Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad
For We have caused none but angelic powers to lord over the fire [of hell]; and We have not caused their number to be aught but a trial for those who are bent on denying the truth - to the end that they who have been granted revelation aforetime might be convinced [of the truth of this divine writ]; and that they who have attained to faith [in it] might grow yet more firm in their faith; and that [both] they who have been granted the earlier revelation and they who believe [in this one] might be freed of all doubt; and that they in whose hearts is disease and the who deny the truth outright might ask, "What does [your] God mean by this parable?" In this way God lets go astray him that wills [to go astray], and guides aright him that wills [to be guided]. And none can comprehend thy Sustainers forces save Him alone: and all this is but a reminder to mortal man
M. M. Pickthall
We have appointed only angels to be wardens of the Fire, and their number have We made to be a stumbling-block for those who disbelieve; that those to whom the Scripture hath been given may have certainty, and that believers may increase in faith; and that those to whom the Scripture hath been given and believers may not doubt; and that those in whose hearts there is disease, and disbelievers, may say: What meaneth Allah by this similitude? Thus Allah sendeth astray whom He will, and whom He will He guideth. None knoweth the hosts of thy Lord save Him. This is naught else than a Reminder unto mortals
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
And We have set none but angels as Guardians of the Fire; and We have fixed their number only as a trial for Unbelievers,- in order that the People of the Book may arrive at certainty, and the Believers may increase in Faith,- and that no doubts may be left for the People of the Book and the Believers, and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the Unbelievers may say, "What symbol doth Allah intend by this?" Thus doth Allah leave to stray whom He pleaseth, and guide whom He pleaseth: and none can know the forces of thy Lord, except He and this is no other than a warning to mankind
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab
We have appointed only ˹stern˺ angels as wardens of the Fire. And We have made their number only as a test for the disbelievers, so that the People of the Book will be certain, and the believers will increase in faith, and neither the People of the Book nor the believers will have any doubts, and so that those ˹hypocrites˺ with sickness in their hearts and the disbelievers will argue, “What does Allah mean by such a number?” In this way Allah leaves whoever He wills to stray and guides whoever He wills. And none knows the forces of your Lord except He. And this ˹description of Hell˺ is only a reminder to humanity.
Safi Kaskas
We have appointed only angels to be wardens of the Fire, and caused their number to be a stumbling block for those who disbelieve; so that those given the Book may attain certainty; and those who believe may increase in faith; and those given the Book and the believers may not doubt; and those in whose hearts is sickness and the unbelievers may say, “What did God ever mean by this example?” In this way God lets go astray the one who wishes to go astray, and guides him who wishes to be guided. None knows your Lord’s forces but Him. This is nothing but a reminder to all human beings.
Wahiduddin Khan
We have appointed only angels to be wardens of the Fire. We have specified their number only as a trial for those who are bent on denying the truth, so that those who were given the Book might gain in certainty, and those who believe might increase in faith and so that neither those who have been given the Scripture nor the believers might have any doubts, and that those sick at heart and those who deny the truth might ask, What does God mean by this parable? In this way, God lets go astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. And none knows the forces of your Lord but He. This is but a Reminder for man
Shakir
And We have not made the wardens of the fire others than angels, and We have not made their number but as a trial for those who disbelieve, that those who have been given the book may be certain and those who believe may increase in faith, and those who have been given the book and the believers may not doubt, and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the unbelievers may say: What does Allah mean by this parable? Thus does Allah make err whom He pleases, and He guides whom He pleases, and none knows the hosts of your Lord but He Himself; and this is naught but a reminder to the mortals
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar
We assigned none but angels to be wardens of the Fire and We made the amount of them not but as a test for those who were ungrateful. So those who were given the Book are reassured and those who believed, add to their belief. And will not doubt those who were given the Book and the ones who believe. And say to those who in their hearts is a sickness and the ones who are ungrateful: What had God wanted by this example? Thus, God causes to go astray whom He wills, and He guides whom He wills. And none knows the armies of thy Lord but He. And it is not other than a reminder for the mortals.
