Ahmed Raza Khan: Mohammed Aqib Qadri:
So when Talut left the city along with the armies, he
said, "Allah will surely test you with a river; so whoever
drinks its water is not mine - and whoever does not drink is
mine - except him who takes it in the hollow of his hand"; so
they all drank it, except a few of them; thereafter when Talut
and the believers with him had crossed the river, they said,
"We do not have power this day to face Jalut (Goliath) and his
armies"; those who were certain of meeting Allah said, "Many a
times has a smaller group overcome a bigger group by Allah's
command; and Allah is with the steadfast."
Yusuf Ali:
When Talut set forth with the armies, he said: "Allah will test
you at the stream: if any drinks of its water, He goes not with my army:
Only those who taste not of it go with me: A mere sip out of the hand is
excused." but they all drank of it, except a few. When they crossed the
river,- He and the faithful ones with him,- they said: "This day We cannot
cope with Goliath and his forces." but those who were convinced that they
must meet Allah, said: "How oft, by Allah's will, Hath a small force vanquished
a big one? Allah is with those who steadfastly persevere."
Pickthal:
And when Saul set out with the army, he said: Lo! Allah will
try you by (the ordeal of) a river. Whosoever therefore drinketh thereof he
is not of me, and whosoever tasteth it not he is of me, save him who taketh
(thereof) in the hollow of his hand. But they drank thereof, all save a few
of them. And after he had crossed (the river), he and those who believed
with him, they said: We have no power this day against Goliath and his
hosts. But those who knew that they would meet Allah exclaimed: How many a
little company hath overcome a mighty host by Allah's leave! Allah is with
the steadfast.