The Ant (Al-Naml)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ These are verses of the Qur'an,-a book that makes (things) clear; 1 a guidance, and good tidings unto the believers 2 who are steadfast in prayer, who pay the religious tax, and who have strong faith in the life hereafter. 3 Those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have decked out fair for them their works, and they wander blindly; 4 They will suffer the worst kind of torment and will be lost in the life to come. 5 As to thee, the Qur'an is bestowed upon thee from the presence of one who is wise and all-knowing. 6 Lo! [While lost in the desert,] Moses said to his family: "Behold, I perceive a fire [far away]; I may bring you from there some tiding [as to which way we are to pursue,] or bring you [at least] a burning brand so that you might warm yourselves." 7 But when he reached it, a voice called out: "Blessed is He who is in the fire and all around it. Praised be God, the Lord of all the worlds. 8 Moses, it is I, Allah, the Almighty, the 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 as for those who do wrong and then do good after evil, I am most forgiving, most merciful. 11 “And put your hand inside your armpit – it will come out shining white, not due to any illness; a sign among the nine signs towards Firaun and his people; they are indeed a lawless nation.” 12 But when Our light-giving messages came unto them, they said, "This is clearly [but] spellbinding deception!" 13 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. 14