27al-NamlThe Antsسُورَةُ النمل

Ṭā-Sīn [Ṭ-S]. These āyāt of the Qur’an and transparent Scripture [are made from such alphabetical letters]:

A guidance and glad tiding to the committed muslims,

Who institute the ṣalāh and [organize] the distribution of the zakāh for it is they who are very confident of the final life [after death].

Emphatically [speaking], as for those who are not convinced of the final life [after death], We have caused their deeds to appear pleasing to them; [that is why] they blindly waver:

They are the ones who will [eventually] be allotted the worst type of suffering, and it is they, they who in the [coming] life after death will have the most to lose.

And assuredly you [O Muhammad, and everyone emulating you] are receiving [through a struggle this] Qur’an from the poise [and gracefulness] of [He who is] most in wisdom, most in knowledge.

Bear in mind Mūsā as he said to his family, “I do sense, at a distance, a fire that I will [go to and from which I will] come back to you with an illumination [of where to go from here] or an offshoot [of its warmth], so that you, then, may be able to benefit from its warmth [heat].”

So when he [Mūsā] approached it [the valley], he was called on, [the voice saying] that whoever is within [the perimeters of] the fire is blessed as are those in its surrounding area — and exalted is Allah, the Sustainer of all the worlds.

[Said Allah], “O Mūsā! Indeed [the matter is that] I am Allah — the [greatly] Grand, the [wholly] Wise,

“And throw down your walking stick;” [but] when Mūsā saw it convulsing as if it were possessed he retreated [in panic], and did not think about returning [to his previous spot]. [And so, Allah said], “O Mūsā! Do not fear; in My presence the emissaries [I assign for relaying My message] are not ones who are afraid,

“And also he who does injustice and then makes up for his bad deeds with good deeds [need not fear Me] — for I am very apt to forgive and very inclined to have affection [for them].

“And [now] place your hand in [the opening of] your chest garment; it will come out looking pale even though it is not diseased. [Proceed with] nine [miraculous] illustrations of Our power and authority to Pharaoh and his citizenry. They have been, without a doubt, a degenerate nation.”

But then, when Our enlightening illustrations [of Our power and authority] were presented to them they said, “This is outright and obvious sorcery.”

As a matter of [their ongoing] injustice and arrogance, they publicly rejected these illustrations [of Our power and authority] even though deep down inside of them they knew it [was Our power and authority]: [therefore] look and see what the aftermath of dealers in corruption was.

And, indeed, We imparted to Dāwūd and Sulaymān [highly developed] knowledge [for which] they both responded, “Supremely exalted is Allah who has privileged us above many of His committed subjects.”

And [after a time] Sulaymān became heir to Dāwūd. And so he said, “O people! We have been taught the vocalized communication of birds [fowls of the air] and we have been afforded [the abundance] of everything. Certainly, this [great quality and quantity] is the apparent favor [and courtesy from Allah].”

[Then there came a time when] Sulaymān’s workforces of invisible beings and human beings were assembled [behind him] as were the fowls of the air — all assembled in ranks —

[And they were moving on] until they reached the valley of ants [when] an ant cried out, “O grouping of ants! Move into your dwellings or else Sulaymān and his multitudes will crush you without sensing [that they are crushing you].”

Instantly he [Sulaymān] smiled lightheartedly after [he heard] what it [the ant] said; and [thus] he said, “O my Sustainer! Extend my efforts [of observing Your values and laws] to be thankful for Your bounty [and blessing], which You have endowed me and my parents with as a privilege, and make me do what is right and truthful in a way that pleases You, and with Your mercy grant me an admission into [the company of] Your righteous and rightful servants.”

And [one day] when he [Sulaymān] was inspecting [surveying] the fowls of the air, he said, “Why is it that I do not see the hoopoe? Is he [deliberately] not in attendance?”

“[Should that be the case] I shall severely punish him or I shall slaughter him unless he brings me a convincing authoritative justification.”

[But] he [the hoopoe] remained [absent only] for a short while, and [when he came back], he said, “I have garnered information that you [Sulaymān] have not acquired and I have come to you from Saba’ with undisputable intelligence!

