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The English Quran

Translated by Malik, and Explained by Amina Elahi

 
No soul can believe exept by the will of Allah
 
 

Now Playing # (27) The Ants (An-Naml)

(93 Verses)
# 27 The Ants (An-Naml) Explanation of # 27 The Ants (An-Naml)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

SECTION: 1
Tuă Sďn. These are verses of the Qur’an, the Glorious Book;[1] a guide and good news for the believers,[2] who establish the Salah (prayer) and pay the Zakah (charity) and firmly believe in the hereafter.[3] As for those who do not believe in the hereafter, We make their deeds seem fair to them, therefore they blunder about in their folly.[4] They are the ones for whom there is an evil punishment, and in the hereafter, they will be the greatest losers.[5] And O Muhammad, most surely you are receiving this Qur’an from the One Who is wise and All-Knowing.[6]

27:[1-6]


The Qur'an is a Guide and Good News to the Believers

Relate to them the story of Musa (Moses), when he said to his family: “I have seen a fire; soon I may either bring you some information from there or a lighted torch to warm yourselves with."[7] When he came to it, a voice called out to him: “Blessed be He Who is in this fire and all around it! Glory be to Allah the Rabb of the Worlds![8] O Musa, this is Me, Allah, the All-Mighty, the Wise.[9] Throw down your staff." When he saw it moving like a snake, he turned back and fled without even looking back. “O Musa, do not be afraid,” said Allah, “My Rasool need not be afraid in My presence,[10] unless, of course, he is guilty of wrongdoing; even then, if he replaces that wrongdoing with a good deed, I am indeed Forgiving, Merciful.[11] Now put your hand into your pocket, it will come out shining white without any harm. These two signs are from the nine signs that you will be given during your mission to Fir'on (Pharaoh) and his people; for truly, they are a people of transgressors.”[12] But, when our signs were shown to them, they said: “This is clear sorcery."[13] They were convinced in their hearts about the truth of those miracles, yet they denied those signs in their wickedness and pride. So you see, what was the end of those transgressors.[14]

27:[7-14]


The story of the Prophet Musa's selection as a Rasool





Nine signs were shown to Fir'on but he still disbelieved and incurred Allah's punishment

SECTION: 2
We bestowed knowledge on Dawőőd (David) and Sulaimăn (Solomon). They both said: “Praise be to Allah Who has exalted us above many of His believing servants."[15] Sulaimăn succeeded Dawőőd. He said: “O people! We have been taught the language of birds and given all sort of things. This is indeed a great blessing from Allah."[16] Sulaimăn gathered an army comprised of Jinns, men and birds; they all were kept under strict discipline.[17] Once in an expedition he was marching with his army when they came across a valley of ants, one of the ants said: “O ants, get into your habitations lest Sulaimăn and his army crush you under their feet without even noticing it."[18] So Sulaimăn smiled, laughing at its statement, and said: “O Rabb! Inspire me to render thanks for Your favors, which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, to do such good deeds that will please You; and admit me, by Your mercy, among Your righteous servants."[19]

27:[15-19]


The story of the Prophet Sulaimăn, to whom Allah gave rule over jinns, men, birds and winds

He took a roll call of the birds and said: “I do not see the hoopoe, where is he? How could he be absent?[20] I will certainly punish him severely or even slay him, if he does not offer me a reasonable excuse for his absence."[21] The hoopoe, who did not take long in coming, said: I have just found out that which you do not know. I have brought you reliable information about the people of Sheba.[22] I found that a woman is ruling over them, she has been given everything and she possesses a magnificent throne.[23] Further I found that she and her people prostrate themselves before the sun instead of Allah. Shaităn has made their deeds fair-seeming to them and thus turned them away from the Right Way, so that they may not be guided[24] to prostrate themselves before Allah, the One Who brings to light all that is hidden in the heavens and the earth and knows exactly what you hide and what you reveal.[25] Allah! There is no god but Him. He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne."[26] Sulaimăn said: “Soon we shall find out whether what you say is true or false.[27] Go and deliver to them this letter of mine, then turn aside and wait for their answer.” [28] The Queen said: “O my chiefs! A very important letter has been delivered to me;[29] it is from Sulaimăn, and it begins with the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.[30] It reads: Do not be arrogant against me and come to me in complete submission (as a Muslim)."[31]

27:[20-31]




