Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

And when Moses returned to his people, wrathful and grieved, he said: “Evil is what you took up while I was away; were you impatient over the command of your Lord?” And he cast down the tablets, and seized his brother by the head, dragging him to him. Said he: “Son of my mother: the people despised me and were about to kill me. Then cause thou not the enemies to gloat over me, nor place thou me with the wrongdoing people.”

وَلَمَّا رَجَعَ مُوسٰٓى اِلٰى قَوْمِه۪ غَضْبَانَ اَسِفاًۙ قَالَ بِئْسَمَا خَلَفْتُمُون۪ي مِنْ بَعْد۪يۚ اَعَجِلْتُمْ اَمْرَ رَبِّكُمْۚ وَاَلْقَى الْاَلْوَاحَ وَاَخَذَ بِرَأْسِ اَخ۪يهِ يَجُرُّهُٓ اِلَيْهِۜ قَالَ ابْنَ اُمَّ اِنَّ الْقَوْمَ اسْتَضْعَفُون۪ي وَكَادُوا يَقْتُلُونَن۪يۘ فَلَا تُشْمِتْ بِيَ الْاَعْدَٓاءَ وَلَا تَجْعَلْن۪ي مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِم۪ينَ
Walamma rajaAAa moosa ilaqawmihi ghadbana asifan qala bi/samakhalaftumoonee min baAAdee aAAajiltum amra rabbikum waalqa al-alwahawaakhatha bira/si akheehi yajurruhu ilayhi qalaibna omma inna alqawma istadAAafoonee wakadooyaqtuloonanee fala tushmit biya al-aAAdaa walatajAAalnee maAAa alqawmi aththalimeen
#wordmeaningroot
1walammāAnd when
2rajaʿareturnedرجع
3mūsāMusa
4ilāto
5qawmihihis people قوم
6ghaḍbānaangryغضب
7asifanand grievedاسف
8qālahe saidقول
9bi'samāEvil is whatباس
10khalaftumūnīyou have done in my placeخلف
11minfrom
12baʿdīafter meبعد
13aʿajil'tumWere you impatientعجل
14amra(over the) matterامر
15rabbikum(of) your Lordربب
16wa-alqāAnd he cast downلقي
17l-alwāḥathe tabletsلوح
18wa-akhadhaand seizedاخذ
19birasiby headراس
20akhīhihis brotherاخو
21yajurruhudragging himجرر
22ilayhito himself
23qālaHe saidقول
24ib'naO sonبني
25umma(of) my motherامم
26innaIndeed
27l-qawmathe peopleقوم
28is'taḍʿafūnīconsidered me weakضعف
29wakādūand were about toكود
30yaqtulūnanīkill meقتل
31falāSo (let) not
32tush'mitrejoiceشمت
33biyaover me
34l-aʿdāathe enemiesعدو
35walāand (do) not
36tajʿalnīplace meجعل
37maʿawith
38l-qawmithe peopleقوم
39l-ẓālimīna(who are) wrongdoingظلم
  • Aisha Bewley

    When Musa returned to his people in anger and great sorrow, he said, ‘What an evil thing you did in my absence after I left! Did you want to hasten your Lord’s command?’ He threw down the Tablets and seized hold of his brother’s head, dragging him towards him. Harun said, ‘Son of my mother, The people oppressed me and almost killed me. Do not give my enemies cause to gloat over me. Do not include me with the wrongdoing people.’

  • Progressive Muslims

    And when Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved, he said: "Miserable is what you have done after I was gone; do you wish to hasten the action of your Lord" And he cast down the tablets, and took his brother by his head dragging him towards him. He said: "Son of my mother, the people overpowered me and nearly killed me, so do not make the enemies rejoice over me, and do not make me with the wicked people."

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    Moses returned to his people and was upset and grieved. He said, "You have chosen a terrible thing after me. Do you wish your Lord's Law of Requital to smite you soon (20:86)? He placed the tablets of the Commands among them and questioned his brother, Aaron, very strictly. Aaron explained, "O Son of my mother! These people treated me harshly and took my patience as weakness, and almost killed me. Let not my opponents rejoice, and count me not among the wrongdoers." (Seizing the beard and head is indicative of interrogating harshly. Aaron had been extra patient with their idolatry to avoid division among them (20:94). Aaron, the Prophet of God, preferred SHIRK over Sectarianism. This is how reprehensible sectarianism and division in religion is).

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    And when Moses returned to his people, wrathful and grieved, he said: “Evil is what you took up while I was away; were you impatient over the command of your Lord?” And he cast down the tablets, and seized his brother by the head, dragging him to him. Said he: “Son of my mother: the people despised me and were about to kill me. Then cause thou not the enemies to gloat over me, nor place thou me with the wrongdoing people.”

