Al Naml

1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Ta. Sin. These are revelations of the Qur'an and a Scripture that maketh plain;

1 Ta Sin! These are the verses of the Quran and the Book that makes (things) clear

2 A guidance and good tidings for believers

2 A guidance and good news for the believers,

3 Who establish worship and pay the poor - due and are sure of the Hereafter.

3 Who keep up prayer and pay the poor - rate, and of the hereafter, they are sure.

4 Lo! as for those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have made their works fairseeming unto them so that they are all astray.

4 As to those who do not believe in the hereafter, We have surely made their deeds fair - seeming to them, but they blindly wander on.

5 Those are they for whom is the worst of punishment, and in the Hereafter they will be the greatest losers.

5 These are they who shall have an evil punishment, and in the hereafter they shall be the greatest losers.

6 Lo! as for thee (Muhammad), thou verily receivest the Qur'an from the presence of One Wise, Aware.

6 And most surely you are made to receive the Quran from the Wise, the Knowing Allah.

7 (Remember) when Moses said unto his household: Lo! I spy afar off a fire; I will bring you tidings thence, or bring to you a borrowed flame that ye may warm yourselves.

7 When Musa said to his family: Surely I see fire; I will bring to you from it some news, or I will bring to you therefrom a burning firebrand so that you may warm yourselves.

8 But when he reached it, he was called, saying: Blessed is Whosoever is in the fire and Whosoever is round about it! And Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!

8 So when he came to it a voice was uttered saying: Blessed is Whoever is in the fire and whatever is about it; and glory be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds;

9 O Moses! Lo! it is I, Allah, the Mighty, the Wise.

9 O Musa! surely I am Allah, the Mighty, the Wise;

10 And throw down thy staff! But when he saw it writhing as it were a demon, he turned to flee headlong; (but it was said unto him): O Moses! Fear not! the emissaries fear not in My presence,

10 And cast down your staff. So when he saw it in motion as if it were a serpent, he turned back retreating and did not return: O Musa! fear not; surely the apostles shall not fear in My presence;

11 Save him who hath done wrong and afterward hath changed evil for good. And lo! I am Forgiving, Merciful.

11 Neither he who has been unjust, then he does good instead after evil, for surely I am the Forgiving, the Merciful:

12 And put thy hand into the bosom of thy robe, it will come forth white but unhurt. (This will be one) among nine tokens unto Pharaoh and his people Lo! they were ever evil - living folk.

12 And enter your hand into the opening of your bosom, it shall come forth white without evil; among nine signs to Firon and his people, surely they are a transgressing people.

13 But when Our tokens came unto them, plain to see, they said: This is mere magic,

13 So when Our clear signs came to them, they said: This is clear enchantment.

14 And they denied them, though their souls acknowledged them, for spite and arrogance. Then see the nature of the consequence for the wrong - doers!

14 And they denied them unjustly and proudly while their soul had been convinced of them; consider, then how was the end of the mischief - makers.

15 And We verily gave knowledge unto David and Solomon, and they said: Praise be to Allah, Who hath preferred us above many of His believing slaves!

15 And certainly We gave knowledge to Dawood and Sulaiman, and they both said: Praise be to Allah, Who has made us to excel many of His believing servants.

16 And Solomon was David's heir. And he said: O mankind! Lo! we have been taught the language of birds, and have been given (abundance) of all things. This surely is evident favour.

16 And Sulaiman was Dawood's heir, and he said: O men! we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given all things; most surely this is manifest grace.

17 And there were gathered together unto Solomon his armies of the jinn and humankind, and of the birds, and they were set in battle order;

17 And his hosts of the jinn and the men and the birds were gathered to him, and they were formed into groups.

18 Till, when they reached the Valley of the Ants, an ant exclaimed: O ants! Enter your dwellings lest Solomon and his armies crush you, unperceiving.

18 Until when they came to the valley of the Naml, a Namlite said: O Naml! enter your houses, (that) Sulaiman and his hosts may not crush you while they do not know.

19 And (Solomon) smiled, laughing at her speech, and said: My Lord, arouse me to be thankful for Thy favour wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and to do good that shall be pleasing unto Thee, and include me in (the number of) Thy righteous slaves.

