Sura 12, Yusuf (Joseph), Mecca 53

12:40

“God has ordained that you should serve nothing but Him: this is the one ever-true faith; but most people know it not.”

The Quranic Text

Transliteration Ma_ ta'budu_na min du_nihi illa_ asma_'an sammaitumu_ha_ antum wa a_ba_'ukum ma_ anzalalla_hu biha_ min sulta_n(in), inil hukmu illa_ lilla_h(i), amara alla_ ta'budu_ illa_ iyya_h(u), za_likad dinul qayyimu wa la_kinna aksaran na_si la_ ya'lamu_n(a).

Translations

12: 40

Asad

All that you worship instead of God is nothing but [empty] names which you have invented 42 - you and your forefathers - [and] for which God has bestowed no warrant from on high. Judgment [as to what is right and what is wrong] rests with God alone - [and] He has ordained that you should worship nought but Him: this is the [one] ever-true faith; but most people know it not. 43

Yusuf Ali "If not Him ye worship nothing but names which ye have named ye and your fathers for which Allah hath sent you no authority: the Command is for none but Allah: He hath commanded that you worship none but Him: that is the right religion but Most men understand not...

Pickthall Those whom ye worship beside Him are but names which ye have named, ye and your fathers. Allah hath revealed no sanction for them. The decision rests with Allah only, Who hath commanded you that ye worship none save Him. This is the right religion, but most men know not.

Yuksel Yuksel "What you serve besides Him are nothing but names which you have fabricated you and your fathers. God did not send down any authority for such. The judgment is for none but God. He ordered that none be served but He. That is the true system, but most of the people do not know."

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Asad’s Comments:

42 Lit., "names which you have named" - i.e., "figments of your own imagination".

43 Cf. the last sentence of 30:30.