سورة یُونس
Surah Yûnus 10:19
Jonah · Verse 19 of 109
وَمَا كَانَ النَّاسُ إِلَّا أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً فَاخْتَلَفُوا ۚ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِنْ رَبِّكَ لَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ فِيمَا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
Abdul Mannan Omar
And mankind were but a single nation, then they fell into variance. Had it not been for a word (-the postponement of their punishment, see 8:33) that preceded from your Lord (as His promise), the issue wherein they disagreed would have (long been) decided between them.
Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Mankind was but one nation, but differed (later). Had it not been for a word that went forth before from thy Lord, their differences would have been settled between them.
Ahmed Ali
Men were once a community of one faith; but they differed (and followed different ways). Had it not been for the word proclaimed by your Lord before, their differences would have been resolved.
12 more translations
Ali Unal
Humankind (in the beginning) were but one community following one single way but later they differed and began following different ways. Had it not been for a decree already issued by your Lord (postponing the final, decisive judgment until an appointed term), it would indeed have been judged between them in respect of all that they differ on.
Daryabadi
And mankind were not but a single ccmmunity then they differed. And had not a word from thy Lord gone forth, it would have been decreed between them in respect of that wherein they differ.
Faridul Haque
Mankind were only one nation * and then they differed, and had it not been for a promise ** from your Lord, the matters in which they differed would have been decided here itself. (* On one proper faith. ** The account on the Last Day.)
Maulana Muhammad Ali
And (all) people are but a single nation, then they disagree. And had not a word already gone forth from thy Lord, the matter would have certainly been decided between them in respect of that wherein they disagree.
Maulvi Sher Ali
And mankind were but one community, then they differed among themselves; and had it not been for a word that had gone before from thy Lord, it would have already been decided between them concerning that in which they differed.
Muhammad Asad
AND [know that] all mankind were once but one single community, and only later did they begin to hold divergent views. And had it not been for a decree - that had already gone forth from thy Sustainer, all their differences would indeed have been settled [from the outset].
Muhammad Musin Khan
Mankind were but one community (i.e. on one religion - Islamic Monotheism), then they differed (later), and had not it been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord, it would have been settled between them regarding what they differed.
Muhammad Pickthall
Mankind were but one community; then they differed; and had it not been for a word that had already gone forth from thy Lord it had been judged between them in respect of that wherein they differ.
Muhammad Sarwar
All people (once) followed one belief. Then they began to follow different beliefs. Had not a word of your Lord (His decision to give every one time and free will) been decreed, God would already have settled their differences.
Muhammed ali Shakir
And people are naught but a single nation, so they disagree; and had not a word already gone forth from your Lord, the matter would have certainly been decided between them in respect of that concerning which they disagree.
Rashad Khalifa
The people used to be one congregation, then they disputed. If it were not for a predetermined word from your Lord, they would have been judged immediately regarding their disputes.
Shabbir Ahmed
All mankind were but one community (and are meant to be so); then they differed. Had it not been for a Word that went forth from your Lord (the Law of Respite), He would have judged their disputes immediately.
Commentary 10:19 prophethood (Nabûwwat نبٌوت) and Apostleship (Risâlah رِسالة) ended with Muhammad (pbuh): After him, there will no further Prophets bringing Divine law.…
وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ فِيمَا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
10:19 prophethood (Nabûwwat نبٌوت) and Apostleship (Risâlah رِسالة) ended with Muhammad (pbuh): After him, there will no further Prophets bringing Divine law. However, Sainthood (- walâyat) will continue as part of His special Mercy and will never end. Allâh will continue to warn people by sending Reformers (-mujaddadîn), and Saints (-Aulîyâ) as guides in a similar way. This is the Promise embedded in the Words وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ (cf. 10:47, 64; 8:33; 27:72; 34:30). This Promise is out of His great Mercy (Rahmânîyyat). The verse that follows refers to this Mercy in the words: “When We show Mercy to the people...” (10:21) The variance among people arises when the appointees of Allâh – the Prophets or Reformers come: some believe in him and others reject him and call him mad (cf. 2:213)