Al Naml

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

1 These are verses of the Qur'an, - a book that makes (things) clear;

2 A guidance and good news for the believers,

2 A guide: and glad tidings for the believers, -

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

3 Those who establish regular prayers and give in regular charity, and also have (full) assurance of the hereafter.

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.

4 As to those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have made their deeds pleasing in their eyes; and so they wander about in distraction.

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

5 Such are they for whom a grievous Penalty is (waiting); and in the Hereafter theirs will be the greatest loss.

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

6 As to thee, the Qur'an is bestowed upon thee from the presence of one who is wise and all - knowing.

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.

7 Behold! Moses said to his family: "I perceive a fire; soon will I bring you from there some information, or I will bring you a burning brand to light our fuel, that ye may warm yourselves.

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;

8 But when he came to the (fire), a voice was heard: "Blessed are those in the fire and those around: and glory to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

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

9 "O Moses! verily, I am Allah, the exalted in might, the wise!....

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;

10 "Now do thou throw thy rod!" But when he saw it moving (of its own accord) as if it had been a snake, he turned back in retreat, and retraced not his steps: "O Moses!" (it was said), "Fear not: truly, in My presence, those called as messengers have no fear, -

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

11 "But if any have done wrong and have thereafter substituted good to take the place of evil, truly, I am Oft - Forgiving, Most Merciful.

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.

12 "Now put thy hand into thy bosom, and it will come forth white without stain (or harm): (these are) among the nine Signs (thou wilt take) to Pharaoh and his people: for they are a people rebellious in transgression."

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

13 But when Our Signs came to them, that should have opened their eyes, they said: "This is sorcery manifest!"

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.

14 And they rejected those Signs in iniquity and arrogance, though their souls were convinced thereof: so see what was the end of those who acted corruptly!

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.

15 We gave (in the past) knowledge to David and Solomon: And they both said: "Praise be to Allah, Who has favoured us above many of his servants who believe!"

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.

16 And Solomon was David's heir. He said: "O ye people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and on us has been bestowed (a little) of all things: this is indeed Grace manifest (from Allah.)"

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

17 And before Solomon were marshalled his hosts, - of Jinns and men and birds, and they were all kept in order and ranks.

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.

18 At length, when they came to a (lowly) valley of ants, one of the ants said: "O ye ants, get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (under foot) without knowing it."

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.

19 So he smiled, amused at her speech; and he said: "O my Lord! so order me that I may be grateful for Thy favours, which thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may work the righteousness that will please Thee: And admit me, by Thy Grace, to the ranks of Thy righteous Servants."

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?

20 And he took a muster of the Birds; and he said: "Why is it I see not the Hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?

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

21 "I will certainly punish him with a severe penalty, or execute him, unless he bring me a clear reason (for absence)."

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.

22 But the Hoopoe tarried not far: he (came up and) said: "I have compassed (territory) which thou hast not compassed, and I have come to thee from Saba with tidings true.

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

23 "I found (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne.

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

24 "I found her and her people worshipping the sun besides Allah: Satan has made their deeds seem pleasing in their eyes, and has kept them away from the Path, - so they receive no guidance, -

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:

25 "(Kept them away from the Path), that they should not worship Allah, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what ye hide and what ye reveal.

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

26 "Allah! - there is no god but He! - Lord of the Throne Supreme!"

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

27 (Solomon) said: "Soon shall we see whether thou hast told the truth or lied!

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

28 "Go thou, with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them: then draw back from them, and (wait to) see what answer they return"...

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

29 (The queen) said: "Ye chiefs! here is delivered to me - a letter worthy of respect.

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

30 "It is from Solomon, and is (as follows): 'In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful:

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

31 "'Be ye not arrogant against me, but come to me in submission (to the true Religion).'"

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

32 She said: "Ye chiefs! advise me in (this) my affair: no affair have I decided except in your presence."

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

33 They said: "We are endued with strength, and given to vehement war: but the command is with thee; so consider what thou wilt command."

