Al-Baqara 2:249
The Cow · ayah 249 of 286
Falamma fasala talootubiljunoodi qala inna Allaha mubtaleekumbinaharin faman shariba minhu falaysa minnee waman lam yatAAamhufa-innahu minnee illa mani ightarafa ghurfatan biyadihifashariboo minhu illa qaleelan minhum falamma jawazahuhuwa wallatheena amanoo maAAahu qaloola taqata lana alyawma bijalootawajunoodihi qala allatheena yathunnoonaannahum mulaqoo Allahi kam min fi-atin qaleelatinghalabat fi-atan katheeratan bi-ithni Allahi wallahumaAAa assabireen
Saheeh International translation
Other English translations
Abdel Haleem (Oxford)+
"When Talut set out with his forces, he said to them, ‘God will test you with a river. Anyone who drinks from it will not belong with me, but anyone who refrains from tasting it will belong with me; if he scoops up just one handful [he will be excused].’ But they all drank [deep] from it, except for a few. When he crossed it with those who had kept faith, they said, ‘We have no strength today against Goliath and his warriors.’ But those who knew that they were going to meet their Lord said, ‘How often a small force has defeated a large army with God’s permission! God is with those who are steadfast.’"
Pickthall (classic)+
"And when Saul set out with the army, he said: Lo! Allah will try you by (the ordeal of) a river. Whosoever therefore drinketh thereof he is not of me, and whosoever tasteth it not he is of me, save him who taketh (thereof) in the hollow of his hand. But they drank thereof, all save a few of them. And after he had crossed (the river), he and those who believed with him, they said: We have no power this day against Goliath and his hosts. But those who knew that they would meet Allah exclaimed: How many a little company hath overcome a mighty host by Allah's leave! Allah is with the steadfast."
Yusuf Ali (classic)+
"When Talut set forth with the armies, he said: "Allah will test you at the stream: if any drinks of its water, He goes not with my army: Only those who taste not of it go with me: A mere sip out of the hand is excused." but they all drank of it, except a few. When they crossed the river,- He and the faithful ones with him,- they said: "This day We cannot cope with Goliath and his forces." but those who were convinced that they must meet Allah, said: "How oft, by Allah's will, Hath a small force vanquished a big one? Allah is with those who steadfastly persevere.""