The hoopoe brought him the news about the Queen of Sheba






Letter from King Sulaimăn to the Queen of Sheba

SECTION: 3
Then she asked: “O chiefs! Let me hear your advice, for I make no decision without your counsel."[32] They replied: “We are a valiant and mighty nation. You are the commander. So we shall be waiting for your command."[33] The queen said: “When the kings invade a town, they ruin it and debase its honorable people; and thus they always do.[34] Therefore, I shall send them a present and see with what reply my envoys will return."[35] When the envoys of the queen came to Sulaimăn, he said: “Do you want to provide me wealth? The wealth which Allah has given me is far more than what He has given you. You may very well keep your presents.[36] Go back to your people: if your people do not submit, we will march against them with such an army which they shall never be able to face, and we shall drive them out of their land humbled and disgraced."[37]

27:[32-37]


Communications between the Queen of Sheba and Sulaimăn

Later on when Sulaimăn (Solomon) heard that the Queen of Sheba was coming in submission, he asked: “O my chiefs! Which of you can bring to me her throne before they come to me in submission?”[38] An audacious one from the Jinns said: “I will bring it to you before you adjourn your court; and most surely I have the necessary strength and I am trustworthy."[39] One person who had knowledge of the Book said: “I can bring it to you in the twinkling of an eye." As soon as Sulaimăn saw the throne placed before him, he exclaimed: “This is by the grace of my Rabb to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful. Any who is grateful, surely his gratitude is a gain for his own soul, and any who is ungrateful should know that surely my Rabb is Self-Sufficient, Self-Exalted."[40] Further he said: “Without any comment to her, set her throne in her sight; let us see whether she recognize it or she is of those who cannot recognize the Truth."[41] So when the queen arrived, she was asked: “Is your throne like this?” She replied: “It looks as if it is the same; we had come to know that Sulaimăn is not only a king but also a Prophet, therefore we have already become Muslims."[42] - Other deities whom she worshiped besides Allah had prevented her from believing, for she belonged to an unbelieving folk.[43] - Then she was asked to enter the palace. When she saw its floor, she thought that there was a pool of water, so she tucked up her skirts uncovering her legs. Sulaimăn said. “This is just a glossy paving of this palace." At this she exclaimed: “O my Rabb! I have indeed wronged my soul, now I submit myself in Islam with Sulaimăn to Allah, the Rabb of the Worlds."[44]

27:[38-44]

A man who had the 'Knowledge of the Book' brought the Throne of the Queen to king Sulaimăn in twinkling of an eye






Queen of Sheba and her people embraced Islam

SECTION: 4
To the people of Thamüd, We sent their brother Saleh, saying: “Worship Allah," but they divided themselves into two discordant factions.[45] Saleh said: “O my people! Why do you wish to hasten towards evil rather than good? Why do you not ask forgiveness of Allah so that you may be shown mercy?”[46] They said: “We consider you and your companions a sign of bad luck." He said: “Your luck is with Allah; in fact, you are a people under trial."[47] There were nine ringleaders in the city who created mischief in the land and reformed nothing.[48] They said to one another: “Let us pledge on oath by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his family, then we shall tell his guardian that we were not even present at the time his family was killed, and that we are telling the truth."[49] Thus they plotted a plan, and We too plotted a plan which they did not perceive.[50] Just see what was the outcome of their plot! We annihilated them completely, together with all their people.[51] There lie their houses in desolate ruins as a result of their wrongdoings. Verily in this story there is a lesson for those people who use their common sense.[52] Yet We delivered the true believers who were righteous.[53]

27:[45-53]


Prophet Saleh and his address to his people




His people plotted to kill him, but Allah saved him and destroyed the disbelievers

Also mention to them of Lüt (Lot), when he said to his people: “Do you commit indecency though you see its iniquity?[54] Do you approach men for your sexual desires instead of women? The fact is that you are a people steeped in ignorance."[55] But his people gave no answer except that they said: “Drive out the family of Lüt from your city: they pose to be very pious."[56] So, We delivered him and his family except his wife - about whom We had decreed that she shall be of those who will remain behind[57] - and We rained down on them a shower of brimstones, and evil was the rain which fell on those who were forewarned.[58]

27:[54-58]

The Prophet Lüt admonished his people but they paid no heed so they faced the scourge of Allah

SECTION: 5
Say: “Praise be to Allah and peace be on His servants whom He has chosen to deliver His message. Ask them: “ Who is better? Allah or the deities they associate with Him?”[59]

