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Popular and/or Featured Works
Muhammad Asad   
AND IF My servants ask thee about Me - behold, I am near; I respond to the call of him who calls, whenever he calls unto Me: let them, then, respond unto Me, and believe in Me, so that they might follow the right way
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺.
Safi Kaskas   
If My worshipers ask you about Me, I am near, answering the prayer of the one who prays to Me. They should respond to Me and believe in Me in order to be guided.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِی عَنِّی فَإِنِّی قَرِیبٌۖ أُجِیبُ دَعۡوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِۖ فَلۡیَسۡتَجِیبُوا۟ لِی وَلۡیُؤۡمِنُوا۟ بِی لَعَلَّهُمۡ یَرۡشُدُونَ ۝١٨٦
Transliteration (2021)   
wa-idhā sa-alaka ʿibādī ʿannī fa-innī qarībun ujību daʿwata l-dāʿi idhā daʿāni falyastajībū lī walyu'minū bī laʿallahum yarshudūn
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
And when ask you My servants about Me, then indeed I am near. I respond (to the) invocation (of) the supplicant when he calls Me. So let them respond to Me and let them believe in Me, so that they may (be) led aright.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
AND IF My servants ask thee about Me - behold, I am near; I respond to the call of him who calls, whenever he calls unto Me: let them, then, respond unto Me, and believe in Me, so that they might follow the right way
M. M. Pickthall   
And when My servants question thee concerning Me, then surely I am nigh. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he crieth unto Me. So let them hear My call and let them trust in Me, in order that they may be led aright
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺.
Safi Kaskas   
If My worshipers ask you about Me, I am near, answering the prayer of the one who prays to Me. They should respond to Me and believe in Me in order to be guided.
Wahiduddin Khan   
When My servants ask you about Me, say that I am near. I respond to the call of one who calls, whenever he calls to Me: let them, then, respond to Me, and believe in Me, so that they may be rightly guided
Shakir   
And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me, so they should answer My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
And when My servants asked thee about Me, then, truly, I am near. I answer the call of one who calls when he will call to Me. So let them respond to Me and let them believe in Me, so that perhaps they will be on the right way.
T.B.Irving   
Whenever My servants ask you about Me, [it means] I am Near. I answer the appeal of the prayerful one whenever he appeals to Me. Let them respond to Me, and believe in Me so they may be directed!
Abdul Hye   
And when My servants ask you (Muhammad) about Me, then (answer them), indeed I am near (to them). I respond to the call of the caller when calls on Me (without any mediator). So let them respond to Me and believe in Me so that they may be rightly guided.
The Study Quran   
When My servants ask thee about Me, truly I am near. I answer the call of the caller when he calls Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me, that they may be led aright
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
When My servants ask you about Me, I am near—I respond to the call of the caller when he calls upon Me. So, let them respond to Me and believe in Me, that they may be guided.
Talal Itani (2012)   
And when My servants ask you about Me, I Am near; I answer the call of the caller when he calls on Me. So let them answer Me, and have faith in Me, that they may be rightly guided
Dr. Kamal Omar   
And when My Ibad ask you concerning Me, so indeed I am very close (to them). I respond to the call of one who calls when he has given a call to Me. So they must respond to Me and must Believe in Me so that they may walk in the right way
M. Farook Malik   
When my servants question you about Me, tell them that I am very close to them. I answer the prayer of every suppliant when he calls Me; therefore, they should respond to Me and put their trust in Me, so that they may be rightly guided
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
And when My bondmen ask you concerning Me, then, surely I am near; I answer the invocation of the invoker when he invokes Me; so let them respond (to) Me, and let them believe in Me, so that possibly they would respond right-mindedly
Muhammad Sarwar   
(Muhammad), if any of My servants ask you about Me, tell them that the Lord says, "I am near; I accept the prayers of those who pray." Let My servants answer My call and believe in Me so that perhaps they may know the right direction
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
When My servants ask you about Me, then (tell them that) I am near. I respond to the call of one when he prays to Me; so they should respond to Me, and have faith in Me, so that they may be on the right path
Shabbir Ahmed   
(This training program has nothing to do with asceticism or self-denial in any way. The mystics think that enduring hardships and denying themselves the basic needs will bring them close to God). And if My servants ask you concerning Me, behold, I am indeed near. I respond to the call of whoever calls, whenever he calls unto Me. So let them hear My Call and let them trust in Me, that they may be led aright
Dr. Munir Munshey   
And when My servants ask about Me (tell them that) in fact, I am (always) nearby. I answer the prayers and pleas of the callers when they implore Me. Therefore, they should submit to Me and believe in Me. Perhaps, they would be led along the right path
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
