←Prev   Ayah al-Baqarah (The Cow) 2:91   Next→ 

Popular and/or Featured Works
Muhammad Asad   
For when they are told, "Believe in what God has bestowed from on high," they reply, "We believe [only] in what has been bestowed on us"-and they deny the truth of everything else, although it be a truth confirming the one already in their possession. Say "Why, then, did you slay God's prophets aforetime, if you were (truly] believers?"
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
When it is said to them: “Believe in what Allah has revealed,” they reply, “We only believe in what was sent down to us,” and they deny what came afterwards, though it is the truth confirming their own Scriptures! Ask ˹them, O Prophet˺, “Why then did you kill Allah’s prophets before, if you are ˹truly˺ believers?”
Safi Kaskas   
If they are told, “Believe in what God has revealed,” they say, “We believe in what was revealed to us.” They do not believe in what came afterward, though it is the Truth confirming what they have already received. Say, “Why then did you murder God’s prophets beforehand, if you are believers?”

Listen: 
Did you notice?

 You can SEARCH IslamAwakened: 

Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
وَإِذَا قِیلَ لَهُمۡ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِمَاۤ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ قَالُوا۟ نُؤۡمِنُ بِمَاۤ أُنزِلَ عَلَیۡنَا وَیَكۡفُرُونَ بِمَا وَرَاۤءَهُۥ وَهُوَ ٱلۡحَقُّ مُصَدِّقࣰا لِّمَا مَعَهُمۡۗ قُلۡ فَلِمَ تَقۡتُلُونَ أَنۢبِیَاۤءَ ٱللَّهِ مِن قَبۡلُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِینَ ۝٩١
Transliteration (2021)   
wa-idhā qīla lahum āminū bimā anzala l-lahu qālū nu'minu bimā unzila ʿalaynā wayakfurūna bimā warāahu wahuwa l-ḥaqu muṣaddiqan limā maʿahum qul falima taqtulūna anbiyāa l-lahi min qablu in kuntum mu'minīn
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
And when it is said to them, "Believe in what has revealed Allah," they say, "We believe in what was revealed to us." And they disbelieve in what (is) besides it, while it (is) the truth confirming what (is) with them. Say, "Then why (did) you kill (the) Prophets (of) Allah from before, if you were believers?"

