The Ants

1Ta-Sin. These are the verses of the Quran-the clear Book. 2'It is' a guide and good news for the believers: 3those who pray salih, pay zakah, and have sure faith in the Next Life.

4As for those who do not believe in the Next Life, We have made their 'evil' deeds look good to them, so they wander blindly. 5They will suffer a horrible punishment, and in the Next Life they will 'really' be the biggest losers. 6You 'O Prophet' are definitely receiving the Quran from the One full of wisdom and Knowledge.

7'Remember' when Musa said to his family, "I have spotted a fire. I will either bring you some directions' from there, or a burning torch so you can warm yourselves." 8But when he came to it, he was called 'by Allah', "Blessed is the one at the fire, and whoever is around it!' Glory be to Allah, the Lord of the universe. 9O Musa! I am Allah-the Almighty and Wise. 10Now, throw down your staff!" But when he saw it slithering like a snake, he ran away without looking back. 'Allah said,' "O Musa! Do not be afraid! Messengers should have no fear in My presence. 11As for those who do wrong and change from evil to good, then I am truly Forgiving and Merciful. 12Now, put your hand through 'the opening' of your collar, it will come out 'glowing' white, not because of a disease. These are two' of nine signs for Pharaoh and his people; they have really been out of control." 13But when our clear signs came to them, they said, "This is pure magic." 14So even though their hearts were convinced the signs were true, they still denied them unfairly and arrogantly. See then what was the end of the corruptors!

15We surely blessed Dawood and Sulaiman with knowledge. They declared, "All praise is for Allah Who has favoured us over many of His faithful servants." 16Dawood was followed by Sulaiman, who said, "O people! We have been taught the language of birds, and have been given all kinds of things. This is truly a great privilege."

17Sulaiman's forces of jinn, humans, and birds were lined up for him, perfectly organized. 18When they came across a valley of ants, an ant warned, "O ants! Get into your homes so Sulaiman and his armies do not crush you by accident." 19So Sulaiman smiled in amazement at her words, and prayed, "My Lord! Inspire me to always be thankful for all the favours You have blessed me and my parents with, and to do good deeds that please you. Include me among Your faithful servants by Your mercy."

20'One day' he inspected the birds and wondered, "Why do I not see the hoopoe? Or is he absent? 21I will definitely put him through a horrible punishment, or even slaughter him, unless he brings me a good excuse." 22Not long after, the bird came and said, "I have found out something you do not know. I have just come to you from Sheba with sure news. 23Actually, I found a woman ruling over them. She has been given all kinds of things and has a magnificent throne. 24I found her and her people bowing down to the sun instead of Allah. Satan has made their 'evil' deeds look good to them. So, he prevented them from the 'Right' Way, leaving them unguided. 25Should they not bow down to Allah, Who brings out what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you all hide and what you show? 26'He is' Allah! There is no god 'that deserves worship' except Him, the Lord of the Mighty Throne."

27Sulaiman said, "We will see if you are telling the truth or lying. 28Go with this letter of mine and deliver it to them, then step back and see how they will respond." 29Later, the Queen announced, "O chiefs! An important letter has been delivered to me. 30It is from Sulaiman and it reads: 'In the Name of Allah-the Most Kind, Most Merciful. 31Do not be arrogant with me, but come to me in full submission 'to Allah'"

32She said, "O chiefs! Give me some advice-I would never make any decision without you." 33They replied, "We are strong and brave fighters, it is your decision, so let us know what you command." 34She said, "When kings invade a land, they ruin it and humiliate its elite. They really do that! 35But I am going to send them a gift, and see what 'response' my messengers will bring back."

36When her delegation came to Sulaiman, he responded, "Do you offer me wealth? What Allah has given me is far greater than what He has given you. No! It is you who get excited for gifts. 37Go back to them! We will come to you with forces that you can never resist, and we will drive them out from there in disgrace, fully humbled."

