Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad
Answered he: “This [wealth] has been given to me only by virtue of the knowledge that is in me!” Did he not know that God had destroyed [the arrogant of] many a generation that preceded him - people who were greater than he in power, and richer in what they had amassed? But such as are lost in sin may not be asked about, their sins
M. M. Pickthall
He said: I have been given it only on account of knowledge I possess. Knew he not that Allah had destroyed already of the generations before him men who were mightier than him in strength and greater in respect of following? The guilty are not questioned of their sins
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
He said: "This has been given to me because of a certain knowledge which I have." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed, before him, (whole) generations,- which were superior to him in strength and greater in the amount (of riches) they had collected? but the wicked are not called (immediately) to account for their sins
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab
He replied, “I have been granted all this because of some knowledge I have.” Did he not know that Allah had already destroyed some from the generations before him who were far superior to him in power and greater in accumulating ˹wealth˺? There will be no need for the wicked to be asked about their sins.
Safi Kaskas
His answer was, “I was able to obtain this [wealth] because of the knowledge I have.” Did he not know that God had destroyed many generations before him, who had greater power than he and greater wealth? But the criminals will not even be asked about their transgressions.
Wahiduddin Khan
But he said, I have been given it only because of the knowledge I possess. Did he not know that God had destroyed before him people who were stronger than he and possessed even greater resources? The guilty are not required to offer explanations of their sins
Shakir
He said: I have been given this only on account of the knowledge I have. Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of the generations those who were mightier in strength than he and greater in assemblage? And the guilty shall not be asked about their faults
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar
Korah said: I was only given it because of the knowledge with me. Knows he not that God caused to perish before him some of the generations who were more vigorous in strength than he and more numerous in multitude yet the ones who sin will not be asked about their impieties?
T.B.Irving
He said: "I have been given it only because of some knowledge I possess." Did he not realize that God had wiped out generations before him who were stronger than he and possessed even greater resources? Will not criminals be questioned concerning their offences?
Abdul Hye
He said: “This has been given to me only because of the knowledge that I possess.” Did he (Korah) not know that Allah had destroyed many generations before him, who were stronger in might and greater in collecting (money) than him? But the criminals will not be questioned of their sins (because Allah knows well).
The Study Quran
He said, “I have only been given it on account of knowledge I possess.” Did he not know that God has destroyed generations before him who were mightier in strength and greater in what they had amassed? And the guilty will not be questioned about their sins
Talal Itani & AI (2024)
He replied, “I acquired all this through my knowledge.” Didn’t he know that God had destroyed before him generations that were mightier and wealthier than he was? But no inquiries will be made about their sins to the sinful.
Talal Itani (2012)
He said, 'I was given all this on account of knowledge I possess.' Did he not know that God destroyed many generations before him, who were stronger than he, and possessed greater riches? But the guilty will not be asked about their sins
Dr. Kamal Omar
He said: “Certainly, what (is a fact is that) it has been given to me on the basis of the knowledge in me." Did he then not know that Allah has indeed destroyed before him, out of the generations — that one: he (who) is mightier than him in physical power and more (possessed) than him regarding the band of people (serving and guarding him). And the criminals would not be questioned regarding their sins (but would be put to punishment after just a summary trial)
He replied: “All that I have been given is by virtue of the knowledge that I possess." Did he (Qarün) not know that Allah had destroyed many people before, who were mightier in strength and greater in riches than him? But the criminals are not called to account immediately for their sins.
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali
He said, "Surely what has been brought to me is only for a knowledge that is in my presence." And did he not know that Allah had already caused to perish, even before him, of the generations, (men) who were stronger than he in power and more multiplying in (heaping) together? (Of wealth, or followers) And the criminals will not be questioned for their guilty (deeds)."