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
For when they are told, "Believe in what God has bestowed from on high," they reply, "We believe [only] in what has been bestowed on us"-and they deny the truth of everything else, although it be a truth confirming the one already in their possession. Say "Why, then, did you slay God's prophets aforetime, if you were (truly] believers?"
M. M. Pickthall   
And when it is said unto them: Believe in that which Allah hath revealed, they say: We believe in that which was revealed unto us. And they disbelieve in that which cometh after it, though it is the truth confirming that which they possess. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Why then slew ye the prophets of Allah aforetime, if ye are (indeed) believers
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
When it is said to them, "Believe in what Allah Hath sent down, "they say, "We believe in what was sent down to us:" yet they reject all besides, even if it be Truth confirming what is with them. Say: "Why then have ye slain the prophets of Allah in times gone by, if ye did indeed believe?"
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
When it is said to them: “Believe in what Allah has revealed,” they reply, “We only believe in what was sent down to us,” and they deny what came afterwards, though it is the truth confirming their own Scriptures! Ask ˹them, O Prophet˺, “Why then did you kill Allah’s prophets before, if you are ˹truly˺ believers?”
Safi Kaskas   
If they are told, “Believe in what God has revealed,” they say, “We believe in what was revealed to us.” They do not believe in what came afterward, though it is the Truth confirming what they have already received. Say, “Why then did you murder God’s prophets beforehand, if you are believers?”
Wahiduddin Khan   
When they are told, Believe in what God has revealed, they say, We believe in what was revealed to us, while they deny the truth in what has been sent down after that, even though it is the Truth, confirming that which they already have. Say, Why did you kill God's prophets in the past, if you were true believers
Shakir   
And when it is said to them, Believe in what Allah has revealed, they say: We believe in that which was revealed to us; and they deny what is besides that, while it is the truth verifying that which they have. Say: Why then did you kill Allah's Prophets before if you were indeed believers
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
And when it was said to them to believe in what God caused to descend, they said: We believe in what was caused to descend to us. And they are ungrateful for what is beyond it, while it is The Truth, that which establishes as true what is with them. Say: Why, then, kill you the Prophets of God before if you had been ones who believe?
T.B.Irving   
Whenever someone tells them: "Believe in what God has sent down;" they say: "We believe [only] in what has been sent down to us," while they disbelieve in what has come after that, even though it is the Truth confirming what they already have. SAY: "Why did you kill God´s prophets previously if you were believers?
Abdul Hye   
And when it is said to them: “Believe in what Allah has sent down,” they say: “We believe in what was sent down to us (Torah).” And they disbelieve in that what came after it; while it is the truth confirming what is with them. Ask (O Muhammad): “Then why did you kill the prophets of Allah previously, if you were true believers?”
The Study Quran   
And when it is said unto them, “Believe in what God has sent down,” they say, “We believe in what was sent down to us,” and they disbelieve in what is beyond it, although it is the truth, confirming what is with them. Say, “Then why did you slay the prophets of God aforetime, if you were believers?
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
When they are told, “Believe in what God revealed,” they respond, “We believe in what was revealed to us.” Yet they deny what came after it, even though it’s the truth confirming what they have. Say, “Why, then, did you kill God’s prophets previously, if you are believers?”
Talal Itani (2012)   
And when it is said to them, 'Believe in what God has revealed,' they say, 'We believe in what was revealed to us,' and they reject anything beyond that, although it is the truth which confirms what they have. Say, 'Why did you kill God's prophets before, if you were believers?'
Dr. Kamal Omar   
And when it is said to them, “Believe in what Allah has sent down (in its original),” they said: “We Believe what has been sent down to us.” And they reject what is after it, although it is The Truth confirming and rehearsing what is with them. Say: “Why then you assassinate the Prophets of Allah aforetime if you are Believers?”
M. Farook Malik   
When they are asked to believe in what Allah has revealed, they reply: "We only believe in what Allah has sent to us (Torah), and we reject what is beside that," while it is the truth confirming their own scriptures! Well, ask them, "If you sincerely believe in what was sent to you , why did you kill the Prophets of Allah who were sent to you from amongst yourselves before?"
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
And when it was said to them, "Believe in what Allah has sent down, " they said, "We believe in what was sent down on us, " and they disbelieve in what is beyond it, and it is the Truth sincerely (verifying) what is with them. Say, "Why then did you kill the Prophesiers (i.e. Prophets) of Allah earlier in case you are believers?"
Muhammad Sarwar   
When they are told to believe n God's revelations, they reply, "We believe only in what God has revealed to us," but they disbelieve His other true revelations, even though these revelations confirms their own (original) Scripture. (Muhammad) ask them, "Why did you murder God's Prophets if you were true believers?"
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
When it is said to them, .Believe in what Allah has revealed,. they say, .We believe in what has been revealed to us. — and they deny what is beyond it, whereas that is the truth which confirms what is with them. Say, .Why then have you been slaying the prophets of Allah earlier, if you were believers?
Shabbir Ahmed   
And when it is said to them, "Be graced with belief in what Allah has revealed," they say, "We only accept that which has been handed over to us." And they deny that which comes after it, though it is the Truth confirming the authentic that is with them. Say, "Why then did you oppose and slay the Prophets of Allah, if you were indeed believers (in the earlier Revelations)?"
Dr. Munir Munshey   
When they are invited to accept the message that Allah has revealed, they say, "We only believe in what was sent down to us." They reject everything that is revealed elsewhere, even if it is the truth; even if it confirms that which they already possess. Ask them, "Why, then, did you kill the prophets of Allah, if you consider yourselves to be the true believers?"
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
And when it is said to them, "Believe in what Allah has sent down," they say, "We believe in what was sent down to us:" Yet they reject everything that which came after it, while it be Truth confirming what is with them. Say, (O Prophet): "Why then have you killed the prophets of Allah in earlier times, if you did truly believe."
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
And when it is said to them, "Believe in what Allah has revealed," they say, "We believe [only] in what was revealed to us." And they disbelieve in what came after it, while it is the truth confirming that which is with them. Say, "Then why did you kill the prophets of Allah before, if you are [indeed] believers?"
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
And if it is said to them: "Believe in what God has sent down;" they Say: "We believe only in what was sent down to us," and they reject what came after it, while it is the truth authenticating what is with them. Say: "Why then did you kill God's prophets if you were believers"
Abdel Haleem   
When it is said to them, ‘Believe in God’s revelations,’ they reply, ‘We believe in what was revealed to us,’ but they do not believe in what came afterwards, though it is the truth confirming what they already have. Say [Muhammad], ‘Why did you kill God’s prophets in the past if you were true believers
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
And when it said unto them believe in that which Allah hath sent down now, they say: we believe in that which hath been sent down unto Us. And they disbelieve in that which is besides that while it is the truth, confirming that which is with them. Say thou: wherefore then slew ye Allah's prophets afore, a if ye have been believers
Ahmed Ali   
And when it is said to them: "believe in what God has sent down," they say: "We believe what was sent to us, and do not believe what has come thereafter," although it affirms the truth they possess already. Say: "Why have you then been slaying God's apostles as of old, if you do believe?"
Aisha Bewley   
When they are told, ´Have iman in what Allah has sent down,´ they say, ´Our iman is in what was sent down to us,´ and they reject anything beyond that, even though it is the truth, confirming what they have. Say, ´Why then, if you are muminun, did you previously kill the Prophets of Allah?´
Ali Ünal   
And when they are told (since the sign of a believer is believing in whatever God has sent down): "Believe in that which He has sent down (on Muhammad, namely the Qur’an)," they retort: "We believe in only what was sent down on us," and they disbelieve in what is beyond that, though it is the truth, confirming what (of the truth) they already possess. Say (to them, O Messenger): "Why then did you kill the Prophets of God before, if indeed you are believers (loyal to what was sent down on you)?"
Ali Quli Qara'i   
And when they are told, ‘Believe in what Allah has sent down,’ they say, ‘We believe in what was sent down to us,’ and they disbelieve what is besides it, though it is the truth confirming what is with them. Say, ‘Then why would you kill the prophets of Allah formerly, should you be faithful?’
Hamid S. Aziz   
And when they are told to believe in what Allah has revealed, they say, "We believe in what has been revealed to us only;" but they disbelieve in all beside, although it is the truth confirming what they have. Say, "Why did you kill Allah&;
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
When they were told: “Believe in what God has sent down” they said: “We believe in what was sent down to us.” And they disbelieved in anything beyond it, yet it is the truth confirming what is with them (their Holy Book). Say: “Why did you kill God's prophets in the past, if you were believers?”
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
When it is said to them, “Believe in what God has sent down,” they say, “We believe in what was sent down to us.” And they reject all else, even if it is truth reflecting what is with them. Say, “Why then have you slain the Prophets of God throughout history if you did indeed believe?
Musharraf Hussain   
And when they are told: “Believe in what Allah has sent”, they say: “We believe in what was sent to us”. However, they deny what came afterwards, even though it is the truth confirming that which they already have. Ask them: “Why then, if you were believers, did you kill the previous prophets of Allah?
Maududi   
When it is said to them, "Believe in that which Allah has sent down," they say, "We believe only in that which has been sent to us", and reject everything else, though it is the Truth and confirms what is with them. Well, ask them, "If you sincerely believed in what was sent down to you, why did you kill the Messengers of Allah (who were sent to you from amongst yourselves)
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
And if it is said to them: "Believe in what God has sent down;" they say: "We believe only in what was sent down to us," and they reject what came after it, while it is the truth authenticating what is with them. Say: "Why then did you kill the prophets of God if you were believers?"
Mohammad Shafi   
And when it is said to them, "Believe in what Allah has sent down," they say, "We believe in that which has been sent down upon us." And they suppress the Truth in what has been sent down thereafter. And what has been sent down thereafter is the Truth, confirming what is with them! Say, "Why then did you kill Allah's Prophets afore, if you indeed were believers?"h