T.B.Irving
We have placed none but angels as guardians of the Fire. We have placed such a number merely as a test for those who disbelieve, to convince the ones who have been given the Book, while those who believe may be increased in [their] faith; and so the ones who have been given the Book as well as believers may not doubt, while the ones in whose hearts there lurks mahce, as well as disbelievers will say: "What does God want to compare this to ?" Thus God lets anyone He wishes go astray while He guides whomever He wishes. No one knows your Lord´s armies except He Himself. It is only a Reminder for humanity.
Abdul Hye
And We have set none but angels as guardians of the fire. We have not fixed their numbers (19) except as a trial for those who disbelieve in order that those who were given the Scripture may be convinced (Qur’an is the truth as it agrees with their books i.e. number (19) is written in the Torah and the Gospel). Those who believe may increase in faith (in Qur’an). Those who were given the Scripture and believers may say to those in whose hearts there is a disease (hypocrisy) and the disbelievers say: “What Allah means by this example?” Allah leads astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. No one knows the forces of your Lord but He. This (Qur’an) is nothing but a reminder to mankind.
The Study Quran
And We have appointed none but angels as wardens of the Fire; and We have not appointed their number save as a trial for those who disbelieve, to grant certainty to those who have been given the Book and increase in faith those who believe; and that those who were given the Book and the believers will not doubt; and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the disbelievers will say, “What does God desire by this as a parable?” Thus does God lead astray whomsoever He will and guide whomsoever He will. And none knows the hosts of thy Lord but He. It is but a reminder for the human being
Talal Itani & AI (2024)
We appointed angels as wardens of the Fire, and We set their number as a trial for the unbelievers, to reassure those who were given the Scripture, to strengthen the faith of the believers, and to remove any doubts from those who were given the Scripture and the believers. Those whose hearts harbor disease and the unbelievers will ask, “What does God intend by this parable?” Thus, God misguides whom He wills and guides whom He wills. None knows the soldiers of your Lord except Him. This is but a reminder for humankind.
Talal Itani (2012)
We have appointed only angels to be wardens of the Fire, and caused their number to be a stumbling block for those who disbelieve; so that those given the Scripture may attain certainty; and those who believe may increase in faith; and those given the Scripture and the believers may not doubt; and those in whose hearts is sickness and the unbelievers may say, 'What did God intend by this parable?' Thus God leads astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. None knows the soldiers of your Lord except He. This is nothing but a reminder for the mortals
Dr. Kamal Omar
And We did not appoint the guardians of the Fire but angels; and We did not fix their number (which is 19) except as a test for the people who have disbelieved — in order that those who have been given Al-Kitab may develop certainty in Faith; and may increase Faith-wise those who have Believed; and may not harbour doubts and suspicions (in Al-Kitab ) those who are given Al-Kitab and those who have already become Believers; and so that those in whose hearts is sickness and the disbelievers may comment: “What is that which Allah intended with the help of this example?” Thus Allah lets one go astray whom He thinks proper and gives guidance whom He thinks proper. And does not comprehend the forces of your Nourisher-Sustainer except He (Himself,). And this is not but zikrah (reminder) for man
We have appointed none but angels as wardens of the fire; and We have made their number a trial for the unbelievers, so that the People of the Book may be convinced and the faith of the true believers may be increased, and that no doubts will be left for the People of the Book and the believers, and that those in whose hearts there is a disease and the disbelievers may say: "What could Allah mean by this parable?" Thus, Allah leaves to stray whom He wills and guides whom He pleases. No one knows the forces of your Lord except Himself, and this (Qur'an) is nothing but a reminder to mankind
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali
And in no way have We made the Wardens (Literally: companions) of the Fire except Angels, and in no way have We made their (right) number except as a temptation for the ones who have disbelieved, (and) that the ones to whom the Book has been brought may have certitude, and that the ones who have believed may increase in belief, and that the ones to whom the Book has been brought and the believers may not be suspicious, and that the ones in whose hearts there is sickness and the disbelievers may say, "What would Allah intend by this as a similitude?" Thus does Allah lead into error whomever He decides, and He guides whomever He decides, and in no way does anyone know the hosts of your Lord except He. And in no way is it anything except a Reminding to the mortals
Muhammad Sarwar
We have made only angels as the keepers of the fire (for they are the strongest in carrying out Our commands). Our informing (people) of the numbers of these angels is a trial for the disbelievers. It gives more certainty to the people of the Book and strengthens the faith of the believers. The people of the Book and the believers have no doubt about it. We have fixed the number to make the disbelievers and those whose hearts are sick say, "What does God mean by such a parable?" Thus, God guides and causes to go astray whomever He wants. No one knows about the army of your Lord except He Himself. This parable is a reminder for mankind
Muhammad Taqi Usmani
