Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad
[Remember the time] when you fled, paying no heed to anyone, while at your rear the Apostle was calling out to you - wherefore He requited you with woe in return for [the Apostle's] woe, so that you should not grieve [merely] over what had escaped you, nor over what had befallen you: for God is aware of all that you do
M. M. Pickthall
When ye climbed (the hill) and paid no heed to anyone, while the messenger, in your rear, was calling you (to fight). Therefor He rewarded you grief for (his) grief, that (He might teach) you not to sorrow either for that which ye missed or for that which befell you. Allah is Informed of what ye do
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
Behold! ye were climbing up the high ground, without even casting a side glance at any one, and the Messenger in your rear was calling you back. There did Allah give you one distress after another by way of requital, to teach you not to grieve for (the booty) that had escaped you and for (the ill) that had befallen you. For Allah is well aware of all that ye do
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab
˹Remember˺ when you were running far away ˹in panic˺—not looking at anyone—while the Messenger was calling to you from behind! So Allah rewarded your disobedience with distress upon distress. Now, do not grieve over the victory you were denied or the injury you suffered. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.
Safi Kaskas
As you fled up [the mountain], not listening to anyone, even as the Messenger was calling out to you from behind, God afflicted you with sorrow upon sorrow. [God has now forgiven you] so that you would not grieve over what you missed or what happened to you. God is well aware of what you do.
Wahiduddin Khan
When you were running away and did not look back at anyone, while the Messenger was calling to you from behind, He paid you back with one sorrow after another, so that you might not grieve for what you lost, nor for what befell you. God is aware of what you do
Shakir
When you ran off precipitately and did not wait for any one, and the Messenger was calling you from your rear, so He gave you another sorrow instead of (your) sorrow, so that you might not grieve at what had escaped you, nor (at) what befell you; and Allah is aware of what you do
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar
When you mount up, not attentive to anyone and the Messenger calls you from your rear, then, He repaid you, lament for lament, so that you neither feel remorse for what slipped away from you, nor for what lit on you. And God is Aware of what you do.
T.B.Irving
When you were climbing up [the hillside] and did not follow anyone, and the Messenger was calling to you from your rear, He rewarded you with one worry after another so you would not feel so sad because of what had eluded your grasp nor for what had afflicted you. God is Informed about anything you do!
Abdul Hye
(Remember) when you were running away (flee to hills) without even looking a glace at anyone, and the Messenger (Muhammad) was calling you back in your rear. Allah gave you grief for grief (to teach lesson) so that you may neither grief over what you escaped, nor on (misfortune) which had befallen you. Allah is Well-Aware of what you do.
The Study Quran
when you were climbing, casting a glance to no one, while the Messenger was calling you from your rear. So He recompensed you with sorrow upon sorrow, that you may not grieve over what escaped you or what befell you. And God is Aware of whatsoever you do
Talal Itani & AI (2024)
When you were fleeing, without looking back, while the Messenger was calling you from behind, He inflicted upon you one distress after another, so you would not grieve over what you missed or what befell you. God is fully aware of what you do.
Talal Itani (2012)
Remember when you fled, not caring for anyone, even though the Messenger was calling you from your rear. Then He repaid you with sorrow upon sorrow, so that you would not grieve over what you missed, or for what afflicted you. God is Informed of what you do
Dr. Kamal Omar
When you are climbing (the high ground) and do not look behind to any one, and the Messenger calls you to (the band of enemy on) your rear, so He gave you the result: distress after distress, so that you may not grieve over what escaped you and not (grieve over) what befell you. And Allah is Well-Aware of what you do
Behold! ye were climbing up the high ground, without even casting a side glance at any one, and the Messenger in your rear was calling you back. There did Allah give you one distress after another by way of requital, to teach you not to grieve for (the booty) that had escaped you and for (the ill) that had befallen you. For Allah is well aware of all that ye do.
