Al Ankabut

1 Alif Lam Mim.

1 In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Alif-Lam-Mim. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.]

2 Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, We believe, and not be tried?

2 Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested.

3 And certainly We tried those before them, so Allah will certainly know those who are true and He will certainly know the liars.

3 And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test).

4 Or do they who work evil think that they will escape Us? Evil is it that they judge!

4 Or think those who do evil deeds that they can outstrip Us (i.e. escape Our punishment)? Evil is that which they judge!

5 Whoever hopes to meet Allah, the term appointed by Allah will then most surely come; and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.

5 Whoever hopes for the Meeting with Allah, then Allah's Term is surely coming and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.

6 And whoever strives hard, he strives only for his own soul; most surely Allah is Self - sufficient, above (need of) the worlds.

6 And whosoever strives, he strives only for himself. Verily, Allah stands not in need of any of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn, and all that exists).

7 And (as for) those who believe and do good, We will most certainly do away with their evil deeds and We will most certainly reward them the best of what they did.

7 Those who believe [in the Oneness of Allah (Monotheism) and in Messenger Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم , and do not give up their faith because of the harm they receive from the polytheists], and do righteous good deeds, surely, We shall expiate from them their evil deeds and shall reward them according to the best of that which they used to do.

8 And We have enjoined on man goodness to his parents, and if they contend with you that you should associate (others) with Me, of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them, to Me is your return, so I will inform you of what you did.

8 And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents; but if they strive to make you join with Me (in worship) anything (as a partner) of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me is your return and I shall tell you what you used to do.

9 And (as for) those who believe and do good, We will most surely cause them to enter among the good.

9 And for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and the other articles of Faith) and do righteous good deeds, surely, We shall make them enter with (in the entrance of) the righteous (in Paradise).

10 And among men is he who says: We believe in Allah; but when he is persecuted in (the way of) Allah he thinks the persecution of men to be as the chastisement of Allah; and if there come assistance from your Lord, they would most certainly say: Surely we were with you. What! is not Allah the best knower of what is in the breasts of mankind.

10 Of mankind are some who say: "We believe in Allah." But if they are made to suffer for the sake of Allah, they consider the trial of mankind as Allah's punishment; and if victory comes from your Lord, (the hypocrites) will say: "Verily we were with you (helping you)." Is not Allah Best Aware of what is in the breasts of the 'Alamin (mankind and jinn).

11 And most certainly Allah will know those who believe and most certainly He will know the hypocrites.

11 Verily, Allah knows those who believe, and verily, He knows the hypocrites [i.e. Allah will test the people with good and hard days to discriminate the good from the wicked, although Allah knows all that before putting them to test].

12 And those who disbelieve say to those who believe: Follow our path and we will bear your wrongs. And never shall they be the bearers of any of their wrongs; most surely they are liars.

12 And those who disbelieve say to those who believe: "Follow our way and we will verily bear your sins." Never will they bear anything of their sins. Surely, they are liars.

13 And most certainly they shall carry their own burdens, and other burdens with their own burdens, and most certainly they shall be questioned on the resurrection day as to what they forged.

13 And verily, they shall bear their own loads, and other loads besides their own; and verily, they shall be questioned on the Day of Resurrection about that which they used to fabricate.

14 And certainly We sent Nuh to his people, so he remained among them a thousand years save fifty years. And the deluge overtook them, while they were unjust.

14 And indeed We sent Nuh (Noah) to his people, and he stayed among them a thousand years less fifty years [inviting them to believe in the Oneness of Allah (Monotheism), and discard the false gods and other deities]; and the Deluge overtook them while they were Zalimun (wrong-doers, polytheists, disbelievers).

15 So We delivered him and the inmates of the ark, and made it a sign to the nations.

15 Then We saved him and those with him in the ship, and made it (the ship) an Ayah (a lesson, a warning) for the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).

16 And (We sent) Ibrahim, when he said to his people: Serve Allah and be careful of (your duty to) Him; this is best for you, if you did but know:

16 And (remember) Ibrahim (Abraham) when he said to his people: "Worship Allah (Alone), and fear Him: that is better for you if you did but know.