And We did not make wardens of the Fire but (from) angels, and did not fix their number but as a test for those who disbelieve, so that those who are given the Book may come to believe, and those who believe may improve in belief, and so that those who are given the Book and those who believe may not doubt (its correctness), and so that those having malady in their hearts and the disbelievers say, .What has Allah meant by this strange statement?. Thus Allah lets go astray whomever He wills, and leads to the right path whomever He wills. And no one knows the hosts of your Lord but He. And this is nothing else but a reminder for mankind
Shabbir Ahmed
We have appointed only Universal Laws to be the keepers of the Fire. And We have made their number a trial for those who wish to remain in darkness. This admonition should grant certainty to those who received the Scripture before while the believers shall increase in faith. And that the believers and those who have been given the Scripture shall harbor no doubt to this declaration. And the hypocrites and the deniers may say, "What means Allah with such an example?" Thus, Allah lets go astray him who wills to go astray, and guides him who wills to be guided. And no one knows the Forces of your Lord but He. And this Qur'an is naught else than a Reminder to mankind
Dr. Munir Munshey
We have chosen to appoint the angels as wardens over hell, and We let their number be a trial for the unbelievers. So that, those given the scriptures may believe, and the believers may increase in their belief. Both _ those given the scriptures and the believers _ may not entertain doubts. Yet, those with disease in their hearts, and the unbelievers, would still say, "What does Allah mean by this example?" Thus, Allah leads astray whom He wants, and guides whom He wants. No one knows the forces of Allah except He. This is nothing but a reminder for the mortals
Syed Vickar Ahamed
And We have set none but angels as guardians of the Fire: And We have fixed their number (at 19 and it is so written in other Books) confirming it only as a trial for unbelievers— So that the People of the Book (Scripture) may become certain, and the believers may become convinced of their Faith— And that no doubts may be left for the People(s) of the Book (Scripture), and the believers; And that those in whose hearts is a disease (of hypocrisy) and the unbelievers may say, "What does Allah mean by this (symbol of 19 angels)?" Thus does Allah leave to wander those whom He pleases, and guide those whom He pleases. And none can know the forces of your Lord, except He. And this is no other than a warning to mankind
And We have not made the keepers of the Fire except angels. And We have not made their number except as a trial for those who disbelieve - that those who were given the Scripture will be convinced and those who have believed will increase in faith and those who were given the Scripture and the believers will not doubt and that those in whose hearts is hypocrisy and the disbelievers will say, "What does Allah intend by this as an example?" Thus does Allah leave astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And none knows the soldiers of your Lord except Him. And mention of the Fire is not but a reminder to humanity
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)
And We have made the guardians of the Fire to be Angels; and We did not make their number except as a test for those who have rejected, so that those who were given the Scripture would understand, and those who have faith would be increased in faith, and so that those who have been given the Scripture and the believers do not have doubt, and so that those who have a sickness in their hearts and the rejecters would Say: "What did God mean with an example such as this" It is such that God misguides whom He wishes, and He guides whom He wishes. And none know your Lord's soldiers except Him. And it is but a reminder for mankind
Abdel Haleem
none other than angels appointed by Us to guard Hellfire- and We have made their number a test for the disbelievers. So those who have been given the Scripture will be certain and those who believe will have their faith increased: neither those who have been given the Scripture nor the believers will have any doubts, but the sick at heart and the disbelievers will say, ‘What could God mean by this description?’ God leaves whoever He will to stray and guides whoever He will- no one knows your Lord’s forces except Him- this [description] is a warning to mortals
Abdul Majid Daryabadi
And We have appointed none but the angels to be wardens of the Fire. And their number we have made only a trial for those who disbelieve, so that those who are vouchsafed the Book may be convinced, and that those who believe may increase in faith, and that those who are vouchsafed the Book and the believers may not doubt, and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the infidels may say: what meaneth Allah by this description! In this wise Allah sendeth astray whomsoever He will, and guideth whomsoever He will. And none knoweth the hosts of thy Lord but He. And it is naught but an admonition Unto man
Ahmed Ali
We have not appointed any one but angels as keepers of Hell, and their number that We have fixed is to make it a means of contention for disbelievers, so that those who were given the Book may be certain, and the faith of the believers may have greater increase, and the people of the Book and believers may not be deceived, and the sceptics and infidels may say: "What does God mean by this parable?" That is how God leads whosoever He will astray, and guides whosoever He will. None knows the armies of your Lord save Him self. This is no more than reminder for mankind
Aisha Bewley
We have only appointed angels as masters of the Fire and We have only specified their number as a trial for those who are kafir; so that those who were given the Book might gain in certainty, and those who have iman might increase in their iman, and both those who were given the Book and the muminun might have no doubt; and so that those with sickness in their hearts and the kuffar might say, ´What did Allah intend by this example?´ In this way Allah misguides those He wills and guides those He wills. No one knows the legions of your Lord but Him. This is nothing but a reminder to all human beings.
