The Ant (Al-Naml)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ These are verses of the Qur'an,-a book that makes (things) clear; 1 As guidance and good tidings for the believers 2 who are steadfast in prayer, who pay the religious tax, and who have strong faith in the life hereafter. 3 As for those who will not believe in the life to come - behold, goodly have We made their own doings appear unto them, and so they stumble blindly to and fro 4 It is they whom the worst of suffering awaits: for it is they, they who in the life to come shall be the greatest losers! 5 Thou receivest the Koran from One All-wise, All-knowing. 6 (Remember) when Musa (Moses) said to his household: "Verily! I have seen a fire, I will bring you from there some information, or I will bring you a burning brand, that you may warm yourselves." 7 So when he came to it a voice was uttered saying: Blessed is Whoever is in the fire and whatever is about it; and glory be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds; 8 "O Moses! verily, I am Allah, the exalted in might, the wise!.... 9 Throw down your staff." When he saw it wriggling like a serpent he turned his back and fled without turning (to look). "O Moses," (said the voice), "be not fearful. Surely those sent as messengers do not fear in My presence, 10 and neither need anyone who has done wrong and then has replaced the wrong with good: for, verily, I am much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace! 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 light-giving messages came unto them, they said, "This is clearly [but] spellbinding deception!" 13 And they persisted in rejecting them wrongfully and arrogantly, while in their hearts they were convinced of their truth. Observe, then, how evil was the fate of the evil-doers. 14