27. An-Naml سُورَةُ النَّمۡلِ

Yusuf AliThese are verses of the Qur'an,-a book that makes (things) clear

Yusuf AliA guide: and glad tidings for the believers

Yusuf AliThose who establish regular prayers and give in regular charity, and also have (full) assurance of the hereafter

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

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

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

Yusuf AliBehold! 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 warn yourselves

Yusuf AliBut when he came to the (fire), a voice was heard: "Blessed are those in the fire and those around: and glory to God, the Lord of the worlds

Yusuf AliO Moses! verily, I am God, the exalted in might, the wise

Yusuf AliNow 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 apostles ha ve no fear

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

Yusuf AliNow 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

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

Yusuf AliAnd 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

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

Yusuf AliAnd 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 God)

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

Yusuf AliAt 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

Yusuf AliSo 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 Th y Grace, to the ranks of Thy righteous Servants

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

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

Yusuf AliBut 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

Yusuf AliI found (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne

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

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

Yusuf AliGod!- there is no god but He!- Lord of the Throne Supreme

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

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

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

Yusuf AliIt is from Solomon, and is (as follows): 'In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Yusuf AliBe ye not arrogant against me, but come to me in submission (to the true Religion)

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

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

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

Yusuf AliBut I am going to send him a present, and (wait) to see with what (answer) return (my) ambassadors

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

Yusuf AliGo 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)

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

Yusuf AliSaid 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

Yusuf AliSaid 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! a nd 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

Yusuf AliHe 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

Yusuf AliSo 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 God (in Islam)

Yusuf AliAnd he diverted her from the worship of others besides God: for she was (sprung) of a people that had no faith

Yusuf AliShe 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 ha ve indeed wronged my soul: I do (now) submit (in Islam), with Solomon, to the Lord of the Worlds

Yusuf AliWe sent (aforetime), to the Thamud, their brother Salih, saying, "Serve God": But behold, they became two factions quarrelling with each other

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

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

Yusuf AliThere were in the city nine men of a family, who made mischief in the land, and would not reform

Yusuf AliThey said: "Swear a mutual oath by God 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

Yusuf AliThey plotted and planned, but We too planned, even while they perceived it not

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

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

Yusuf AliAnd We saved those who believed and practised righteousness

Yusuf Ali(We also sent) Lut (as an apostle): behold, He said to his people, "Do ye do what is shameful though ye see (its iniquity)

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

Yusuf AliBut 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

Yusuf AliBut We saved him and his family, except his wife; her We destined to be of those who lagged behind

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

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

Yusuf AliOr, 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 God? Nay, they are a people who swerve from justice

Yusuf AliOr, 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 God? Nay, most of them know not

Yusuf AliOr, 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 God? Little it is that ye heed

Yusuf AliOr, 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 God?- High is God above what they associate with Him

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

Yusuf AliSay: None in the heavens or on earth, except God, knows what is hidden: nor can they perceive when they shall be raised up (for Judgment)

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

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

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

Yusuf AliSay: "Go ye through the earth and see what has been the end of those guilty (of sin)

Yusuf AliBut grieve not over them, nor distress thyself because of their plots

Yusuf AliThey also say: "When will this promise (come to pass)? (Say) if ye are truthful

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

Yusuf AliBut verily thy Lord is full of grace to mankind: Yet most of them are ungrateful

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

Yusuf AliNor is there aught of the unseen, in heaven or earth, but is (recorded) in a clear record

Yusuf AliVerily this Qur'an doth explain to the Children of Israel most of the matters in which they disagree

Yusuf AliAnd it certainly is a Guide and a Mercy to those who believe

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

Yusuf AliSo put thy trust in God: for thou art on (the path of) manifest Truth

Yusuf AliTruly 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

Yusuf AliNor 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

Yusuf AliAnd 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

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

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

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

Yusuf AliSee 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

Yusuf AliAnd 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 God will please (to exempt): and all shall come to His (Presence) as beings conscious of t heir lowliness

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

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

Yusuf AliAnd 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

Yusuf AliFor 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 God's Will

Yusuf AliAnd 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

Yusuf AliAnd say: "Praise be to God, Who will soon show you His Signs, so that ye shall know them"; and thy Lord is not unmindful of all that ye do. 27:1 These are verses of the Qur'an,-a book that makes (things) clear