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, Seen. These are the verses of the Qur'an and a clear Book

2 A guidance and good tidings for believers

2 As guidance and good tidings for the believers

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

3 Who establish prayer and give zakah, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith].

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 Indeed, for those who do not believe in the Hereafter, We have made pleasing to them their deeds, so they wander blindly.

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

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

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

6 And indeed, [O Muhammad], you receive the Qur'an from one Wise and Knowing.

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 [Mention] when Moses said to his family, "Indeed, I have perceived a fire. I will bring you from there information or will bring you a burning torch 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 But when he came to it, he was called, "Blessed is whoever is at the fire and whoever is around it. And exalted is Allah, Lord of the worlds.

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

9 O Moses, indeed it is I - Allah, the Exalted in Might, 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 [he was told], "Throw down your staff." But when he saw it writhing as if it were a snake, he turned in flight and did not return. [Allah said], "O Moses, fear not. Indeed, in My presence the messengers do not fear.

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

11 Otherwise, he who wrongs, then substitutes good after evil - indeed, I am Forgiving and 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 put your hand into the opening of your garment [at the breast]; it will come out white without disease. [These are] among the nine signs [you will take] to Pharaoh and his people. Indeed, they have been a people defiantly disobedient."

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

13 But when there came to them Our visible signs, they said, "This is obvious magic."

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 rejected them, while their [inner] selves were convinced thereof, out of injustice and haughtiness. So see how was the end of the corrupters.

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 We had certainly given to David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, "Praise [is due] to Allah, who has favored us over 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 Solomon inherited David. He said, "O people, we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given from all things. Indeed, this is evident bounty."

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 gathered for Solomon were his soldiers of the jinn and men and birds, and they were [marching] in rows.

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 upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, "O ants, enter your dwellings that you not be crushed by Solomon and his soldiers while they perceive not."

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 [Solomon] smiled, amused at her speech, and said, "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants."

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 took attendance of the birds and said, "Why do I not see the hoopoe - or is he among the absent?

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 surely punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him unless he brings me clear authorization."

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 But the hoopoe stayed not long and said, "I have encompassed [in knowledge] that which you have not encompassed, and I have come to you from Sheba with certain news.

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 Indeed, I found [there] a woman ruling them, and she has been given of all things, and she has a great 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 prostrating to the sun instead of Allah, and Satan has made their deeds pleasing to them and averted them from [His] way, so they are not guided,

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 [And] so they do not prostrate to Allah, who brings forth what is hidden within the heavens and the earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare -

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

26 Allah - there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Great Throne."

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

27 [Solomon] said, "We will see whether you were truthful or were 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 letter of mine and deliver it to them. Then leave them and see what [answer] they will 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 eminent ones, indeed, to me has been delivered a noble letter.

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

30 Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, it reads: 'In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,

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

31 Be not haughty with me but come to me in submission [as Muslims].' "

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 eminent ones, advise me in my affair. I would not decide a matter until you witness [for] me."

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 men of strength and of great military might, but the command is yours, so 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, "Indeed kings - when they enter a city, they ruin it and render the honored of its people humbled. And thus do they do.

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

35 But indeed, I will send to them a gift and see with what [reply] the messengers will return."

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 they came to Solomon, he said, "Do you provide me with wealth? But what Allah has given me is better than what He has given you. Rather, it is you who rejoice in your gift.

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 Return to them, for we will surely come to them with soldiers that they will be powerless to encounter, and we will surely expel them therefrom in humiliation, and they will be debased."

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

38 [Solomon] said, "O assembly [of jinn], which of you will bring 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 A powerful one from among the jinn said, "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place, and indeed, I am for this [task] strong and trustworthy."

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 Said one who had knowledge from the Scripture, "I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you." And when [Solomon] saw it placed before him, he said, "This is from the favor of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful - his gratitude is only for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever is ungrateful - then indeed, my Lord is Free of need and Generous."

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, "Disguise for her her throne; we will see whether she will be guided [to truth] or will be of those who is not guided."

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 arrived, it was said [to her], "Is your throne like this?" She said, "[It is] as though it was it." [Solomon said], "And we were given knowledge before her, and we have been Muslims [in submission to Allah].

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

43 And that which she was worshipping other than Allah had averted her [from submission to Him]. Indeed, she was from a disbelieving 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 She was told, "Enter the palace." But when she saw it, she thought it was a body of water and uncovered her shins [to wade through]. He said, "Indeed, it is a palace [whose floor is] made smooth with glass." She said, "My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Solomon to Allah, 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 We had certainly sent to Thamud their brother Salih, [saying], "Worship Allah," and at once they were two parties conflicting.

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 are you impatient for evil instead of good? Why do you not seek forgiveness of Allah that you may receive mercy?"

