Al Naml

1 In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Ta-Sin. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. These are the Verses of the Qur'an, and (it is) a Book (that makes things) clear:

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

2 A guide (to the Right Path) and glad tidings for the believers [who believe in the Oneness of Allah (i.e. Islamic Monotheism)].

2 A guidance and good news for the believers,

3 Those who perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give Zakat and they believe with certainty in the Hereafter (resurrection, recompense of their good and bad deeds, Paradise and Hell).

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

4 Verily, those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have made their deeds fair-seeming to them, so that they wander about blindly.

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 They are those for whom there will be an evil torment (in this world). 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 And verily, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) are being taught the Qur'an from One, All-Wise, All-Knowing.

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

7 (Remember) when Musa (Moses) said to his household: "Verily I have seen a fire; I will bring you from there some information, or I will bring you a burning brand, that you 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 came to it, he was called: "Blessed is whosoever is in the fire, and whosoever is round about it! And glorified be Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).

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 Musa (Moses)! Verily it is I, Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

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

10 "And throw down your stick!" But when he saw it moving as if it were a snake, he turned in flight, and did not look back. (It was said:) "O Musa (Moses)! Fear not: verily the Messengers fear not in front of Me.

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 "Except him who has done wrong and afterwards has changed evil for good; then surely, I am Oft-Forgiving, Most 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 your hand into your bosom, it will come forth white without hurt. (These are) among the nine signs (you will take) to Fir'aun (Pharaoh) and his people. Verily they are a people who are Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).

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 Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) came to them, clear to see, they said: "This is a manifest magic."

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

14 And they belied them (those Ayat) wrongfully and arrogantly, though their ownselves were convinced thereof [i.e. those (Ayat ) are from Allah, and Musa (Moses) is the Messenger of Allah in truth, but they disliked to obey Musa (Moses), and hated to believe in his Message of Monotheism]. So see what was the end of the Mufsidun (disbelievers, disobedient to Allah, evil-doers and liars.).

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 indeed We gave knowledge to Dawud (David) and Sulaiman (Solomon), and they both said: "All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has 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 Sulaiman (Solomon) inherited (the knowledge of) Dawud (David). He said: "O mankind! We have been taught the language of birds, and on us have been bestowed all things. This, verily, is an evident grace (from Allah)."

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 before Sulaiman (Solomon) his hosts of jinn and men, and birds, and they all were set in battle order (marching forward).

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 came to the valley of the ants, one of the ants said: "O ants! Enter your dwellings, lest Sulaiman (Solomon) and his hosts should crush you, while they perceive not."

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 So he [Sulaiman (Solomon)] smiled, amused at her speech and said: "My Lord! Grant me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favours which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your Mercy among Your 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 He inspected the birds, and said: "What is the matter that I see not the hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?

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 will surely punish him with a severe torment, or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear reason."

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 the hoopoe stayed not long: he (came up and) said: "I have grasped (the knowledge of a thing) which you have not grasped and I have come to you from Saba' (Sheba) with true news.

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 "I found a woman ruling over them: she has been given all things that could be possessed by any ruler of the earth, and she has a great 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 Shaitan (Satan) has made their deeds fair-seeming to them, and has barred them from (Allah's) Way: so they have no guidance."

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 [As Shaitan (Satan) has barred them from Allah's Way] so they do not worship (prostrate themselves before) Allah, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you conceal and what you reveal. [Tafsir At-Tabari]

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, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne!

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

27 [Sulaiman (Solomon)] said: "We shall see whether you speak the truth or you are (one) of the liars.

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

28 "Go you with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them, then draw back from them, 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 She said: "O chiefs! Verily! Here is delivered to me a noble letter,

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

30 "Verily it is from Sulaiman (Solomon), and verily, it (reads): In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful:

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

31 "Be you not exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims (true believers who submit to Allah with full submission).' "

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

32 She said: "O chiefs! Advise me in (this) case of mine. I decide no case till you are present with me (and give me your opinions)."

