Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

It is not for a believer to kill a believer save in error; and whoso kills a believer in error: the manumission of a believing slave, and blood-money delivered to his family save if they forgive by way of charity. And if he be of a people at enmity with you and a believer: the manumission of a believing slave; and if he be of a people between whom and you is a treaty: blood-money delivered to his family, and the manumission of a believing slave. And whoso has not the means: a fast of two months consecutively as repentance from God; and God is knowing and wise.

وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ اَنْ يَقْتُلَ مُؤْمِناً اِلَّا خَطَـٔاًۚ وَمَنْ قَتَلَ مُـؤْمِناً خَطَــٔاً فَـتَـحْر۪يرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُؤْمِنَةٍ وَدِيَةٌ مُسَلَّمَةٌ اِلٰٓى اَهْلِه۪ٓ اِلَّٓا اَنْ يَصَّدَّقُواۜ فَاِنْ كَانَ مِنْ قَوْمٍ عَدُوٍّ لَكُمْ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَتَحْر۪يرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُؤْمِنَةٍۜ وَاِنْ كَانَ مِنْ قَوْمٍ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ م۪يثَاقٌ فَدِيَةٌ مُسَلَّمَةٌ اِلٰٓى اَهْلِه۪ وَتَحْر۪يرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُؤْمِنَةٍۚ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِۘ تَوْبَةً مِنَ اللّٰهِۜ وَكَانَ اللّٰهُ عَل۪يماً حَك۪يماً
Wama kana limu/minin anyaqtula mu/minan illa khataan waman qatala mu/minankhataan fatahreeru raqabatin mu/minatin wadiyatunmusallamatun ila ahlihi illa an yassaddaqoofa-in kana min qawmin AAaduwwin lakum wahuwa mu/minun fatahreeruraqabatin mu/minatin wa-in kana min qawmin baynakumwabaynahum meethaqun fadiyatun musallamatun ilaahlihi watahreeru raqabatin mu/minatin faman lam yajid fasiyamushahrayni mutatabiAAayni tawbatan mina Allahi wakanaAllahu AAaleeman hakeema
#wordmeaningroot
1wamāAnd not
2kānaisكون
3limu'mininfor a believerامن
4anthat
5yaqtulahe killsقتل
6mu'minana believerامن
7illāexcept
8khaṭa-an(by) mistakeخطا
9wamanAnd whoever
10qatalakilledقتل
11mu'minana believerامن
12khaṭa-an(by) mistakeخطا
13fataḥrīruthen freeingحرر
14raqabatin(of) a slaveرقب
15mu'minatin believingامن
16wadiyatunand blood moneyودي
17musallamatun(is to be) paidسلم
18ilāto
19ahlihihis familyاهل
20illāunless
21anthat
22yaṣṣaddaqūthey remit (as) charityصدق
23fa-inBut if
24kāna(he) wasكون
25minfrom
26qawmina peopleقوم
27ʿaduwwinhostileعدو
28lakumto you
29wahuwaand he was
30mu'minuna believerامن
31fataḥrīruthen freeingحرر
32raqabatin(of) a believing slaveرقب
33mu'minatin believingامن
34wa-inAnd if
35kāna(he) wasكون
36minfrom
37qawmina peopleقوم
38baynakumbetween youبين
39wabaynahumand between themبين
40mīthāqun(is) a treatyوثق
41fadiyatunthen blood moneyودي
42musallamatun(is to be) paidسلم
43ilāto
44ahlihihis familyاهل
45wataḥrīruand freeingحرر
46raqabatin(of) a slaveرقب
47mu'minatin believingامن
48famanAnd whoever
49lam(does) not
50yajidfindوجد
51faṣiyāmuthen fastingصوم
52shahrayni(for) two monthsشهر
53mutatābiʿayniconsecutivelyتبع
54tawbatan(seeking) repentanceتوب
55minafrom
56l-lahiAllah
57wakānaand isكون
58l-lahuAllah
59ʿalīmanAll-Knowingعلم
60ḥakīmanAll-Wiseحكم
  • Aisha Bewley

    A mumin should never kill another mumin unless it is by mistake. Anyone who kills a mumin by mistake should free a mumin slave and pay blood-money to his family unless they forgo it as a sadaqa. If he is from a people who are your enemies and is a mumin, you should free a mumin slave. If he is from a people you have a treaty with, blood money should be paid to his family and you should free a mumin slave. Anyone who cannot find the means should fast two consecutive months. This is a concession from Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

