The Ant (Al-Naml)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Ta-Sin. These are the verses of the Qur'an and a Book luminous. 1 A guidance and good tidings for 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 They will suffer the worst kind of torment and will be lost in the life to come. 5 But [as for thee, O believer,] verily, thou hast received this Qur'an out of the grace of One who is wise, 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 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 O Moses, I am that God, the mighty and all-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 Except those who do some wrong but afterwards do good to make up for the wrong. And I am forgiving and merciful. 11 "Now place thy hand into thy bosom: it will come forth [shining] white, without blemish!" [And thou shalt go] with nine [of My] messages unto Pharaoh and his people for, verily, they are people depraved!" 12 But when Our signs came to them visibly, they said: 'This is plain sorcery.' 13 And they denied them, though their souls acknowledged them, for spite and arrogance. Then see the nature of the consequence for the wrong-doers! 14