English Translations of Verse 51:47 prior or around the time of Edwin Hubble's discovery in the 1930's of an expanding universe:
"...With power and skill did We construct the Firmament: for it is We Who create the vastness of space.... " (Surah 51:47). Yusufali
"...We have built the heaven with might, and We it is Who make the vast extent (thereof).... " (Surah 51:47). Pickthal
"...And the heaven, We raised it high with power, and most surely We are the makers of things ample.... " (Surah 51:47). Shakir
Late twentieth century translations of the same verse, after Hubble's discovery was established science:
Shabbir Ahmed:
"And it is We Who have built the Universe, and behold, We are steadily expanding it."
Dr. Munir Munshey:
"With Our power and prowess, We brought into being the universe. And indeed, We expand it (steadily)!"
Progressive Muslims:
"And We constructed the universe using matter, and We will expand it."
Muhammad Asad:
"And it is We who have built the universe with [Our creative] power; and, verily, it is We who are steadily expanding it."
Arberry:
"And heaven -- We built it with might, and We extend it wide."
Sarwar:
"We have made the heavens with Our own hands and We expanded it."
Khalifah:
"We constructed the sky with our hands, and we will continue to expand it."
Hilali/Khan:
"With power did We construct the heaven. Verily, We are Able to extend the vastness of space thereof."
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International):
"And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are it's expander."
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira:
"And the sky/space We built/constructed it with power/support, and We are extending/spreading."
Qaribullah:
"We built the heaven with might, and We widely extended it."
Ali Quli Qara'i:
"We have built the sky with might, and indeed it is We who are its expanders."
Ali Unal:
"And the heaven, We have constructed it mightily, and it is surely We Who have vast power, and keep expanding it."
Bijan Moeinian:
"I (God) have created the universe myself and will continue to expand it."
Hamid S. Aziz:
"And the heaven, We raised it high with power, and it is We that expand the vastness of space (or We are the expanders of it)."
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali:
"And the heaven (is also a sign). We have built it with (Our) Hands (i.e., Capability) and surely We are indeed extending (it) wide."
Muhammad Taqi Usmani:
"And the sky was built by Us with might; and indeed We are the expanders."
Tahir al-Qadri:
"And We built the heavenly universe with great might. And surely We are expanding (this universe) more and more."
T. B. Irving:
"The sky We have built firmly and We are extending it."
Al-Muntakhab:
"And the heaven with its regions, spheres and realms of space did We skillfully, powerfully and authoritatively construct and We are expanding the universe."