27:[59]


Praise to Allah and peace be on His Rasools

Is not He (Allah), Who has created the heavens and the earth, sends down rain from the sky and with it brings forth the beautiful gardens not better than the false gods that they worship? It is not in your ability to cause the growth of trees for those gardens. Is there another god besides Allah who could do that? No doubt they are a people who have swerved from justice in ascribing equals to Him.[60] Just think who has made the earth a place for your residence, caused in it the rivers to flow, set mountains upon it and placed a barrier between the two seas? Is there another god besides Allah? Nay, most of them have no knowledge.[61] Just think who answers the oppressed person when he cries out to Him and relieves his affliction, and makes you, O mankind, inheritors of the earth? Is there another god besides Allah? How little do you reflect![62] Just think who guides you in darkness on the land and the sea, and who sends the winds as heralds of good news of His mercy? Is there another god besides Allah? Exalted be Allah above what they associate with Him![63] Just think who originates creation and then repeats its production, and who gives you sustenance from the heavens and the earth? Is there another god besides Allah? Say: “Show us your proof if you are telling the truth!”[64] Say: No one in the heavens or in the earth has the knowledge of the unseen except Allah and their gods do not know when they shall be raised to life again.[65] Their knowledge does not grasp the Hereafter; rather they are in doubt about it; nay, they are blind concerning it![66]

27:[60-66]

Just think, is there any god besides Allah Who has created anything in the universe, answers the oppressed or guides to the Right Way?

SECTION: 6
The unbelievers say: “What! When we and our fathers have become dust, shall we really be raised from the dead?[67] This promise which is made to us was also made to our forefathers before us; these are nothing but the legends of primitive people."[68] Say: “Travel through the earth and see what has been the end of the criminals."[69] O Prophet, do not worry about them nor feel distressed because of their plots.[70] They also say: “When will this promise be fulfilled if what you say be true?”[71] Say: “It may be that a part of what you wish to hasten is near at hand."[72] The fact is that your Rabb is very gracious to mankind: yet most of them are ungrateful.[73] Indeed your Rabb knows what their breasts conceal and what they reveal.[74] Nor is there any secret in the heaven and the earth which is not recorded in a clear Book.[75] In fact, this Qur’an clarifies for the Children of Israel most of those matters in which they differ.[76] It is certainly a guide and blessing to true believers.[77] Surely your Rabb will decide between them by His judgement, He is the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.[78] Therefore, put your trust in Allah, for you are certainly on the manifest Truth.[79] The fact is that you cannot make the dead hear you, nor can you make the deaf hear the call especially when they turn their backs and pay no heed,[80] nor can you guide the blind people to prevent them from straying; none will listen to you except those who believe in Our revelations and become Muslims.[81] When the time to fulfill Our word comes to pass, We will bring out from the earth a monster that shall speak to them, because the people did not believe in Our revelations.[82]

27:[67-82]


The disbelievers doubt Allah's power of creation


The Qur'an clarifies those matters in which the Israelites differ




A sign from the signs of Doomsday

SECTION: 7
On that Day We shall gather from every nation a multitude of those who disbelieved Our revelations; then they shall be arranged in classifications according to their merits,[83] until when they have all arrived, their Rabb will ask: “Did you deny My revelations without gaining their comprehensive knowledge? If not this, what else were you doing?[84] The sentence will be carried out against them for the consequence of their wrongdoings and they will not be able to utter a word.[85] Do they not see that We have made the night for them to rest in, and the day to give them light? Surely there are signs in this for the true believers.[86]

27:[83-86]

Do not deny Allah's revelations without gaining their comprehensive knowledge

On the Day, when the trumpet shall be blown and all who dwell in the heavens and the earth shall be terrified except those whom Allah will choose to spare, and all shall come to Him in utter humiliation,[87] these mountains which you see and think are firmly fixed, will pass away like clouds. Such is the might of Allah, Who has perfected all things. He is aware of what you do.[88] Those who have done good deeds shall be rewarded with what is better and shall be secure from the terror of that Day.[89] And those who have done evil deeds, shall be flung upon their faces in the hellfire. Should you not be rewarded according to your deeds?[90] O Muhammad, say to them: “I have been commanded to worship the Rabb of this city (Makkah), the One Who has made it sacred and Who is the Owner of all things; and I am commanded to be of those who are Muslims,[91] and that I should recite The Qur’an. Now, whoever follows this guidance will be guided for his own good, and to him who goes astray, say: “I am merely a Warner.”[92] Then proclaim: “Praise be to Allah, very soon He will show you His signs and you will recognize them. Your Rabb is not unaware of what you do."[93]