Ali Ünal
We have appointed none but angels as keepers of the Fire, and We have not caused their number to be anything but a trial for those who disbelieve, that those who were granted the Book before may become certain (that Muhammad, who explains everything revealed to him without any hesitation in the face of all antagonism and derision, is God’s Messenger), and those who believe may grow more firm in faith; and that both they who were granted the Book before and the believers may feel no doubt at all; and those in whose hearts there is a sickness and the unbelievers may say: "What does God mean by this description?" Thus God leads astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. None knows your Lord’s hosts except He. All this is but a reminder to the mortals (so that they may take heed and act accordingly)
Ali Quli Qara'i
We have assigned only angels as keepers of the Fire, and We have made their number merely a stumbling block for the faithless, and that those given the Book may be reassured, and the faithful may increase in [their] faith, and that those given the Book may not doubt and the faithful [as well], and that those in whose hearts is a sickness may say, and the faithless [along with them], ‘What did Allah mean by this description?’ Thus does Allah lead astray whomever He wishes, and guides whomever He wishes. No one knows the hosts of your Lord except Him, and it is just an admonition for all humans
Hamid S. Aziz
And We have not made the wardens of the fire others than angels, and We have not made their number but as a trial for those who disbelieve, that those who have been given the Book (scriptures) may be certain and those who believe may increase in faith, a
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad
and We made only the angels guardians of the fire and We made their numbers (nineteen) only as a test for those who disbelieve, so that those who were given the book would be certain and to increase the belief of those who believe, and those who were given the book and the believers would not doubt, and so that those who have a disease in their hearts and the disbelievers say: “What did God intend with this example?” That is how God misguides anyone He wants and guides anyone He wants. And none knows God's soldiers except Him. And this is only a reminder for the human being.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)
And We have set none other than angels as guardians of the fire. And We have fixed their number only as a challenge for unbelievers, in order that the people of the Book may arrive at certainty, and the believers may increase in faith, and that no doubts may be left for the people of the Book and the believers, and that those in whose hearts is a disease, and the unbelievers may say, “What meaning does God intend by this?” So God leaves to stray whom He pleases, and guides whom He pleases, and none can know the forces of your Lord except Him. And this is no other than a warning to humanity
Musharraf Hussain
We appointed the angels over the inmates of Hell, and made their number only as a test for the disbelievers and to assure the ones who were given the Book, and to increase the faith of the believers. So, the believers and those given the Book will have no doubt about your truthfulness. But the disbelievers and the ones in whose hearts there is a sickness will say, “What does Allah mean by this example of the nineteen angels?” That is how Allah allows some to be misguided and others to be guided. No one knows the forces of your Lord except Him. It is a Majestic reminder for humanity
Maududi
We have appointed none but angels as the keepers of the Fire, and We have not made their number but as a trial for the unbelievers so that those who have been endowed with the Book will be convinced and the believers´ faith will increase, and neither those who have been endowed with the Book nor the believers will fall into any doubt. As for those in whose hearts there is a sickness as well as the unbelievers, they will say: "What did Allah aim at by this strange parable?" Thus does Allah let whomsoever He pleases to go astray, and directs whomsoever He pleases to the Right Way. And none knows the hosts of your Lord but He. (And Hell has only been mentioned here) that people may take heed
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)
And We have made the guardians of the Fire to be angels; and We did not make their number except as a test for those who have rejected, so that those who were given the Book would understand, and those who have faith would be increased in faith, and so that those who have been given the Book and the believers do not have doubt, and so that those who have a sickness in their hearts and the rejecters would say: "What did God mean with an example such as this?" It is such that God misguides whom He wishes, and He guides whom He wishes. And none know the soldiers of your Lord except He; and it is but a reminder for human beings.