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali
As you were mounting and did not twist about for anyone, and the Messenger was calling you in your rear, so He requited you with suffering for suffering that you might not grieve for whatever eluded you nor for what afflicted you; and Allah is Ever-Cognizant of whatever you do
Muhammad Sarwar
(Believers remember) when you were fleeing without even glancing to either side even though the Messengers were calling you back, God made you suffer sorrow upon sorrow to make you forget your grief of what you had lost and the injuries you had suffered. God is Well-Aware of what you do
Muhammad Taqi Usmani
When you were going away, not even turning to look at anyone, and the Messenger was calling you from behind you. He awarded you sorrow for sorrow, so that you should not grieve (in future) over what you lost, or for what you suffered. Allah is All-Aware of what you do
Shabbir Ahmed
You were climbing up the hill without looking around and the Messenger was calling you. You suffered according to Allah's Law of Requital. Grieve not about the loss and hardship you have suffered. Allah's Law has adequate provision to nullify the effects of your misgivings. Allah is Informed of all your actions
Dr. Munir Munshey
As you (fled and) ran (up the hill) in panic without even looking back at any one, the messenger stood there behind you calling you back. Then, He let you undergo one setback after another, so you would not grieve over what eluded you, nor over the adversity that afflicted you. Allah is well Aware of all you do
Syed Vickar Ahamed
And (remember) when you were climbing up the high ground, without even taking a side look at anyone, and from behind, the Messenger (the Prophet) from the rear was calling you back. There did Allah give you one sorrow after another as a repayment to teach you (how) not to feel sad about (the things won in war) that you had not received; And for (the ill) that had come upon you. For Allah is All Aware (Khabeer) of all that you do
[Remember] when you [fled and] climbed [the mountain] without looking aside at anyone while the Messenger was calling you from behind. So Allah repaid you with distress upon distress so you would not grieve for that which had escaped you [of victory and spoils of war] or [for] that which had befallen you [of injury and death]. And Allah is [fully] Acquainted with what you do
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)
For you were climbing to the high ground and would not even glance towards anyone, and the messenger was calling to you from behind. Therefore He gave you worry to replace your worry, so that you would not have sadness by what has passed you, or for what afflicted you, and God is Expert over what you do
Abdel Haleem
You fled without looking back while the Messenger was calling out to you from behind, and God rewarded you with sorrow for sorrow. [He has now forgiven you] so that you may not grieve for what you missed or for what happened to you. God is well aware of everything you do
Abdul Majid Daryabadi
And recall what time ye were running off and would not look back on any one, albeit the apostle In your rear was calling unto you. Wherefore He caused sorrow to overtake you for sorrow. that ye might not grieve for that which ye might lose nor for that which might befall you. And Allah is Aware of that which ye Work
Ahmed Ali
Remember, as you were rushing up (the hill) without turning back to look, though the Prophet was calling you from the rear, He requited you with anguish for an anguish that you do not fret for missed opportunity and what befell you, for God is aware of all that you do
Aisha Bewley
Remember when you were scrambling up the slope, refusing to turn back for anyone, and the Messenger was calling to you from the rear. Allah rewarded you with one distress in return for another so you would not feel grief for what escaped you or what assailed you. Allah is aware of what you do.