“Behold, I came across a woman who rules over them [the people of Saba’], and she has been given [a quality and a quantity] of everything, and to her belongs a monumental throne,

“I found her and her society revering the Sun instead of Allah; and Satan has deluded them into seeing their [bad] activities as good activities, and [thus] has hindered them from the [divine] course [of obedience and action] so that they would not have access to [heavenly] guidance.

“[Even now, their conviction is to] not pay homage to Allah [even though it is He] who brings out [into physical being] the undetected [and embedded] germination [and development] of what is in the universe and what is on earth — and He knows what you conceal and what you disclose —

“[That is] Allah; there is no deity/authority except Him, the Sustainer of the mighty seat of power.”2

Said [Sulaymān], “We will see whether you are telling the truth or whether you are a falsifier [among many who fabricate information]!

“Go with this, my letter, [to Saba’] and pass it on to them; thereupon move away from them, and then observe what their reaction is [going to be].”

She [the Queen of Saba’] said [after reading Sulaymān’s letter], “O you elite consultants and specialists! Indeed a document of distinction has been delivered to me,

“It is from Sulaymān and it is in the name of Allah, the Mercy-Giving, the Very Merciful,

“[And the document says], ‘Do not come to me thinking you are superior, rather come to me in deference.’”

Continued [the Queen], “O elite consultants and specialists! Advise me on what to do pertaining to [what has become] my immediate concern; I have never made a final decision unless and until you are privy to it.”

They [the elite consultants and advisers] said, “We [the civilization of Saba’] are [a nation] of might and extensive military confrontational means; the [final decision in this] affair is yours [to make]. Thus, think through [this matter] and then issue your order(s).”

Said [she], “Indeed, whenever kings enter into a country they impair it and turn the most honored of its people into the most humiliated — and that is the way they [such kings] behave.

“Therefore, I am going to send them [Sulaymān and his people] a gift and then wait to see what the emissaries [who deliver the gift] will return with.”

So when the emissary [from Saba’] came up to Sulaymān [and presented the gift] he [Sulaymān] said, “Do you [and your nation] mean to add to my riches? [Be advised that] whatever Allah has given me [of revelation and inspiration followed by prosperity] is superior to what He has given you [of worldly materialism]: [only] you would be excited by the gift you are offering!

“Return to them [your nation] for we will definitely go at them with legions and troops they will not be able to withstand, and we will oust them from [their positions of power] in humiliation, and they will be subdued.”

Said [Sulaymān to his inner circle after he learned the Queen was coming], “O my elite advisers and chiefs! Who from among you can bring me her [the Queen’s] throne before they [the representatives of Saba’] reach me here as [willing] submitters [to Allah]?”

Said the invisible invincible [jinn], “I can bring it [the throne] to you before you adjourn your session — and, actually, I am capable and dependable in doing so.”

Said he who commands knowhow from the Book [of revelation and science], “I can bring it [the throne] to you before you can refocus your vision [before you blink your eye]!” And when he [Sulaymān] saw it [the throne] stationary in his proximity, he said, “This is a privilege from my Sustainer who is testing me [to see whether] I would be grateful or ungrateful: for whoever is grateful [to Allah] is rewarded gratefully, and whoever is ungrateful then [let it be known that] Allah is in no need of anyone, the most generous.”

[Then, Sulaymān] said, “Disguise her throne [so that she cannot easily recognize it as hers]; and let us see whether she will be guided [to the truth of the matter] or whether she will be of those who are not guided [in such an affair].”

So when she arrived she was asked, “Is your throne like this?” She replied, “As if it is [one and the same].” [Her answer was right, though she was new to divine guidance, and so Sulaymān said], “We were afforded [such advanced] knowledge before her and have been [always] deferring to Allah.”

And [finally she assented to the truth about Allah] even though she in the past was diverted [away from Him] by venerating inferiors to Allah: for, behold, she hailed from a nation of God-deniers.

She [then] was addressed, “Enter the impressive courtyard” — but then, when she cast her sight on it she thought it was a pool of water, so she uncovered her legs. Said [Sulaymān], “It is a pond [overlaid with] lucent glass.” She answered, “O my Sustainer! I have wronged myself [in my life and in the affairs of my nation] and I [now] have [willingly] submitted myself with Sulaymān to Allah, the Sustainer of all the worlds!”

