Al Naml

1 These are verses of the Qur'an, - 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: and glad tidings for the believers, -

2 A guidance and good news for the believers,

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

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

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

5 These are they who shall have an evil punishment, and in the hereafter they shall 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 And most surely you are made to receive the Quran from the Wise, the Knowing Allah.

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

9 O Musa! surely I am 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 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 "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 Neither he who has been unjust, then he does good instead after evil, for surely I am the Forgiving, the 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 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 Signs came to them, that should have opened their eyes, they said: "This is sorcery manifest!"

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

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 unjustly and proudly while their soul had been convinced of them; consider, then how was the end of the mischief - makers.

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

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

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

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 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 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 (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent 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 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 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 "(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 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! - there is no god but He! - Lord of the Throne Supreme!"

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

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

27 He said: We will see whether you have told the truth or whether you are 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 Take this my letter and hand it over to them, then turn away from them and see what (answer) they return.

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

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

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

30 Surely it is from Sulaiman, and surely 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 Saying: exalt not yourselves against me and come to me in submission.

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

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 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 possessors of strength and possessors of mighty prowess, and the command is yours, therefore see what you will 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: 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 I am going to send him a present, and (wait) to see with what (answer) return (my) ambassadors."

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 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 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 "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 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 (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 can bring to me her throne before they come to me in submission?

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

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

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 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 We sent (aforetime), to the Thamud, their brother Salih, saying, "Serve Allah": But behold, they became two factions quarrelling 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 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 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: "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 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 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 did not act aright.

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

50 And they planned a plan, and We planned a plan 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 See, then, how was the end of their plan that We destroyed them and their people, all (of them).

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 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 practised righteousness.

53 And We delivered those who believed and who guarded (against 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 (We sent) Lut, when he said to his people: What! do you commit indecency while you see?

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

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

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 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 But We saved him and his family, except his wife; her We destined to be of those who lagged 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 shower (of brimstone): and evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but heeded not)!

58 And We rained on them a rain, and evil was the rain of those who had 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: Praise be to Allah and peace on His servants whom He has chosen: is Allah better, or what they associate (with 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 or on earth, except Allah, knows what is hidden: nor can they perceive when they shall be raised up (for Judgment).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

71 And they say: When will this threat come to pass, if you 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: Maybe there may have drawn near to you somewhat of that which you seek to hasten on.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

79 Therefore rely on Allah; surely you are on the clear 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 will be fulfilled against them, because of their wrong - doing, and they will be unable to speak (in plea).

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 in and the Day to give them light? Verily in this are Signs for any people that 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 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 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 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 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 If any do good, good will (accrue) to them therefrom; and they will be secure from terror that Day.

89 Whoever brings good, he shall have better than it; and they shall be secure from terror on the 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 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 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 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 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 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: "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, He will show you His signs so that you shall recognize them; nor is your Lord heedless of what you do.