Ali Ünal
When you were running off (from the battlefield), paying no heed to anyone, and at your rear the Messenger was calling out to you (to stay in the battle), then God requited you with grief after grief so that you might not grieve either for what escaped you, or for what befell you. God is fully aware of all that you do
Ali Quli Qara'i
When you were fleeing without paying any attention to anyone, while the Apostle was calling you from your rear, He requited you with grief upon grief, so that you may not grieve for what you lose nor for what befalls you, and Allah is well aware of what you do
Hamid S. Aziz
And when you climbed (the hill) and looked not round upon any one, although the Messenger was calling you from your rear. Therefore did Allah reward you with trouble on trouble that you should not grieve after what you had missed, nor for what befell you
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad
(Remember) when you were climbing up (the hillside) and not paying attention to anyone, and the messenger was calling you from behind you. So, He gave you sorrow upon sorrow, so that you do not feel sad over what you lose or what inflicts you. God is well aware of what you do.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)
Behold, you were climbing up the high ground, without even casting a side-glance at anyone, and the messenger in your rear was calling you back. There, God gave you one distress after another, to teach you not to grieve over the spoils that missed you, and for the ill that had befallen you, for God is well aware of all that you do
Musharraf Hussain
Remember how you fled uphill in panic without concern for anyone, yet the Messenger was calling you from behind; so He gave you a lot of anguish so that afterwards you don’t grieve over your loss and sufferings. Allah is aware of what you did
Maududi
Recall when you were fleeing without casting even a side glance at anyone, and the Messenger was calling out to you from the rear. Then Allah requited you by inflicting grief after grief upon you so as to instruct you neither to grieve for the losses you might suffer nor for the afflictions that might befall you. Allah knows all that you do
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)
For you were ascending to the high ground and would not even glance towards anyone, and the messenger was calling to you from behind. Therefore He gave you worry to replace your worry, so that you would not have sadness by what has passed you, or for what afflicted you, and God is Expert over what you do.
Mohammad Shafi
That time when you were fleeing without looking back at any one, and the Messenger in your rear was calling you back! HE (Allah) did then inflict you with one sorrow after another so that you do not grieve for that which you lost and for that which befell you. And Allah is well aware of all that you do
Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)
When you were going up and did not look back towards anyone and Our Messenger was calling you in another group, therefore He gave you, sorrow in recompense for a sorrow, and forgave in order that you might not grieve for what sent out of your hand and what befell you. And Allah is informed of your doings
Recall that you rushed (after the spoils), paying no attention to anyone, even when the messenger was calling from behind you. Consequently, He substituted one misery for another, that you may not grieve over anything you had missed, or agonize over any hardship you had suffered. GOD is Cognizant of everything you do.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah
And when you were going up, and paid no heed for anyone, and the Messenger was calling you from behind; so He rewarded you with grief upon grief that you might not sorrow for what escaped you neither for what smote you. And Allah is Aware of what you do
Maulana Muhammad Ali
When you went away far, and paid no heed to anyone, and the Messenger was calling you in your rear. So He gave you (another) grief for (your) first grief that you might not grieve at what escaped you, nor (at) what befell you. And Allah is Aware of what you do
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira
When you ascend/have hardship and do not wait/stop on anyone, and the messenger calls you in your end/back , so you were flooded/rewarded grief/depression with a grief/depression, so that you not be saddened on what passed/missed you permanently, and nor what struck you, and God (is) expert/experienced with what you make/do
Bijan Moeinian
You were so afraid that your only concern was to flee, by climbing the mountain, without paying any attention to the Prophet who was calling you back. God then made you to worry about so many things [such as the possibility of your town being destroyed by the victorious army (outnumbering the population of the town), the loss of your fighting companions, the rumor of the death of the Prophet, etc.] so that you may learn a lesson and not to grieve for a loss in the future. Know that God is fully aware of what you are doing
Faridul Haque
When you were leaving, unconcerned without turning to look back at anyone, and from another group Our Noble Messenger was calling you (to fight); so He gave you sorrow in lieu of sorrow, and then forgave you so that you do not grieve over what has been lost or over the calamity that befell you; and Allah is Well Aware of what you do
Sher Ali
When you were running away and looked not back at anyone while the Messenger was calling you, in your rear, then HE gave you one sorrow after another sorrow, that you might not grieve for what escaped you nor for what befell you. And ALLAH is quite Aware of what you do
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri
When you were running away (in panic) and did not look back at anyone, and the Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) was calling you out (standing) amongst the party that were (steadfast) in your rear. Then He inflicted upon you sorrows one after the other (for admonition and training) so that you might not grieve over what you had lost and the calamity that had befallen you. And Allah is Well Aware of your works
Amatul Rahman Omar
When you were going hard and far (in pursuit of the enemy in the Battle of Uhud) and you would not cast even a side-glance at and wait for anyone while the Messenger was calling out to you from your rear (to come back). So He gave you greater sorrow (which proved unreal later on) in place of the sorrow (you had already) in order that you should not grieve over what you had missed (of clear victory) nor over what befell you (of the hardships). And Allah is Well-Aware of what you do
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali
(And remember) when you ran away (dreadfully) without even casting a side glance at anyone, and the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) was in your rear calling you back. There did Allah give you one distress after another by way of requital to teach you not to grieve for that which had escaped you, nor for that which had befallen you. And Allah is WellAware of all that you do
New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame
As you climb up the mountain and no one paid heed to no one while the messenger was calling you from your rear so He rewarded you distress for distress so that you may not grieve over that which you missed nor over that which has happened to you and Allah is All-acquainted with all that you do.
