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Word Analysis & Comparison
20. Surah • 96. Verse
Word Analysis
بِمَا
bimā
what
لَمْ
lam
not
بِهِۦ
bihi
in it
مِّنْ
min
from
وَكَذَٰلِكَ
wakadhālika
and thus
لِى
lī
to me
Rashad Khalifa
The Final Testament
He said, "I saw what they could not see. I grabbed a fistful (of dust) from the place where the messenger stood, and used it (to mix into the golden calf). This is what my mind inspired me to do."
The Monotheist Group
The Quran: A Monotheist Translation
He said: "I noticed what they did not notice, so I took a handful from where the messenger was standing, and I cast it in. This is what my soul inspired me to do."
Edip-Layth
Quran: A Reformist Translation
He said, "I noticed what they did not notice, so I took a portion from the teaching of the messenger, and I cast it away. This is what my person inspired me to do."
Mustafa Khattab
The Clear Quran
He said, "I saw what they did not see, so I took a handful ˹of dust˺ from the hoof-prints of ˹the horse of˺ the messenger-angel ˹Gabriel˺ then cast it ˹on the moulded calf˺. This is what my lower-self tempted me into."[1]
Taqi Usmani
Holy Quran Translation
He said, "I perceived something they did not perceive. So I picked up a handful from under the footstep of the messenger. Then, I cast it. And thus my inner self tempted me."
Abdul Haleem
Holy Quran Translation
He replied, ‘I saw something they did not; I took in some of the teachings of the Messenger but tossed them aside: my soul prompted me to do what I did.’
Al-Hilali & Khan
Holy Quran Translation
(Sâmirî) said: "I saw what they saw not, so I took a handful (of dust) from the (hoof) print of the messenger [Jibrîl’s (Gabriel) horse] and threw it [into the fire in which were put the ornaments of Fir‘aun’s (Pharaoh) people, or into the calf]. Thus my inner-self suggested to me."
Abul A'la Maududi
Tafhim commentary
He answered: "I saw what the people did not see. So I took a handful of dust from the trail of the Messenger, and I flung it (into the fire). Thus did my mind prompt me."[1]
1
Here it has been a good deal of divergence of opinion in regard to the interpretation of this verse. According to the majority of the early commentators and their followers, it means: The Samiri saw the Messenger (Angel Gabriel) when he was passing and took a handful of dust from his footprints. Then he sprinkled this upon the idol of the golden calf. This created life in it and it began to low like a living calf. The Quran, in fact, does not say that this actually happened but merely cites the reply given by the Samiri to Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) when the latter took him to task for the great sin he had committed.
Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Holy Quran Translation
He replied: "I saw what they saw not: so I took a handful (of dust) from the footprint of the Messenger, and threw it (into the calf): thus did my soul suggest to me."
Marmaduke Pickthall
Holy Quran Translation
He said: I perceived what they perceive not, so I seized a handful from the footsteps of the messenger, and then threw it in. Thus my soul commended to me.
Bijan Moeinian
Holy Quran Translation
He replied: "Well, I saw angel Gabriel (that the others did not see) and I was inspired to take a handful of his foot print’s dust and throw upon the statue [making it sacred!]"
E. Henry Palmer
Holy Quran Translation
Said he, 'I beheld what they beheld not, and I grasped a handful from the footprint of the messenger and cast it; for thus my soul induced me. '
Mahmoud Ghali
Holy Quran Translation
Said he, "I beheld what they did not behold; so I grasped a handful (Literally: I grasped a grasp) (of dust) from the messenger's track; then flung it off. Thus my self instigated (that) to me."
Mohamed Ahmed - Samira
Holy Quran Translation
He said: "I saw what they did not see. I picked up a handful of dust from the messenger's tracks and threw it in, for the idea seemed attractive to me."
Ali Quli Qarai
Holy Quran Translation
He said, ‘I saw what they did not see. I took a handful [of dust] from the messenger’s trail and threw it. That is how my soul prompted me.’
Amatul Rahman Omar
Holy Quran Translation
He said, `I perceived that which they did not perceive. (My perception and insight being stronger than theirs.) I had adopted only some of the traditions (and the teachings) of the Messenger (- Moses), but that (too) I cast away. That is what my mind made fair-seeming to me.'
George Sale
Holy Quran Translation
He answered, I saw that which they saw not; wherefore I took a handful of dust from the footsteps of the messenger of God, and I cast it into the molten calf; for so did my mind direct me.
Hamid S. Aziz
Holy Quran Translation
(Moses) said, "What was your design, O Samiri?"
Arthur John Arberry
Holy Quran Translation
'I beheld what they beheld not, ' he said, 'and I seized a handful of dust from the messenger's track, and cast it into the thing. So my soul prompted me.'
Aisha Bewley
Holy Quran Translation
He said, ‘I saw what they did not see. So I gathered up a handful from the Messenger’s footprints and threw it in. That is what my inner self urged me to do.’
Muhammad Asad
Holy Quran Translation
He answered: "I have gained insight into something which they were unable to see: and so I took hold of a handful of the Apostle's teachings and cast it away: for thus has my mind prompted me [to act]. "
Progressive Muslims
Holy Quran Translation
He said: "I noticed what they did not notice, so I took a handful from where the messenger was standing, and I cast it in. This is what my soul inspired me to do."
Abdel Khalek Himmat
Al- Muntakhab
"I have seen", said Samiri, "what they failed to see -meaning the Spirit Jabril (Gabriel)- and so I took a handful of dust from the track of the Messenger of Allah and I tossed it toward the calf, for so did my soul prompt me -a made- up excuse for his unforgivable sinful act-.
Syed Vickar Ahamed
Holy Quran Translation
He replied: "I saw what they did not see: So I took a handful (of dust) from the footprint of the messenger, and threw it (into the calf): Thus did my soul tell me. "
Sahih International
(Umm Muhammad, Mary Kennedy, Amatullah Bantley)
He said, "I saw what they did not see, so I took a handful [of dust] from the track of the messenger and threw it, and thus did my soul entice me. "
Shabbir Ahmed
Holy Quran Translation
He answered, "I have gained insight into something which they have not. So I took hold of a handful of the Messenger's teachings and cast it away. This is what my mind prompted me to do."
Sam Gerrans
The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation
Said he: “I saw what they saw not; so I took a handful from the track of the Messenger, and did throw it; and thus my soul enticed me.”