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
And when it is said to them, "Have faith in what Allah has sent down," then they say, 'We have faith in what has been sent down to us and reject the rest, though it is the truth confirming what is with them. Say you, 'why did you then kill former prophets, if you had faith upon your Book'?
Rashad Khalifa   
When they are told, "You shall believe in these revelations of GOD," they say, "We believe only in what was sent down to us." Thus, they disbelieve in subsequent revelations, even if it is the truth from their Lord, and even though it confirms what they have! Say, "Why then did you kill GOD's prophets, if you were believers?"
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
When it is said to them: 'Believe in what Allah has sent down, ' they reply: 'We believe in what was sent down to us. ' But they disbelieve in what is sent after it, although it is the truth, confirming their own Book. Say: 'Why, before did you kill the Prophets of Allah, if you are believers?
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
And when it is said to them, Believe in that which Allah has revealed, they say: We believe in that which was revealed to us. And they deny what is besides that, while it is the Truth verifying that which they have. Say: Why then did you kill Allah's prophets before (this) if you were believers
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
And if it was/is said to them: "Believe with what God descended." They said: "We believe with what is descended on us and they disbelieve with what is behind/beyond it, and it is the truth confirming to what (is) with them." Say: "So why do you kill God's prophets from before, if you were believing?"
Bijan Moeinian   
When they are told: “Believe in what God has sent to you,” they reply: “We [choose to] believe only in what is revealed to us (the prophets of our own race) and deny any [additional] revelations.” This in spite of the fact that it is the truth; confirming what is with them. If it is so, ask them: “Then how come you killed the prophets of God who were chosen from among yourselves, if you consider yourselves as believers?”
Faridul Haque   
And when it is said to them, "Believe in what Allah has sent down", they say, "We believe in what was sent down to us, and disbelieve in the rest" - whereas it is the Truth confirming what they possess! Say (to them, O dear Prophet Mohammed - peace and blessings be upon him), "Why did you then martyr the earlier Prophets, if you believed in your Book?"
Sher Ali   
And when it is said to them `Believe in what ALLAH has sent down,' they say `We believe in what has been sent down to us;' and they disbelieve in what has been sent down after that, yet it is the Truth, fulfilling that which is with them. Say `Why, then, do you seek to slay the Prophets of ALLAH before this, if you were believers
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
And when it is said to them: ‘Believe in this (Book) which Allah has (now) revealed,’ they say: ‘We believe only in that (Book) which was revealed to us,’ and they deny all other than that, whereas this (Qur’an) is (also) the truth, (and) confirms that (Book as well) which they possess. Ask (them): ‘Then why have you been killing the Prophets of Allah before this if you (really) believe (but in your own Book)?
Amatul Rahman Omar   
When it is said to them, `Believe in that (- the Qur'an) which Allah has sent down.' They say, `We believe only in that (- the Torah) which has been sent down to us.' And they deny every thing other than that (and which has since been revealed); though it (- the Qur'an) is the lasting truth and corroborates that which is already with them (in their own Scriptures). Say, `Why, then, did you seek to kill the Prophets of Allah in former times if you were (real) believers (in the former Scriptures)?
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
And when it is said to them (the Jews), "Believe in what Allah has sent down," they say, "We believe in what was sent down to us." And they disbelieve in that which came after it, while it is the truth confirming what is with them. Say (O Muhammad Peace be upon him to them): "Why then have you killed the Prophets of Allah aforetime, if you indeed have been believers?"

