←Prev   Ayah al-Baqarah (The Cow) 2:30   Next→ 

Popular and/or Featured Works
Muhammad Asad   
AND LO! Thy Sustainer said unto the angels: "Behold, I am about to establish upon earth one who shall inherit it." They said: "Wilt Thou place on it such as will spread corruption thereon and shed blood -whereas it is we who extol Thy limitless glory, and praise Thee, and hallow Thy name?" [God] answered: "Verily, I know that which you do not know."
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
˹Remember˺ when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to place a successive ˹human˺ authority on earth.” They asked ˹Allah˺, “Will You place in it someone who will spread corruption there and shed blood while we glorify Your praises and proclaim Your holiness?” Allah responded, “I know what you do not know.”
Safi Kaskas   
When your Lord told the angels, "I will place a successor on Earth," they said, "Will you put someone there who will corrupt it and shed blood while we glorify, praise, and sanctify You?" He said, "I know what you do not know."

Listen: 
Did you notice?

 You can SEARCH IslamAwakened: 

Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
وَإِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَـٰۤىِٕكَةِ إِنِّی جَاعِلࣱ فِی ٱلۡأَرۡضِ خَلِیفَةࣰۖ قَالُوۤا۟ أَتَجۡعَلُ فِیهَا مَن یُفۡسِدُ فِیهَا وَیَسۡفِكُ ٱلدِّمَاۤءَ وَنَحۡنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمۡدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَۖ قَالَ إِنِّیۤ أَعۡلَمُ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ ۝٣٠
Transliteration (2021)   
wa-idh qāla rabbuka lil'malāikati innī jāʿilun fī l-arḍi khalīfatan qālū atajʿalu fīhā man yuf'sidu fīhā wayasfiku l-dimāa wanaḥnu nusabbiḥu biḥamdika wanuqaddisu laka qāla innī aʿlamu mā lā taʿlamūn
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
And when said your Lord to the angels, "Indeed, I (am) going to place in the earth a vicegerent, they said, "Will You place in it (one) who will spread corruption in it and will shed [the] blood[s], while we, [we] glorify (You) with Your praises and we sanctify [to] You." He said, "Indeed, [I] know what not you know."

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
AND LO! Thy Sustainer said unto the angels: "Behold, I am about to establish upon earth one who shall inherit it." They said: "Wilt Thou place on it such as will spread corruption thereon and shed blood -whereas it is we who extol Thy limitless glory, and praise Thee, and hallow Thy name?" [God] answered: "Verily, I know that which you do not know."
M. M. Pickthall   
And when thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to place a viceroy in the earth, they said: Wilt thou place therein one who will do harm therein and will shed blood, while we, we hymn Thy praise and sanctify Thee? He said: Surely I know that which ye know not
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?- whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?" He said: "I know what ye know not."
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
˹Remember˺ when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to place a successive ˹human˺ authority on earth.” They asked ˹Allah˺, “Will You place in it someone who will spread corruption there and shed blood while we glorify Your praises and proclaim Your holiness?” Allah responded, “I know what you do not know.”
Safi Kaskas   
When your Lord told the angels, "I will place a successor on Earth," they said, "Will you put someone there who will corrupt it and shed blood while we glorify, praise, and sanctify You?" He said, "I know what you do not know."
Wahiduddin Khan   
When your Lord said to the angels, I am putting a successor on earth, they said, Will You place someone there who will cause corruption on it and shed blood, while we glorify You with Your praise and extol Your holiness? [God] answered, Surely, I know that which you do not know
Shakir   
And when your Lord said to the angels, I am going to place in the earth a khalif, they said: What! wilt Thou place in it such as shall make mischief in it and shed blood, and we celebrate Thy praise and extol Thy holiness? He said: Surely I know what you do not know
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
And when thy Lord said to the angels: Truly, I am assigning on the earth a viceregent. They said: Wilt Thou be One Who Makes on it someone who makes corruption on it and sheds blood, while we glorify Thy praise and sanctify Thee? He said: Truly, I know what you know not!
