The Ant (Al-Naml)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ Ta. Sin. THESE ARE MESSAGES of the Qur'an - a divine writ clear in itself and clearly showing the truth: 1 A guidance and good tidings for the believers, 2 who are constant in prayer and spend in charity: for it is they, they who in their innermost are certain of the life to come! 3 Verily, those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have made their deeds fair-seeming to them, so they wander about blindly. 4 Those are they for whom is the worst of punishment, and in the Hereafter they will be the greatest losers. 5 As to thee, the Qur'an is bestowed upon thee from the presence of one who is wise and all-knowing. 6 (Recount to them) when Moses said to his family: "I perceive something like fire: soon will I bring to you some information from there, or I will bring you a burning brand that you may warm yourselves." 7 When he came up to it, a voice called out, "Blessed be whoever is near this fire, and whoever is around it! Glory be to God, Lord of the Universe! 8 O Moses, verily this is Me, Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise! 9 And [he was told], "Throw down your staff." But when he saw it writhing as if it were a snake, he turned in flight and did not return. [Allah said], "O Moses, fear not. Indeed, in My presence the messengers do not fear. 10 except he who has committed some wrong. But if he substitutes good in place of evil, I am Most Forgiving, Most Compassionate. 11 Put your hand in the bosom of your shirt; it will come out white without any blemish. This will be one of nine tokens for the Pharaoh and his people, who are a wicked lot indeed." 12 But when Our Signs came to them, that should have opened their eyes, they said: "This is sorcery manifest!" 13 And they denied them out of malice and pride, though in their hearts they believed that they were true. So see how was the end of evil-doers! 14