, is a penalty most grievous
O believers! Retaliation is prescribed for you in the cases of murder: a free man for a free man, a slave for a slave, and a female for a female. But if anyone is pardoned by his aggrieved brother, then bloodwit (a ransom for manslaughter) should be decided according to the common law and payment should be made with gratitude. This is a concession and a mercy from your Lord. Now, whoever exceeds the limits after this, shall have a painful punishment
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali
O you who have believed, prescribed for you is retaliation concerning (the ones) killed: the freeman for the freeman, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. Yet whoever is offered anything in clemency by his brother, then the close following after should be with beneficence, and the payment back to him should be with fairness. This (Literally: That) is a lightening from your Lord and a mercy; then, he who transgresses after that, then he will have a painful torment
Muhammad Sarwar
Believers, in case of murder, the death penalty is the sanctioned retaliation: a free man for a free man, a slave for a slave, and a female for a female. However, if the convicted person receives pardon from the aggrieved party, the prescribed rules of compensation must be followed accordingly. This is a merciful alteration from your Lord. Whoever transgresses against it will face a painful punishment
Muhammad Taqi Usmani
O you who believe, QiSaS has been prescribed for you in the case of murdered people: The freeman (will be killed) for the freeman, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. However, if one is somewhat forgiven by his brother, the recourse (of the latter) is to pursue the former (for blood money) with fairness, and the obligation (of the former) is to pay (it) to the latter in a nice way. That is a relief from your Lord, and a mercy. So, whoever transgresses after all that will have a painful punishment
Shabbir Ahmed
(Security of life is the cornerstone of a civilized society.) O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! QISAAS (The Law of Just Recompense) has been prescribed for you in dealing with murder. If a free person has committed murder, that free person will face the Law. If a slave has committed murder, that slave will face the Law. And if a woman has committed murder, that woman will face the Law. (The status of the victim or that of the offender, whether they are free men and women or those in bondage, will have no bearing before the Justice System). If the victim's kin pardons the guilty, he must be appreciative and pay an equitable compensation to the kin in handsome gratitude. This pardon is a concession from your Lord and Mercy. Whoever, after this, trespasses this Law will have a painful doom (through the court of law and in the Court of Allah). (For full aspects please see (4:92-93), (5:32), (17:33), (42:40))
Dr. Munir Munshey
´Qisas´ _ (just retribution and blood money) _ is prescribed to you in cases involving (manslaughter and) murder. (If) the free man (murders), then (that) free man (should be charged). If a slave, then (that) slave, and if a woman, then (that) woman. (The offender alone and no one else is accountable). If the offender receives forgiveness from the victim´s brother (and guardian), then compliance of (the rules of) blood money and a fair award to the victim´s family is obligatory. This is the relief (and a reprieve) from your Lord. A mercy (from Him)! There is the painful punishment for anyone who transgresses after that
Syed Vickar Ahamed
O you who believe! The Law of Equality is to be followed by you, in cases of murder: The free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman. But if any remission is made by the brother of the slain, then grant any reasonable demand, and compensate him with handsome gratitude. This is a concession and a Mercy from your Lord. After this whoever exceeds the limits shall be in grave penalty
O you who have believed, prescribed for you is legal retribution for those murdered - the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But whoever overlooks from his brother anything, then there should be a suitable follow-up and payment to him with good conduct. This is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy. But whoever transgresses after that will have a painful punishment
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)
O you who believe, equivalent execution in warfare has been decreed for you in the case of mass killings; the free for the free, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. Whoever is forgiven anything by his brother, then it is to be followed with good deeds and kindness towards him; that is an alleviation from your Lord, and a mercy. Whoever transgresses after that, he will have a painful retribution
Abdel Haleem
You who believe, fair retribution is prescribed for you in cases of murder: the free man for the free man, the slave for the slave, the female for the female. But if the culprit is pardoned by his aggrieved brother, this shall be adhered to fairly, and the culprit shall pay what is due in a good way. This is an alleviation from your Lord and an act of mercy. If anyone then exceeds these limits, grievous suffering awaits him
Abdul Majid Daryabadi
O O Ye who believe! prescribed unto you is retaliation for the slain; the free for the free, and a bondsman for a bondsman, and a woman for a woman; yet unto whomsoever is pardoned aught by his brother, then a serving with lenity and payments with kindness. That is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy so whosoever shall transgress thereafter, for him there shall be a torment afflictive
Ahmed Ali
O believers, ordained for you is retribution for the murdered, (whether) a free man (is guilty) of (the murder of) a free man, or a slave of a slave, or a woman of a woman. But he who is pardoned some of it by his brother should be dealt with equity, and recompense (for blood) paid with a grace. This is a concession from your Lord and a kindness. He who transgresses in spite of it shall suffer painful punishment
Aisha Bewley
You who have iman! retaliation is prescribed for you in the case of people killed: free man for free man, slave for slave, female for female. But if someone is absolved by his brother, blood-money should be claimed with correctness and paid with good will. That is an easement and a mercy from your Lord. Anyone who goes beyond the limits after this will receive a painful punishment.
