The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَمَا أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿١٠٣﴾

12: 103. Yet no faith will the greater part of mankind have, however ardently thou dost desire it.

C1786. In spite of such an exposition and such a convincing illustration, how few men really have true faith, -such a faith as Jacob had in the old story, or Muhammad the Chosen One had, in the story which was actually unfolding itself on the world's stage when this Surah was revealed, shortly before the Hijrah?

Al-Mustafa's ardent wish and faith was to save his people and all mankind from the graceless condition of want of faith. But his efforts were flouted, and he had to leave his home and suffer all kinds of persecution, but like Joseph, and more than Joseph, he was marked out for great work, which he finally achieved.

وَمَا تَسْأَلُهُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ...

12: 104. And no reward dost thou ask of them for this:

...إِنْ هُوَ إِلاَّ ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَالَمِينَ ﴿١٠٤﴾

it is no less than a Message for all creatures.

C1787. The divine Message was priceless; it was not for the Messenger's personal profit, nor did he ask of men any reward for bringing it for their benefit. It was for all creatures,-literally, for all the worlds, as explained in 1:2, n. 20.

Other versions:

12: 103

Asad Yet – however strongly you may desire it – most people will not believe

Yusuf Ali Yet no faith will the greater part of mankind have however ardently thou dost desire it.

Pickthall And though thou try much, most men will not believe.

Transliteration Wa ma_ aksarun na_si wa lau harasta bi mu'minin(a).

12: 104

Asad although you do not ask of them any reward for it, it is but reminder unto all mankind.

Yusuf Ali And no reward dost thou ask of them for this: it is no less than a Message for all creatures.

Pickthall Thou askest them no fee for it. It is naught else than a reminder unto the peoples.

Yusuf Though you do not ask them for a wage for it; it is but a reminder to the worlds.

Transliteration Wa ma_ tas'aluhum 'alaihi min ajr(in), in huwa illa_ zikrul lil 'a_lamin(a).