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;

34 She said: "Kings, when they enter a country, despoil it, and make the noblest of its people its meanest thus do they behave.

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

35 "But I am going to send him a present, and (wait) to see with what (answer) return (my) ambassadors."

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;

36 Now when (the embassy) came to Solomon, he said: "Will ye give me abundance in wealth? But that which Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay it is ye who rejoice in your gift!

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.

37 "Go back to them, and be sure we shall come to them with such hosts as they will never be able to meet: We shall expel them from there in disgrace, and they will feel humbled (indeed)."

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

38 He said (to his own men): "Ye chiefs! which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?"

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.

39 Said an 'Ifrit, of the Jinns: "I will bring it to thee before thou rise from thy council: indeed I have full strength for the purpose, and may be trusted."

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.

40 Said one who had knowledge of the Book: "I will bring it to thee within the twinkling of an eye!" Then when (Solomon) saw it placed firmly before him, he said: "This is by the Grace of my Lord! - to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! and if any is grateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul; but if any is ungrateful, truly my Lord is Free of all Needs, Supreme in Honour!"

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.

41 He said: "Transform her throne out of all recognition by her: let us see whether she is guided (to the truth) or is one of those who receive no guidance."

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.

42 So when she arrived, she was asked, "Is this thy throne?" She said, "It was just like this; and knowledge was bestowed on us in advance of this, and we have submitted to Allah (in Islam)."

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

43 And he diverted her from the worship of others besides Allah: for she was (sprung) of a people that had no faith.

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.

44 She was asked to enter the lofty Palace: but when she saw it, she thought it was a lake of water, and she (tucked up her skirts), uncovering her legs. He said: "This is but a palace paved smooth with slabs of glass." She said: "O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul: I do (now) submit (in Islam), with Solomon, to the Lord of the Worlds."

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

45 We sent (aforetime), to the Thamud, their brother Salih, saying, "Serve Allah": But behold, they became two factions quarrelling with each other.

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?

46 He said: "O my people! why ask ye to hasten on the evil in preference to the good? If only ye ask Allah for forgiveness, ye may hope to receive mercy.

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.

47 They said: "Ill omen do we augur from thee and those that are with thee". He said: "Your ill omen is with Allah; yea, ye are a people under trial."

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

48 There were in the city nine men of a family, who made mischief in the land, and would not reform.

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.

49 They said: "Swear a mutual oath by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his people, and that we shall then say to his heir (when he seeks vengeance): 'We were not present at the slaughter of his people, and we are positively telling the truth.'"

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

50 They plotted and planned, but We too planned, even while they perceived it not.

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

51 Then see what was the end of their plot! - this, that We destroyed them and their people, all (of them).

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.

52 Now such were their houses, - in utter ruin, - because they practised wrong - doing. Verily in this is a Sign for people of knowledge.

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

53 And We saved those who believed and practised righteousness.

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

54 (We also sent) Lut (as a messenger): behold, He said to his people, "Do ye do what is shameful though ye see (its iniquity)?

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

55 Would ye really approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay, ye are a people (grossly) ignorant!

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!

56 But his people gave no other answer but this: they said, "Drive out the followers of Lut from your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!"

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

57 But We saved him and his family, except his wife; her We destined to be of those who lagged behind.

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

58 And We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): and evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but heeded not)!

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

59 Say: Praise be to Allah, and Peace on his servants whom He has chosen (for his Message). (Who) is better? - Allah or the false gods they associate (with 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.

60 Or, Who has created the heavens and the earth, and Who sends you down rain from the sky? Yea, with it We cause to grow well - planted orchards full of beauty of delight: it is not in your power to cause the growth of the trees in them. (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Nay, they are a people who swerve from justice.

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!

61 Or, Who has made the earth firm to live in; made rivers in its midst; set thereon mountains immovable; and made a separating bar between the two bodies of flowing water? (can there be another) god besides Allah? Nay, most of them know not.

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!

62 Or, Who listens to the (soul) distressed when it calls on Him, and Who relieves its suffering, and makes you (mankind) inheritors of the earth? (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Little it is that ye heed!

