47 . Sura Muhammad

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

طَاعَةٌ وَقَوْلٌ مَّعْرُوفٌ فَإِذَا عَزَمَ الْأَمْرُ فَلَوْ صَدَقُوا اللَّهَ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ ﴿٢١﴾

47: 21. Were it to obey and say what is just,

and when a matter is resolved on, it were best for them if they were true to Allah.

C4846. The resolution is not taken except under guidance from Allah. Those, therefore, who fail to implement it by their own effort and sacrifice, are not true to Allah.

And such disloyalty or cowardice is not even good for them from a worldly point of view. With what face can they meet their friends after their disgraceful conduct?

Others version:

Asad’s version

47:21) obedience [to God's call] and a word that could win [His) approyal: for, since the matter has been resolved [by His revelation], it would be but for their own good to remain true to God.

Yuksel’s version

47:21 Obedience and to speak righteousness until the matter is decided, then if they trust God it would be better for them.