17 You only worship idols besides Allah and you create a lie surely they whom you serve besides Allah do not control for you any sustenance, therefore seek the sustenance from Allah and serve Him and be grateful to Him; to Him you shall be brought back.

17 "You worship besides Allah only idols, and you only invent falsehood. Verily, those whom you worship besides Allah have no power to give you provision: so seek your provision from Allah (Alone), and worship Him (Alone), and be grateful to Him. To Him (Alone) you will be brought back.

18 And if you reject (the truth), nations before you did indeed reject (the truth); and nothing is incumbent on the apostle but a plain delivering (of the message).

18 "And if you deny, then nations before you have denied (their Messengers). And the duty of the Messenger is only to convey (the Message) plainly."

19 What! do they not consider how Allah originates the creation, then reproduces it? Surely that is easy to Allah.

19 See they not how Allah originates the creation, then repeats it. Verily, that is easy for Allah.

20 Say: Travel in the earth and see how He makes the first creation, then Allah creates the latter creation; surely Allah has power over all things.

20 Say: "Travel in the land and see how (Allah) originated the creation, and then Allah will bring forth the creation of the Hereafter (i.e. resurrection after death). Verily, Allah is Able to do all things."

21 He punishes whom He pleases and has mercy on whom He pleases, and to Him you shall be turned back.

21 He punishes whom He wills, and shows mercy to whom He wills; and to Him you will be returned.

22 And you shall not escape in the earth nor in the heaven, and you have neither a protector nor a helper besides Allah.

22 And you cannot escape in the earth or in the heaven (from Allah). And besides Allah you have neither any Wali (Protector or Guardian) nor any Helper.

23 And (as to) those who disbelieve in the communications of Allah and His meeting, they have despaired of My mercy, and these it is that shall have a painful punishment.

23 And those who disbelieve in the Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah and the Meeting with Him, it is they who have no hope of My Mercy: and it is they who will have a painful torment.

24 So naught was the answer of his people except that they said: Slay him or burn him; then Allah delivered him from the fire; most surely there are signs in this for a people who believe.

24 So nothing was the answer of [Ibrahim's (Abraham)] people except that they said: "Kill him or burn him." Then Allah saved him from the fire. Verily, in this are indeed signs for a people who believe.

25 And he said: You have only taken for yourselves idols besides Allah by way of friendship between you in this world's life, then on the resurrection day some of you shall deny others, and some of you shall curse others, and your abode is the fire, and you shall not have any helpers.

25 And [Ibrahim (Abraham)] said: "You have taken (for worship) idols instead of Allah. The love between you is only in the life of this world, but on the Day of Resurrection, you shall disown each other, and curse each other, and your abode will be the Fire, and you shall have no helper."

26 And Lut believed in Him, and he said: I am fleeing to my Lord, surely He is the Mighty, the Wise.

26 So Lut (Lot) believed in him [Ibrahim's (Abraham) Message of Islamic Monotheism]. He [Ibrahim (Abraham)] said: "I will emigrate for the sake of my Lord. Verily, He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. "

27 And We granted him Ishaq and Yaqoub, and caused the prophethood and the book to remain in his seed, and We gave him his reward in this world, and in the hereafter he will most surely be among the good.

27 And We bestowed on him [Ibrahim (Abraham)], Ishaq (Isaac) and Ya'qub (Jacob), and We ordained among his offspring Prophethood and the Book [i.e. the Taurat (Torah) (to Musa - Moses), the Injeel (Gospel) (to 'Îsa - Jesus), and the Qur'an (to Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), all from the offspring of Ibrahim (Abraham)], and We granted him his reward in this world; and verily, in the Hereafter he is indeed among the righteous.

28 And (We sent) Lut when he said to his people: Most surely you are guilty of an indecency which none of the nations has ever done before you;

28 And (remember) Lut (Lot), when he said to his people: "You commit Al-Fahishah (sodomy - the worst sin) which none has preceded you in (committing) it in the 'Alamin (mankind and jinn)."

29 What! do you come to the males and commit robbery on the highway, and you commit evil deeds in your assemblies? But nothing was the answer of his people except that they said: Bring on us Allah's punishment, if you are one of the truthful.