And, indeed, We sent to [the tribal nation of] Thamūd one of their own, Ṣāliḥ. [His appeal to them was] to conform to Allah, but subsequently they became two hostile camps.

Said [Ṣāliḥ to the erring camp], “O my people! Why do you precipitate the occurrence of evil before the maturity of goodness? Would that you ask Allah for forgiveness so that you may be graced with His mercy?”

They replied, “We think you are jinxed, as well as those who are with you.” He [Ṣāliḥ] answered, “Your fortune or misfortune rests with Allah. Rather you are the ones who are subjecting yourselves to an ordeal.”

And in the city there were nine brutes who were known to be troublemakers with no feat of accomplishments [to their credit].

They said [to themselves], “Let us swear that we will ambush him [Ṣāliḥ] and his folks [and finish them off under the cloak of darkness]; and then we will, of course, proclaim to his next of kin, ‘We did not witness the annihilation of his folks: and surely we are truthful [to our word].’”

And they schemed an evil scheme, and We planned a plan [for justice] the while they could not sense [Our grand plan].

In this manner, look and see how their scheme wound up: We assuredly destroyed them and their people all together!

[And now, as you can see], those are their dwellings, uninhabited and wasted, [ruined] due to their [systematic] social injustice. Most certainly, in that [episode] is an illustration of Allah’s control and capability for people who have [relevant] knowledge,

Seeing that We rescued those who committed their lives [to acknowledging Our ability and capacity] and were always vigilant of Our just power.

And [then there is] Lūṭ, when he addressed his people saying, “Do you carry on with a [sexual] abomination with your eyes open [to its harm to human nature]?

“Must you lustfully and sexually approach men to the exclusion of women? Rather you are a people living in ignorance [of the consequences of what you are doing].”

And the only answer his people could respond with was, “Expel the folks of Lūṭ from your civil society, for they are, indeed, people who strive for an unadulterated [human nature and behavior].”

Thereafter, We rescued him and his folks — all except his wife, whom We assessed to be lagging [in her conviction to the truth about this matter] —

The while We rained the rest with an [atmospheric] downpour [hurricane or tornado]: and how dreadful was the violent downpour upon those who were warned in advance!

Say, “Whole praise is due to Allah and peace be upon [those of] His subjects whom He has deemed to be extra special.” Is Allah better or are those they [the mushriks] associate with Allah [better]?3

Or [should the questions be asked]: who created the heavens and the earth and brought down from the skies water? For this is how We sprouted orchards exhibiting splendor, [whereas] it is not within your capacity to germinate [even one of] its trees. [After thinking about all this] could there be any deity/authority along with Allah? Rather they [who ascribe divine power to others besides Allah] are placing Allah on par with their deities.

Or who is it that rendered the earth a place to be settled [and inhabited] and caused rivers to flow through its terrain and placed on it [the earth] anchors [the mountains] and positioned a barrier between large bodies of water [seas and oceans]? Could there be [in your right mind] a deity/authority alongside Allah? Rather, [the fact of the matter is that] most of them [the mushriks] lack [true] knowledge.

Or who is it that will respond to a desperate person calling out [for much needed help] and [who is it] that dissipates misery and renders you [social beings] the heirs of the world [and its affairs]? Could there be a deity/authority alongside Allah? Infrequently are you mindful [of these issues].

Or who is it that will guide you through the obscurities of land and sea, and who is it that sends forth winds foretelling of His onward grace? Could there be a deity/authority alongside Allah? Exalted and extolled is Allah above all that they set as rivals [or equals] to Him.

Or who is it that initiates creation, then reinitiates it; and who is it that provides for you nourishment out of the sky [above] and the land [below]? Could there be a deity/authority alongside Allah? Say [to the mushriks], “Produce your proof, if you are truly honest?”

Say, “No one on earth or in heaven knows [the details] about the concealed reality (ghayb) except Allah.” And neither do they [the Makkan mushriks and their likes anywhere and everywhere] have a feeling for when their resurrection will occur;

Rather their knowledge [of these facts] will catch up with them in the final life [life after death]. Such as it is, they are still in doubt about it [the life to come] — more than that, they are blind to it.

