Al-A'raaf 7:176
The Heights · ayah 176 of 206
Walaw shi/na larafaAAnahu bihawalakinnahu akhlada ila al-ardi wattabaAAahawahu famathaluhu kamathali alkalbi in tahmilAAalayhi yalhath aw tatruk-hu yalhath thalika mathalualqawmi allatheena kaththaboo bi-ayatinafaqsusi alqasasa laAAallahumyatafakkaroon
Saheeh International translation
Other English translations
Abdel Haleem (Oxford)+
"if it had been Our will, We could have used these signs to raise him high, but instead he clung to the earth and followed his own desires- he was like a dog that pants with a lolling tongue whether you drive it away or leave it alone. Such is the image of those who reject Our signs. Tell them the story so that they may reflect."
Pickthall (classic)+
"And had We willed We could have raised him by their means, but he clung to the earth and followed his own lust. Therefor his likeness is as the likeness of a dog: if thou attackest him he panteth with his tongue out, and if thou leavest him he panteth with his tongue out. Such is the likeness of the people who deny Our revelations. Narrate unto them the history (of the men of old), that haply they may take thought."
Yusuf Ali (classic)+
"If it had been Our will, We should have elevated him with Our signs; but he inclined to the earth, and followed his own vain desires. His similitude is that of a dog: if you attack him, he lolls out his tongue, or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls out his tongue. That is the similitude of those who reject Our signs; So relate the story; perchance they may reflect."