29 "Verily, you practise sodomy with men, and rob the wayfarer (travellers)! And practise Al-Munkar (disbelief and polytheism and every kind of evil wicked deed) in your meetings." But his people gave no answer except that they said: "Bring Allah's Torment upon us if you are one of the truthful."

30 He said: My Lord! help me against the mischievous people.

30 He said: "My Lord! Give me victory over the people who are Mufsidun (those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants, mischief-makers, corrupters).

31 And when Our apostles came to Ibrahim with the good news, they said: Surely we are going to destroy the people of this town, for its people are unjust.

31 And when Our Messengers came to Ibrahim (Abraham) with the glad tidings they said: "Verily, we are going to destroy the people of this [Lut (Lot's)] town (i.e. the town of Sodom in Palestine); truly, its people have been Zalimun [wrong-doers, polytheists disobedient to Allah, and who belied their Messenger Lut (Lot)]."

32 He said: Surely in it is Lut. They said: We know well who is in it; we shall certainly deliver him and his followers, except his wife; she shall be of those who remain behind.

32 Ibrahim (Abraham) said: "But there is Lut (Lot) in it." They said: "We know better who is there. We will verily save him [Lut (Lot)] and his family except his wife: she will be of those who remain behind (i.e. she will be destroyed along with those who will be destroyed from her folk)."

33 And when Our apostles came to Lut he was grieved on account of them, and he felt powerless (to protect) them; and they said: Fear not, nor grieve; surely we will deliver you and your followers, except your wife; she shall be of those who remain behind.

33 And when Our Messengers came to Lut (Lot), he was grieved because of them, and felt straitened on their account. They said: "Have no fear, and do not grieve! Truly, we shall save you and your family, except your wife: she will be of those who remain behind (i.e. she will be destroyed along with those who will be destroyed from her folk).

34 Surely We will cause to come down upon the people of this town a punishment from heaven, because they transgressed.

34 "Verily, we are about to bring down on the people of this town a great torment from the sky, because they have been rebellious (against Allah's Command)."

35 And certainly We have left a clear sign of it for a people who understand.

35 And indeed We have left thereof an evident Ayah (a lesson and a warning and a sign - the place where the Dead Sea is now in Palestine) for a folk who understand.

36 And to Madyan (We sent) their brother Shuaib, so he said: O my people! serve Allah and fear the latter day and do not act corruptly in the land, making mischief.

36 And to (the people of) Madyan (Midian), We sent their brother Shu'aib. He said: "O my people! Worship Allah (Alone) and hope for (the reward of good deeds by worshipping Allah Alone, on) the last Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection), and commit no mischief on the earth as Mufsidun (those who commit great crimes, oppressors, tyrants, mischief-makers, corrupters). [Tafsir At-Tabari]

37 But they rejected him, so a severe earthquake overtook them, and they became motionless bodies in their abode.

37 And they belied him [Shu'aib]: so the earthquake seized them, and they lay (dead), prostrate in their dwellings.

38 And (We destroyed) Ad and Samood, and from their dwellings (this) is apparent to you indeed; and the Shaitan made their deeds fair - seeming to them, so he kept them back from the path, though they were endowed with intelligence and skill,

38 And 'Ad and Thamud (people)! And indeed (their destruction) is clearly apparent to you from their (ruined) dwellings. Shaitan (Satan) made their deeds fair-seeming to them, and turned them away from the (Right) Path, though they were intelligent.

39 And (We destroyed) Qaroun and Firon and Haman; and certainly Musa came to them with clear arguments, but they behaved haughtily in the land; yet they could not outstrip (Us).

39 And (We destroyed also) Qarun (Korah), Fir'aun (Pharaoh), and Haman. And indeed Musa (Moses) came to them with clear Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), but they were arrogant in the land, yet they could not outstrip Us (escape Our punishment).

40 So each We punished for his sin; of them was he on whom We sent down a violent storm, and of them was he whom the rumbling overtook, and of them was he whom We made to be swallowed up by the earth, and of them was he whom We drowned; and it did not beseem Allah that He should be unjust to them, but they were unjust to their own souls.