Mohammad Shafi
And We have appointed none but angels as Guardians of the Fire. And We have not fixed their number [], but only as a trial for those who suppress the Truth, and as a means of certainty for the People of the Book and increase in Faith for the Believers, so that no doubts are left for the People of the Book and the Believers, and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the suppressors of the Truth may say, "What intention does Allah have by this issue [of appointing only guards for hundreds of thousands of sinners put in Hell]?" Thus does Allah send astray whom He wills and guide whom He wills. And none but He knows [the enormity of] your Lord's forces! And this [Qur'aan] is nothing but Admonition/Reminder for mankind.h,
Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)
And We have not made the guards of the hell but the angels, and We have not kept their calculation but as a test of the infidels, in order that those who are men of the Book may be convinced and the faith of the believers may increase, and those who are men of the Book and the muslims may not doubt, and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the infidels may say, "what does, Allah mean by such a strange illustration? In this way Allah leads astray whom He will and He guides whom He will. And none knows the hosts of your Lord save He. And this is nothing but an admonition for man.
We appointed angels to be guardians of Hell, and we assigned their number (19) (1) to disturb the disbelievers, (2) to convince the Christians and Jews (that this is a divine scripture), (3) to strengthen the faith of the faithful, (4) to remove all traces of doubt from the hearts of Christians, Jews, as well as the believers, and (5) to expose those who harbor doubt in their hearts, and the disbelievers; they will say, "What did GOD mean by this allegory?" GOD thus sends astray whomever He wills, and guides whomever He wills. None knows the soldiers of your Lord except He. This is a reminder for the people.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah
We have appointed none but angels to guard the Fire, and made their number only as a trial for the unbelievers, so that those to whom the Book was given are certain and those who believe increase in belief. And that those who were given the Book, and those who believe will not be in doubt. And that those in whose hearts there is a sickness, together with the unbelievers, may say: 'What did Allah intend by this as an example? ' As such, Allah leaves in error whom He will and He guides whomsoever He will. None knows the hosts of your Lord except He. This is no more than a Reminder to humans
Maulana Muhammad Ali
And We have made none but angels wardens of the Fire, and We have not made their number but as a trial for those who disbelieve, that those who have been given the Book may be certain and those who believe may increase in faith, and those who have been given the Book and the believers may not doubt; and that those in whose hearts is a disease and the disbelievers may say: What does Allah mean by this parable? Thus Allah leaves in error whom He pleases, and guides whom He pleases. And none knows the hosts of thy Lord but He. And this is naught but a Reminder to mortals
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira
And We did not make the fire's owners/company (guards) except angels, and We did not make their number/count except (as) a test to those who disbelieved, who were given/brought The Book (Jews and Christians) to be sure/certain, and (for) those who believed (to) increase faith/belief; and (for) those who weregiven The Book (Jews/Christians), and the believers do not become doubtful/suspicious, and (for) those whom in their hearts/minds (is) sickness/disease (doubt), and the disbelievers to say: "What (has) God wanted/intended with that (as) an example/proverb?" As/like that God misguides whom He wills/wants ,and He guides whom He wills/wants, and none know your Lord's soldiers/warriors except Him, and it is not except a reminder to the human
Bijan Moeinian
I (God) have appointed some angles to be the guardians of Hell and I (God) have made their numbers (19): as a trial for those who disbelieve, to convince the Christians and Jews about the authenticity/ divine source of this book, to increase the faith of those who already believe, to remove any doubt from the heart of the Christians, Jews and the believers, to expose those who are sick at heart and can not be guided, and the disbelievers mocking at these words say: “What could God mean by this strange presentation?” Thus God leaves those who deserve to be left in ignorance in ignorance and guides whoever He pleases to the right path and no one but Lord knows the magnitude of His power. Hell is mentioned her so that people may be more careful and mindful about their behaviors
Faridul Haque
We have not appointed the guards of hell, except angels; and did not keep this number except to test the disbelievers – in order that the People given the Book(s) may be convinced, and to increase the faith of the believers – and so that the People given the Book(s) and the Muslims may not have any doubt - and so that those in whose hearts is a disease and the disbelievers, may say, “What does Allah mean by this amazing example?” This is how Allah sends astray whomever He wills, and guides whomever He wills; and no one knows the armies of Allah except Him; and this is not but an advice to man
