At-Tawba 9:42
The Repentance · ayah 42 of 129
Law kana AAaradan qareebanwasafaran qasidan lattabaAAooka walakinbaAAudat AAalayhimu ashshuqqatu wasayahlifoona billahilawi istataAAna lakharajna maAAakumyuhlikoona anfusahum wallahu yaAAlamu innahum lakathiboon
Saheeh International translation
Other English translations
Abdel Haleem (Oxford)+
"They would certainly have followed you [Prophet] if the benefit was within sight and the journey short, but the distance seemed too great for them. They will swear by God, ‘If we could, we certainly would go out [to battle] with you,’ but they ruin themselves, for God knows that they are lying."
Pickthall (classic)+
"Had it been a near adventure and an easy journey they had followed thee, but the distance seemed too far for them. Yet will they swear by Allah (saying): If we had been able we would surely have set out with you. They destroy their souls, and Allah knoweth that they verily are liars."
Yusuf Ali (classic)+
"If there had been immediate gain (in sight), and the journey easy, they would (all) without doubt have followed thee, but the distance was long, (and weighed) on them. They would indeed swear by Allah, "If we only could, we should certainly have come out with you": They would destroy their own souls; for Allah doth know that they are certainly lying."