19 So he smiled, wondering at her word, and said: My Lord! grant me that I should be grateful for Thy favor which Thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I should do good such as Thou art pleased with, and make me enter, by Thy mercy, into Thy servants, the good ones.

20 And he sought among the birds and said: How is it that I see not the hoopoe, or is he among the absent ?

20 And he reviewed the birds, then said: How is it I see not the hoopoe or is it that he is of the absentees?

21 I verily will punish him with hard punishment or I verily will slay him, or he verily shall bring me a plain excuse.

21 I will most certainly punish him with a severe punishment, or kill him, or he shall bring to me a clear plea.

22 But he was not long in coming, and he said: I have found out (a thing) that thou apprehendest not, and I come unto thee from Sheba with sure tidings.

22 And he tarried not long, then said: I comprehend that which you do not comprehend and I have brought to you a sure information from Sheba.

23 Lo! I found a woman ruling over them, and she hath been given (abundance) of all things, and hers is a mighty throne.

23 Surely I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given abundance and she has a mighty throne:

24 I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah; and Satan maketh their works fairseeming unto them, and debarreth them from the way (of Truth), so that they go not aright;

24 I found her and her people adoring the sun instead of Allah, and the Shaitan has made their deeds fair - seeming to them and thus turned them from the way, so they do not go aright

25 So that they worship not Allah, Who bringeth forth the hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knoweth what ye hide and what ye proclaim,

25 That they do not make obeisance to Allah, Who brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and the earth and knows what you hide and what you make manifest:

26 Allah; there is no God save Him, the Lord of the Tremendous Throne.

26 Allah, there is no god but He: He is the Lord of mighty power.

27 (Solomon) said: We shall see whether thou speakest truth or whether thou art of the liars.

27 He said: We will see whether you have told the truth or whether you are of the liars:

28 Go with this my letter and throw it down unto them; then turn away and see what (answer) they return,

28 Take this my letter and hand it over to them, then turn away from them and see what (answer) they return.

29 (The Queen of Sheba) said (when she received the letter): O chieftains! Lo! there hath been thrown unto me a noble letter.

29 She said: O chief! surely an honorable letter has been delivered to me

30 Lo! it is from Solomon, and lo! it is: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful;

30 Surely it is from Sulaiman, and surely it is in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful;

31 Exalt not yourselves against me, but come unto me as those who surrender.

31 Saying: exalt not yourselves against me and come to me in submission.

32 She said: O chieftains! Pronounce for me in my case. I decide no case till ye are present with me.

32 She said: O chiefs! give me advice respecting my affair: I never decide an affair until you are in my presence.

33 They said: We are lords of might and lords of great prowess, but it is for thee to command; so consider what thou wilt command.

33 They said: We are possessors of strength and possessors of mighty prowess, and the command is yours, therefore see what you will command.

34 She said: Lo! kings, when they enter a township, ruin it and make the honour of its people shame. Thus will they do.

34 She said: Surely the kings, when they enter a town, ruin it and make the noblest of its people to be low, and thus they (always) do;

35 But lo! I am going to send a present unto them, and to see with what (answer) the messengers return.

35 And surely I am going to send a present to them, and shall wait to see what (answer) do the apostles bring back.

36 So when (the envoy) came unto Solomon, (the King) said: What! Would ye help me with wealth ? But that which Allah hath given me is better than that which He hath given you. Nay it is ye (and not I) who exult in your gift.

36 So when he came to Sulaiman, he said: What! will you help me with wealth? But what Allah has given me is better than what He has given you. Nay, you are exultant because of your present;

37 Return unto them. We verily shall come unto them with hosts that they cannot resist, and we shall drive them out from thence with shame, and they will be abased.

37 Go back to them, so we will most certainly come to them with hosts which they shall have no power to oppose, and we will most certainly expel them therefrom in abasement, and they shall be in a state of ignominy.

38 He said: O chiefs! Which of you will bring me her throne before they come unto me, surrendering ?

38 He said: O chiefs! which of you can bring to me her throne before they come to me in submission?

39 A stalwart of the jinn said: I will bring it thee before thou canst rise from thy place. Lo! I verily am strong and trusty for such work.

39 One audacious among the jinn said: I will bring it to you before you rise up from your place; and most surely I am strong (and) trusty for it.