27:[87-93]

A scene from the Doomsday



Those who accept guidance do so to their own good and those who go astray do so to their own peril

Major Issues, Divine Law and Guidance:

* The Qur’an is a guide and good news to the believers.
* Prophet Musa's (pbuh) nine miracles were shown to Fir'on and his people.
* Story of Prophet Sulaimăn and the Queen of Sheba.
* Stories of Prophets Saleh, and Lüt (pbuh) and their people.
* The disbelievers actually doubt Allah’s power of creation.
* A sign from the signs, and a scene from the scenes of Doomsday.
* Those who accept guidance do so to their own good and those who reject and go astray, do so to their own peril.

This Sürah consists of the following two discourses.

The theme of the first discourse is that the only people that can benefit from the guidance of The Qur’an and become worthy of the good promises made in it, are those who accept the realities of the universe presented in this Book, and then show obedience and submission in their practical lives. But the greatest hindrance for man's following this way, is the denial of the Hereafter. For it makes him irresponsible, selfish, and greedy in this worldly life, which in turn, makes it impossible for him to submit himself to God and to accept the moral restrictions on his lusts and desires.

After this introduction, three types of character have been presented: Examples of the first type are Fir'on (Pharaoh), his chiefs, the nation of Thamüd and the people of Prophet Lüt (pbuh) who were all heedless of the Hereafter and consequently had become the slaves of their desires. That’s why they did not believe even after seeing miracles. Rather, they turned against those who invited them to goodness and piety. They persisted in their evil ways, which were abhorred by every sensible person. They did not heed the admonition even moments before they were overtaken by the scourge of Allah.

An example of the second type is Prophet Sulaimăn (Solomon) (pbuh), who had been blessed by Allah with wealth, kingdom and grandeur far greater than the chiefs of the disbelievers of Makkah. But, since he regarded himself answerable before Allah and recognized that whatever he had was only due to Allah’s bounty, he adopted righteousness and the attitude of obedience.

An example of the third type is the Queen of Sheba, who ruled over the most wealthy and well-known people in the history of Arabia. She possessed all those means of life which could cause a person to become proud and arrogant. Her wealth and possessions far exceeded the wealth and possessions of the Qureysh. She professed shirk, which was not only an ancestral way of life for her, but she had to follow it in order to maintain her position as a ruler. Therefore, it was much more difficult for her to give up shirk and adopt the way of Tawhďd than it could be for a common mushrik. But when the Truth became evident to her, nothing could stop her from accepting it. Her deviation was, in fact, due to her being born and brought up in a polytheistic environment, not because of her being a slave to her lusts and desires. Her conscience was not devoid of the sense of accountability before Allah.

The theme of the second discourse is to draw the attention of the people to some of the most glaring and visible realities of the universe by asking questions such as: “Do the realities of the universe testify to the creed of shirk which you are following, or to the truth of Tawhďd to which the Qur’an invites you?” After this the real malady of the disbelievers is pointed out, saying, “The thing which has blinded them and made them insensitive to every reality is their denial of the Hereafter. This same thing has rendered every matter and affair of life non-serious for them. For, according to them, when ultimately everything has to become dust, and the whole struggle of existence is to enjoy this worldly life then the truth and falsehood are equal and alike. Therefore, the question of whether one’s system of life is based on right or wrong foundations becomes meaningless."

In conclusion, the invitation of the Qur'an to serve One God (Allah) is presented in a concise but forceful manner, and the people are admonished to accept this invitation as being to their advantage and rejection will be to their disadvantage. For if they deferred their faith till they saw those signs of Allah, after the appearance of which they would be left with no choice but to believe and submit.