Sher Ali
And none but angels have we made wardens of the Fire. And WE have not fixed their number except as a trial for those who disbelieve, so that those, who have been given the Book, may attain certainty and those who believe may increase in faith, and those, who have been given the Book as well as the believers, may not doubt, and that those in whose hearts is disease and the disbelievers may say, `What does ALLAH mean by such an illustration?' Thus does ALLAH leave to go astray whom HE pleases and guide whom HE pleases. And none knows the host of thy Lord but HE. And this is nothing but a reminder for man
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri
And We have appointed only angels as guards of Hell. And We have fixed their number only as a trial for the disbelievers so that the People of the Book may believe with certitude (that the Qur’an and the Prophethood of Muhammad [blessings and peace be upon him] is a truth because the same number was given in their scriptures as well), and that the faith of the believers may further be strengthened (with this confirmation), and that the People of the Book and the believers may not doubt (its veracity), and that those having a disease (of hypocrisy) in their hearts and the disbelievers may say: ‘What does Allah intend by this example (of number)?’ In this way, Allah holds astray whom He wills, and guides aright whom He wills (with the same stroke). And no one knows the armies of your Lord except Him. And this (description of Hell is nothing else) but an admonition to mankind
Amatul Rahman Omar
None but angels have We appointed as wardens of the Hell-fire. We have fixed their number in order to purify (and purge) the sins of those who disbelieve. The result of this is that the people of the Scripture will be convinced, and those who believe will increase in faith (and act with righteousness). And those who have been given the Scriptures as well as the believers may (both) attain certainty (and will not be misguided). And the people with diseased hearts and the disbelievers will say, `What does Allah mean by such an illustration?' Thus does Allah forsake him who wishes (to go astray), and guides him who wishes (to be guided). And none knows (the number) of the hosts of your Lord but He. And this (Qur'an) is nothing but a means for human beings to rise to eminence
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali
And We have set none but angels as guardians of the Fire, and We have fixed their number (19) only as a trial for the disbelievers, in order that the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) may arrive at a certainty (that this Quran is the truth as it agrees with their Books i.e. their number (19) is written in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)) and the believers may increase in Faith (as this Quran is the truth) and that no doubts may be left for the people of the Scripture and the believers, and that those in whose hearts is a disease (of hypocrisy) and the disbelievers may say: "What Allah intends by this (curious) example ?" Thus Allah leads astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And none can know the hosts of your Lord but He. And this (Hell) is nothing else than a (warning) reminder to mankind
New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame
We have not made the guardians of the fire except angels and We have not made their number except as a trial for those who disbelieve so that those who are given the book may arrive at certitude and those who have faith may increase in faith and so that those who are given the book would not doubt and so would the believers and so that those who have sickness in their heart and the disbelievers may say, “What did Allah intend by this as a similitude?” Thus Allah causes to go astray whom He pleases and guides whom He pleases and none knows with certainty the hosts of your Lord except He and it is but a reminder for the human.
Munir Mezyed
And We have not made the wardens of the Fire except Angels. And We have not made their number except as a temptation for those who persistently refuse to yield to the Truth so that the people of the Book will be convinced (that this Qurʾān is absolutely the Word of Allâh) and the Faith of those who adhere to absolute Monotheism will be invigorated. And both the people of the Book and those who live by Faith will feel certain. And that those in whose hearts harbour doubts and the spiritual dead and blind will say: “What does Allâh mean by this parable?” This is how Allâh leaves astray whom He wills, and illuminates the path of whom He wills. And none really knows the soldiers of your Lord except Him. And mention of (Gehenna) is no other than a warning to the people.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher
And We only appointed angels as wardens of the fire, and We only made their number a test for those who reject (the truth), so that those who were given the book would be certain and the believers would increase in faith and those who were given the book and the believers would not doubt, but those with a disease in their hearts and those who reject (the truth) would say: what does Allah want by this similitude? This is how We let go astray whom We please and guide whom We please, and nobody knows the forces of your Lord but He, and it is only a reminder for mankind.