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 consider you a bad omen, you and those with you." He said, "Your omen is with Allah. Rather, you are a people being tested."

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 family heads causing corruption in the land and not amending [its affairs].

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, "Take a mutual oath by Allah that we will kill him by night, he and his family. Then we will say to his executor, 'We did not witness the destruction of his family, and indeed, we are 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 Then look how was the outcome of their plan - that We destroyed them and their people, all.

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, desolate because of the wrong they had done. Indeed in that is a sign for people who know.

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

53 And We saved those who believed and used to fear Allah.

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

54 And [mention] Lot, when he said to his people, "Do you commit immorality while you are seeing?

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

55 Do you indeed approach men with desire instead of women? Rather, you are a people behaving 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 not except that they said, "Expel the family of Lot from your city. Indeed, they are people who keep themselves pure."

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

57 So We saved him and his family, except for his wife; We destined 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 upon them a rain [of stones], and evil was the rain of those who were 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, [O Muhammad], "Praise be to Allah, and peace upon 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 [More precisely], is He [not best] who created the heavens and the earth and sent down for you rain from the sky, causing to grow thereby gardens of joyful beauty which you could not [otherwise] have grown the trees thereof? Is there a deity with Allah? [No], but they are a people who ascribe equals [to Him].

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 Is He [not best] who made the earth a stable ground and placed within it rivers and made for it firmly set mountains and placed between the two seas a barrier? Is there a deity with Allah? [No], but 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 Is He [not best] who responds to the desperate one when he calls upon Him and removes evil and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is there a deity with Allah? Little do you remember.

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 Is He [not best] who guides you through the darknesses of the land and sea and who sends the winds as good tidings before His mercy? Is there a deity with Allah? High is Allah above whatever 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 Is He [not best] who begins creation and then repeats it and who provides for you from the heaven and earth? Is there a deity with Allah? Say, "Produce your proof, if you should be 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, "None in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allah, and they do not perceive when they will be resurrected."

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 Rather, their knowledge is arrested concerning the Hereafter. Rather, they are in doubt about it. Rather, they are, concerning it, blind.

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, "When we have become dust as well as our forefathers, will we indeed be brought out [of the graves]?

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

68 We have been promised this, we and our forefathers, before. This is not but legends of the former peoples."

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

69 Say, [O Muhammad], "Travel through the land and observe how was the end of the criminals."

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

70 And grieve not over them or be in distress from what they conspire.

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

71 And they say, "When is [the fulfillment of] this promise, if you should be truthful?"

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

72 Say, "Perhaps it is close behind you - some of that for which you are impatient.

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

73 And indeed, your Lord is full of bounty for the people, but most of them do not show gratitude."

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

74 And indeed, your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they declare.

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 within the heaven and the earth except that it is in a clear Register.

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

76 Indeed, this Qur'an relates to the Children of Israel most of that over which they disagree.

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

77 And indeed, it is guidance and mercy for the believers.

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

78 Indeed, your Lord will judge between them by His [wise] judgement. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.

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

79 So rely upon Allah; indeed, you are upon 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 Indeed, you will not make the dead hear, nor will you make the deaf hear the call when they have turned their backs 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 And you cannot guide the blind away from their error. You will only make hear those who believe in Our verses so they are Muslims [submitting to Allah].

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 befalls them, We will bring forth for them a creature from the earth speaking to them, [saying] that the people were, of Our verses, not certain [in faith].

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 [warn of] the Day when We will gather from every nation a company of those who deny Our signs, and they will be [driven] in rows

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 arrive [at the place of Judgement], He will say, "Did you deny My signs while you encompassed them not in knowledge, or what [was it that] you were doing?"

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

85 And the decree will befall them for the wrong they did, and they will not [be able to] 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 see that We made the night that they may rest therein and the day giving sight? Indeed in that are signs 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 [warn of] the Day the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will be terrified except whom Allah wills. And all will come to Him humbled.

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, thinking them rigid, while they will pass as the passing of clouds. [It is] the work of Allah, who perfected all things. Indeed, He is Acquainted with that which you do.

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

89 Whoever comes [at Judgement] with a good deed will have better than it, and they, from the terror of that Day, will be safe.

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 comes with an evil deed - their faces will be overturned into the Fire, [and it will be said], "Are you recompensed except for what you used to do?"

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 [Say, O Muhammad], "I have only been commanded to worship the Lord of this city, who made it sacred and to whom [belongs] all things. And I am commanded to be of the Muslims [those who submit to Allah]

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 to recite the Qur'an." And whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] himself; and whoever strays - 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, "[All] praise is [due] to Allah. He will show you His signs, and you will recognize them. And your Lord is not unaware of what you do."