  • Progressive Muslims

    And it is not for a believer to kill another believer except by accident. And whoever kills a believer by accident, then he shall set free a believing slave, and give compensation to the family; except if they remit it. If he was from a people who are enemies to you, and he was a believer, then you shall set free a believing slave. And if he was from a people between whom you had a covenant, then a compensation to his family, and set free a believing slave. Whoever does not find, then the fasting of two months sequentially as a repentance from God; God is Knowledgeable, Wise.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    It is not conceivable that a believer will slay another believer unless it be a mistake. If one kills a believer by mistake, there is the duty of freeing a believing person from bondage; may it be slavery, extreme poverty, crushing debt or oppression. And pay compensation to the victim's family unless they forgo it by way of charity. If case the victim was a believer, and belonged to a tribe who are at war with you, free a believing person from bondage. If the victim was a believer, and belonged to a tribe with whom you have a peace treaty, you should pay the compensation to his family in addition to freeing a believing person from bondage. For those who find this settlement beyond their means, two consecutive months of Abstinence, as in the month of Ramadan, are ordained by way of repentance from Allah. And Allah is the Knower, the Wise.

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    It is not for a believer to kill a believer save in error; and whoso kills a believer in error: the manumission of a believing slave, and blood-money delivered to his family save if they forgive by way of charity. And if he be of a people at enmity with you and a believer: the manumission of a believing slave; and if he be of a people between whom and you is a treaty: blood-money delivered to his family, and the manumission of a believing slave. And whoso has not the means: a fast of two months consecutively as repentance from God; and God is knowing and wise.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    And it is not for a believer to kill another believer except by accident. And whoever kills a believer by accident, then he shall free a believing slave, and give compensation to the family; except if they remit it. If he was from a people who are enemies to you, and he was a believer, then you shall free a believing slave. And if he was from a people with whom you have a covenant, then a compensation to his family, and free a believing slave. Whoever does not find, then the fasting of two months sequentially as a repentance from God; for God is Knowledgeable, Wise.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    Those who acknowledge cannot kill another who has also acknowledged except by accident. Whoever kills one who acknowledged by accident, then he shall set free an acknowledging slave, and give compensation to the family; except if they remit it. If he was from a people who are enemies to you, and he had acknowledged, then you shall set free an acknowledging slave. If he was from a people between whom you had a covenant, then compensation to his family, and set free an acknowledging slave. Whoever does not find, then the fasting of two months sequentially as repentance from God; God is Knowledgeable, Wise.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    No believer shall kill another believer, unless it is an accident. If one kills a believer by accident, he shall atone by freeing a believing slave, and paying a compensation to the victim's family, unless they forfeit such a compensation as a charity. If the victim belonged to people who are at war with you, though he was a believer, you shall atone by freeing a believing slave. If he belonged to people with whom you have signed a peace treaty, you shall pay the compensation in addition to freeing a believing slave. If you cannot find a slave to free, you shall atone by fasting two consecutive months, in order to be redeemed by GOD. GOD is Knower, Most Wise.,

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    It is not for a believer to take a believer's life except by mistake; and he who kills a believer by mistake should free a slave who is a believer, and pay blood-money to the victim's family unless they forego it as an act of charity. If he belonged to a community hostile to you but was himself a believer, then a slave who is a believer should be freed. In case he belonged to a people with whom you have a treaty, then give blood-money to his family and free a believing slave. But he who has no means (to do so) should fast for a period of two months continuously to have his sins forgiven by God, and God is all-knowing and all-wise.

  • Sahih International (Umm Muhammad, Mary Kennedy, Amatullah Bantley)

    And never is it for a believer to kill a believer except by mistake. And whoever kills a believer by mistake - then the freeing of a believing slave and a compensation payment presented to the deceased's family unless they give charity. But if the deceased was from a people at war with you and he was a believer - then the freeing of a believing slave; and if he was from a people with whom you have a treaty - then a compensation payment presented to his family and the freeing of a believing slave. And whoever does not find - then , a fast for two months consecutively, acceptance of repentance from Allah. And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.

  • Muhammad Asad

    AND IT IS not conceivable that a believer should slay another believer, unless it be by mistake. And upon him who has slain a believer by mistake there is the duty of freeing a believing soul from bondage and paying an indemnity to the victim's relations, unless they forgo it by way of charity. Now if the slain, while himself a believer, belonged to a people who are at war with you, the freeing of a believing soul from bondage; whereas, if he belonged to a people to whom you are bound by a covenant, an indemnity to be paid to his relations in ad­dition to the freeing of a believing soul from bon­dage. And he who does not have the wherewithal shall fast for two consecutive months. (This is) the atonement ordained by God: and God is indeed all-knowing, wise.