40 One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: I will bring it thee before thy gaze returneth unto thee. And when he saw it set in his presence, (Solomon) said: This is of the bounty of my Lord, that He may try me whether I give thanks or am ungrateful. Whosoever giveth thanks he only giveth thanks for (the good of) his own soul; and whosoever is ungrateful (is ungrateful only to his own soul's hurt). For lo! my Lord is Absolute in independence, Bountiful.

40 One who had the knowledge of the Book said: I will bring it to you in the twinkling of an eye. Then when he saw it settled beside him, he said: This is of the grace of my Lord that He may try me whether I am grateful or ungrateful; and whoever is grateful, he is grateful only for his own soul, and whoever is ungrateful, then surely my Lord is Self - sufficient, Honored.

41 He said: Disguise her throne for her that we may see whether she will go aright or be of those not rightly guided.

41 He said: Alter her throne for her, we will see whether she follows the right way or is of those who do not go aright.

42 So, when she came, it was said (unto her): Is thy throne like this ? She said: (It is) as though it were the very one. And (Solomon said): We were given the knowledge before her and we had surrendered (to Allah).

42 So when she came, it was said: Is your throne like this? She said: It is as it were the same, and we were given the knowledge before it, and we were submissive.

43 And (all) that she was wont to worship instead of Allah hindered her, for she came of disbelieving folk.

43 And what she worshipped besides Allah prevented her, surely she was of an unbelieving people.

44 It was said unto her: Enter the hall. And when she saw it she deemed it a pool and bared her legs. (Solomon) said: Lo! it is a hall, made smooth, of glass. She said: My Lord! Lo! I have wronged myself, and I surrender with Solomon unto Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

44 It was said to her: Enter the palace; but when she saw it she deemed it to be a great expanse of water, and bared her legs. He said: Surely it is a palace made smooth with glass. She said: My Lord! surely I have been unjust to myself, and I submit with Sulaiman to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

45 And We verily sent unto Thamud their brother Salih, saying: Worship Allah. And lo! they (then became two parties quarrelling.

45 And certainly We sent to Samood their brother Salih, saying: Serve Allah; and lo! they became two sects quarrelling with each other.

46 He said: O my people! Why will ye hasten on the evil rather than the good ? Why will ye not ask pardon of Allah, that ye may receive mercy.

46 He said: O my people! why do you seek to hasten on the evil before the good? Why do you not ask forgiveness of Allah so that you may be dealt with mercifully?

47 They said: We augur evil of thee and those with thee. He said: Your evil augury is with Allah. Nay, but ye are folk that are being tested.

47 They said: We have met with ill luck on account of you and on account of those with you. He said: The cause of your evil fortune is with Allah; nay, you are a people who are tried.

48 And there were in the city nine persons who made mischief in the land and reformed not.

48 And there were in the city nine persons who made mischief in the land and did not act aright.

49 They said: Swear one to another by Allah that we verily will attack him and his household by night, and afterward we will surely say unto his friend: We witnessed not the destruction of his household. And lo! we are truthtellers.

49 They said: Swear to each other by Allah that we will certainly make a sudden attack on him and his family by night, then we will say to his heir: We did not witness the destruction of his family, and we are most surely truthful.

50 So they plotted a plot: and We plotted a plot, while they perceived not.

50 And they planned a plan, and We planned a plan while they perceived not.

51 Then see the nature of the consequence of their plotting, for lo! We destroyed them and their people, every one.

51 See, then, how was the end of their plan that We destroyed them and their people, all (of them).

52 See, yonder are their dwellings empty and in ruins because they did wrong. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for a people who have knowledge.

52 So those are their houses fallen down because they were unjust, most surely there is a sign in this for a people who know.

53 And we saved those who believed and used to ward off (evil).

53 And We delivered those who believed and who guarded (against evil).

54 And Lot! when he said unto his folk: Will ye commit abomination knowingly ?

54 And (We sent) Lut, when he said to his people: What! do you commit indecency while you see?

55 Must ye needs lust after men instead of women ? Nay, but ye are folk who act senselessly.

55 What! do you indeed approach men lustfully rather than women? Nay, you are a people who act ignorantly.

56 But the answer of his folk was naught save that they said: Expel the household of Lot from your township, for they (forsooth) are folk who would keep clean!

56 But the answer of his people was no other except that they ~s said: Turn out Lut's followers from your town; surely they are a people who would keep pure!