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    And when Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved, he said: "Miserable is what you have done after I was gone; do you wish to hasten the action of your Lord?" And he cast down the tablets, and took his brother by his head dragging him towards him. He said: "Son of my mother, the people overpowered me and nearly killed me, so do not make the enemies rejoice over me, and do not make me with the wicked people."

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    When Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved, he said, "Miserable is what you have done after me; do you wish to hasten the action of your Lord?" He cast down the tablets, and took his brother by his head dragging him towards him. He said, "Son of my mother, the people overpowered me and nearly killed me, so do not make the enemies rejoice over me, and do not make me with the wicked people."

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    When Moses returned to his people, angry and disappointed, he said, "What a terrible thing you have done in my absence! Could you not wait for the commandments of your Lord?" He threw down the tablets, and took hold of his brother's head, pulling him towards himself. (Aaron) said, "Son of my mother, the people took advantage of my weakness, and almost killed me. Let not my enemies rejoice, and do not count me with the transgressing people."

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    When Moses returned to his people, indignant and grieved, he said: "How wickedly you behaved in my absence. Why must you hasten the decree of your Lord?" And he cast aside the tablets, and pulled his brother by the hair. "O son of my mother," said (Aaron), "these people took advantage of my weakness and almost killed me. Do not let my enemies rejoice at my plight, and do not put me down among transgressors."

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

    And when Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved, he said, "How wretched is that by which you have replaced me after . Were you impatient over the matter of your Lord?" And he threw down the tablets and seized his brother by his head, pulling him toward him. said, "O son of my mother, indeed the people oppressed me and were about to kill me, so let not the enemies rejoice over me and do not place me among the wrongdoing people."

  • Muhammad Asad

    And when Moses returned to his people, full of wrath and sorrow, he exclaimed: "Vile is the course which you have followed in my absence! Have you forsaken your Sustainer's commandment?" And he threw down the tablets , and seized his brother's head, dragging him towards himself. Cried Aaron: "O my mother's son! Behold, the people brought me low and almost slew me: so let not mine enemies rejoice at my affliction, and count me not among the evildoing folk!"

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    And when Moses returned unto his people, angry and grieved, he said: Evil is that (course) which ye took after I had left you. Would ye hasten on the judgment of your Lord? And he cast down the tablets, and he seized his brother by the head, dragging him toward him. He said: Son of my mother! Lo! the folk did judge me weak and almost killed me. Oh, make not mine enemies to triumph over me and place me not among the evil-doers.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    And when Moses returned to his people, full of wrath and sorrow, he said: 'Vile is the course you have followed in my absence. Could you not patiently wait for the decree of your Lord?' And he threw down the Tablets and took hold of his brother's head, dragging him to himself. Aaron said: 'My mother's son, the people overpowered me and almost killed me. So let not my enemies gloat over me, and do not number me among the wrong-doing folk.'*

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    And when Mussa returned and found that his people have wronged themselves, he strongly resented their evil act, and so great was his indignation against them. Grieved at heart, he said: "Evil indeed is what your minds and souls have you to do; did you wish Allah's punishment be hastened on! He dropped the plates and dragged his brother by the head, laying the blame on him, But Harun said to him: " O son of my mother; the people judged me wanting in power and authority over them and almost killed me". "Therefore, do not let my enemies gloat over me and rejoice at my misfortune, nor should you associate me with the wrongful of actions".

  • Bijan Moeinian

    That was when Moses returned in rage and disappointment saying: "What you have done in my absence is the most devilish. Could you not wait for me with the patience so that I come back with the Lord's Commandments?" Then he threw down the tablets and took his brother's hair and dragged him in anger. Aaron said: "Son of my mother, these people rebelled and wanted to kill me. Do not make my enemies happy by treating me like the wrongdoers."

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    And when Mûsâ (Moses) returned to his people, angry and grieved, he said: "What an evil thing is that which you have done (i.e. worshipping the calf) during my absence. Did you hasten and go ahead as regards the matter of your Lord (you left His worship)?" And he threw down the Tablets and seized his brother by (the hair of) his head and dragged him towards him. Hârûn (Aaron) said: "O son of my mother! Indeed the people judged me weak and were about to kill me, so make not the enemies rejoice over me, nor put me amongst the people who are Zâlimûn (wrong-doers)."

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    When Moses came back to his people, angry and grieved, he said: "Evil it is that ye have done in my place in my absence: did ye make haste to bring on the judgment of your Lord?" He put down the tablets, seized his brother by (the hair of) his head, and dragged him to him. Aaron said: "Son of my mother! the people did indeed reckon me as naught, and went near to slaying me! Make not the enemies rejoice over my misfortune, nor count thou me amongst the people of sin."