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
And when they were told, 'Believe in that God has sent down,' they said, 'We believe in what was sent down on us'; and they disbelieve in what is beyond that, yet it is the truth confirming what is with them. Say: 'Why then were you slaying the Prophets of God in former time, if you were believers?
George Sale   
When one saith unto them, believe in that which God hath sent down; they answer, we believe in that which hath been sent down unto us: And they reject what hath been revealed since, although it be the truth, confirming that which is with them. Say, why therefore have ye slain the prophets of God in times past, if ye be true believers
Edward Henry Palmer   
And when they are told to believe in what God has revealed, they say, 'We believe in what has been revealed to us;' but they disbelieve in all beside, although it is the truth confirming what they have. Say, 'Wherefore did ye kill God's prophets of yore if ye were true believers?
John Medows Rodwell   
And when it is said to them, "Believe in what God hath sent down," they say, "In that which hath been sent down to us we believe:" but what hath since been sent down they disbelieve, although it be the truth confirmatory of their own Scriptures. SAY: Why then have ye of old slain God's prophets, if ye are indeed believers
N J Dawood (2014)   
And if they are told: ‘Believe in what God has revealed,‘ they reply: ‘We believe in what was revealed to us.‘ And they deny what has since been revealed, although it is the Truth, corroborating their own Scriptures. Say: ‘Why did you kill the prophets of God, if you are true believers?