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).

63 Or, Who guides you through the depths of darkness on land and sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy? (Can there be another) god besides Allah? - High is Allah above what they associate with Him!

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.

64 Or, Who originates creation, then repeats it, and who gives you sustenance from heaven and earth? (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Say, "Bring forth your argument, if ye are telling the truth!"

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.

65 Say: None in the heavens or on earth, except Allah, knows what is hidden: nor can they perceive when they shall be raised up (for Judgment).

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

66 Still less can their knowledge comprehend the Hereafter: Nay, they are in doubt and uncertainty thereanent; nay, they are blind thereunto!

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

67 The Unbelievers say: "What! when we become dust, - we and our fathers, - shall we really be raised (from the dead)?

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

68 "It is true we were promised this, - we and our fathers before (us): these are nothing but tales of the ancients."

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

69 Say: "Go ye through the earth and see what has been the end of those guilty (of sin)."

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

70 But grieve not over them, nor distress thyself because of their plots.

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

71 They also say: "When will this promise (come to pass)? (Say) if ye are truthful."

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

72 Say: "It may be that some of the events which ye wish to hasten on may be (close) in your pursuit!"

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

73 But verily thy Lord is full of grace to mankind: Yet most of them are ungrateful.

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

74 And verily thy Lord knoweth all that their hearts do hide. As well as all that they reveal.

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

75 Nor is there aught of the unseen, in heaven or earth, but is (recorded) in a clear record.

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

76 Verily this Qur'an doth explain to the Children of Israel most of the matters in which they disagree.

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

77 And it certainly is a Guide and a Mercy to those who believe.

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

78 Verily thy Lord will decide between them by His Decree: and He is Exalted in Might, All - Knowing.

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

79 So put thy trust in Allah: for thou art on (the path of) manifest Truth.

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.

80 Truly thou canst not cause the dead to listen, nor canst thou cause the deaf to hear the call, (especially) when they turn back in retreat.

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.

81 Nor canst thou be a guide to the blind, (to prevent them) from straying: only those wilt thou get to listen who believe in Our Signs, and they will bow in Islam.

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.

82 And when the Word is fulfilled against them (the unjust), we shall produce from the earth a beast to (face) them: He will speak to them, for that mankind did not believe with assurance in Our Signs.

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.

83 One day We shall gather together from every people a troop of those who reject our Signs, and they shall be kept in ranks, -

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?

84 Until, when they come (before the Judgment - seat), (Allah) will say: "Did ye reject My Signs, though ye comprehended them not in knowledge, or what was it ye did?"

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

85 And the Word will be fulfilled against them, because of their wrong - doing, and they will be unable to speak (in plea).

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.

86 See they not that We have made the Night for them to rest in and the Day to give them light? Verily in this are Signs for any people that believe!

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.

87 And the Day that the Trumpet will be sounded - then will be smitten with terror those who are in the heavens, and those who are on earth, except such as Allah will please (to exempt): and all shall come to His (Presence) as beings conscious of their lowliness.

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.

88 Thou seest the mountains and thinkest them firmly fixed: but they shall pass away as the clouds pass away: (such is) the artistry of Allah, who disposes of all things in perfect order: for he is well acquainted with all that ye do.

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

89 If any do good, good will (accrue) to them therefrom; and they will be secure from terror that Day.

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?

90 And if any do evil, their faces will be thrown headlong into the Fire: "Do ye receive a reward other than that which ye have earned by your deeds?"

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;

91 For me, I have been commanded to serve the Lord of this city, Him Who has sanctified it and to Whom (belong) all things: and I am commanded to be of those who bow in Islam to Allah's Will, -

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.

92 And to rehearse the Qur'an: and if any accept guidance, they do it for the good of their own souls, and if any stray, say: "I am only a Warner".

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.

93 And say: "Praise be to Allah, Who will soon show you His Signs, so that ye shall know them"; and thy Lord is not unmindful of all that ye do.