When My servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed close to them: I listen to the prayer of every (humble) caller when he calls Me: Let them also, listen to My call and believe in Me, that they may be led to the right way
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
And if My servants ask you about Me, I am near answering the calls of those who call to Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided
Abdel Haleem   
[Prophet], if My servants ask you about Me, I am near. I respond to those who call Me, so let them respond to Me, and believe in Me, so that they may be guided
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
And when My bondsmen ask thee regarding Me, then verily I am Nigh; I answer the call of the caller when he calleth unto Me, ; so let them answer Me and believe in Me, haply they may be rightly directed
Ahmed Ali   
When My devotees enquire of you about Me, I am near, and answer the call of every supplicant when he calls. It behoves them to hearken to Me and believe in Me that they may follow the right path
Aisha Bewley   
If My slaves ask you about Me, I am near. I answer the call of the caller when he calls on Me. They should therefore respond to Me and believe in Me so that hopefully they will be rightly guided.
Ali Ünal   
And when (O Messenger) My servants ask you about Me, then surely I am near: I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he prays to Me. So let them respond to My call (without hesitation), and believe and trust in Me (in the way required of them), so that they may be guided to spiritual and intellectual excellence and right conduct
Ali Quli Qara'i   
When My servants ask you about Me, [tell them that] I am indeed nearmost. I answer the supplicant’s call when he calls Me. So let them respond to Me, and let them have faith in Me, so that they may fare rightly
Hamid S. Aziz   
When My servants ask you  concerning Me, then, verily, I am near; I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when ever he calls to Me. So let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and let them believe in Me; per chance (or possibly) they may be direc
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
When My servants ask you about Me, I am indeed near, answering the call of the caller when he calls on Me. So, they should answer Me (and My commands) and believe in Me, so they may be on the right way.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
When My servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed near. I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me. Let them also, willingly, listen to My call, and believe in Me, that they may walk in the right way
Musharraf Hussain   
If My servants ask you about Me, tell them thatI am near, I answer the prayer of the prayerful whenever he prays to Me. So, let them obey Me, and believe in Me so they may be guided
Maududi   
And if My servants ask you, O Prophet. concerning Me, tell them that I am quite near to them. I hear and answer the prayer of the suppliant, when he calls to Me. So let them respond to My call and believe in Me. Convey this to them, O Prophet; perhaps they may be guided aright
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
And if My servants ask you about Me, I am near answering the calls of those who call to Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided.
Mohammad Shafi   
And when my devotees ask for Me, I am indeed close to them. I respond to the call of a caller, when he calls Me. Let them then respond to Me and believe in Me, so that they tread the right path

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
And O beloved, when My bondsmen ask you about Me, then I am indeed near, accept the call of the caller when he calls upon Me; then they should obey My Commands and believe in Me, so that they may get the way.
Rashad Khalifa   
When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
When My worshipers ask you about Me, I am near. I answer the supplication of the suppliant when he calls to Me; therefore, let them respond to Me and let them believe in Me, in order that they will be righteous
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
And when My servants ask thee concerning Me, surely I am nigh. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me, so they should hear My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
And if My worshippers/slaves asked/questioned you about Me, so I am near/close, I answer/reply the caller's/requester's call/request/prayer if (he) called/requested/prayed (to) Me , so they should answer/reply to Me and they should believe in Me (E), maybe they be correctly guided
Bijan Moeinian   
When My servants ask you (Mohammad) about me, let them know that I am closer than what they think to themselves. I answer their prayers when they call upon me; they, too, should listen to my call as this is the only way to be guided to the right path
Faridul Haque   
And O dear Prophet (Mohammed - peace and blessings be upon him), when My bondmen question you concerning Me, then surely I am close; I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he calls on Me, so they must obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may attain guidance
Sher Ali   
And when MY servants ask thee about ME, say `I am near. I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he prays to ME. So they should hearken to ME and believe in ME that they may follow the right way
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
And, (O Beloved,) when My servants ask you about Me, (tell them:) ‘I am near. I reply the call of the supplicant whenever he calls Me out. So they should embrace My obedience and have (firm) faith in Me so that they may find the (coveted) road (leading straight to the destination).