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
And when it is said unto them, “Believe in that which Allah has sent down” they say, “We believe in that which has been sent down upon us” and they disbelieve in all that came after that although that is the truth testifying to the truthfulness of that which is with them. Say, “Why then did you kill the prophets of Allah aforetime if you are indeed believers?”
Munir Mezyed   
And When it is said to them: ‘Affirm your Faith in what Allâh has revealed of the Full Knowledge of the Truth’, they say: ‘We affirm our Faith only in that which was revealed to us’. So they refused to give credence to that which came after It although It is the Truth confirming that which they already possess. Say: ‘Why, then, did you slay the Prophets of Allâh aforetime if you were living a life of Genuine Faith?’
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
And when they are told to believe in that which Allah has revealed, they say: we believe in that which was revealed to us; and they reject that which came after it, although it is the truth which confirms what they have. Say: Why then did you kill the prophets of Allah before, if you were believers?
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
It is said to (some Jews), “Believe in what Allah has given.” They say, “We do believe in (the Scriptures) that were given to us.” They reject everything else, even though it is the truth confirming (the Scriptures) they have. Say, “Why then have you [historically] killed the prophets of Allah in the old days if you did believe?
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
And when it is said to them, “Believe in what Allah has sent down,” they say, “We believe in what was sent down to us,” and they deny anything beyond that, although it is the truth which confirms what they have. Saysg, “Why (then) do you kill Allah’s prophets—earlier—if you are believers?”
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
Whenever someone tells them: "Believe in what Allah (God) has sent down (the Quran);" they say: "We believe [only] in what has been sent down to us (the Turah)," while they disbelieve in what has come after that, even though it is the Truth confirming what they already have. SAY: "Why did you kill Allah (God)'s prophets previously if you were believers?
Samy Mahdy   
And if it is said to them, “Believe in what Allah has sent down,” they say, “We believe in what was sent down to us,” and they are disbelieving with what is beyond it, and it is the right which confirms what they have. Say, “So, why were you killing Allah’s prophets before? If you were believers.
Sayyid Qutb   
When it is said to them, 'Believe in what God has revealed,' they say, 'We believe in what has been revealed to us.' They deny everything else, although it is the truth, corroborating the revelations they have. Say, 'Why, then, did you in the past kill God's prophets, if you were true believers?'
Ahmed Hulusi   
And when it is said to them, “Believe in what Allah has revealed,” they say, “We believe only in what is revealed to us” and they disbelieve what has been revealed to others. Whereas those revelations confirm that which is within them! Say, “If you really believed in the reality that was revealed to you, then why did you kill the Nabis of Allah?”
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
When it is said to them: ' Believe in what Allah has sent down ', they said: ' We believe (only) in what was sent down to us (before) '. But they disbelieve in what is beyond that, while it is the Truth confirming what is with them. Say: ' Why then were you slaying the Prophets of Allah in former times, if you were (indeed) faithful ?'
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
And when they are told to acknowledge the statutes Allah has imparted to the Prophet Muhammad, the last of Allah’s Messengers carrying the enacted law entrusted by Allah, they say: "We only acknowledge what has been imparted to us," and they deny and renounce all else when they know the truth validating AL- Tawrah. Say to them, O Muhammad: "Why then did you slay Allah’s Prophets in the past if your hearts are truly faithful?"
Mir Aneesuddin   
And when it is said to them, "Believe in that which Allah has sent down," they say, "We believe in that which was sent down upon us." And they do not believe in that which comes after it, though it is the truth, confirming that which is with them. Say, "Then why did you kill the prophets of Allah earlier, if you were believers?" " And they do not believe in that which comes after it, though it is the truth, confirming that which is with them. Say, "Then why did you kill the prophets of Allah earlier, if you were believers?"
The Wise Quran   
And when it was said to them, 'Believe in what God has sent down.' They said, 'We believe in what was sent down to us.' And they disbelieve in what is behind it, while it is the truth confirming what is with them. Say, 'Then why were you slaying the prophets of God before, if you were believers?'
The Ascendant Qur‘an, Muhammad H. al-‘Asi   
For when they are told, “Believe in what Allah has bestowed from on high,” they reply, “We believe [only] in what has been bestowed on us,” and they deny the truth of everything else, although it be a truth confirming the one in their possession. Say, “Why, then, did you slay Allah’s Prophets aforetime, if you were [truly] committed [to Allah]?

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
When it is said to them, "Believe in what God Hath sent down, "they say, "We believe in what was sent down to us:" yet they reject all besides, even if it be Truth confirming what is with them. Say: "Why then have ye slain the prophets of God in times gone by, if ye did indeed believe?"
OLD Literal Word for Word   
And when it is said to them, "Believe in what has revealed Allah," they say, "We believe in what was revealed to us." And they disbelieve in what (is) besides it, while it (is) the truth confirming what (is) with them. Say, "Then why (did) you kill (the) Prophets (of) Allah from before, if you were believers?
OLD Transliteration   
Wa-itha qeela lahum aminoo bima anzala Allahu qaloo nu/minu bima onzila AAalayna wayakfuroona bima waraahu wahuwa alhaqqu musaddiqan lima maAAahum qul falima taqtuloona anbiyaa Allahi min qablu in kuntum mu/mineena