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    It is not for a believer to kill a believer unless (it be) by mistake. He who hath killed a believer by mistake must set free a believing slave, and pay the blood-money to the family of the slain, unless they remit it as a charity. If he (the victim) be of a people hostile unto you, and he is a believer, then (the penance is) to set free a believing slave. And if he cometh of a folk between whom and you there is a covenant, then the blood-money must be paid unto his folk and (also) a believing slave must be set free. And whoso hath not the wherewithal must fast two consecutive months. A penance from Allah. Allah is Knower, Wise.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    It is not for a believer to slay another believer unless by mistake.* And he who has slain a believer by mistake, his atonement is to set free from bondage a believing person* and to pay blood-money to his heirs,* unless they forgo it by way of charity. And if the slain belonged to a hostile people, but was a believer, then the atonement is to set free from bondage a believing person.And if the slain belonged to a (non-Muslim) people with whom you have a covenant, then the atonement is to pay the blood-money to his heirs, and to set free from bondage a believing person.* But he who cannot (free a slave) should fast for two consecutive months.* This is the penance ordained by Allah.* Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    Observe particularly: It is not right for a believer who has conformed to Islam to kill another believer of the same law unless it be by mistake. And he who kills a Muslim by chance and guilt does not reside in the intention shall run into some consequences in expiation of his wrong, thus:

  • Bijan Moeinian

    No believer should kill another believer intentionally. In case of unintentional man slaughter (such as car accident), the killer must set free a believing slave and pay blood money to the heirs unless the latter do not demand it to please God. If the believing victim lived among the enemies (and was killed say in a military campaign by mistake), the expiation will be freeing a believing slave. If the believing victim lived among the non-believers with whom you have a peace treaty, the expiation will be freeing a Muslim slave and the payment of the blood money to his heirs. If one (for monetary reasons) can not free a slave, then he has to fast two consecutive months and ask for forgiveness from God, the Most Knowledgeable, the Most Wise.

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    It is not for a believer to kill a believer except (that it be) by mistake; and whosoever kills a believer by mistake, (it is ordained that) he must set free a believing slave and a compensation (blood-money, i.e. Diya) be given to the deceased’s family unless they remit it. If the deceased belonged to a people at war with you and he was a believer, the freeing of a believing slave (is prescribed); and if he belonged to a people with whom you have a treaty of mutual alliance, compensation (blood-money - Diya) must be paid to his family, and a believing slave must be freed. And whoso finds this (the penance of freeing a slave) beyond his means, he must fast for two consecutive months in order to seek repentance from Allâh. And Allâh is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise.

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    Never should a believer kill a believer; but (If it so happens) by mistake, (Compensation is due): If one (so) kills a believer, it is ordained that he should free a believing slave, and pay compensation to the deceased's family, unless they remit it freely. If the deceased belonged to a people at war with you, and he was a believer, the freeing of a believing slave (Is enough). If he belonged to a people with whom ye have treaty of Mutual alliance, compensation should be paid to his family, and a believing slave be freed. For those who find this beyond their means, (is prescribed) a fast for two months running: by way of repentance to Allah: for Allah hath all knowledge and all wisdom.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    It is not lawful for a believer to kill another except by mistake. And whoever kills a believer unintentionally must free a believing slave and pay blood-money to the victim’s family—unless they waive it charitably. But if the victim is a believer from a hostile people, then a believing slave must be freed. And if the victim is from a people bound with you in a treaty, then blood-money must be paid to the family along with freeing a believing slave. Those who are unable, let them fast two consecutive months—as a means of repentance to Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

  • Taqi Usmani

    It is not for a believer (Muslim) to kill any believer, except by mistake. Whoever kills a believer by mistake, then, a believing slave has to be freed, and the blood money must be paid to his family, unless they forgo it.If he (the victim) belongs to a people hostile to you and is a believer, then, a believing slave has to be freed. If he (the victim) belongs to a people between whom and you there is treaty, then, blood money is to be paid to his family, and a believing slave to be freed. Whoever does not find one has to fast for two consecutive months. This is repentance prescribed from Allah’s side. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

  • Abdul Haleem

    Never should a believer kill another believer, except by mistake. If anyone kills a believer by mistake he must free one Muslim slave and pay compensation to the victim’s relatives, unless they charitably forgo it; if the victim belonged to a people at war with you but is a believer, then the compensation is only to free a believing slave; if he belonged to a people with whom you have a treaty, then compensation should be handed over to his relatives, and a believing slave set free. Anyone who lacks the means to do this must fast for two consecutive months by way of repentance to God: God is all knowing, all wise.