Amatul Rahman Omar   
And when My servants ask you concerning Me (tell them), I am nearby indeed, I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he prays to Me, so they should respond to My call, and believe in Me (that I possess all these attributes) so that they may proceed in the right way
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad SAW) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
And when My servants question thee concerning Me -- I am near to answer the call of the caller, when he calls to Me; so let them respond to Me, and let them believe in Me; haply so they will go aright
George Sale   
When my servants ask thee concerning me, verily I am near; I will hear the prayer of him that prayeth, when he prayeth unto me: But let them hearken unto me, and believe in me, that they may be rightly directed
Edward Henry Palmer   
When my servants ask thee concerning me, then, verily, I am near; I answer the prayers prayer whenever he prays to me. So let them ask me for an answer, and let them believe in me; haply they may be directed aright
John Medows Rodwell   
And when my servants ask thee concerning me, then will I be nigh unto them. I will answer the cry of him that crieth, when he crieth unto me: but let them hearken unto me, and believe in me, that they may proceed aright
N J Dawood (2014)   
If My servants question you about Me, tell them that I am near. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls to Me; therefore let them answer My call and put their trust in Me, that they may be rightly guided

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
And if My servants ask you about Me then know that I am indeed close. I answer the call of the caller if he calls Me. Therefore, let them respond to Me and let them believe in Me perhaps they will find guidance to the right way.
Munir Mezyed   
And when My (devoted) servants ask you concerning Me, (let them be sure that) I am so near. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he implores Me. Now, therefore, let them comply with everything I have commanded, and affirm their Faith in Me so that they may experience continuous spiritual growth.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
And when My servants ask you about Me, I am near: I answer the call of (every) caller, if he calls on Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me, so that they go right.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
When My servants ask you about Me, I am truly close. I listen to the prayer of everyone who prays to Me. May they also respond to Me. May they believe in Me so they may be led the right way.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
And when My servants ask yousg about Me—indeed, I am near; I respond to the call of the caller when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and let them have faith in Me, that they may become prudent.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
Whenever My servants ask you about Me, [it means] I am Near. I answer the appeal of the prayerful one whenever he appeals to Me. Let them respond to Me, and believe in Me so they may be directed!
Samy Mahdy   
And if my slaves ask you about Me? So, I Am near; I answer the caller’s call if he called Me. So, let them respond for Me, and believe in Me, perhaps they may be rightly guided.
Ahmed Hulusi   
So, if my servants ask you of ME, undoubtedly I am Qarib (as close as the limits of one’s understanding; remember the verse ‘I am closer to you than your jugular vein’!) I respond to those who turn to me (in prayer). So let them respond to me and believe in me so that they experience their maturation.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
When My servants ask you concerning Me, then (say unto them:) verily I am nigh: I answer the prayer of every supplicant when he calls on Me; so (they should) hearken unto My call, and believe in Me, in order that they may be led aright
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
Should My servants call upon you, O Muhammad, for informing them about My attributes, then emphatically express that I am in their immediate proximity; I respond favourably to the humble petitioner’s prayer when he addresses Me. But those who aim for My blessings are expected to raise their internal consciousness, responding favourably to My system of faith and worship and believe in Me with faithful hearts, that they may hopefully be guided to the path of righteousness
Mir Aneesuddin   
And when My servants ask you about Me, then I am certainly near, I respond to the prayer of one who prays,
The Wise Quran   
And when My servants ask you about Me, then indeed I am near. I answer the call of the caller when he calls on Me. So let them respond to Me and let them believe in Me; perhaps they may be directed aright.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way
OLD Literal Word for Word   
And when ask you My servants about Me, then indeed I am near. I respond (to the) invocation (of) the supplicant when he calls Me. So let them respond to Me and let them believe in Me, so that they may (be) led aright
OLD Transliteration   
Wa-itha saalaka AAibadee AAannee fa-innee qareebun ojeebu daAAwata alddaAAi itha daAAani falyastajeeboo lee walyu/minoo bee laAAallahum yarshudoona