Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad
CONVEY [unto others] whatever of this divine writ has been revealed unto thee, and be constant in prayer: for, behold, prayer restrains [man] from loathsome deeds and from all that runs counter to reason; and remembrance of God is indeed the greatest [good]. And God knows all that you do
M. M. Pickthall
Recite that which hath been inspired in thee of the Scripture, and establish worship. Lo! worship preserveth from lewdness and iniquity, but verily remembrance of Allah is more important. And Allah knoweth what ye do
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee, and establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that ye do
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab
Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, ˹genuine˺ prayer should deter ˹one˺ from indecency and wickedness. The remembrance of Allah is ˹an˺ even greater ˹deterrent˺. And Allah ˹fully˺ knows what you ˹all˺ do.
Safi Kaskas
Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Prayer restrains indecency and wrongdoing. Yet, the remembrance of God (during the prayer) is of higher value. God knows all that you do.
Wahiduddin Khan
Recite what has been revealed to you of the book, and pray regularly. Surely prayer restrains one from indecency and evil and remembrance of God is greater. God has knowledge of all your actions
Shakir
Recite that which has been revealed to you of the Book and keep up prayer; surely prayer keeps (one) away from indecency and evil, and certainly the remembrance of Allah is the greatest, and Allah knows what you do
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar
Recount what was revealed to thee of the Book and perform the formal prayer. Truly, the formal prayer prohibits depravity and that which is unlawful, and, truly, the remembrance of God is greater. And God knows what you craft.
T.B.Irving
Recite whatever has been revealed to you from the Book, and keep up prayer: prayer restrains one from sexual misconduct and debauchery. Yet mentioning God is even more important, for God knows whatever you produce.
Abdul Hye
Recite (O Muhammad) what has been revealed to you of the book (the Qur’an) and establish the prayer. Surely the prayer prevents from great sins and evil wicked deed, and surely the Remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows what you do.
The Study Quran
Recite that which has been revealed unto thee of the Book, and perform the prayer. Truly prayer prevents against indecency and abomination, but the remembrance of God is surely greater. And God knows whatsoever you do
Talal Itani & AI (2024)
Communicate what has been revealed to you from the Scripture, and establish prayer. Prayer repels immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of God is even greater. God is fully aware of what you do.
Talal Itani (2012)
Recite what is revealed to you of the Scripture, and perform the prayer. The prayer prevents indecencies and evils. And the remembrance of God is greater. And God knows what you do
Dr. Kamal Omar
Utlo (read, understand, adopt and propagate) what has been revealed to you from Al-Kitab and establish As-Salat . Verily, As-Salat prevents from Al-Fahisha and Al-Munkar . And surely Zikr (Message) of Allah (is something) Greater. And Allah knows what you people do and invent
Recite from this Book (Al-Qur'an) which has been revealed to you and establish Salah (Islamic prayers). Surely Salah keeps one away from shameful and evil deeds; and surely the remembrance of Allah (and Allah’s mention of your name in front of the angels) is the greatest indeed, Allah knows what you do
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali
Recite what has been revealed to you (i.e., the Prophet) of the Book, and keep up the prayer. Surely prayer forbids obscenity and malfeasance; and indeed the Remembrance of Allah is greater, and Allah knows whatever you (The pronoun is plural) work
Muhammad Sarwar
(Muhammad), recite to them what has been revealed to you in the Book and be steadfast in prayer; prayer keeps one away from indecency and evil. It is the greatest act of worshipping God. God knows what you do
Muhammad Taqi Usmani
Recite (O Prophet) what is revealed to you of the Book, and establish Salah . Surely Salah restrains one from shameful and evil acts. Indeed remembrance of Allah is the greatest of all things. Allah knows what you do
Shabbir Ahmed
(O Prophet) convey to people all that is revealed to you of the Book, and establish the Divine System. For, verily, establishment of the Divine System will shut off lewdness, stinginess and behavior contrary to the Divine Values. This is so, because Allah's Law is the Greatest Law that can give you eminence. And (O People) Allah knows whatever you contrive on your own. (21:10), (21:24), (23:70), (43:43-44), (70:21-27) - 'Fahasha' includes miserliness and 'Munkar' is all behavior that goes against Divine Values given in the Qur'an)
Dr. Munir Munshey
Recite the book revealed to you and establish ´salat´. Indeed the ´salat´ keeps one away from vile deeds and prohibited acts. The remembrance of Allah is greater still! Allah knows what you do
Syed Vickar Ahamed
Say (and recite) what is revealed from the Book made known to you (O Prophet!), and perform Prayer regularly: Verily, the prayer holds back shameful and immoral sins; And remembering Allah is without doubt the greatest (of deeds). And Allah knows all (the acts) that you do
Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)
Recite what is inspired to thou of the Scripture, and hold the contact-method; for the contact-method prohibits evil and vice, and the remembrance of God is the greatest. God knows everything you do
Abdel Haleem
[Prophet], recite what has been revealed to you of the Scripture; keep up the prayer: prayer restrains outrageous and unacceptable behaviour. Remembering God is greater: God knows everything you are doing
Abdul Majid Daryabadi
Recite thou that which hath been revealed unto thee of the Book and establish thou the prayer; verily prayer preventeth man from indecency and that which is disreputable: and surely the remembrance of Allah is the greatest. And Allah knoweth that which ye perform
Ahmed Ali
Recite what has been revealed to you of this Book, and be constant in devotion. Surely prayer keeps you away from the obscene and detestable, but the remembrance of God is greater far; and God knows what you do
Aisha Bewley
Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish salat. Salat precludes indecency and wrongdoing. And remembrance of Allah is greater still. Allah knows what you do.