Ali Ünal
O you who believe! Prescribed for you is retaliation in cases of (deliberate, unjust) killing: freeman for freeman, slave for slave, female for female. Yet if he (the murderer) is granted some remission by his brother (any of the heirs of the victim), then what falls on the pardoning side is fulfilling in fairness what has been agreed on, and the other side is making the payment kindly enough to please the other side. This is a lightening from your Lord, and a mercy. Whoever offends after that, for him is a painful punishment
Ali Quli Qara'i
O you who have faith! Retribution is prescribed for you regarding the slain: freeman for freeman, slave for slave, and female for female. But if one is granted any extenuation by his brother, let the follow up [for the blood-money] be honourable, and let the payment to him be with kindness. That is a remission from your Lord and a mercy; and should anyone transgress after that, there shall be a painful punishment for him
Hamid S. Aziz
O you who believe! Retaliation (or the Law of Equivalence) is prescribed for you. In cases of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the female for the female; yet he who is pardoned at all by the brother of the slain, then grant any rea
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad
You who believe, fair retaliation is prescribed for you in case of murder, the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female, but anyone who is forgiven in part by his brother (or the person in charge of victim’s affairs) must follow with good intentions and pay (the ransom) with gratitude. This is a mitigation from your Lord and a mercy. Whoever exceeds the limits after this will have a painful punishment.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)
O you who believe, the law of equality is prescribed to you in the case of homicide. The free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the woman for the woman. Also, if any pardon is made by the sibling of the slain, then grant any reasonable demand, and compensate them with gratitude. This is a concession and a mercy from your Lord. After this, whoever exceeds the limits will be in grave penalty
Musharraf Hussain
Believers, retribution is prescribed for you in the case of victims of murderers: a free man for a free man, a slave for a slave, and a woman for a woman. However , if the culprit is pardoned by his aggrieved brother, this will be adhered to in accordance with best practice, the culprit paying the next of kin what is due. This represents a lightening of the burden and an act of kindness from your Lord. After this day if anyone goes beyond these limits, they will suffer a painful punishment.
Maududi
O Believers, the lawn of retribution has been prescribed for you in cases of murder; if a free man commits a murder, the free man shall he punished for it and a slave for a slave: likewise if a woman is guilty of murder the same shall he accountable for it. But in case the injured brother is willing to show leniency to the murderer, the blood money should he decided in accordance with the common law and the murderer should pay it in a genuine way. This is an allowance and mercy from your Lord. Now there shall be a painful torment for anyone who transgresses the limits after this. O men of understanding
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)
O you who believe, equivalence has been decreed for you in the case of those who are slain; the free for the free, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. Whoever is forgiven anything by his brother, then it is to be followed with kindness and goodness towards him; that is an alleviation from your Lord, and a mercy. Whoever transgresses after that, he will have a painful retribution.
Mohammad Shafi
O you who believe! Prescribed for you, is the capital punishment in the matter of murdered persons. If a free man, a slave/servant or a female commits the crime, this prescribed punishment would accordingly be applicable only to that free man, that slave/servant or that female, respectively. But where the guilty person's fellow citizen concerned commutes the sentence, the commutation has to be adequately implemented, and the guilty person has to fulfil the terms of commutation in good measure. That is a remission from your Lord, and His grace! Then whoever transgresses thereafter — for him shall there be a painful punishment. t
Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)
O, believers: It is obligatory upon you to take retaliation of the blood of those who are killed innocently, the. Free for free and the slave for slave and woman for woman. Then as for him who is forgiven something by his brother, there should be demand for payment with kindness and the payment be made satisfactorily well. This is to ease your burden from your Lord and a mercy upon you. Then after this one who transgresses for him there is painful torment.
