3. Surah Ali 'Imran, Verse 79
مَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ اَنْ يُؤْتِيَهُ اللّٰهُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحُكْمَ وَالنُّبُوَّةَ ثُمَّ يَقُولَ لِلنَّاسِ كُونُوا عِبَاداً ل۪ي مِنْ دُونِ اللّٰهِ وَلٰكِنْ كُونُوا رَبَّانِيّ۪نَ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تُعَلِّمُونَ الْكِتَابَ وَبِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَدْرُسُونَۙ
Ma kana libasharin anyu/tiyahu Allahu alkitaba walhukmawannubuwwata thumma yaqoola linnasikoonoo AAibadan lee min dooni Allahi walakinkoonoo rabbaniyyeena bima kuntum tuAAallimoonaalkitaba wabima kuntum tadrusoon
It is not right for any human being that Allah should give him the Book and Judgement and Prophethood, and then that he should say to people, ‘Be worshippers of me rather than Allah. ’ Rather he will say, ‘Be people of the Lord because of your knowledge of the Book and because you study.’
- Progressive Muslims
It is not for a human that God would give him the Scripture and the authority and the prophethood, then he would say to the people: "Be servants to me rather than God!", rather: "Be devotees for what you have been taught of the Scripture, and for what you studied. "
- Shabbir Ahmed
Never would a human being, whom Allah has blessed with the Scripture, Wisdom and Prophethood, say to people, "Be servants of me instead of Allah. " Instead he would say, "Become men of God by spreading the knowledge of the Scripture and the teachings you learn there from."
- Sam Gerrans
It is not for a mortal that God should give him the Writ and judgment and prophethood, then he should say to men: “Be servants to me rather than God”; but: “Be men of God by what you have taught of the Writ, and by what you have studied.”
- The Monotheist Group
It is not for any human being that God would give him the Book and the authority and the prophethood, then he would say to the people: "Be servants to me rather than God!" Rather: "Be Devotees for what you have been taught of the Book, and of what you have studied."
- Edip-Layth
It is not for a human that God would give him the book, the authority, and the prophethood, then he would say to the people: "Be servants to me rather than to God!", rather: "Be devotees to what you have been taught of the book, and to what you studied."
- Aisha Bewley
It is not right for any human being that Allah should give him the Book and Judgement and Prophethood, and then that he should say to people, ‘Be worshippers of me rather than Allah. ’ Rather he will say, ‘Be people of the Lord because of your knowledge of the Book and because you study.’
- Rashad Khalifa
Never would a human being whom GOD blessed with the scripture and prophethood say to the people, "Idolize me beside GOD." Instead, (he would say), "Devote yourselves absolutely to your Lord alone," according to the scripture you preach and the teachings you learn.
- Mohamed Ahmed - Samira
It is not for a mortal to whom God reveals the Book and the judgement and the prophethood to say to the people: "Be my votaries instead of God's, " but (to say): "Become learned in divine law, by virtue of teaching and studying the Book. "
- Sahih International
It is not for a human [prophet] that Allah should give him the Scripture and authority and prophethood and then he would say to the people, "Be servants to me rather than Allah," but [instead, he would say], "Be pious scholars of the Lord because of what you have taught of the Scripture and because of what you have studied. "
- Muhammad Asad
It is not conceivable that a human being unto whom God had granted revelation, and sound judgment, and prophethood, should thereafter have said unto people, "Worship me beside God"; but rather [did he exhort them], "Become men of God by spreading the knowledge of the divine writ, and by your own deep study [thereof]. "
- Marmaduke Pickthall
It is not (possible) for any human being unto whom Allah had given the Scripture and wisdom and the prophethood that he should afterwards have said unto mankind: Be slaves of me instead of Allah; but (what he said was): Be ye faithful servants of the Lord by virtue of your constant teaching of the Scripture and of your constant study thereof.
- Abdel Khalek Himmat
It is hardly intelligible that a human on whom Allah confers the Book and the wisdom and the prerogative of Prophethood would demand of the people to worship him in lieu of Allah. Rather he would ask of them by virtue of right and authority to pay reverence and veneration to Allah, the Creator, and to adore Him with appropriate acts and rites and devotion. This is the logical sequence which Allah has imparted to them, the divine knowledge which they have imparted to people, the divine knowledge which they themselves have applied their minds to its acquisition.