Muhammad Sarwar
He said, "I have received this wealth because of my knowledge." Did he not know that God had destroyed many generations that lived before him who were stronger than him in power and people? (There will be no need) to ask the criminals what sins they have committed, (for the angels already know them
Muhammad Taqi Usmani
He said, .This is given to me because of the knowledge (I have) with me. Did he not know that Allah had destroyed, from the generations before him, those who were stronger than him in power and greater than him in multitude? And the sinners have not to be asked about their sins
Shabbir Ahmed
He replied, "This wealth has been given to me because of the knowledge that is in me." Did he not know that Allah's Law of Requital had annihilated, before him, whole generations which were superior to him in strength and richer in what they had amassed? But such guilty need no questioning since their guilt is obvious and yet, they are not exempt from the Law of Respite
Dr. Munir Munshey
(Qaroon) replied, "Whatever I have been granted is because of the knowledge I possess." Did he not know that Allah has destroyed many in the past generations, who were better than him in strength and the abundance of wealth. The criminals are not asked about their sins (before it is time)
Syed Vickar Ahamed
He said: "This (wealth) has been given to me only because of a certain knowledge which I have." Did he not know that Allah had ruined, before him, (whole) generations— Which were superior to him in strength and exceeded in the amount (of riches) that they h.ad collected? But the wicked are not called (right away) to account for their sins
He said, "I was only given it because of knowledge I have." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of generations those who were greater than him in power and greater in accumulation [of wealth]? But the criminals, about their sins, will not be asked
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)
He said: "I have attained all this only because of my own knowledge." Did he not realise that God had annihilated before him generations that were much stronger than he, and greater in riches The transgressors were not asked about their crimes
Abdel Haleem
but he answered, ‘This wealth was given to me on account of the knowledge I possess.’ Did he not know that God had destroyed many generations before him, who had greater power than him and built up greater wealth? The guilty will not be questioned about their sins
Abdul Majid Daryabadi
He said: I have been vouchsafed this only because of the knowledge that is with me. Knew he not that Allah had destroyed before him, of the generations, those who were stronger than he in might and larger in respect of following? And the culprits shall not be questioned of their sins
Ahmed Ali
He said: "This has come to me through my own acumen." Did he not know that God had destroyed many generations before him who possessed far more acumen than he, and more wealth? The sinners will not be asked about their sins
Aisha Bewley
he said, ´I have only been given it because of knowledge I have.´ Did he not know that before him Allah had destroyed generations with far greater strength than his and far more possessions? The evildoers will not be questioned about their sins.
Ali Ünal
He said: "All this has been given to me only by virtue of a certain knowledge that I have." Did he not know that God had destroyed among the generations before him men who were greater than him in power, and greater in wealth amassed? In fact, the criminals committed to accumulating sin are not asked about their sins (before they are destroyed so that they can defend themselves)
Ali Quli Qara'i
He said, ‘I have indeed been given [all] this because of the knowledge that I have.’ Did he not know that Allah had already destroyed before him some of the generations who were more powerful than him and greater in amassing [wealth]? The guilty will not be questioned about their sins
Hamid S. Aziz
Said he, "I have only been given it because of the knowledge which I possess." Knew he not that Allah had destroyed before him many generations of those who were mightier than he in strength and greater in following? But the guilty are not aske
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad
He said: “It was only given to me because of my knowledge.” Did he not know that God has destroyed (many) generations before him that were more powerful than him and more than him in collecting (wealth and manpower)? And the guilty ones will not be questioned about their sins.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)
He said, “This has been given to me because of what I know.” Did he not know that God had caused to perish before him, entire generations which were superior to him in strength and greater in the riches they had accumulated? But the wrong-doers are not called immediately to account for their sins
Musharraf Hussain
Qarun said, “I’ve been given it because of my expertise and knowledge.” Didn’t he realise that Allah destroyed people of previous generations who were far stronger and wealthier than him? The guilty won’t be asked about their sins
Maududi
He replied: "All this has been given to me on account of a certain knowledge that I have." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him those who were stronger in might than he and were more numerous in multitude? The wicked are not asked about their acts of sin
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)
He said: "I have attained all this only because of my own knowledge." Did he not realize that God had annihilated before him generations that were much stronger than he, and greater in riches? The transgressors were not asked about their crimes
Mohammad Shafi
Korah said, "I have been given it only becuse of my knowledge." Did he not know of the generations, before him, that Allah had already destroyed, who were mightier than him in strength and greater in manpower? The sinners are not questioned about their sins (before they are destroyed here in this world)
Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)
He said, 'this indeed has been given to me because of a knowledge, which is with me. And does he not know that Allah has destroyed before him such generations who were stronger in strength the him and greater in accumulation? And the culprits shall be questioned of their sins.
He said, "I attained all this because of my own cleverness." Did he not realize that GOD had annihilated before him generations that were much stronger than he, and greater in number? The (annihilated) transgressors were not asked about their crimes.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah
But he replied: 'What was given me is only because of the knowledge I possess. ' Did he not know that from the generations before him Allah had destroyed a mightier and more numerous in multitude? The sinners shall not be questioned about their sins
Maulana Muhammad Ali
He said: I have been given this only on account of the knowledge I have. Did he not know that Allah had destroyed him generations who were mightier in strength than he and greater in assemblage? And the guilty are not questioned about their sins
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira
He said: "But/truly I got it on knowledge at me." Did he not know that God had perished/destroyed from before him from the generations/peoples of eras who he is stronger than him power/strength and more gathering/assembling? And the criminals/sinners do not be asked/questioned about their crimes
Bijan Moeinian
Korah’s response was: “I have earned my wealth by using my brain!” Did he [who was so proud of his knowledge] not know that God [was the one who multiplied and safeguarded his wealth for him for the simple reason that God] had destroyed many wealthier and stronger than him in the past? The guilty ones, however, are judged according to the law [and not according to their own criteria.]