O you who believe, equivalence is the law decreed for you when dealing with murder - the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the female for the female. If one is pardoned by the victim's kin, an appreciative response is in order, and an equitable compensation shall be paid. This is an alleviation from your Lord and mercy. Anyone who transgresses beyond this incurs a painful retribution
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah
Believers, retaliation is decreed for you concerning the killed. A free (man) for a free (man), a slave for a slave, and a female for a female. He who is pardoned by his brother, let the ensuing be with kindness, and let the payment be with generosity. This is an alleviation from your Lord and mercy. He who transgresses thereafter shall have a painful punishment
Maulana Muhammad Ali
O you who believe, retaliation is prescribed for you in the matter of the slain: the free for the free, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But if remission is made to one by his (aggrieved) brother, prosecution (for blood-wit) should be according to usage, and payment to him in a good manner. This is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy. Whoever exceeds the limit after this, will have a painful chastisement
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira
You, you those who believed, it is dictated/ordered on you the revenge in the killed/murdered, the free/liberated with the free/liberated , and the slave with the slave, and the female with the female, so who was forgiven/pardoned for him a thing/something from his brother, so following with the goodness/kindness (peaceful settlement) and discharge/fulfillment to him with goodness, that (is) reduction/lightening from your Lord, and a mercy; so who transgressed/violated after that, so for him (is a) painful torture
Bijan Moeinian
The capital punishment is hereby declared as a law for you the believers. The man or the woman who has committed the murder, regardless of his/her social status, should face the death. The victim’s kin, however, may pardon the murderer. An appreciative response, in the form of blood money, will be then in order. This leniency (turning the criminal case into a civil case) indicates how merciful God is [the State, therefore, does not have any right to prosecute the murderer on criminal basis.] Once the blood money is paid, those who recourse to retaliation (the relatives, state or any interested party) should know that they are invoking God’s anger
Faridul Haque
O People who Believe! Retribution is made obligatory for you in the matter of those killed unjustly; a freeman for a freeman, and a slave for a slave, and a female for a female; and for him who is partly forgiven by his brother, seek compensation with courtesy and make payment in proper manner; this is a relief and a mercy upon you, from your Lord; so after this, a painful punishment is for whoever exceeds the limits
Sher Ali
O ye who believe ! equitable retaliation in the matter of the slain is prescribed for you; the free man for the free man, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But for him who is granted any remission by his injured brother, pursuing the matter for the realization of the blood-money shall be done with fairness, and the murderer shall pay him the blood-money in a handsome manner. This is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy. And whoso transgresses thereafter, for him there shall be a grievous punishment
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri
O believers! Retribution (the law of equality in punishment) is prescribed for you in the case of those who are unjustly slain: a free man for a free man, a slave for a slave and a woman for a woman. Then, if he (the murderer) is granted some remission (in retribution) by his brother (the victim’s heir), that should be executed fairly according to the law, and (retribution) should be paid (to the heirs of the slain) in a graceful manner. This is a concession and kindness from your Lord. So, anyone who transgresses after that, there is painful torment for him
Amatul Rahman Omar
O you who believe! equitable retaliation has been ordained for you in (the matter of) the slain. (Everyone shall pay for his own crime,) the freeman (murderer) for the freeman (murdered), and the slave (murderer) for the slave (murdered), and the female (murderer) for the female (murdered), but who has been granted any remission by his (aggrieved) brother (or family) then pursuing (of the matter) shall be done with equity and fairness, and the payment (of the blood money) to him (the heir) should be made in a handsome manner. This is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy. But he who exceeds the limits after this (commandment), for him is a grievous punishment
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali
O you who believe! Al-Qisas (the Law of Equality in punishment) is prescribed for you in case of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But if the killer is forgiven by the brother (or the relatives, etc.) of the killed against blood money, then adhering to it with fairness and payment of the blood money, to the heir should be made in fairness. This is an alleviation and a mercy from your Lord. So after this whoever transgresses the limits (i.e. kills the killer after taking the blood money), he shall have a painful torment
New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame
O you who believe! Justice in retribution concerning the slain is prescribed upon you. The free man against the free man and the slave against the slave and the female against the female but whoever is given a pardon from his brother in aught, then let the kindness therefore be duly observed and the right be given to him in an excellent manner. That is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy. But whoever transgresses after that, then for him there will be a painful punishment.