57 Then We saved him and his household save his wife; We destined her to be of those who stayed behind.

57 But We delivered him and his followers except his wife; We ordained her to be of those who remained behind.

58 And We rained a rain upon them. Dreadful is the rain of those who have been warned.

58 And We rained on them a rain, and evil was the rain of those who had been warned.

59 Say (O Muhammad): Praise be to Allah, and peace be on His slaves whom He hath chosen! Is Allah best, or (all) that ye ascribe as partners (unto Him) ?

59 Say: Praise be to Allah and peace on His servants whom He has chosen: is Allah better, or what they associate (with Him)?

60 Is not He (best) Who created the heavens and the earth, and sendeth down for you water from the sky wherewith We cause to spring forth joyous orchards, whose trees it never hath been yours to cause to grow. Is there any God beside Allah ? Nay, but they are folk who ascribe equals (unto Him)!

60 Nay, He Who created the heavens and the earth, and sent down for you water from the cloud; then We cause to grow thereby beautiful gardens; it is not possible for you that you should make the trees thereof to grow. Is there a god with Allah? Nay! they are people who deviate.

61 Is not He (best) Who made the earth a fixed abode, and placed rivers in the folds thereof, and placed firm hills therein, and hath set a barrier between the two seas ? Is there any God beside Allah ? Nay, but most of them know not!

61 Or, Who made the earth a restingplace, and made in it rivers, and raised on it mountains and placed between the two seas a barrier. Is there a god with Allah? Nay! most of them do not know!

62 Is not He (best) Who answereth the wronged one when he crieth unto Him and removeth the evil, and hath made you viceroys of the earth ? Is there any God beside Allah ? Little do they reflect!

62 Or, Who answers the distressed one when he calls upon Him and removes the evil, and He will make you successors in the earth. Is there a god with Allah? Little is it that you mind!

63 Is not He (best) Who guideth you in the darkness of the land and the sea, He Who sendeth the winds as heralds of His mercy ? Is there any God beside Allah ? High Exalted be Allah from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him)!

63 Or, Who guides you in utter darkness of the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds as good news before His mercy. Is there a god with Allah? Exalted by Allah above what they associate (with Him).

64 Is not He (best) Who produceth creation, then reproduceth it, and Who provideth for you from the heaven and the earth ? Is there any God beside Allah ? Say: Bring your proof, if ye are truthful!

64 Or, Who originates the creation, then reproduces it and Who gives you sustenance from the heaven and the earth. Is there a god With Allah? Say: Bring your proof if you are truthful.

65 Say (O Muhammad): None in the heavens and the earth knoweth the Unseen save Allah; and they know not when they will be raised (again).

65 Say: No one in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen but Allah; and they do not know when they shall be raised.

66 Nay, but doth their knowledge reach to the Hereafter ? Nay, for they are in doubt concerning it. Nay, for they cannot see it.

66 Nay, their knowledge respecting the hereafter is slight and hasty; nay, they are in doubt about it; nay, they are quite blind to it

67 Yet those who disbelieve say: When we have become dust like our fathers, shall we verily be brought forth (again) ?

67 And those who disbelieve say: What! when we have become dust and our fathers (too), shall we certainly be brought forth?

68 We were promised this, forsooth, we and our fathers. (All) this is naught but fables of the men of old.

68 We have certainly been promised this, we and our fathers before; these are naught but stories of the ancients

69 Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Travel in the land and see the nature of the sequel for the guilty!