Faridul Haque
He said, “I got this only due to a knowledge I have”; and does he not know that before him Allah destroyed the generations who were stronger than him and more in number? And there is no questioning of the guilty regarding their sins
Sher Ali
He said, `All this has been given to me because of the knowledge I possess.' Did he not know that ALLAH had destroyed before him generations that were mightier than he and greater in riches? And the guilty shall not be asked to offer an explanation of their sins
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri
He said: ‘(Why should I spend this capital for the good of people and society?) This wealth has been given to me only on the basis of (the professional) knowledge and skill I possess.’ Did he not know that Allah had indeed destroyed before him many communities who were far stronger than him in might and far ahead in accumulating (wealth and manpower)? And the culprits will not be questioned (for fact-finding or any excuse or reason) about their sins (at the time of destruction)
Amatul Rahman Omar
(Korah) said, `(All) this (wealth) that I have been given is because of the knowledge I possess.' But did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him generations of people who were mightier than he and greater in riches and number? And the guilty shall not be questioned about their sins (their sins being self evident)
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali
He said: "This has been given to me only because of knowledge I possess." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him generations, men who were stronger than him in might and greater in the amount (of riches) they had collected. But the Mujrimoon (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) will not be questioned of their sins (because Allah knows them well, so they will be punished without account)
New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame
He said, “It is only given to me because of a certain knowledge which I have.” Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him many generations who were bigger than him in power and more numerous in multitude? However the evildoers need not to be asked about their sins [which are marked on their faces].
Munir Mezyed
He said: "All this has been given to me only as a result of the knowledge I possess." Does he not know that Allâh had already destroyed before him generations, men who were more powerful than him in strength, and greater in wealth accumulated? The Ungodly Sinners won’t be questioned about their sins.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher
He said: I was given it on account of my own knowledge. Did he not know that Allah destroyed generations before him who had greater strength and larger numbers than him? And the sinful will not be questioned about their sins.
Linda “iLHam” Barto
He said, “I have been given all this because of certain knowledge I have.” Did he not realize that, before him, Allah had destroyed generations superior to him in power and wealth? The evil are not called to task for their sins.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation
He said, “Indeed, it was only brought to me on account of knowledge I possess.” Did he not know that before him Allah had annihilated many generations who were stronger than he and had collected greater riches? And the criminals will not be asked about their misdeeds.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab
He said: "I have been given it only because of some knowledge I possess." Did he not realize that Allah (God) had wiped out generations before him who were stronger than he and possessed even greater resources? Will not criminals be questioned concerning their offences?
Samy Mahdy
He said, “Surely I was given it upon knowledge, with me .” Did he not know that Allah destroyed before him among the generations, who was stronger than him in power, and greater in accumulation? And the criminals will not be asked about their misdeeds.
Sayyid Qutb
Answered he: 'I have been given this wealth only by virtue of the knowledge that I have.' Did he not know that God had destroyed many a generation that preceded him, and who were far more powerful and greater in wealth than he? The guilty are not questioned about their sins.
Ahmed Hulusi
(Qarun) said, “I have been given (these treasures) because of the knowledge I possess!” Did he not know that Allah has destroyed people in the past who were stronger than he, and much greater in wealth! The guilty will not be asked to explain their mistakes (they will only be subjected to their consequences)!
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli
Said he (Korah): �I have been given this (wealth) only because of a knowledge that is in me.� Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of the generations that were mightier in strength than he and greater in amassing (wealth)? And (then even) the guilty shall not be asked about their sins
But -Qarun- said: "I have acquired what came into my possession by reason of the knowledge inherent in me and for my intellectual acquaintance with fact". Did he not know that Allah had reduced to a useless form before him people who were stronger and greater in affluence! However, there is no need to question those who had been steeped in crime
Mir Aneesuddin
He said, “I have been given this only because of the knowledge I have.” Did he not know that Allah had certainly destroyed, from among the generations before him, those who were more severe than him in strength and more in collection (of people/ wealth)? And the criminals are not asked about their sins (and then punished).
The Wise Quran
He said, 'I have only been given it upon knowledge with me.' Did he not know that God indeed destroyed before him of the generations those who were stronger than he in might, and had amassed more? And the sinners shall not be asked about their crimes.