27. The Ant

These are verses of the Qur’an,-a bookthat makes (things) clear;

A guide: and glad tidings for thebelievers,-

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

As to those who believe not in theHereafter, We have made their deeds pleasing in their eyes; and so theywander about in distraction.

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

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

Behold! Moses said to his family: “Iperceive a fire; soon will I bring you from there some information, or Iwill bring you a burning brand to light our fuel, that ye may warnyourselves.

But when he came to the (fire), a voicewas heard: “Blessed are those in the fire and those around: and glory toAllah, the Lord of the worlds.

“O Moses! verily, I am Allah, theexalted in might, the wise!….

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

“But if any have done wrong and havethereafter substituted good to take the place of evil, truly, I amOft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

“Now put thy hand into thy bosom, and itwill come forth white without stain (or harm): (these are) among the nineSigns (thou wilt take) to Pharaoh and his people: for they are a peoplerebellious in transgression.”

But when Our Signs came to them, thatshould have opened their eyes, they said: “This is sorcery manifest!”

And they rejected those Signs ininiquity and arrogance, though their souls were convinced thereof: so seewhat was the end of those who acted corruptly!

We gave (in the past) knowledge to Davidand Solomon: And they both said: “Praise be to Allah, Who has favoured usabove many of his servants who believe!”

And Solomon was David’s heir. He said:”O ye people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and on us has beenbestowed (a little) of all things: this is indeed Grace manifest (fromAllah.)”

And before Solomon were marshalled hishosts,- of Jinns and men and birds, and they were all kept in order andranks.

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.”

So he smiled, amused at her speech; andhe 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 therighteousness that will please Thee: And admit me, by Thy Grace, to theranks of Thy righteous Servants.”

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

“I will certainly punish him with asevere penalty, or execute him, unless he bring me a clear reason (forabsence).”

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

“I found (there) a woman ruling overthem and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne.

“I found her and her people worshippingthe sun besides Allah. Satan has made their deeds seem pleasing in theireyes, and has kept them away from the Path,- so they receive no guidance,-

“(Kept them away from the Path), thatthey should not worship Allah, Who brings to light what is hidden in theheavens and the earth, and knows what ye hide and what ye reveal.

“(Allah)!- there is no god but He!- Lordof the Throne Supreme!”

(Solomon) said: “Soon shall we seewhether thou hast told the truth or lied!

“Go thou, with this letter of mine, anddeliver it to them: then draw back from them, and (wait to) see what answerthey return”…

(The queen) said: “Ye chiefs! here isdelivered to me – a letter worthy of respect.

“It is from Solomon, and is (asfollows): ‘In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful:

“‘Be ye not arrogant against me, butcome to me in submission (to the true Religion).'”

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

They said: “We are endued with strength,and given to vehement war: but the command is with thee; so consider whatthou wilt command.”

She said: “Kings, when they enter acountry, despoil it, and make the noblest of its people its meanest thus dothey behave.

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

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

“Go back to them, and be sure we shallcome to them with such hosts as they will never be able to meet: We shallexpel them from there in disgrace, and they will feel humbled (indeed).”

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

Said an ‘Ifrit, of the Jinns: “I willbring it to thee before thou rise from thy council: indeed I have fullstrength for the purpose, and may be trusted.”

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 ofmy Lord!- to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! and if any isgrateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul; but if any isungrateful, truly my Lord is Free of all Needs, Supreme in Honour !”

He said: “Transform her throne out ofall recognition by her: let us see whether she is guided (to the truth) oris one of those who receive no guidance.”

So when she arrived, she was asked, “Isthis thy throne?” She said, “It was just like this; and knowledge wasbestowed on us in advance of this, and we have submitted to Allah (inIslam).”

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

She was asked to enter the lofty Palace:but when she saw it, she thought it was a lake of water, and she (tucked upher skirts), uncovering her legs. He said: “This is but a palace pavedsmooth with slabs of glass.” She said: “O my Lord! I have indeed wronged mysoul: I do (now) submit (in Islam), with Solomon, to the Lord of theWorlds.”

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

He said: “O my people! why ask ye tohasten on the evil in preference to the good? If only ye ask Allah forforgiveness, ye may hope to receive mercy.

They said: “Ill omen do we augur fromthee and those that are with thee”. He said: “Your ill omen is with Allah.yea, ye are a people under trial.”

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

They said: “Swear a mutual oath by Allahthat we shall make a secret night attack on him and his people, and that weshall then say to his heir (when he seeks vengeance): ‘We were not presentat the slaughter of his people, and we are positively telling the truth.'”

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

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

Now such were their houses, – in utterruin, – because they practised wrong- doing. Verily in this is a Sign forpeople of knowledge.

And We saved those who believed andpractised righteousness.

(We also sent) Lut (as an apostle):behold, He said to his people, “Do ye do what is shameful though ye see (itsiniquity)?

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

But his people gave no other answer butthis: they said, “Drive out the followers of Lut from your city: these areindeed men who want to be clean and pure!”

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

And We rained down on them a shower (ofbrimstone): and evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but heedednot)!

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

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

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

Or, Who listens to the (soul) distressedwhen 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!

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

Or, Who originates creation, thenrepeats it, and who gives you sustenance from heaven and earth? (Can therebe another) god besides Allah. Say, “Bring forth your argument, if ye aretelling the truth!”

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

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

The Unbelievers say: “What! when webecome dust,- we and our fathers,- shall we really be raised (from thedead)?

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

Say: “Go ye through the earth and seewhat has been the end of those guilty (of sin).”

But grieve not over them, nor distressthyself because of their plots.

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

Say: “It may be that some of the eventswhich ye wish to hasten on may be (close) in your pursuit!”

But verily thy Lord is full of grace tomankind: Yet most of them are ungrateful.

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

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

Verily this Qur’an doth explain to theChildren of Israel most of the matters in which they disagree.

And it certainly is a Guide and a Mercyto those who believe.

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

So put thy trust in Allah. for thou arton (the path of) manifest Truth.

Truly thou canst not cause the dead tolisten, nor canst thou cause the deaf to hear the call, (especially) whenthey turn back in retreat.

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

And when the Word is fulfilled againstthem (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 inOur Signs.

One day We shall gather together fromevery people a troop of those who reject our Signs, and they shall be keptin ranks,-

Until, when they come (before theJudgment-seat), ((Allah)) will say: “Did ye reject My Signs, though yecomprehended them not in knowledge, or what was it ye did?”

And the Word will be fulfilled againstthem, because of their wrong-doing, and they will be unable to speak (inplea).

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

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

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

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

And if any do evil, their faces will bethrown headlong into the Fire: “Do ye receive a reward other than that whichye have earned by your deeds?”

For me, I have been commanded to servethe Lord of this city, Him Who has sanctified it and to Whom (belong) allthings: and I am commanded to be of those who bow in Islam to Allah.s Will,-

And to rehearse the Qur’an: and if anyaccept guidance, they do it for the good of their own souls, and if anystray, say: “I am only a Warner”.

And say: “Praise be to Allah, Who willsoon show you His Signs, so that ye shall know them”; and thy Lord is notunmindful of all that ye do.