40 So We punished each (of them) for his sins; of them were some on whom We sent Hasib (a violent wind with shower of stones) [as on the people of Lut (Lot)], and of them were some who were overtaken by As-Saihah [torment - awful cry. (as Thamud or Shu'aib's people)], and of them were some whom We caused the earth to swallow [as Qarun (Korah)], and of them were some whom We drowned [as the people of Nuh (Noah), or Fir'aun (Pharaoh) and his people]. It was not Allah Who wronged them, but they wronged themselves.

41 The parable of those who take guardians besides Allah is as the parable of the spider that makes for itself a house; and most surely the frailest of the houses is the spider's house did they but know.

41 The likeness of those who take (false deities as) Auliya' (protectors, helpers) other than Allah is the likeness of a spider who builds (for itself) a house; but verily, the frailest (weakest) of houses is the spider's house - if they but knew.

42 Surely Allah knows whatever thing they call upon besides Him; and He is the Mighty, the Wise.

42 Verily, Allah knows what things they invoke instead of Him. He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

43 And (as for) these examples, We set them forth for men, and none understand them but the learned.

43 And these similitudes We put forward for mankind; but none will understand them except those who have knowledge (of Allah and His Signs).

44 Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth; most surely there is a sign in this for the believers.

44 (Allah says to His Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Allah (Alone) created the heavens and the earth with truth (and none shared Him in their creation)." Verily! Therein is surely a sign for those who believe.

45 Recite that which has been revealed to you of the Book and keep up prayer; surely prayer keeps (one) away from indecency and evil, and certainly the remembrance of Allah is the greatest, and Allah knows what you do.

45 Recite (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) what has been revealed to you of the Book (the Qur'an), and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat). Verily, As-Salat (the prayer) prevents from Al-Fahsha' (i.e. great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse) and Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed) and the remembering (praising) of (you by) Allah (in front of the angels) is greater indeed [than your remembering (praising) of Allah in prayers. And Allah knows what you do.

46 And do not dispute with the followers of the Book except by what is best, except those of them who act unjustly, and say: We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you, and our Allah and your Allah is One, and to Him do we submit.

46 And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to Islamic Monotheism with His Verses), except with such of them as do wrong; and say (to them): "We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you; our Ilah (God) and your Ilah (God) is One (i.e. Allah), and to Him we have submitted (as Muslims)."

47 And thus have We revealed the Book to you. So those whom We have given the Book believe in it, and of these there are those who believe in it, and none deny Our communications except the unbelievers.

47 And thus We have sent down the Book (i.e. this Qur'an) to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), and those whom We gave the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) aforetime] believe therein as also do some of these (who are present with you now like 'Abdullah bin Salam) and none but the disbelievers reject Our Ayat [(proofs, signs, verses, lessons, etc.,) and deny Our Oneness of Lordship and Our Oneness of worship and Our Oneness of Our Names and Qualities: i.e. Islamic Monotheism].

48 And you did not recite before it any book, nor did you transcribe one with your right hand, for then could those who say untrue things have doubted.

48 Neither did you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) read any book before it (this Qur'an), nor did you write any book (whatsoever) with your right hand. In that case, indeed, the followers of falsehood might have doubted.

49 Nay! these are clear communications in the breasts of those who are granted knowledge; and none deny Our communications except the unjust.

49 Nay, but they, the clear Ayat [i.e. the description and the qualities of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم written in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] are preserved in the breasts of those who have been given knowledge (among the people of the Scriptures). And none but the Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers) deny Our Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.).

50 And they say: Why are not signs sent down upon him from his Lord? Say: The signs are only with Allah, and I am only a plain warner.

50 And they say: "Why are not signs sent down to him from his Lord? Say: "The signs are only with Allah, and I am only a plain warner."

51 Is it not enough for them that We have revealed to you the Book which is recited to them? Most surely there is mercy in this and a reminder for a people who believe.

51 Is it not sufficient for them that We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur'an) which is recited to them? Verily, herein is mercy and a reminder (or an admonition) for a people who believe .

52 Say: Allah is sufficient as a witness between me and you; He knows what is in the heavens and the earth. And (as for) those who believe in the falsehood and disbelieve in Allah, these it is that are the losers.

52 Say (to them O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Sufficient is Allah for a witness between me and you. He knows what is in the heavens and on earth." And those who believe in Batil (all false deities other than Allah), and disbelieve in Allah and (in His Oneness), it is they who are the losers.

