Surah Al-Mā'idah (The Table Spread) in English

1. وقفينا على آثارهم بعيسى ابن مريم مصدقا لما بين يديه من التوراة وآتيناه الإنجيل فيه هدى ونور ومصدقا لما بين يديه من التوراة وهدى وموعظة للمتقين

   46

   We followed them with Jesus son of Mary, to confirm that which was before him of the Torah, and We gave him the Evangel containing guidance and light, confirming what was before it of the Torah, and as guidance and advice for the Godwary.

   wa-qaffaynā ʿalā ʾāthārihim bi-ʿīsā bni maryama muṣaddiqan li-mā bayna yadayhi mina t-tawrāti wa-ʾātaynāhu l-ʾinjīla fīhi hudan wa-nūrun wa-muṣaddiqan li-mā bayna yadayhi mina t-tawrāti wa-hudan wa-mawʿiẓatan li-l-muttaqīna

2. وليحكم أهل الإنجيل بما أنزل الله فيه ومن لم يحكم بما أنزل الله فأولئك هم الفاسقون

   47

   Let the people of the Evangel judge by what Allah has sent down in it. Those who do not judge by what Allah has sent down—it is they who are the transgressors.

   wa-l-yaḥkum ʾahlu l-ʾinjīli bi-mā ʾanzala llāhu fīhi wa-man lam yaḥkum bi-mā ʾanzala llāhu fa-ʾulāʾika humu l-fāsiqūna

3. وأنزلنا إليك الكتاب بالحق مصدقا لما بين يديه من الكتاب ومهيمنا عليه فاحكم بينهم بما أنزل الله ولا تتبع أهواءهم عما جاءك من الحق لكل جعلنا منكم شرعة ومنهاجا ولو شاء الله لجعلكم أمة واحدة ولكن ليبلوكم في ما آتاكم فاستبقوا الخيرات إلى الله مرجعكم جميعا فينبئكم بما كنتم فيه تختلفون

   48

   We have sent down to you the Book with the truth, confirming what was before it of the Book and as a guardian over it. So judge between them by what Allah has sent down, and do not follow their desires against the truth that has come to you. For each [community] among you We had appointed a code [of law] and a path, and had Allah wished He would have made you one community, but [His purposes required] that He should test you in respect to what He has given you. So take the lead in all good works. To Allah shall be the return of you all, whereat He will inform you concerning that about which you used to differ.

   wa-ʾanzalnā ʾilayka l-kitāba bi-l-ḥaqqi muṣaddiqan li-mā bayna yadayhi mina l-kitābi wa-muhayminan ʿalayhi fa-ḥkum baynahum bi-mā ʾanzala llāhu wa-lā tattabiʿ ʾahwāʾahum ʿammā jāʾaka mina l-ḥaqqi li-kullin jaʿalnā minkum shirʿatan wa-minhājan wa-law shāʾa llāhu la-jaʿalakum ʾummatan wāḥidatan wa-lākin li-yabluwakum fī mā ʾātākum fa-stabiqū l-khayrāti ʾilā llāhi marjiʿukum jamīʿan fa-yunabbiʾukum bi-mā kuntum fīhi takhtalifūna

4. وأن احكم بينهم بما أنزل الله ولا تتبع أهواءهم واحذرهم أن يفتنوك عن بعض ما أنزل الله إليك فإن تولوا فاعلم أنما يريد الله أن يصيبهم ببعض ذنوبهم وإن كثيرا من الناس لفاسقون

   49

   Judge between them by what Allah has sent down, and do not follow their desires. Beware of them lest they should beguile you from part of what Allah has sent down to you. But if they turn their backs [on you], then know that Allah desires to punish them for some of their sins, and indeed many of the people are transgressors.

   wa-ʾani ḥkum baynahum bi-mā ʾanzala llāhu wa-lā tattabiʿ ʾahwāʾahum wa-ḥdharhum ʾan yaftinūka ʿan baʿḍi mā ʾanzala llāhu ʾilayka fa-ʾin tawallaw fa-ʿlam ʾannamā yurīdu llāhu ʾan yuṣībahum bi-baʿḍi dhunūbihim wa-ʾinna kathīran mina n-nāsi la-fāsiqūna

5. أفحكم الجاهلية يبغون ومن أحسن من الله حكما لقوم يوقنون

   50

   Do they seek the judgement of [pagan] ignorance? But who is better than Allah in judgement for a people who have certainty?

   ʾa-fa-ḥukma l-jāhiliyyati yabghūna wa-man ʾaḥsanu mina llāhi ḥukman li-qawmin yūqinūna