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 have great strength, and great ability for war, but it is for you to command: so think over what you will 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: "Verily kings, when they enter a town (country), they despoil it and make the most honourable amongst its people the lowest. And thus 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 verily! I am going to send him a present, and 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 messengers with the present) came to Sulaiman (Solomon), he said: "Will you help me in wealth? What Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay, you rejoice 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 [Then Sulaiman (Solomon) said to the chief of her messengers who brought the present]: "Go back to them. We verily shall come to them with hosts that they cannot resist, and we shall drive them out from there in disgrace, 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 can bring me her throne before they come to me surrendering themselves in obedience?"

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

39 A 'Ifrit (strong one) from the jinn said: "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place (council). And verily, I am indeed strong, and trustworthy 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 to you within the twinkling of an eye!" Then when he [Sulaiman (Solomon)] saw it placed before him, he said: "This is by the Grace of my Lord - to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for (the good of) his ownself; and whoever is ungrateful, (he is ungrateful only for the loss of his ownself). Certainly my Lord is Rich (Free of all needs), 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 be guided (to recognise her throne), or she will be one of those not 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 (to her): "Is your throne like this?" She said: "(It is) as though it were the very same." And [Sulaiman (Solomon) said]: "Knowledge was bestowed on us before her, and we were submitted to Allah (in Islam as Muslims before her)."

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 that which she used to worship besides Allah has prevented her (from Islam), for she was of a disbelieving people.

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

44 It was said to her: "Enter As-Sarh" (a glass surface with water underneath it or a palace): but when she saw it, she thought it was a pool, and she (tucked up her clothes) uncovering her legs. (Sulaiman (Solomon)) said: "Verily, it is a Sarh (a glass surface with water underneath it or a palace)." She said: "My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, and I submit [in Islam, together with Sulaiman (Solomon)] to Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)."

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 indeed We sent to Thamud their brother Salih, saying: "Worship Allah (Alone and none else). Then look! They became two parties (believers and disbelievers) quarreling with each other."

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 do you seek to hasten the evil (torment) before the good (Allah's Mercy)? Why seek you not the Forgiveness of Allah, that you 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 ill omen from you and those with you." He said: "Your ill omen is with Allah; nay, but you are a people 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 men (from the sons of their chiefs), who made mischief in the land, and would not reform.

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 shall make a secret night attack on him and his household, and thereafter we will surely say to his near relatives: 'We witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily we are telling the truth.'"

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 how was the end of their plot! Verily! We destroyed them and their nation, all together.

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

52 These are their houses in utter ruin, for they did wrong. Verily, in this is indeed an Ayah (a lesson or a sign) for people who know.

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 fear Allah, and keep their duty to Him.

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

54 And (remember) Lut (Lot)! When he said to his people. Do you commit Al-Fahishah (evil, great sin, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse, sodomy) while you see (one another doing evil without any screen)?"

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

55 "Do you practise your lusts on men instead of women? Nay, but you are a people who behave senselessly."

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

56 There was no other answer given by his people except that they said: "Drive out the family of Lut (Lot) from your city Verily, these are men who want to be clean and pure!"

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 So We saved him and his family, except his wife. We destined her to be of those who remained 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 down on them a rain (of stones). So evil was the rain of those who were warned.

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

59 Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Praise and thanks be to Allah, and peace be on His slaves whom He has chosen (for His Message)! Is Allah better, or (all) that you ascribe as partners (to Him)?" (Of course, Allah is Better).

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 (better than your gods) Who created the heavens and the earth, and sends down for you water (rain) from the sky, whereby We cause to grow wonderful gardens full of beauty and delight? It is not in your ability to cause the growth of their trees. Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? Nay, but they are a people who ascribe equals (to 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 (better than your gods) Who has made the earth as a fixed abode, and has placed rivers in its midst, and has placed firm mountains therein, and has set a barrier between the two seas (of salt and sweet water)? Is there any ilah (god) with 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 (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls on Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations? Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? Little is that you remember!