T.B.Irving   
So when your Lord told the angels: "I am placing an overlord on earth", they said: "Will You place someone there who will corrupt it and shed blood, while we hymn Your praise and sanctify You?" He said: "I know something you do not know."
Abdul Hye   
And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: “Surely, I am going to place a successor on earth.” They said: “Will You place in it those who will make mischief in it and shed blood, while we praise You and glorify Your name?” He (Allah) said: “Indeed I know what you don’t know.”
The Study Quran   
And when thy Lord said to the angels, “I am placing a vicegerent upon the earth,” they said, “Wilt Thou place therein one who will work corruption therein, and shed blood, while we hymn Thy praise and call Thee Holy?” He said, “Truly I know what you know not.
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
When your Lord said to the angels, “I am placing a successor on earth,” they questioned, “Will You place in it one who will spread corruption and shed blood, while we glorify You with praises and sanctify You?” He answered, “I know what you don’t know.”
Talal Itani (2012)   
When your Lord said to the angels, 'I am placing a successor on earth.' They said, 'Will You place in it someone who will cause corruption in it and shed blood, while we declare Your praises and sanctify You?' He said, 'I know what you do not know.'
Dr. Kamal Omar   
And when your Nourisher-Sustainer said to the angels: “I am about to place Khalifa on earth.” They said: “Will you place therein one who makes disorder therein and sheds blood, while we are steadfast in Your glorification and propagate Your Highness?” (Allah) said: “Certainly I know more, what you do not know.”
M. Farook Malik   
Note that occasion, when your Lord said to the angels: I am going to place a vicegerent on earth. They said: "Will You place there one who will make mischief and shed blood while we sing Your praises and glorify Your name?" Allah said: "I know what you know not."
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
And (remember) as your Lord said to the Angels, "Surely I am making in the earth a successor." They said, "Will You make therein one who will corrupt in it and shed blood (Literally: bloods) while we (are the ones who) extol (with) Your praise and call You Holy? Literally: hallow for you)" He said, "Surely I know whatever you do not know."
Muhammad Sarwar   
When your Lord said to the angels, "I am appointing someone as my deputy on earth," they said (almost protesting), "Are you going to appoint one who will commit corruption and bloodshed therein, even though we (are the ones who) commemorate Your Name and glorify You?" The Lord said, "I know that which you do not know"
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
(Remember) when your Lord said to the angels, .I am going to create a deputy on the earth!. They said, .Will You create there one who will spread disorder on the earth and cause bloodshed, while we proclaim Your purity, along with your praise, and sanctify Your name?. He said, .Certainly, I know what you know not
Shabbir Ahmed   
He announced His Plan to the angels (the Universal physical Laws), "Behold, I am about to place a creation in the earth that will inherit it." They exclaimed, "Will you place on it such creation as will cause disorder therein and shed blood! Whereas we strive to establish Your glory in the Universe and make it manifest that You Lord are Impeccable!" He answered, "Behold, I know that which you know not." ((15:27), (16:49-50)). Human evolution: ((6:2), (7:189), (22:5), (23:12-13), (25:54), (32:7-9), (35:11), (37:11), (71:17))
Dr. Munir Munshey   
And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels, "I am going to appoint a deputy (a viceroy) on earth." They said, "Would You place a species on earth that will cause chaos, and shed blood? We chant Your praises, and We venerate and glorify Your name (constantly)." He said, "I, of course know that, which you do not know!"
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels; "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Will You place in there, one who will make mischief and shed blood in there? While we (indeed) celebrate Your Praises and glorify Your Holy (Name)?" He said: "I do know what you do not know."
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority." They said, "Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?" Allah said, "Indeed, I know that which you do not know."
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
And your Lord said to the Angels: "I am placing a successor on Earth." They said: "Would You place in it he who would corrupt in it, and spill blood, while we sing Your glory, and praise You" He said: "I know what you do not know."
Abdel Haleem   
[Prophet], when your Lord told the angels, ‘I am putting a successor on earth,’ they said, ‘How can You put someone there who will cause damage and bloodshed, when we celebrate Your praise and proclaim Your holiness?’ but He said, ‘I know things you do not.’