Munir Mezyed
O’ you who live by Faith! retaliation is prescribed for you in case of murder: the free man for the free man, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. If he (the convicted person) obtained forgiveness from the brother of the slain, then there should be right and proper follow-up and payment should be paid to him with kindness. This is an alleviation from your Lord, as well as Mercy. So whoever transgresses after that will be subjected to a painful chastisement.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher
Oh you believers, revenge for killing has been prescribed for you: a free person for a free person, a slave for a slave, a woman for a woman, but whoever is let off by his brother for something, he must obey in a good way and give to him in goodness. This is a relief for you from your Lord and a mercy, so whoever transgresses after that, he deserves a painful punishment.
Linda “iLHam” Barto
O Believers, the law of equality is intended for you in cases of murder: the free person for the free person, the slave for the slave, the female for the female. If (the criminal) is forgiven by the victim’s relative, then grant any reasonable demand with honor. This is a special consideration and a mercy from your Lord. After this, anyone that goes beyond limits will be painfully punished.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation
O you who have attained faith, fair retribution for the murderedpl has been prescribed upon you: the free for the free, and the bondman for the bondman, and the female for the female. Yet whoever is somewhat pardoned by his brother (in faith) , then this shall be adhered to in accordance with what is fair, and the payment back to him should be in a good way. That is lightening from your Lord and mercy. But whoever transgresses after that—then for him is a painful punishment.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab
You who believe, compensation for the murder (ed victim) has been prescribed for you: the freeman for the free, the slave for the slave, and female for the female. Anyone who is pardoned in any way (taking only blood money) for it by his brother should follow this up appropriately (no violence), and make amends to him with kindness (without delay or deductions); that means a lightening as well as mercy from your Lord. Anyone who exceeds the limit after that shall have painful torment.
Samy Mahdy
O those who believed! It was written upon you, the retribution for the murdered: the freeman for the freeman, the slave for the slave, the female for the female. So, if he is pardoned from his brother for a thing so follow by the well-known and procure to him by benefaction. That is a mitigation from your Lord, and a mercy. So, whoever aggresses after that, so for him is a painful torment.
Ahmed Hulusi
O believers, retribution (equality based process) in cases of murder has been determined for you: the free for the one with freedom, the slave for the enslaved, and the female for the feminine one. If the murderer is (partly) remitted by the victim’s brother (or successor) then this should be adhered to and (compensation) be paid. This is an alleviation and grace from your Rabb. Whoever transgresses his limits after this, he will have severe suffering.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli
O' you who have Faith! Retaliation (Qisas) is prescribed for you in the matter of the (unlawfully) murdered: the freeman for the freeman,the slave for the slave,the female for the female. But for him who is forgiven somewhat by his (aggrieved religious) brother, then prosecution (for blood-wit) should be made according to a fair manner (ma'ruf) and let the payment be made to him with kindliness. This is an alleviation from your Lord, and a mercy; so whoever transgresses the limits after this, he shall have a painful punishment
O you who believe with faithful hearts, a prescriptive rule for retaliation is decreed for you to observe in the case of wilful murder as thus: a free man enjoying civil liberty for a free man enjoying civil liberty, a servant divested of freedom and personal rights for a slave with identical circumstances, a woman for a woman of the same social position. But if a brother (co-religionist) is in a position to forgive, then forgiveness should go hand in hand with sound Judgement and the demands should be agreeable to reason as judged appropriate to the circumstances. And the blood guilty should answer the demand in good will, with liberality and generosity. This is an admission of relaxation advanced by Allah, your Creator, in mercy to you. But he who transgresses thereafter shall be put to the torment
Mir Aneesuddin
O you who believe ! retaliation is prescribed for you in the matter of murder: the free for the free, and the slave for the slave and the female for the female. And for him who is pardoned somewhat by his (injured) brother, there should be prosecution according to recognised (good procedure) and payment to him in good manner. This is a relaxation from your Fosterer and (His) mercy. Then whoever exceeds the limits after that, then for him there is a painful punishment.
The Wise Quran
O those who believed! Retaliation is prescribed for you for the slain: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the female for the female; but he who is pardoned for it anything from his brother, then follow up with goodness, and payment to him with goodness. That is an alleviation from your Lord, and a mercy; then whoever transgressed after that then for him is painful punishment.