فَإِذَا لَقِيتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَضَرْبَ ٱلرِّقَابِ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَثْخَنتُمُوهُمْ فَشُدُّوا۟ ٱلْوَثَاقَ فَإِمَّا مَنًّۢا بَعْدُ وَإِمَّا فِدَآءً حَتَّىٰ تَضَعَ ٱلْحَرْبُ أَوْزَارَهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ وَلَوْ يَشَآءُ ٱللَّهُ لَٱنتَصَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَا۟ بَعْضَكُم بِبَعْضٍۢ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَلَن يُضِلَّ أَعْمَٰلَهُمْ
How to read it
Fa'idhā laqītumu -lladhīna kafarū faḍar'ba rriqābi ḥattā 'idhā 'ath'khantumūhum' fashuddū l-wathāqa fa'immā mannan[m] baʻ'du wa'immā fidā'an ḥattā taḍaʻa l-ḥar'bu 'aw'zārahā . dhālika walaw' yashā'u -llahu la-ntaṣara min'hum' walākin lliyab'lūā baʻ'ḍakum bibaʻ'ḍin . wa-lladhīna qutilū fī sabīli -llahi falan yuḍilla 'aʻ'mālahum'
Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded): but if it had been Allah's Will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them (Himself); but (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the Way of Allah,- He will never let their deeds be lost.
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