Ali Ünal
Recite and convey to them what is revealed to you of the Book, and establish the Prayer in conformity with its conditions. Surely, the Prayer restrains from all that is indecent and shameful, and all that is evil. Surely God’s remembrance is the greatest (of all types of worship and not restricted to the Prayer). God knows all that you do
Ali Quli Qara'i
Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book, and maintain the prayer. Indeed the prayer prevents indecencies and wrongs, and the remembrance of Allah is surely greater. And Allah knows whatever [deeds] you do
Hamid S. Aziz
Recite what has been inspired in you of the Book; and establish worship. Verily, worship preserves from shameful deeds and iniquity, but surely the remembrance (or mention) of Allah is more important; and Allah knows what you do
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad
Read what is revealed to you from the book and perform mandatory prayer, for indeed mandatory prayer prevents from indecency and unacceptable (and wrong), and certainly God's remembrance is greater, and God knows what you do.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)
Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to you, and establish prayer, for prayer restrains from shameful and harmful deeds, and remembering God is the greatest thing, and God knows the deeds that you do
Musharraf Hussain
Recite the Book revealed to you, messenger , and perform the prayer. Without doubt, prayer protects from indecency and evil; and to remember Allah is greater still ; and Allah knows well what you do
Maududi
(O Prophet), recite the Book that has been revealed to you and establish Prayer. Surely Prayer forbids indecency and evil. And Allah´s remembrance is of even greater merit. Allah knows all that you do
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)
Recite what is inspired to you of the Bookand hold the contact prayer, for the contact prayer prohibits immorality and vice; but certainly the remembrance of God is the greatest. God knows everything you do
Mohammad Shafi
"Recite what is revealed to you of the Book and establish the prayer !" The prayer indeedh prevents man from doing indecent and forbidden things: and surely remembrance of Allah is great. And Allah knows what you do
Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)
'O beloved! Recite the Book that has been revealed to you, and establish prayer. Undoubtedly, the prayer forbids one from indecency and evil thing. And no doubt, the remembrance of Allah is the greatest. And Allah knows what you do.
