Aal-i-Imraan 3:167
The Family of Imraan · ayah 167 of 200
WaliyaAAlama allatheena nafaqoowaqeela lahum taAAalaw qatiloo fee sabeeli Allahiawi idfaAAoo qaloo law naAAlamu qitalan lattabaAAnakumhum lilkufri yawma-ithin aqrabu minhum lil-eemaniyaqooloona bi-afwahihim ma laysa fee quloobihim wallahuaAAlamu bima yaktumoon
Saheeh International translation
Other English translations
Abdel Haleem (Oxford)+
"when it was said to them, ‘Come, fight for God’s cause, or at least defend yourselves,’ answered, ‘We would follow you if we knew there was going to be fighting.’ On that day they were closer to disbelief than belief. They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts: God knows exactly what they conceal."
Pickthall (classic)+
"And that He might know the hypocrites, unto whom it was said: Come, fight in the way of Allah, or defend yourselves. They answered: If we knew aught of fighting we would follow you. On that day they were nearer disbelief than faith. They utter with their mouths a thing which is not in their hearts. Allah is Best Aware of what they hide."
Yusuf Ali (classic)+
"And the Hypocrites also. These were told: "Come, fight in the way of Allah, or (at least) drive (The foe from your city)." They said: "Had we known how to fight, we should certainly have followed you." They were that day nearer to Unbelief than to Faith, saying with their lips what was not in their hearts but Allah hath full knowledge of all they conceal."