Al-Baqara 2:246
The Cow · ayah 246 of 286
Alam tara ila almala-i min banee isra-eelamin baAAdi moosa ith qaloo linabiyyin lahumuibAAath lana malikan nuqatil fee sabeeli Allahiqala hal AAasaytum in kutiba AAalaykumu alqitalualla tuqatiloo qaloo wama lanaalla nuqatila fee sabeeli Allahi waqadokhrijna min diyarina waabna-inafalamma kutiba AAalayhimu alqitalu tawallaw illaqaleelan minhum wallahu AAaleemun biththalimeen
Saheeh International translation
Other English translations
Abdel Haleem (Oxford)+
"[Prophet], consider the leaders of the Children of Israel who came after Moses, when they said to one of their prophets, ‘Set up a king for us and we shall fight in God’s cause.’ He said, ‘But could it be that you would not fight, if it were ordained for you?’ They said, ‘How could we not fight in God’s cause when we and our children have been driven out of our homeland?’ Yet when they were commanded to fight, all but a few of them turned away: God has full knowledge of those who do wrong."
Pickthall (classic)+
"Bethink thee of the leaders of the Children of Israel after Moses, how they said unto a prophet whom they had: Set up for us a king and we will fight in Allah's way. He said: Would ye then refrain from fighting if fighting were prescribed for you? They said: Why should we not fight in Allah's way when we have been driven from our dwellings with our children? Yet, when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned away, all save a few of them. Allah is aware of evil-doers."
Yusuf Ali (classic)+
"Hast thou not Turned thy vision to the Chiefs of the Children of Israel after (the time of) Moses? they said to a prophet (That was) among them: "Appoint for us a king, that we May fight in the cause of Allah." He said: "Is it not possible, if ye were commanded to fight, that that ye will not fight?" They said: "How could we refuse to fight in the cause of Allah, seeing that we were turned out of our homes and our families?" but when they were commanded to fight, they turned back, except a small band among them. But Allah Has full knowledge of those who do wrong."