Al Naml

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

1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Ta. Sin. These are revelations of the Qur'an and a Scripture that maketh plain;

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

2 A guidance and good tidings for believers

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

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

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.

4 Lo! as for those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have made their works fairseeming unto them so that they are all astray.

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

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

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

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

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.

7 (Remember) when Moses said unto his household: Lo! I spy afar off a fire; I will bring you tidings thence, or bring to you a borrowed flame that ye may warm yourselves.

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.

8 But when he reached it, he was called, saying: Blessed is Whosoever is in the fire and Whosoever is round about it! And Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!

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

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

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, -

10 And throw down thy staff! But when he saw it writhing as it were a demon, he turned to flee headlong; (but it was said unto him): O Moses! Fear not! the emissaries fear not in My presence,

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.

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

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."

12 And put thy hand into the bosom of thy robe, it will come forth white but unhurt. (This will be one) among nine tokens unto Pharaoh and his people Lo! they were ever evil - living folk.

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

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

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!

14 And they denied them, though their souls acknowledged them, for spite and arrogance. Then see the nature of the consequence for the wrong - doers!

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!"

15 And We verily gave knowledge unto David and Solomon, and they said: Praise be to Allah, Who hath preferred us above many of His believing slaves!

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.)"

16 And Solomon was David's heir. And he said: O mankind! Lo! we have been taught the language of birds, and have been given (abundance) of all things. This surely is evident favour.

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

17 And there were gathered together unto Solomon his armies of the jinn and humankind, and of the birds, and they were set in battle order;

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."

18 Till, when they reached the Valley of the Ants, an ant exclaimed: O ants! Enter your dwellings lest Solomon and his armies crush you, unperceiving.

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."

19 And (Solomon) smiled, laughing at her speech, and said: My Lord, arouse me to be thankful for Thy favour wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and to do good that shall be pleasing unto Thee, and include me in (the number of) Thy righteous slaves.

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?

20 And he sought among the birds and said: How is it that I see not the hoopoe, or is he among the absent ?

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

21 I verily will punish him with hard punishment or I verily will slay him, or he verily shall bring me a plain excuse.

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.

22 But he was not long in coming, and he said: I have found out (a thing) that thou apprehendest not, and I come unto thee from Sheba with sure tidings.

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

23 Lo! I found a woman ruling over them, and she hath been given (abundance) of all things, and hers is a mighty throne.

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, -

24 I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah; and Satan maketh their works fairseeming unto them, and debarreth them from the way (of Truth), so that they go not aright;

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.

25 So that they worship not Allah, Who bringeth forth the hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knoweth what ye hide and what ye proclaim,

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

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

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

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

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"...

28 Go with this my letter and throw it down unto them; then turn away and see what (answer) they return,

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

29 (The Queen of Sheba) said (when she received the letter): O chieftains! Lo! there hath been thrown unto me a noble letter.

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

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

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

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

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

32 She said: O chieftains! Pronounce for me in my case. I decide no case till ye are present with me.

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."

33 They said: We are lords of might and lords of great prowess, but it is for thee to command; so consider what thou wilt command.

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

34 She said: Lo! kings, when they enter a township, ruin it and make the honour of its people shame. Thus will they do.

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

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

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!

36 So when (the envoy) came unto Solomon, (the King) said: What! Would ye help me with wealth ? But that which Allah hath given me is better than that which He hath given you. Nay it is ye (and not I) who exult in your gift.

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)."

37 Return unto them. We verily shall come unto them with hosts that they cannot resist, and we shall drive them out from thence with shame, and they will be abased.

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

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

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."

39 A stalwart of the jinn said: I will bring it thee before thou canst rise from thy place. Lo! I verily am strong and trusty for such work.

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!"

40 One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: I will bring it thee before thy gaze returneth unto thee. And when he saw it set in his presence, (Solomon) said: This is of the bounty of my Lord, that He may try me whether I give thanks or am ungrateful. Whosoever giveth thanks he only giveth thanks for (the good of) his own soul; and whosoever is ungrateful (is ungrateful only to his own soul's hurt). For lo! my Lord is Absolute in independence, Bountiful.

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."

41 He said: Disguise her throne for her that we may see whether she will go aright or be of those not rightly guided.

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)."

42 So, when she came, it was said (unto her): Is thy throne like this ? She said: (It is) as though it were the very one. And (Solomon said): We were given the knowledge before her and we had surrendered (to Allah).

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

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

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."

44 It was said unto her: Enter the hall. And when she saw it she deemed it a pool and bared her legs. (Solomon) said: Lo! it is a hall, made smooth, of glass. She said: My Lord! Lo! I have wronged myself, and I surrender with Solomon unto Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

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

45 And We verily sent unto Thamud their brother Salih, saying: Worship Allah. And lo! they (then became two parties quarrelling.