No Chapter (Surah)
1 The Opening (Al-Fatiha)
2 The Cow (Al-Baqrah)
3 The Family of Imran (Aal-Imran)
4 The Women (An-Nisah)
5 The Table (Al-Maeda)
6 The Cattle (Al-An'aam)
7 The Heights (Al-A'raf)
8 The Spoils of War (Al-Anfal)
9 The Repentance(At-Tawba)
10 Jonah (Yunus)
11 The Prophet Hud (Hud)
12 Joseph (Yusuf)
13 The Thunder (Al-Ra'd)
14 Abraham (Imbrahim)
15 The Rocky Tract(Al-Hijr)
16 The Bees (An-Nahl)
17 The Night Journey (Al-Isra)
18 The Cave (Al-Kahf)
19 Mary (Maryam)
20 Ta-Ha (Ta-Ha)
21 The Prophets (Al-Anbiya)
22 The Pilgrimage (Al-Hajj)
23 The Believers (Al-Muminun)
24 The Light (An-Nour)
25 The Criterion (Al-Furqan)
26 The Poets (Ash-Shu'ara)
27 The Ants (An-Naml)
28 The Narration (Al-Qasas)
29 The Spider (Al-Ankaboot)
30 The Romans (Al-Rum)
31 Luqman (Luqman)
32 The Prostration (As-Sajda)
33 The Confederates (Al-Ahzab)
34 Sheba (Saba)
35 The Originator of Creation (Fatir)
36 Ya-Seen (Ya Seen)
37 The Rangers (As-Saffat)
38 The Letter Sad (Sad)
39 The Groups (Az-Zumar)
40 The Forgiver (Ghafir)
41 Explained in Detail (Fussilat)
42 The Consultation (Ash-Shura)
43 Ornaments of Gold (Az-Zukruf)
44 The Smoke (Ad-Dukhan)
45 The Kneeling (Al-Jathiya)
46 The Curved Sand hills (Al-Ahqaf)
47 Muhammad (47)
48 The Victory (Al-Fath)
49 The Dwellings (Al-Hujurat)
50 The Letter Qaf (Qaf)
51 The Winds that Scatter (Az-Zariyat)
52 The Mount (At-Tur)
53 The Star (An-Najm)
54 The Moon (Al-Qamar)
55 The Most Beneficent (Ar-Rahman)
56 The Event (Al-Waqi'a)
57 The Iron (Al-Hadid)
58 She That Dispute (Al-Mujidala)
59 The Gathering (Al-Hashr)
60 The Examined One (Al-Mumtahina)
61 The Row (As-Saff)
62 Friday (Al-Jumu'ah)
63 The Hypocrites (Al-Munafiqoon)
64 Loss and Gain (At-Taghabun)
65 The Divorce (At-Talaq)
66 Prohibition (At-Tahreem)
67 Dominion (Al-Mulk)
68 The Pen (Al-Qalam)
69 The Reality (Al-Haaqqa)
70 The Ways of Ascent (Al-Ma'arij)
71 Noah (Nuh)
72 The Jinn (Al-Jinn)
73 The Enshrouded One (Al-Muzzammil)
74 The Cloaked One (Al-Muddathir)
75 The-Resurrection (Al-Qiyamah)
76 Man (Al-Insan)
77 Those Sent Forth (Al-Mursalat)
78 The News (An-Naba)
79 Those Who Pull Out (An-Naziat)
80 He frowned (Abasa)
81 The Folding Up (At-Takwir)
82 The Cleaving (Al-Infitar)
83 Those Who Deal in Fraud (Al-Mutaffifin)
84 The Splitting Asunder (Al-Inshiqaq)
85 The Mansions of the Stars (Al-Burooj)
86 The Night Comer (At-Tariq)
87 The Most High (Al-A'la)
88 The Overwhelming (Al-Ghashiya)
89 The Dawn (Al-Fajr)
90 The City (Al-Balad)
91 The Sun (Ash-Shams)
92 The Night (Al-Layl)
93 The Morning Hours (Ad-Dhuha)
94 Relief  (Al-Inshirah)
95 The Figs (At-Teen)
96 The Clot (Al-Alaq)
97 The Night of Decree (Al-Qadr)
98 The Clear Proof (Al-Bayyina)
99 The Earthquake (Az-Zalzala)
100 The Courser (Al-Adiyat)
101 The Calamity (Al-Qariah)
102 Rivalry in world increase (At-Takathur)
103 The Declining Day (Al-Asr)
104 The Slanderer (Al-Humaza)
105 The Elephant (Al-Feel)
106 Quraish ( Quraish)
107 Small Kindnesses (Al-Maun)
108 Abundance (Al-Kawthar)
109 The Disbelievers (Al-Kafiroon)
110 Divine- Support (An-Nasr)
111 The Flame (Al-Masadd)
112 Sincerity (Al-Ikhlas)
113 The Daybreak (Al-Falaq)
114 The Mankind (An-Nas)

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