You shall recite what is revealed to you of the scripture, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), for the Contact Prayers prohibit evil and vice. But the remembrance of GOD (through Salat) is the most important objective. GOD knows everything you do.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah
Recite what has been sent down to you of the Book, and establish the prayer. Prayer forbids indecency and dishonor. The remembrance of Allah is greater, and Allah knows what you do
Maulana Muhammad Ali
Recite that which has been revealed to thee of the Book and keep up prayer. Surely prayer keeps (one) away from indecency and evil; and certainly the remembrance of Allah is the greatest (force). And Allah knows what you do
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira
Read/recite/follow what was inspired/transmitted to you from The Book , and start/keep up the prayers, that (E) the prayers forbid/prevent from the enormous/atrocious deeds and the defiance of God and His orders/obscenity , and God's remembrance/reminder (E) (is) greater , and God knows what you perform/produce
Bijan Moeinian
Recite whatever is revealed to you from the book and worship your Lord on regular basis. The one who glorifies the Lord through regular acts of adoration will hardly fall into the pitfall of sins and indecencies; Indeed God’s remembrance of you has a greater magnitude [than your remembrance of Him. God has mentioned in the Qur’an: “Remember me and I will remember you.”] Keep in mind that God knows whatever you are doing
Faridul Haque
O dear Prophet (Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him), recite from the Book which has been sent down to you, and establish the prayer; indeed the prayer stops from indecency and evil; and indeed the remembrance of Allah is the greatest; and Allah knows all what you do
Sher Ali
Recite that which has been revealed of the Book and observe Prayer. Surely, Prayer restrains one from indecency and manifest evil; and the remembrance of ALLAH is the greatest virtue. And ALLAH knows what you do
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri
(O Esteemed Beloved!) Recite the Book which has been revealed to you and establish prayer. Surely, prayer prohibits indecency and impiety; and verily, the remembrance of Allah is the greatest. And Allah knows whatever (deeds) you do
Amatul Rahman Omar
Recite (preach, follow and meditate on) that which has been revealed to you of the Book (-the Qur'an) and observe Prayer. Verily, Prayer restrains (the observer) from indecency and abominable things and loathsome deeds and from all that runs counter to reason and moral sense. Yet of all, the greatest thing is that Allah will remember you and help you rise to eminence. And Allah knows all that you do
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali
Recite (O Muhammad SAW) what has been revealed to you of the Book (the Quran), and perform As-Salat (IqamatasSalat). Verily, As-Salat (the prayer) prevents from Al-Fahsha (i.e. great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.) and Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed, etc.) and the remembering (praising, etc.) of (you by) Allah (in front of the angels) is greater indeed (than your remembering (praising, etc.) Allah in prayers, etc.). And Allah knows what you do
New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame
Rehearse what has been inspired to you from the book and establish the prayer. Truly the prayer does restrain from the offensive and disgraceful acts and truly remembrance of Allah is the most great and Allah knows all that you fabricate.
Munir Mezyed
Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and duly perform the prescribed prayers. Indeed, prayer prohibits (all sorts of) debauchery and abomination. But verily celebrating the praise of Allâh in gratefulness is more (beneficial for the people). Therefore, (you can rest assured that) Allâh has full knowledge of whatever you do.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher
Recite what has been revealed to you of the book and keep up prayer, for prayer prevents indecency and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater, and Allah knows what you do.
Linda “iLHam” Barto
Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to you. Establish ritual prayer, because prayer truly causes restraint from shameful and unjust deeds. Remembrance of Allah is surely the greatest. Allah knows all that you do.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation
Recite what is revealed to yousg of the Scripture and establish the prayer; indeed the prayer forbids obscenity and what is deplorable. And surely the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows what youpl do.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab
Recite whatever has been revealed to you from the Book (the Quran), and keep up prayer: prayer restrains one from sexual misconduct and debauchery. Yet mentioning Allah (God) is even more important, for Allah (God) knows whatever you produce.
Samy Mahdy
Recite what is revealed to you among the Book and establish the prayers. Surely the prayers prohibit, about, the obscenity and the denial. And Allah’s mention is bigger. And Allah knows what you are making.
Sayyid Qutb
Recite what has been revealed to you of the book, and attend regularly to your prayer; for prayer restrains people from loathsome deeds and from all that is evil. To remember God is greater still. God knows all that you do.
Ahmed Hulusi
Read and inform the knowledge (Book) that has been revealed to you, and establish salat... Indeed, salat keeps immorality (going to excess as a result of corporeality) and bad deeds (things that go against sunnatullah) away... Indeed, the dhikr (remembrance) of Allah is Akbar (enables one to experience Akbariyyah – Absolute Magnificence)! Allah knows the state you are in.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli
Recite that which has been revealed to you of the Book, and establish the prayer, verily prayer keeps (one) away from indecency and evil, and certainly the remembrance of Allah is greater, and Allah knows what you do
Do recite O Muhammad all that has been revealed to you of the Book -the Quran- and establish worship and adore Allah, your Creator, with appropriate acts and rites, for sincere prayer checks abomination and immorality. To apply remembrance to Allah is more eminent in point of attainments and achievement, and Allah knows all that you do
Mir Aneesuddin
Read that which is communicated to you of the book and establish worship (salat), worship (salat) certainly keeps one away from indecency and things not recognized (as good), and the remembrance of Allah is greatest, and Allah knows the work which you do.
The Wise Quran
Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book; and be steadfast in the prayer; indeed, the prayer forbids immorality and the bad; and surely the remembrance of God is greater; and God knows what you do.