Al Ankabut

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.]

1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Alif. Lam. Mim.

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

2 Do men imagine that they will be left (at ease) because they say, We believe, and will not be tested with affliction ?

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).

3 Lo! We tested those who were before you. Thus Allah knoweth those who are sincere, and knoweth those who feign.

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

4 Or do those who do ill - deeds imagine that they can outstrip Us ? Evil (for them) is that which they decide.

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

5 Whoso looketh forward to the meeting with Allah (let him know that) Allah's reckoning is surely nigh, and He is the Hearer, the Knower.

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).

6 And whosoever striveth, striveth only for himself, for lo! Allah is altogether Independent of (His) creatures.

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.

7 And as for those who believe and do good works, We shall remit from them their evil deeds and shall repay them the best that they 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.

8 We have enjoined on man kindness to parents; but if they strive to make thee join with Me that of which thou hast no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me is your return and I shall tell you what ye used to do.

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).

9 And as for those who believe and do good works, We verily shall make them enter in among the righteous.

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).

10 Of mankind is he who saith: We believe in Allah, but, if he be made to suffer for the sake of Allah, he mistaketh the persecution of mankind for Allah's punishment; and then, if victory cometh from thy Lord, will say: Lo! we were with you (all the while). Is not Allah Best Aware of what is in the bosoms of (His) creatures ?

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].

11 Verily Allah knoweth those who believe, and verily He knoweth the hypocrites.

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.

12 Those who disbelieve say unto those who believe: Follow our way (of religion) and we verily will bear your sins (for you). They cannot bear aught of their sins. Lo! they verily are liars.

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.

13 But they verily will bear their own loads and other loads beside their own, and they verily will be questioned on the Day of Resurrection concerning that which they invented.

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).

14 And verily we sent Noah (as Our messenger) unto his folk, and he continued with them for a thousand years save fifty years; and the flood engulfed them, for they were wrong - doers.

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).

15 And We rescued him and those with him in the ship, and made of it a portent for the peoples.

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.

16 And Abraham! (Remember) when he said unto his folk: Serve Allah, and keep your duty unto Him; that is better for you if ye did but know.

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.

17 Ye serve instead of Allah only idols, and ye only invent a lie. Lo! those whom ye serve instead of Allah own no provision for you. So seek your provision from Allah, and serve Him, and give thanks unto Him, (for) unto Him ye will be brought back.

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."

18 But if ye deny, then nations have denied before you. The messenger is only to convey (the message) plainly.

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

19 See they not how Allah produceth creation, then reproduceth it ? Lo! for Allah that is easy.

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."

20 Say (O Muhammad): Travel in the land and see how He originated creation, then Allah bringeth forth the later growth. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things.

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

21 He punisheth whom He will and showeth mercy unto whom He will, and unto Him ye will be turned.

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.

22 Ye cannot escape (from Him) in the earth or in the sky, and beside Allah there is for you no friend or helper.

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.

23 Those who disbelieve in the revelations of Allah and in (their) Meeting with Him, such have no hope of My mercy. For such there is a painful doom.

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.

24 But the answer of his folk was only that they said: "Kill him" or "Burn him." Then Allah saved him from the Fire. Lo! herein verily are portents for folk who believe.

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."

25 He said: Ye have chosen only idols instead of Allah. The love between you is only in the life of the world. Then on the Day of Resurrection ye will deny each other and curse each other, and your abode will be the Fire, and ye will have no helpers.

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. "

26 And Lot believed him, and said: Lo! I am a fugitive unto my Lord. Lo! He, only He, is the Mighty, the Wise.

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.

27 And We bestowed on him Isaac and Jacob, and We established the prophethood and the Scripture among his seed, and We gave him his reward in the world, and lo! in the Hereafter he verily is among the righteous.

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)."

28 And Lot! (Remember) when he said unto his folk: Lo! ye commit lewdness such as no creature did before you.

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."

29 For come ye not in unto males, and cut ye not the road (for travellers), and commit ye not abomination in your meetings ? But the answer of his folk was only that they said: Bring Allah's doom upon us if thou art a truthteller!

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).

30 He said: My Lord! Give me victory over folk who work corruption.

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)]."

31 And when Our messengers brought Abraham the good news, they said: Lo! we are about to destroy the people of that township, for its people are wrong - doers.

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)."

32 He said: Lo! Lot is there. They said: We are best aware of who is there. We are to deliver him and his household, all save his wife, who is of those who stay 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).

33 And when Our messengers came unto Lot, he was troubled upon their account, for he could not protect them; but they said: Fear not, nor grieve! Lo! we are to deliver thee and thy household, (all) save thy wife, who is of those who stay behind.

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)."

34 Lo! We are about to bring down upon the folk of this township a fury from the sky because they are evil - livers.

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.

