Popular Translations
Muhammad Asad
Had it not been for a decree from God that had already gone forth, there would indeed have befallen you a tremendous chastisement on account of all [the captives] that you took
Arthur John Arberry
Had it not been for a prior prescription from God, there had afflicted you, for what you took, a mighty chastisement
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
Had it not been for a previous ordainment from Allah, a severe penalty would have reached you for the (ransom) that ye took
Arabic
لَّوۡلَا كِتَـٰبࣱ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ سَبَقَ لَمَسَّكُمۡ فِیمَاۤ أَخَذۡتُمۡ عَذَابٌ عَظِیمࣱ ٦٨
Transliteration (2021)
lawlā kitābun mina l-lahi sabaqa lamassakum fīmā akhadhtum ʿadhābun ʿaẓīmu