53 And they ask you to hasten on the chastisement; and had not a term been appointed, the chastisement would certainly have come to them; and most certainly it will come to them all of a sudden while they will not perceive.

53 And they ask you to hasten on the torment (for them): and had it not been for a term appointed, the torment would certainly have come to them. And surely, it will come upon them suddenly while they perceive not!

54 They ask you to hasten on the chastisement, and most surely hell encompasses the unbelievers;

54 They ask you to hasten on the torment. And verily, Hell, of a surety, will encompass the disbelievers.

55 On the day when the chastisement shall cover them from above them, and from beneath their feet; and He shall say: Taste what you did.

55 On the Day when the torment (Hell-fire) shall cover them from above them and from underneath their feet, and it will be said: "Taste what you used to do."

56 O My servants who believe! surely My earth is vast, therefore Me alone should you serve.

56 O My slaves who believe! Certainly, spacious is My earth. Therefore worship Me." (Alone) .

57 Every soul must taste of death, then to Us you shall be brought back.

57 Everyone shall taste death. Then unto Us you shall be returned.

58 And (as for) those who believe and do good, We will certainly give them abode in the high places in gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein; how good the reward of the workers:

58 And those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, to them We shall surely give lofty dwellings in Paradise, underneath which rivers flow, to live therein forever. Excellent is the reward for the workers.

59 Those who are patient, and on their Lord do they rely.

59 Those who are patient, and put their trust (only) in their Lord (Allah).

60 And how many a living creature that does not carry its sustenance: Allah sustains it and yourselves; and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.

60 And so many a moving (living) creature carries not its own provision! Allah provides for it and for you. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.

61 And if you ask them, Who created the heavens and the earth and made the sun and the moon subservient, they will certainly say, Allah. Whence are they then turned away?

61 And if you were to ask them: "Who has created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon?" they will surely reply: "Allah." How then are they deviating (as polytheists and disbelievers)?

62 Allah makes abundant the means of subsistence for whom He pleases of His servants, and straitens them for whom (He pleases) surely Allah is Cognizant of all things.

62 Allah enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and straitens it for whom (He wills). Verily, Allah is the All-Knower of everything.

63 And if you ask them Who is it that sends down water from the clouds, then gives life to the earth with it after its death, they will certainly say, Allah. Say: All praise is due to Allah. Nay, most of them do not understand.

63 And if you were to ask them: "Who sends down water (rain) from the sky, and gives life therewith to the earth after its death?" they will surely reply: "Allah." Say: "All the praises and thanks be to Allah!" Nay, most of them have no sense.

64 And this life of the world is nothing but a sport and a play; and as for the next abode, that most surely is the life - - did they but know!

64 And this life of the world is only an amusement and a play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter - that is the life indeed (i.e. the eternal life that will never end), if they but knew .

65 So when they ride in the ships they call upon Allah, being sincerely obedient to Him, but when He brings them safe to the land, lo! they associate others (with Him);

65 And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him only: but when He brings them safely to land, behold, they give a share of their worship to others .

66 Thus they become ungrateful for what We have given them, so that they may enjoy; but they shall soon know.

66 So that they become ingrate for that which We have given them, and that they take their enjoyment (as a warning and a threat), but they will come to know.

67 Do they not see that We have made a sacred territory secure, while men are carried off by force from around them? Will they still believe in the falsehood and disbelieve in the favour of Allah?

67 Have they not seen that We have made (Makkah) a secure sanctuary, while men are being snatched away from all around them? Then do they believe in Batil (falsehood - polytheism, idols and all deities other than Allah), and deny (become ingrate for) the Graces of Allah?

68 And who is more unjust than one who forges a lie against Allah, or gives the lie to the truth when it has come to him? Will not in hell be the abode of the unbelievers?

68 And who does more wrong than he who invents a lie against Allah or denies the truth (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and his doctrine of Islamic Monotheism and this Qur'an), when it comes to him? Is there not a dwelling in Hell for disbelievers (in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم)?

69 And (as for) those who strive hard for Us, We will most certainly guide them in Our ways; and Allah is most surely with the doers of good.

69 As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allah's religion - Islamic Monotheism). And verily, Allah is with the Muhsinun (good doers)."