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.

46 He said: O my people! Why will ye hasten on the evil rather than the good ? Why will ye not ask pardon of Allah, that ye may receive mercy.

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."

47 They said: We augur evil of thee and those with thee. He said: Your evil augury is with Allah. Nay, but ye are folk that are being tested.

48 There were in the city nine men of a family, 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 reformed not.

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.'"

49 They said: Swear one to another by Allah that we verily will attack him and his household by night, and afterward we will surely say unto his friend: We witnessed not the destruction of his household. And lo! we are truthtellers.

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

50 So they plotted a plot: and We plotted a plot, while they perceived not.

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

51 Then see the nature of the consequence of their plotting, for lo! We destroyed them and their people, every one.

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

52 See, yonder are their dwellings empty and in ruins because they did wrong. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for a people who have knowledge.

53 And We saved those who believed and practised righteousness.

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

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)?

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

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

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

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!"

56 But the answer of his folk was naught save that they said: Expel the household of Lot from your township, for they (forsooth) are folk who would keep clean!

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

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

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

58 And We rained a rain upon them. Dreadful is the rain of those who have been warned.

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)?

59 Say (O Muhammad): Praise be to Allah, and peace be on His slaves whom He hath chosen! Is Allah best, or (all) that ye ascribe as partners (unto Him) ?

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.

60 Is not He (best) Who created the heavens and the earth, and sendeth down for you water from the sky wherewith We cause to spring forth joyous orchards, whose trees it never hath been yours to cause to grow. Is there any God beside Allah ? Nay, but they are folk who ascribe equals (unto Him)!

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.

61 Is not He (best) Who made the earth a fixed abode, and placed rivers in the folds thereof, and placed firm hills therein, and hath set a barrier between the two seas ? Is there any God beside Allah ? Nay, but most of them know not!

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!

62 Is not He (best) Who answereth the wronged one when he crieth unto Him and removeth the evil, and hath made you viceroys of the earth ? Is there any God beside Allah ? Little do they reflect!

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!

63 Is not He (best) Who guideth you in the darkness of the land and the sea, He Who sendeth the winds as heralds of His mercy ? Is there any God beside Allah ? High Exalted be Allah from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him)!

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!"

64 Is not He (best) Who produceth creation, then reproduceth it, and Who provideth for you from the heaven and the earth ? Is there any God beside Allah ? Say: Bring your proof, if ye are truthful!

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).

65 Say (O Muhammad): None in the heavens and the earth knoweth the Unseen save Allah; and they know not when they will be raised (again).

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

66 Nay, but doth their knowledge reach to the Hereafter ? Nay, for they are in doubt concerning it. Nay, for they cannot see it.

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

67 Yet those who disbelieve say: When we have become dust like our fathers, shall we verily be brought forth (again) ?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

75 And there is nothing hidden in the heaven or the earth but it is in a clear Record.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

80 Lo! thou canst not make the dead to hear, nor canst thou make the deaf to hear the call when they have turned to flee;

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.

81 Nor canst thou lead the blind out of their error. Thou canst make none to hear, save those who believe Our revelations and who have surrendered.

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.

82 And when the word is fulfilled concerning them, We shall bring forth a beast of the earth to speak unto them because mankind had not faith in Our revelations.

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, -

83 And (remind them of) the Day when We shall gather out of every nation a host of those who denied Our revelations, and they will be set in array;

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?"

84 Till, when they come (before their Lord), He will say: Did ye deny My revelations when ye could not compass them in knowledge, or what was it that ye did ?

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

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

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!

86 Have they not seen how We have appointed the night that they may rest therein, and the day sight - giving ? Lo! therein verily are portents for a people who believe.

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.

87 And (remind them of) the Day when the Trumpet will be blown, and all who are in the heavens and the earth will start in fear, save him whom Allah willeth. And all come unto Him, humbled.

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.

88 And thou seest the hills thou deemest solid flying with the flight of clouds: the doing of Allah Who perfecteth all things. Lo! He is Informed of what ye do.

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

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

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?"

90 And whoso bringeth an ill - deed, such will be flung down on their faces in the Fire. Are ye rewarded aught save what ye did ?

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, -

91 (Say): I (Muhammad) am commanded only to serve the Lord of this land which He hath hallowed, and unto Whom all things belong. And I am commanded to be of those who surrender (unto Him),

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".

92 And to recite the Qur'an. And whoso goeth right, goeth right only for (the good of) his own soul; and as for him who goeth astray - (Unto him) say: Lo! I am only a warner.

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.

93 And say: Praise be to Allah Who will show you His portents so that ye shall know them. And thy Lord is not unaware of what ye (mortals) do.