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
And recall what time thine Lord said unto the angels: verily I am going to place a vicegerent On the earth. They said: wilt Thou place therein one who will act corruptly therein and shed blood While we hallow Thine praise and glorify Thee! Allah said: verily I know that which ye know not
Ahmed Ali   
Remember, when your Lord said to the angels: "I have to place a trustee on the earth," they said: "Will You place one there who would create disorder and shed blood, while we intone Your litanies and sanctify Your name?" And God said: "I know what you do not know."
Aisha Bewley   
When your Lord said to the angels, ´I am putting a khalif on the earth,´ they said, ´Why put on it one who will cause corruption on it and shed blood when we glorify You with praise and proclaim Your purity?´ He said, ´I know what you do not know.´
Ali Ünal   
Remember (when) your Lord said to the angels: "I am setting on the earth a vicegerent." The angels asked: "Will you set therein one who will cause disorder and corruption on it and shed blood, while we glorify You with Your praise (proclaim that You are absolutely free from any defect and that all praise belongs to You exclusively,) and declare that You alone are all-holy and to be worshipped as God and Lord." He said: "Surely I know what you do not know."
Ali Quli Qara'i   
When your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed I am going to set a viceroy on the earth,’ they said, ‘Will You set in it someone who will cause corruption in it, and shed blood, while we celebrate Your praise and proclaim Your sanctity?’ He said, ‘Indeed I know what you do not know.’
Hamid S. Aziz   
And when your Lord said unto the angels, "I am about to place a Vicegerent (Agent, Successor, Inheritor) in the earth," they said, "Will you place therein one who will do evil therein and shed blood? While we celebrate Thy praise and glori
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
And when your Lord said to the angels that I am placing a successor (and replacement) on the earth, they said: “Will You place someone who commits corruption and sheds blood while we glorify You with Your praise and sanctify You?” He said: “I know something that you do not know.”
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
"Behold," your Lord said to the angels, “I will evolve a creation of free will on the earth.” They said, “Will You place one there who will do harm and shed blood, while we celebrate and praise You?” He said, “I know what you know not.
Musharraf Hussain   
Remember when Your Lord told the Angels: “I am creating a representative on Earth”. They replied: “Are You creating someone who will make trouble there and shed blood? Is it not enough that we glorify You with praises and proclaim Your Holiness?” He said: “I know what you don’t know”
Maududi   
Just recall the time when your Lord said to the angels, "I am going to appoint a vicegerent on the Earth." They humbly enquired, "Are you going to appoint such a one as will cause disorder and shed blood on the Earth? We are already engaged in hymning Your praise, and hallowing Your name"
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
And your Lord said to the angels: "I am placing a successor on the earth." They said: "Will You place in it he who would make corruption in it, and spill blood; while we praise by Your glory, and exalt to You?" He said: "I know what you do not know.
Mohammad Shafi   
And when your Lord said to the angels, "I am indeed going to establish a vicegerent on the earth", they said, "Will You establish therein those who would spread discord therein and shed blood? And we glorify You with praises, and sanctify You!" He (Allah) said, "I know that which you do not know."

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
And recall when your Lord said to the Angels, I am about to place a vice-generate in the earth, they said, "will You place such who will spread disorder and shed blood'? And We praise You commending You and sanctify You; He told, 'I know what you know not'.
Rashad Khalifa   
Recall that your Lord said to the angels, "I am placing a representative (a temporary god) on Earth." They said, "Will You place therein one who will spread evil therein and shed blood, while we sing Your praises, glorify You, and uphold Your absolute authority?" He said, "I know what you do not know."
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
When your Lord said to the angels: 'I am placing on the earth a caliph, ' they replied: 'Will You put there who corrupts and sheds blood, when we exalt Your praises and sanctify You? ' He said: 'I know what you do not know.
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
And when they Lord said to the angels, I am going to place a ruler in the earth, they said: Wilt Thou place in it such as make mischief in it and shed blood? And we celebrate Thy praise and extol Thy holiness. He said: Surely I know what you know not
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
And when your Lord said to the angels: "That I am making/creating/putting in the earth a caliph/successor/leader ." They said: "Do you make/create/put in it, who corrupts in it and sheds the blood, and we praise/glorify with Your praise and we (continue to admit Your) holiness/sanctity to You." He said: "I know what you do not know."