35 And verily of that We have left a clear sign for people who have sense.

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]

36 And unto Midian We sent Shu'eyb, their brother. He said: O my people! Serve Allah, and look forward to the Last Day, and do not evil, making mischief, in the earth.

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

37 But they denied him, and the dreadful earthquake took them, and morning found them prostrate in their dwelling place.

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.

38 And (the tribes of) A'ad and Thamud! (Their fate) is manifest unto you from their (ruined and deserted) dwellings. Satan made their deeds seem fair unto them and so debarred them from the Way, though they were keen observers.

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).

39 And Korah, Pharaoh and Haman! Moses came unto them with clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty), but they were boastful in the land. And they were not winners (in the race).

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.

40 So We took each one in his sin; of them was he on whom We sent a hurricane, and of them was he who was overtaken by the (Awful) Cry, and of them was he whom We caused the earth to swallow, and of them was he whom We drowned. It was not for Allah to wrong them, but they wronged themselves.

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.

41 The likeness of those who choose other patrons than Allah is as the likeness of the spider when she taketh unto herself a house, and lo! the frailest of all houses is the spider's house, if they but knew.

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

42 Lo! Allah knoweth what thing they invoke instead of Him. He is the Mighty, the Wise.

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

43 As for these similitudes, We coin them for mankind, but none will grasp their meaning save the wise.

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.

44 Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth. Lo! therein is indeed a portent for believers.

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.

45 Recite that which hath been inspired in thee of the Scripture, and establish worship. Lo! worship preserveth from lewdness and iniquity, but verily remembrance of Allah is more important. And Allah knoweth what ye do.

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)."

46 And argue not with the People of the Scripture unless it be in (a way) that is better, save with such of them as do wrong; and say: We believe in that which hath been revealed unto us and revealed unto you; our God and your God is One, and unto Him we surrender.

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].

47 In like manner We have revealed unto thee the Scripture, and those unto whom We gave the Scripture aforetime will believe therein; and of these (also) there are some who believe therein. And none deny Our revelations save the disbelievers.

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.

48 And thou (O Muhammad) wast not a reader of any scripture before it, nor didst thou write it with thy right hand, for then might those have doubted, who follow falsehood.

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.).

49 But it is clear revelations in the hearts of those who have been given knowledge, and none deny Our revelations save wrong - doers.

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."

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

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 .

51 Is it not enough for them that We have sent down unto thee the Scripture which is read unto them ? Lo! herein verily is mercy, and a reminder for folk who believe.

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.

52 Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Allah sufficeth for witness between me and you. He knoweth whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those who believe in vanity and disbelieve in Allah, they it is who are the losers.

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!

53 They bid thee hasten on the doom (of Allah). And if a term had not been appointed, the doom would assuredly have come unto them (ere now). And verily it will come upon them suddenly when they perceive not.

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

54 They bid thee hasten on the doom, when lo! hell verily will encompass the disbelievers

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."

55 On the day when the doom will overwhelm them from above them and from underneath their feet, and He will say: Taste what ye used to do!

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

56 O my bondmen who believe! Lo! My earth is spacious. Therefor serve Me only.

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

57 Every soul will taste of death. Then unto Us ye will be returned.

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.

58 Those who believe and do good works, them verily We shall house in lofty dwellings of the Garden underneath which rivers flow. There they will dwell secure. How sweet the guerdon of the toilers,

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

59 Who persevere, and put their trust in their Lord!

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.

60 And how many an animal there is that beareth not its own provision! Allah provideth for it and for you. He is the Hearer, the Knower.

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)?

61 And if thou wert to ask them: Who created the heavens and the earth, and constrained the sun and the moon (to their appointed work) ? they would say: Allah. How then are they turned away ?

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.

62 Allah maketh the provision wide for whom He will of His bondmen, and straiteneth it for whom (He will). Lo! Allah is Aware of all things.

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.

63 And if thou wert to ask them: Who causeth water to come down from the sky, and therewith reviveth the earth after its death ? they verily would say: Allah. Say: Praise be to Allah! But most of them have no sense.

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 .

64 This life of the world is but a pastime and a game. Lo! the home of the Hereafter - that is Life, if they but knew.

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 .

65 And when they mount upon the ships they pray to Allah, making their faith pure for Him only, but when He bringeth them safe to land, behold! they ascribe partners (unto Him),

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.

66 That they may disbelieve in that which We have given them, and that they may take their ease. But they will come to know.

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?

67 Have they not seen that We have appointed a sanctuary immune (from violence), while mankind are ravaged all around them ? Do they then believe in falsehood and disbelieve in the bounty of Allah ?

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)?

68 Who doeth greater wrong than he who inventeth a lie concerning Allah, or denieth the truth when it cometh unto him ? Is not there a home in hell for disbelievers ?

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)."

69 As for those who strive in Us, We surely guide them to Our paths, and lo! Allah is with the good.