- Bijan Moeinian
No man, to whom God gives the Book, wisdom and Prophet hood, would say to the people: "Worship me instead of God (as Christians attribute it to Christ. )" Such person (Jesus) will surely say: “Worship none but the Lord (Matthew 4-10.) Be sincere Rabbis in teaching the Scripture as you have learnt (and do not falsify it.)”
- Al-Hilali & Khan
It is not (possible) for any human being to whom Allâh has given the Book and Al-Hukm (the knowledge and understanding of the laws of religion) and Prophethood to say to the people: "Be my worshippers rather than Allâh’s." On the contrary (he would say): "Be you Rabbâniyyûn (learned men of religion who practise what they know and also preach others), because you are teaching the Book, and you are studying it."
- Abdullah Yusuf Ali
It is not (possible) that a man, to whom is given the Book, and Wisdom, and the prophetic office, should say to people: "Be ye my worshippers rather than Allah's": on the contrary (He would say) "Be ye worshippers of Him Who is truly the Cherisher of all: For ye have taught the Book and ye have studied it earnestly."
- Mustafa Khattab
It is not appropriate for someone who Allah has blessed with the Scripture, wisdom, and prophethood to say to people, "Worship me instead of Allah." Rather, he would say, “Be devoted to the worship of your Lord ˹alone˺—by virtue of what you read in the Scripture and what you teach.”
- Taqi Usmani
It is not (possible) for a man that Allah gives him the Book, the wisdom and the prophethood, then he starts saying to the people "Become my worshippers, aside from Allah" rather, (he would say), “Be men of the Lord; as you have been teaching the Book, and as you have been learning it.”
- Abdul Haleem
No person to whom God had given the Scripture, wisdom, and prophethood would ever say to people, ‘Be my servants, not God’s.’ [He would say], ‘You should be devoted to God because you have taught the Scripture and studied it closely.’
- Arthur John Arberry
It belongs not to any mortal that God should give him the Book, the Judgment, the Prophethood, then he should say to men, 'Be you servants to me apart from God. ' Rather, 'Be you masters in that you know the Book, and in that you study.'
- E. Henry Palmer
It is not right for a man that God should give him a Book, and judgment, and prophecy, and that then he should say to men, 'Be ye servants of mine rather than of God;' but be ye rather masters of teaching the Book and of what ye learn.
- Hamid S. Aziz
It is not possible for a man to whom Allah has given the Scripture and the Wisdom and the Prophethood, that then he should say to men, "Be you servants of mine rather than of Allah;" but (what he said was) "Be you rather faithful servants of the Lord in teaching the Scripture of what you learn. "
- Mahmoud Ghali
In no way should a mortal (to whom) Allah brings the Book and the Judgment and the Prophethood thereafter say to mankind, "Be bondmen to me, apart from Allah. " But, (i.e. But he should say) "Be lordly (i.e. teachers of Divine Law and worshipers of Allah) in that you used to teach the Book and in that you used to study (it)."
- George Sale
It is not fit for a man, that God should give him a book of revelations, and wisdom, and prophecy; and then he should say unto men, be ye worshippers of me, besides God; but he ought to say, be ye perfect in knowledge and in works, since ye know the scriptures, and exercise your selves therein.
- Syed Vickar Ahamed
It is not (possible) that a man, to whom is given the Book, and Wisdom, and the position of a prophet, can say to people; "Be you my worshippers rather than Allah’s:" On the contrary (he would say): "Be you the worshippers of Him, Who is truly the Cherisher of all: For you have been taught the Book and you have studied it truthfully. "
- Amatul Rahman Omar
It is not given to a human being that Allâh should give him the Book, the sovereignty and the prophethood and then he should say to the people, `Be servants to me beside Allâh. ' He would rather say, `Be you the sole devotees of (Allâh) the Lord, for you teach the Book and because you study (it).'
- Ali Quli Qarai
It does not behoove any human that Allah should give him the Book, judgement and prophethood, and then he should say to the people, ‘Be my servants instead of Allah. ’ Rather [he would say], ‘Be a godly people, because of your teaching the Book and because of your studying it.’