Al-Baqara 2:221
The Cow · ayah 221 of 286
Wala tankihoo almushrikatihatta yu/minna walaamatun mu/minatun khayrun minmushrikatin walaw aAAjabatkum wala tunkihooalmushrikeena hatta yu/minoo walaAAabdun mu/minunkhayrun min mushrikin walaw aAAjabakum ola-ika yadAAoonaila annari wallahu yadAAooila aljannati walmaghfirati bi-ithnihiwayubayyinu ayatihi linnasilaAAallahum yatathakkaroon
Saheeh International translation
Other English translations
Abdel Haleem (Oxford)+
"Do not marry idolatresses until they believe: a believing slave woman is certainly better than an idolatress, even though she may please you. And do not give your women in marriage to idolaters until they believe: a believing slave is certainly better than an idolater, even though he may please you. Such people call [you] to the Fire, while God calls [you] to the Garden and forgiveness by His leave. He makes His messages clear to people, so that they may bear them in mind."
Pickthall (classic)+
"Wed not idolatresses till they believe; for lo! a believing bondwoman is better than an idolatress though she please you; and give not your daughters in marriage to idolaters till they believe, for lo! a believing slave is better than an idolater though he please you. These invite unto the Fire, and Allah inviteth unto the Garden, and unto forgiveness by His grace, and expoundeth His revelations to mankind that haply they may remember."
Yusuf Ali (classic)+
"Do not marry unbelieving women (idolaters), until they believe: A slave woman who believes is better than an unbelieving woman, even though she allures you. Nor marry (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe: A man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever, even though he allures you. Unbelievers do (but) beckon you to the Fire. But Allah beckons by His Grace to the Garden (of bliss) and forgiveness, and makes His Signs clear to mankind: That they may celebrate His praise."