Bijan Moeinian   
Your Lord said to the angles: “I am going to place man as my representative on earth.” They said: “Will you place on earth the one who will make mischief and shed blood? You know that we sing Your praises and glorify You [would you kindly explain the rational behind this decision of yours?]
Faridul Haque   
And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels, "I am about to place My Caliph in the earth"; they said, "Will You place (as a caliph) one who will spread turmoil in it and shed blood? Whereas we glorify You with praise and proclaim Your Sanctity"; He said, "I know what you do not."
Sher Ali   
And when thy Lord said to the angels, `I am about to place a viceregent in the earth,' they said `Wilt THOU place therein such as will cause disorder in it, and shed blood? - and we glorify THEE with THY praise and extol THY holiness,' HE answered, `I know what you know not.
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
And (recall) when your Lord said to the angels: ‘I am about to place My vicegerent on the earth.’ They submitted: ‘Will You put Your (vicegerent) on the earth such as will do mischief in it and shed blood, whilst we are engaged in glorifying You with celebrating Your Praise and extolling Your Holiness (all the time)?’ (Allah) said: ‘I know that which you do not know.
Amatul Rahman Omar   
And (recall) when your Lord said to the angels, `I am (according to My usual practice) going to appoint a supreme religious head in the land (to convey My Message to human beings and to execute My will in the universe).' They said, `Will You create (also) therein such (people) as will cause disorder in it and shed blood while we already glorify You with Your true praise and extol Your holiness.' He (- God) answered, `I know that which you do not know.
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth." They said: "Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, - while we glorify You with praises and thanks (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners) and sanctify You." He (Allah) said: "I know that which you do not know."

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
And when thy Lord said to the angels, 'I am setting in the earth a viceroy.' They said, 'What, wilt Thou set therein one who will do corruption there, and shed blood, while We proclaim Thy praise and call Thee Holy?' He said, 'Assuredly I know that you know not.
George Sale   
When thy Lord said unto the angels, I am going to place a substitute on earth; they said, Wilt thou place there one who will do evil therein, and shed blood? But we celebrate thy praise, and sanctify Thee. God answered, verily I know that which ye know not
Edward Henry Palmer   
And when thy Lord said unto the angels, 'I am about to place a vicegerent in the earth,' they said, 'Wilt Thou place therein one who will do evil therein and shed blood? we celebrate Thy praise and hallow Thee.' Said (the Lord), 'I know what ye know not.
John Medows Rodwell   
When thy Lord said to the angels, "Verily, I am about to place one in my stead on earth," they said, "Wilt thou place there one who will do ill therein and shed blood, when we celebrate thy praise and extol thy holiness?" God said, "Verily, I know what ye know not."
N J Dawood (2014)   
And when your Lord said to the angels: ‘I am placing on the earth one that shall rule as My deputy,‘ they replied: ‘Will You put there one that will do evil and shed blood, when we have for so long sung Your praises and sanctified Your name?‘ He said: ‘I know what you know not.‘

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
And when your Lord said to the angels, “Truly I am going to appoint a vicegerent in the earth.” They said, “Are you going to appoint therein one that will spread corruption therein and will spill the blood while we are glorifying Your praises and sanctifying [Your names] for You.” He said, “Truly I know that which you do not know.”
Munir Mezyed   
And (mention) when your Lord said to the Angels: ‘Verily, I am going to appoint a vicegerent on the earth’, they said: ‘Will You place upon it someone who will spread corruption therein and shed blood while we celebrate Your praise and venerate Your sanctity?’. He said: ‘I have full Knowledge of that which you cannot encompass in knowledge’.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
When your Lord said to the angels, "I am going to place a representative on earth", they said, "Are you going to place someone there who will cause corruption and spill blood, whilst we (already) sing your praise and glorify you?" He said, "I know what you don´t know."
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
And recall when yoursg Lord said to the angels, “I am appointing a viceroy in the earth.” They said, “Will You appoint in it someone who causes corruption in it and sheds blood, while we highly exalt You with praise and proclaim Your holiness?” He said, “Indeed, I know what you do not know.”