69 Say: Travel in the earth, then see how was the end of the guilty.

70 And grieve thou not for them, nor be in distress because of what they plot (against thee).

70 And grieve not for them and be not distressed because of what they plan.

71 And they say: When (will) this promise (be fulfilled), if ye are truthful ?

71 And they say: When will this threat come to pass, if you are truthful?

72 Say: It may be that a part of that which ye would hasten on is close behind you.

72 Say: Maybe there may have drawn near to you somewhat of that which you seek to hasten on.

73 Lo! thy Lord is full of bounty for mankind, but most of them do not give thanks.

73 And surely your Lord is the Lord of grace to men, but most of them are not grateful.

74 Lo! thy Lord knoweth surely all that their bosoms hide, and all that they proclaim.

74 And most surely your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they manifest.

75 And there is nothing hidden in the heaven or the earth but it is in a clear Record.

75 And there is nothing concealed in the heaven and the earth but it is in a clear book.

76 Lo! this Qur'an narrateth unto the Children of Israel most of that concerning which they differ.

76 Surely this Quran declares to the children of Israel most of what they differ in.

77 And lo! it is a guidance and a mercy for believers.

77 And most surely it is a guidance and a mercy for the believers.

78 Lo! thy Lord will judge between them of His wisdom, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.

78 Surely your Lord will judge between them by his judgment, and He is the Mighty, the knowing.

79 Therefor (O Muhammad) put thy trust in Allah, for thou (standest) on the plain Truth.

79 Therefore rely on Allah; surely you are on the clear truth.

80 Lo! thou canst not make the dead to hear, nor canst thou make the deaf to hear the call when they have turned to flee;

80 Surely you do not make the dead to hear, and you do not make the deaf to hear the call when they go back retreating.

81 Nor canst thou lead the blind out of their error. Thou canst make none to hear, save those who believe Our revelations and who have surrendered.

81 Nor can you be a guide to the blind out of their error; you cannot make to bear (any one) except those who believe in Our communications, so they submit.

82 And when the word is fulfilled concerning them, We shall bring forth a beast of the earth to speak unto them because mankind had not faith in Our revelations.

82 And when the word shall come to pass against them, We shall bring forth for them a creature from the earth that shall wound them, because people did not believe in Our communications.

83 And (remind them of) the Day when We shall gather out of every nation a host of those who denied Our revelations, and they will be set in array;

83 And on the day when We will gather from every nation a party from among those who rejected Our communications, then they shall be formed into groups.

84 Till, when they come (before their Lord), He will say: Did ye deny My revelations when ye could not compass them in knowledge, or what was it that ye did ?

84 Until when they come, He will say: Did you reject My communications while you had no comprehensive knowledge of them? Or what was it that you did?

85 And the Word will be fulfilled concerning them because they have done wrong, and they will not speak.

85 And the word shall come to pass against them because they were unjust, so they shall not speak.

86 Have they not seen how We have appointed the night that they may rest therein, and the day sight - giving ? Lo! therein verily are portents for a people who believe.

86 Do they not consider that We have made the night that. they may rest therein, and the day to give light? Most surely there are signs in this for a people who believe.

87 And (remind them of) the Day when the Trumpet will be blown, and all who are in the heavens and the earth will start in fear, save him whom Allah willeth. And all come unto Him, humbled.

87 And on the day when the trumpet shall be blown, then those who are in the heavens and those who are in the earth shall be terrified except such as Allah please, and all shall come to him abased.

88 And thou seest the hills thou deemest solid flying with the flight of clouds: the doing of Allah Who perfecteth all things. Lo! He is Informed of what ye do.

88 And you see the mountains, you think them to be solid, and they shall pass away as the passing away of the cloud - - the handiwork of Allah Who has made every thing thoroughly; surely He is Aware of what you do.

89 Whoso bringeth a good deed will have better than its worth; and such are safe from fear that Day.

89 Whoever brings good, he shall have better than it; and they shall be secure from terror on the day.

90 And whoso bringeth an ill - deed, such will be flung down on their faces in the Fire. Are ye rewarded aught save what ye did ?

90 And whoever brings evil, these shall be thrown down on their faces into the fire; shall you be rewarded (for) aught except what you did?

91 (Say): I (Muhammad) am commanded only to serve the Lord of this land which He hath hallowed, and unto Whom all things belong. And I am commanded to be of those who surrender (unto Him),

91 I am commanded only that I should serve the Lord of this city, Who has made it sacred, and His are all things; and I am commanded that I should be of these who submit;

92 And to recite the Qur'an. And whoso goeth right, goeth right only for (the good of) his own soul; and as for him who goeth astray - (Unto him) say: Lo! I am only a warner.

92 And that I should recite the Quran. Therefore whoever goes aright, he goes aright for his own soul, and whoever goes ' astray, then say: I am only one of the warners.

93 And say: Praise be to Allah Who will show you His portents so that ye shall know them. And thy Lord is not unaware of what ye (mortals) do.

93 And say: Praise be to Allah, He will show you His signs so that you shall recognize them; nor is your Lord heedless of what you do.