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 a guidance and a glad tiding to the believers 2 Who establish worship and pay the poor-due and are sure of the Hereafter. 3 As to those who do not believe in the hereafter, We have surely made their deeds fair-seeming to them, but they blindly wander on. 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 (Muhammad), you have certainly received the Quran from the All-wise and All-knowing One. 6 When Moses said to his household: 'Indeed, I can see a fire far away. I will go and bring you news of it or I will bring you a lighted flame so that you can warm yourselves' 7 And when he came near it he was called: 'Blessed be who is (Moses) in the fire and (the angels) who are around it! Exaltations to Allah, Lord of the Worlds! 8 Moses, it is I, Allah, the Almighty, the Wise. 9 [And then He said:] "Now throw down thy staff!" But when he saw it move rapidly, as if it were a serpent, he drew back [in terror,] and did not [dare to] return. [And God spoke to him again:] O Moses! Fear not - for, behold, no fear need the message-bearers have in My Presence, 10 Otherwise, he who wrongs, then substitutes good after evil - indeed, I am Forgiving and Merciful. 11 Now put your hand into your bosom, and it will come forth shining without any blemish. (These are two of the) nine Signs to be carried to Pharaoh and his people. They are surely a wicked people." 12 But when Our signs came to them visibly, they said: 'This is plain sorcery.' 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