  • Arthur John Arberry

    It belongs not to a believer to slay a believer, except it be by error. If any slays a believer by error, then let him set free a believing slave, and bloodwit is to be paid to his family unless they forgo it as a freewill offering. If he belong to a people at enmity with you and is a believer, let the slayer set free a believing slave. If he belong to a people joined with you by a compact, then bloodwit is to be paid to his family and the slayer shall set free a believing slave. But if he finds not the means, let him fast two successive months -- God's turning; God is All-knowing, All-wise.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    It is not for a believer to kill a believer save by mistake; and whosoever kills a believer by mistake then let him free a believing neck; and the blood-money must be paid to his people save what they shall remit as alms. But if he be from a tribe hostile to you and yet a believer, then let him free a believing neck. And if it be a tribe betwixt whom and you there is an alliance, then let the blood-money be paid to his friends, and let him free a believing neck; but he who cannot find the means, then let him fast for two consecutive months - a penance this from God, for God is knowing, wise.

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    It is not for a believer to kill a believer save by mistake; and whoever kills a believer by mistake then let him free a believing slave and compensation must be paid to his people, unless they remit it as charity. But if he be from a tribe hostile to you and yet a believer, then let him free a believing slave. And if he comes from a people betwixt whom and you there is an alliance, then let the compensation be paid to his folk and let him also free a believing slave. But he who cannot find the means, then let him fast for two consecutive months - a penance this from Allah, for Allah is Knower, Wise.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    And in no way is it for a believer to kill a believer, except it be by mistake; and he who killed a believer by mistake, then (let him set) free a believing neck, (Literally: a believing neck "i. e., slave" "is" to be set free) and blood-money is to be handed (unimpaired) to his family, unless they donate (it). Then, in case he is of a people (who are) an enemy to you and he is a believer, then a believing neck (i.e., slave) is to be freed. And in case he is of a people between whom and you there is a compact, then blood-money is to be handed (unimpaired) to his family and a believing neck is to be freed. Yet whoever does not find (the means), then fasting two months following each other is a relenting from Allah, and Allah has been Ever-Knowing, Ever-Wise.

  • George Sale

    It is not lawful for a believer to kill a believer, unless it happen by mistake; and whoso killeth a believer by mistake, the penalty shall be the freeing of a believer from slavery, and a fine to be paid to the family of the deceased, unless they remit it as alms: And if the slain person be of a people at enmity with you, and be a true believer, the penalty shall be the freeing of a believer; but if he be of a people in confederacy with you, a fine to be paid to his family, and the freeing of a believer. And he who findeth not wherewith to do this, shall fast two months consecutively, as a penance enjoined from God; and God is knowing and wise.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    And a believer should never kill a believer; But (if it so happens) by mistake, (compensation is due): If one kills a believer (by mistake) it is necessary that he (the killer) should free a believing slave, and pay compensation (known as blood-money known as Diya) to the dead persons family, unless they remit it freely. If the dead person belonged to a people at war with you, and he was a believer, the freeing of a believing slave (is enough). If he belonged to a people with whom you had a treaty of mutual understanding, then the compensation (or Diya) should be paid to his family, and a believing slave be freed. For those who find this beyond their means, he must fast of two months running (without breaks): By way of repentance to Allah: And Allah is All Knowing (Aleem), All Wise (Hakeem).

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    It is not befitting for a believer to kill another believer except (what happens) by mistake; and he who kills a believer by mistake let him set a believing captive of war free and pay blood-money to be handed over to the heirs of the deceased, unless they (- the heirs) forgo it as a free-will offering. But if he (- the slain) is a believer belonging to people hostile to you, then there is still only the (penance of) freeing a believing captive of war; and if he (- the slain) belongs to a people with whom you have a pact, then there is the payment of blood-money, to be handed over to his heirs and (also) the freeing of a believing captive of war; but he who does not find (the means to set free a captive of war,) shall fast two consecutive months, a method of penance (devised) by Allâh. And Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    A believer may not kill another believer, unless it is by mistake. Anyone who kills a believer by mistake should set free a believing slave, and pay blood-money to his family, unless they remit it in charity. If he belongs to a people that are hostile to you but is a believer, then a believing slave is to be set free. And if he belongs to a people with whom you have a treaty, the blood-money is to be paid to his family and a believing slave is to be set free. He who cannot afford , must fast two successive months as a penance from Allah, and Allah is all-knowing, all-wise.