Munir Mezyed
Behold! You climbed up the high ground without even looking aside at anyone while the Messenger was calling you from behind. So Allâh repaid you with sorrow upon sorrow so that you might not mourn over what you had lost and the injuries you had suffered. And Allâh is Well Acquainted with whatsoever you do.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher
When you ascended and did not stop for anybody whilst the messenger called you from behind you, and additional grieve afflicted you so that you would not worry about what had escaped you nor about what had befallen you, and Allah knows what you do.
Linda “iLHam” Barto
Recall the time you fled. You paid no heed to anyone. The messenger was calling you from the rear. (Allah) exchanged one sorrow for another sorrow so that you would not grieve over what you lost or at what happened to you. Allah is all-aware of what you do.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation
Recall climbingpl and not looking back for anyone, with the Messenger calling you from your rear. Then He repaid you with sorrow on account of the sorrow (you caused the prophet) so that you would not grieve over what you missed or for what befell you. For Allah is All-Aware of what you do.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab
When you ascend[the hillside] and without casting a glance on anyone, and the Messenger was calling to you from your rear, He repaid you one distress for one so you would not feel so sad because of what had eluded your grasp nor for what had afflicted you. Allah (God) is informed about anything you do!
Samy Mahdy
When you were running uphill, and not casting a glance for anyone, and the Messenger was calling in behind you. So He rewarded you by sorrow with sorrow, in order to not grieve over what has left you, nor for what inflicted you. And Allah is with what you are working, Expert.
Sayyid Qutb
[Remember] when you ran away, up into the mountain, paying no heed to anyone, while the Messenger was at your rear calling out to you. Therefore, He rewarded you with sorrow after sorrow so that you may not grieve over what has escaped you, nor over what had befallen you. God is aware of all that you do.
Ahmed Hulusi
Remember when the Rasul was calling you from behind, but you fled without looking at anyone. So Allah reprimanded you with distress upon distress, so that you don’t grieve over your losses or remain with that which befell you (victory and spoils had escaped you and you had fallen into a state of shame). Allah, as the creator of your actions, is well aware of all things.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli
(Remember) when you were climbing (the hillside) and paid no heed to any one, while the Messenger was calling you from your rear, so He inflicted you with grief on grief that you might not be sorry for what escaped you and neither for what befell you; and Allah is well aware of what you do
You forced your way up the hill paying attention to no one while the Prophet in the rear convoked you to come to fight. There, did Allah requite you with grief, upon grief, for being balked of your booty and for fleeing in the face of danger, so that you would learn not to grieve for what you miss nor to despair for what befalls you. Allah is 'Alimun of all that you d
Mir Aneesuddin
(Remember) when you were climbing up (the hill) and were paying no heed to anyone, and the messenger was calling you from behind you, then (at that time, it was Allah Who) rewarded you with distress upon distress. (This information is being given so) that you might not grieve at what you missed nor at what befell you, and (know, that) Allah is informed of (all) that you do.
The Wise Quran
When you went up and looked not round upon anyone, and the messenger was calling you from your rear. So He rewarded you with grief upon grief that you not grieve over what has escaped you nor what befell you. And God is aware of what you do.