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
Recall that your Lord announced to the angels, “I will create a representative upon Earth.” They responded, “Why would You create someone who would create evil and shed blood? We celebrate Your praises and glorify Your holiness.” Allah answered, “I know things about which you know nothing.”
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
So when your Lord told the angels: "I am placing an overlord on earth", they said: "Will You place someone there who will corrupt it and shed blood, while we hymn Your praise and sanctify You?" He (Allah (God)) said: "I know something you do not know."
Samy Mahdy   
And when your Lord said to the angels, “I am setting up on the earth a successor.” They said, “Will you set up in it who will spoil in it and shed the blood? While we Glorify with your praises and sanctify you?” He said, “I know what you are not knowing.”
Sayyid Qutb   
Your Lord said to the angels, 'I am appointing a vicegerent on earth.' They said, 'Will You appoint on it someone who would spread corruption and shed blood, whereas we celebrate Your praises and extol Your holiness?' He said, 'I surely know that of which you have no knowledge.'
Thomas Cleary   
And when your Lord said to the angels, “I am placing a deputy on earth,” they said, ''Will you put someone who will cause trouble there and shed blood? And while we sing Your praise and glorify You?" God said, "I know what you do not know."
Ahmed Hulusi   
And when your Rabb said to the angels (angels here are personifications of the qualities of the Names comprising one’s body, hence the addressee here is you), “I will make upon the earth (the body) a vicegerent (conscious beings who will live with the awareness of the Names).” They said, “Will You make one who causes corruption and sheds blood therein, while we declare Your hamd (evaluate your existence that you have manifested through us) and engage in your tasbih (are in service to Your will, which in every instant manifests in a different state) and sanctify You (hold you above and beyond all inadequacies)?” Allah said, “Indeed, I am Aleem (All-Knowing) of that which you do not know.”
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
When your lord said to the angels : ' I am appointing on the earth a deputy', they said: ' will you place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood, while we celebrate your praise and extol your holiness? ' he said: 'assuredly I know what you know not'
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
For once Allah made a proclamation, to the angels of a great event; He said to them: "I am inducting a Vicegerent* on earth." The angels said: "Will You assign the earth to someone who shall make mischief therein, create discord and shed blood, while we adore Your Eternal Name and to You we express our feelings of warm approbation and extoll Your glorious attributes!" "But I am," said Allah, "AL-'Alim, Who knows what you do not know."
Mir Aneesuddin   
And when your Fosterer said to the angels , "I am going to make a successor in the earth." They said, "Are you going to make (him, the successor) in it, who would act corruptly in it and shed blood, when we glorify You by praising You and exalt Your Holiness?" He (Allah) replied, "I know that which you do not know."
The Wise Quran   
And when your Lord said to the angels, 'Indeed, I am making a vicegerent in the earth.' They said, 'Will You make in it one who will do evil in it and shed blood, while we glorify with Your praise and we call You holy?' He said, 'Indeed, I know what you do not know.'
The Ascendant Qur‘an, Muhammad H. al-‘Asi   
And Lo! Your Sustainer said unto the angels, “Behold, I am about to render on earth a khalifah (successor).” They said, “Will You place on it such as will spread corruption thereon and shed blood; whereas it is we who extol Your limitless glory, and praise You, and hallow Your name?” [Allah] answered, “Verily, I know that which you do not know.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?- whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?" He said: "I kn ow what ye know not."
OLD Literal Word for Word   
And when said your Lord to the angels, "Indeed, I (am) going to place in the earth a vicegerent, they said, "Will You place in it (one) who will spread corruption in it and will shed [the] blood[s], while we, [we] glorify (You) with Your praises and we sanctify [to] He said, "Indeed, [I] know what not you know.
OLD Transliteration   
Wa-ith qala rabbuka lilmala-ikati innee jaAAilun fee al-ardi khaleefatan qaloo atajAAalu feeha man yufsidu feeha wayasfiku alddimaa wanahnu nusabbihu bihamdika wanuqaddisu laka qala innee aAAlamu ma la taAAlamoona