Linda “iLHam” Barto
We have set only angels as guardians of the fire. We have placed such a number only as a trial for unbelievers. That is so that the people of the Book may have assurance, and the believers may increase in faith. [It is so] no doubts may be left for the people of the Book and the believers. [It is so] that those in whose hearts is a disease and the unbelievers may say, “What does Allah mean by this example?” Thus Allah leaves astray whom He pleases and guides whom He pleases. No one can understand the forces of your Lord except Him. This is no less than a warning to humanity.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation
And We have not appointed except angels to be wardens of the Fire and have made their number nothing but a means of trial for the deniers—so that those given the Scripture may attain certitude, and those who have attained belief may increase in faith, and those given the Scripture and the believers may not doubt, and so that those in whose hearts is sickness and the deniers may say, “What did Allah desire by this parable?” Thus Allah misguides whomever He wills and guides whomever He wills, and none knows the soldiers of yoursg Lord except He, and this is nothing but a reminder to human beings.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab
We have placed none but angels as guardians of the Fire. We have placed such a number merely as a test for those who disbelieve, to convince the ones who have been given the Book (the Scripture), while those who believe may be increased in [their] faith; and so the ones who have been given the Book (the Scripture) as well as believers may not doubt, while the ones in whose hearts there lurks malice, as well as disbelievers will say: "What does Allah (God) want to compare this to ?" Thus Allah (God) lets anyone He wishes go astray while He guides whomever He wishes. No one knows your Lord's armies except He Himself. It is only a Reminder for humanity.
Samy Mahdy
And We did not set up the fire’s companions except angels, and We did not set up their number except an infatuation for those who disbelieved; to be certain those who were given the Book; and those who believed may increase in faith; and those given the Book and the believers do not doubt; and those in whose cores is a disease and the infidels will say, “What did Allah wanted with this as example?” Thus, Allah strays whoever He wills, and guides whoever He wills. And none knows your Lord’s troops except Him. And this is none except a reminder for humankind.
Ahmed Hulusi
We have appointed only (nineteen) angels (66:6) to be the wardens of the Fire (the hell of corporeality; not a breed of humans or the jinn)... And We specified their number (as if the number nineteen is meaningful) as an (object of) trial for the disbelievers... So, those to whom a Book (knowledge) has been given can know with certainty (what is referenced by these metaphors and thus confirm the revelation of Rasulullah [saw]) and so those who believe (in the nubuwwah and risalah of Rasulullah [saw]) will increase in faith (the knowledge of certainty; ilm al-yakeen) and so those (who acquire solid knowledge) to whom a Book (knowledge) has been given (and those who have attained certainty in faith) do not fall into doubt! And so those in whose hearts there is sickness (doubt, who are devoid of healthy thought) and the disbelievers (who are veiled from and thus deny the reality) can say, “What did Allah intend to reference with this example?”... Thus Allah misguides whom He wills and guides whom He wills. Only HU knows the armies (forces) of your Rabb! This (Saqar and other metaphors) is only a reminder for people.
Mir Aneesuddin
And We have not appointed the guardians of hell, other than the angels, and We have not fixed their number but for the affliction of those who do not believe. So that those who are given the book may be certain and those who believe may increase in belief and those who were given the book and the believers may not be doubtful. And those in whose hearts is a disease and the infidels may say, “What does Allah intend by this similitude?” Thus Allah leaves to stray whom He wills and He guides whom He wills and no one knows the forces of your Fosterer except He Himself and this is nothing but a reminder to man.
We assigned to no one but the angels the guardianship of the Fire and We stated their number
The Wise Quran
And We have not made keepers of the fire except angels. And We have not made their number except as a trial for those who disbelieve; that those who were given the Book may be certain; and that those who believe may increase in faith; and that those who were given the Book and the believers may not doubt; and that those in whose hearts is sickness, and the disbelievers may say, 'What does God desire with this similitude?' Thus God leads astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. And none know the armies of your Lord but He. And it is not except a Reminder to the mortals.