Al-Anfal-68, Quran Recitation by Abu Bakr al Shatri

Were it nor for a Writing from Allah (Levh-i Mahfuz) that had already gone forth (in the past), surely a severe torment would have touched you for what (ransom) you took.

Were it not that a writ had already gone forth from Allah, there would surely have touched you a mighty torment for that which ye took

Had it not been for a prior decree of Allah, surely there would have befallen you a great punishment for what you took.

Had there not been a previous decree from God (concerning that gains of war are lawful and captives can be released in return for ransom), a tremendous punishment would surely have touched you because of what you took (the gains of war, and the captives taken in expectation of ransom, before the enemies’ power in the land had been sufficiently suppressed and exhausted).

Had this not been decreed by God in advance, you would have suffered a grievous punishment for what you took (as booty).

Had Allah not pre-destined a matter then, O Muslims, a terrible punishment would have come upon you due to the ransom you took from the disbelievers.

Had there not been a prior decree (of a war at Badr) from Allâh you would certainly have come to grief as a result of that which you were going to undertake (by attacking the caravan of Quraish from Syria).

Had it not been for a prior prescription from God, there had afflicted you, for what you took, a mighty chastisement.

Were it not for an ordinance from Allah that had gone before, there would have touched you a mighty punishment for that which you took (prisoners for ransom),

Were it not a previous ordainment from Allah, a severe torment would have touched you for what you took.

It is not fit for a prophet to take captives unless he has fought and triumphed in the land. You desire the frail goods of this world, while Allah desires (for you) the Hereafter. And Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Were it not for an ordinance from Allah that had already gone forth, surely there would have befallen you a great chastisement for what you had taken to.

Had it not been for an ordinance of Allah which had gone before, an awful doom had come upon you on account of what ye took.

(Had you taken captives) before being allowed by God´s revelations, a great torment would have struck you for what you had done.

Had there not been a previous writing from Allah, you would have been afflicted by a mighty punishment.

If not for a decree from Allah that preceded, you would have been touched for what you took by a great punishment.

Had Allah not pre-destined a matter then, O Muslims, a terrible punishment would have come upon you due to the ransom you took from the disbelievers.

Were it not for a predetermined decree from God, an awful punishment would have afflicted you for what you have taken.

Had it not been for a writ from God that had already gone forth, you would have been severely punished on account of what you took.

Had it not been for a previous ordainment from Allah, a severe penalty would have reached you for the (ransom) that ye took.