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    When Moses returned to his people, ˹totally˺ furious and sorrowful, he said, "What an evil thing you committed in my absence! Did you want to hasten your Lord’s torment?" Then he threw down the Tablets and grabbed his brother by the hair, dragging him closer. Aaron pleaded, “O son of my mother! The people overpowered me and were about to kill me. So do not ˹humiliate me and˺ make my enemies rejoice, nor count me among the wrongdoing people.”

  • Taqi Usmani

    When Mūsā returned to his people, angry and sad, he said, "How bad is the thing you have done in my absence! How did you act in haste against the command of your Lord?" He dropped down the Tablets, and grabbed the head of his brother, pulling him towards himself. He (Hārūn) said, “My mother’s son, the people took me as weak and were about to kill me. So do not let the enemies laugh at me, and do not count me with the wrong-doers.”

  • Abdul Haleem

    On his return to his people, angry and aggrieved, Moses said, ‘How foul and evil is what you have done in my absence! Were you so keen to bring your Lord’s judgement forward?’ He threw the tablets down and seized his brother by the hair, pulling him towards him. Aaron said, ‘Son of my mother, these people overpowered me! They almost killed me! Do not give my enemies reason to rejoice! Do not include me with these evildoers!’

  • Arthur John Arberry

    And when Moses returned to his people, angry and sorrowful, he said, 'Evilly have you done in my place, after me; what, have you outstripped your Lord's commandment?' And he cast down the Tablets, and laid hold of his brother's head, dragging him to him. He said, 'Son of my mother, surely the people have abased me, and well nigh slain me. Make not my enemies to gloat over me, and put me not among the people of the evildoers.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    And when Moses returned unto his people angry and grieved, he said, 'Evil is it that ye have done after me! Would ye hasten on the bidding of your Lord?' and he threw down the tablets and took his brother by the head to drag him towards him, but he said, 'O son of my mother! verily, the people weakened me and well-nigh killed me; make not then mine enemies glad about me, and put me not with the unjust people. '

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    And when Moses returned unto his people angry and grieved, he said, "Evil is it that which you have done after I had gone! Would you hasten on the judgment of your Lord?". And he threw down the tablets and seized his brother by the (hair on his) head, dragging him towards him. But he (Aaron) protested, saying, "O son of my mother! Verily, the people deemed me weak (or of no account) and well nigh killed me. Make not mine enemies rejoice about me (my humiliation), and count me not with the unjust (evildoing, irrational) people.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    And as soon as Mûsa returned to his people, all-enraged and sorrowful, he said, "Miserable is what you have done while staying behind me (just) after my (departure). Would you hasten on the Command of your Lord?" And he cast down the Tablets and took hold of his brother's head, dragging him towards himself. He said, "Son of my mother, surely the people deemed me weak and were almost about to kill me. So do not make the enemies to gloat over me, and do not set me (Literally: do not make me) among the unjust people".

  • George Sale

    And when Moses returned to his people, indignant and grieved, he said, 'Evil is that which you did in my place in my absence. Did you hasten to devise a way for yourselves without waiting for the command of your Lord?' And he put down the tablet and seized his brother by the head, dragging him towards himself. Aaron said, 'Son of my mother, the people indeed deemed me weak, and were about to kill me. Therefore make not the enemies rejoice over my misfortune and place me not with the unjust people.'

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    When Musa (Moses) came back to his people, angry and sad, said: "It is evil, what you have done in my place (and) in my absence: Did you make haste to bring on (yourselves) the judgment (and anger) of your Lord?" He threw the Tablets, held his brother (Haroon) by (the hair of) his head, and dragged him to himself. Haroon (Aaron) said: "Son of my mother! Indeed, the people truly treated me as nothing and came near to killing me! So do not make the enemies rejoice over my misfortune, and you do not count me with the people in sin."

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    And when Moses returned to his people indignant and sorrowful he said, `How evil is that (course) which you adopted in my place in my absence! Did you seek to hasten on the command of your Lord (for punishment)?' And he put down the Tablets and caught hold of his brother (Aaron, who was entrusted to carry out Moses' mission in his absence) by the head, pulling him towards himself. He (- Aaron) said, `Son of my Mother! surely (I am not to be blamed for it), these people deemed me weak and were about to kill me. Therefore let not the enemies rejoice over my misery and count me not with these idolaters.'

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    And when Moses returned to his people, angry and indignant, he said, ‘Evil has been your conduct in my absence! Would you hasten on the edict of your Lord?’ He threw down the tablets and seized his brother by the head, pulling him towards himself. He said, ‘Son of my mother, indeed this people thought me to be weak, and they were about to kill me. So do not let the enemies gloat over me, and do not take me with the wrongdoing lot.’