And the God-deniers say, “[You mean to tell us that] if we were to become dirt [when the body disintegrates in the grave], as happened to our ancestors, we will be brought out [of the grave and back to life]?

“This [resurrection] that you promise us, as was promised to our ancestors in times past, is nothing but myths traceable to primordial beings.”

Say [to them], “Travel throughout the world and see how such [repudiating] criminals fared.”

And do not feel sad for them and do not be depressed over their conniving [schemes].

And [when] they ask, “When will this promise [of resurrection] happen, if you are truthful people? [At least we expect you to know that much!]” —

[Answer them] saying, “Some of what you are in a haste to see happening may already have begun to happen.”

And surely your Sustainer is of substantial offerings to people — but many of them are not thankful.

And surely your Sustainer is very well aware of what they conceal in their chests and what they disclose:

For there is no absent thing in heaven or on earth except that it is [accounted for] in a transparent registry.

Undeniably, this Qur’an relates to the [contentious] Children of Israel most of what they are in dispute about;

And it [the Qur’an] is a guidance and a mercy for those who commit themselves [to Allah’s supremacy and mandate].

Without doubt, your Sustainer adjudicates between them [the refractory Children of Israel] with His wisdom — for His is superior pride and superior knowledge.

Therefore, place your trust in Allah: you are, definitely, standing for self-evident truth and justice.

You of course cannot make the dead listen [and respond] to you and [so, too] you cannot make the deaf listen [and tune in] to your appeal once they turn around and run away,

And [so, too] you cannot guide those who are blind [in their hearts and minds] away from their deviation; you can only have those who confirm Our illustrations of power and authority listen to you [and be receptive to what you are explaining], for they are [the ones who are] in compliance with Us.

And when the verdict [issued by Us] becomes operative [vis-à-vis the mushriks and kāfirs] We shall disinter an earthbound living being that will speak to them, [telling them] that people [have been] unsure [and indeterminate] concerning Our illustrations [of dominance and ability].

And on that Day, We will gather from every consolidated society a bloc that had challenged [and opposed] Our power exemplifications — and they will be grouped in ranks [from least to severe disobedience of Allah].

Eventually when they come forth, Allah will ask them, “Did you dispute My examples of power [in worldly life] even though you were oblivious to [core and] comprehensive knowledge pertaining to them? Or what else were you doing [when you were disputing and impugning My power and authority]?”

And [thus] the verdict [of Allah] shall be due upon them because of their [systemic] injustice, and they will be unable to utter a word [in self defense].

Have they not seen that We fashioned nighttime for them to settle down in it [and relax]; and [that] We fashioned daytime for them to see [what they are doing]? In that there are examples [of Allah’s power and authority] to be understood by people who commit themselves [to Allah’s power and dominance].

And on that Day, the trumpet will go off [with air blowing through it] and everyone in heaven and everyone on earth will be terrified except for he who Allah willed [to be exempted from fear]: [and in this state of affairs] everyone shall approach Him as inferiors.

And you will see the mountains, which you now regard to be static [and unmovable], passing by as if they were clouds: [this is] the handiwork of Allah — He who does whatever He does with precision. [And so it should not stretch the imagination that] indeed, He is well acquainted with what you do.

Whoever comes forth [on that Day] with something good shall have something better [as a reward] and, when it comes to the terror of that Day, they shall be safe and secure;

But whoever comes forth [on that Day] with something bad shall go into the Fire face first! [And they will be reminded], “Are you not being duly compensated for what you did [when you lived your worldly life]?”

[Say, O Muhammad] “I have been instructed [from on high] to abide by the Sustainer of this city [Makkah] — He who has sanctified it, and He to whom the ownership [and control] of everything belong; and I was instructed to be one among those who accede [to Allah],

“And to express the Qur’an [as it is arranged].” So whoever finds his way [to truth and justice] does so to his own benefit; and whoever goes off course, say [to him], “I am only a warner [among many preceding warners],”

And say, “Complete praise is Allah’s who will show you His demonstrations [of command and control] and you shall, then, realize their significance.” And never is your Sustainer oblivious of what you do.