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 (better than your gods) Who guides you in the darkness of the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy (rain)? Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? High Exalted be Allah above all that they associate as partners (to 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 (better than your so-called gods) Who originates creation, and shall thereafter repeat it, and Who provides for you from heaven and earth? Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? Say: "Bring forth your proofs, if you 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: "None in the heavens and the earth knows the Ghaib (Unseen) except Allah, nor can they perceive when they shall be resurrected."

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, they have no knowledge of the Hereafter. Nay, they are in doubt about it. Nay, they are in complete blindness about 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 And those who disbelieve say: "When we have become dust - we and our fathers - shall we really 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 "Indeed we were promised this - we and our forefathers before (us), verily, these are nothing but tales of ancients."

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

69 Say to them (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) "Travel in the land and see how has been the end of the Mujrimun (criminals, those who denied Allah's Messengers and disobeyed Allah)."

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

70 And grieve you not over them, nor be straitened (in distress) because of what they plot.

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

71 And they (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) say: "When (will) this promise (be fulfilled), if you are truthful?"

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

72 Say: "Perhaps that which you wish to hasten on, may be close behind you.

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

73 "Verily, your Lord is full of Grace for mankind, yet 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 And verily, your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they reveal.

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

75 And there is nothing hidden in the heaven and the earth but it is in a Clear Book (i.e. Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz).

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

76 Verily, this Qur'an narrates to the Children of Israel most of that in which they differ.

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

77 And truly, it (this Qur'an) is a guide and a mercy for the believers.

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

78 Verily, your Lord will decide between them (various sects) by His Judgement. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.

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

79 So put your trust in Allah; surely, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) are on manifest truth.

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

80 Verily, you cannot make the dead to hear nor can you make the deaf to hear the call (i.e. benefit them and similarly the disbelievers), when they flee, turning their backs.

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 can you lead the blind out of their error. You can only make to hear those who believe in Our Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), and who have submitted (themselves to Allah in Islam as Muslims).

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 (of torment) is fulfilled against them, We shall bring out from the earth a beast for them, to speak to them because mankind believed not with certainty in Our Ayat (Verses of the Qur'an and Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم).

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 (remember) the Day when We shall gather out of every nation a troop of those who denied Our Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), and (then) they (all) shall be driven (to the place of reckoning),

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 at the place of reckoning), He will say: "Did you deny My Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) whereas you comprehended them not by knowledge (of their truth or falsehood), or what (else) was it that you used to do?"

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 (of torment) will be fulfilled against them, because they have done wrong, and they will be unable to speak (in order to defend themselves).

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

86 See they not that We have made the night for them to rest therein, and the day sight-giving? Verily, in this are Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) for the 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 (remember) the Day on which the Trumpet will be blown - and all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth, will be terrified except him whom Allah will (exempt). And all shall come to 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 you will see the mountains and think them solid, but they shall pass away as the passing away of the clouds. The Work of Allah, Who perfected all things, verily He is Well-Acquainted with what you 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 Whoever brings a good deed (i.e. Belief in the Oneness of Allah along with every deed of righteousness), will have better than its worth; and they will be safe from the terror on that Day.

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

90 And whoever brings an evil deed (i.e. Shirk - polytheism, disbelief in the Oneness of Allah and every evil sinful deed), they will be cast down (prone) on their faces in the Fire. (And it will be said to them) "Are you being recompensed anything except what you used to do?"

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 I (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) have been commanded only to worship the Lord of this city (Makkah), Who has sanctified it and to Whom belongs everything. And I am commanded to be from among the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islam).

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 that I should recite the Qur'an, then whosoever receives guidance, receives it for the good of his ownself; and whosoever goes astray, say (to him): "I am only one of the warners."

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 [(O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) to these polytheists and pagans.]: "All the praises and thanks be to Allah. He will show you His Ayat (signs, in yourselves, and in the universe or punishments), and you shall recognise them. And your Lord is not unaware of what you 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.