38Later, Sulaiman asked, "O chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in full submission?" 39One mighty jinn replied, "I can bring it to you before you rise from your council. I am quite strong and trusted for this 'task'." 40But the one who had knowledge of the Book said, "I can even bring it to you in the blink of an eye." So when Sulaiman saw it standing in front of him, he declared, "This is a favour from my Lord to test whether I am grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful, it is only for their own good. But whoever is ungrateful, surely my Lord is not in need and is Most Generous!" 41'Then' Sulaiman said, "Disguise this throne for her to see if she will recognize it or she will not be able to." 42So when she arrived, she was told, "Is your throne like this?" She replied, "It looks to be the same. We have already received the news 'of Sulaiman's prophethood' before this 'miracle' and we have come in submission." 43In the past, she had been prevented by the things she used to worship instead of Allah; she was from a disbelieving people.

44Then she was told, "Enter the palace.'" But when she saw the hall, she thought it was a body of water, so she uncovered her legs. Sulaiman said, "It is just a palace paved with crystal." At last, she declared, "My Lord! I have really wronged my soul. Now, I fully submit along with Sulaiman to Allah, the Lord of the universe."

45And We surely sent to the people of Thamud their brother Salih, declaring, "Worship Allah." But they suddenly split into two opposing groups. 46He said 'to the disbelieving group', "O my people! Why do you want to speed up the punishment instead of mercy? You should seek Allah's forgiveness so you can be shown mercy!" 47They replied, "You and your followers are bad luck for us." He responded, "It is all written by Allah. In fact, you are just being tested." 48And there were nine spoiled men in the city, who caused trouble throughout the land, never doing what is right. 49They pledged, "Let's all swear by Allah to ambush him and his family at night. Then we will say to his close relatives, 'We did not see the murder of his family. We are certainly telling the truth.'" 50And so they made a plan, but they had no idea that We too made a plan. 51See then the consequences of their plan-We completely destroyed them and their people all together. 52Those are their homes, totally ruined because of the wrong they did. Surely in this is a lesson for people who know. 53And We saved those who had faith and kept Allah in mind.

54And 'remember' Lut, when he said to 'the men of his people', "Do you do that shameful deed while you can see 'each other'? 55How can you satisfy your desire with other men instead of your wives? In fact, you are a people acting ignorantly." 56But his people's only response was to say, "Expel Lut's followers from your land! They are a people who wish to stay pure!" 57So We saved him and his family, except his wife. We had counted her among the doomed. 58And We rained down punishment upon them. How evil was the rain of those who had been warned!

59Say, 'O Prophet,' "Praise be to Allah, and peace be upon the servants He has chosen." 'Ask the idol-worshippers,' "Which is better: Allah or those 'false gods' they make equal to Him?" 60Or 'ask them,' "Who created the heavens and the earth, and sends down rain for you from the sky, by which We cause lovely gardens to grow? You could never cause their trees to grow. Was it another god besides Allah?" Absolutely not! But they are a people who set up equals to Allah! 61Or 'ask them,' "Who made the earth as your 'home', caused rivers to flow through it, put stable mountains upon it, and set a barrier between 'fresh and salt' bodies of water? Was it another god besides Allah?" Absolutely not! But most of them do not know.

62Or 'ask them,' "Who responds to those who are desperate when they cry out to Him, relieves their suffering, and 'Who' puts you in charge of the earth? Is it another god besides Allah? You hardly keep this in mind!" 63Or 'ask them,' "Who guides you in the darkness of the land and sea, and sends the winds carrying good news of His mercy? Is it another god besides Allah?" Allah is honoured high above whatever 'false gods' they make equal to Him. 64Or 'ask them,' "Who starts the creation then brings it back to life 'after death', and 'Who' gives you resources from the heavens and the earth? Is it another god besides Allah?" Say, 'O Prophet,' "Show 'me' your proof, if what you say is true."

65Say, 'O Prophet,' "No one in the heavens and the earth has knowledge of the unseen except Allah." And they do not 'even' know when they will be raised from the dead. 66No! They have no idea about the Next Life. In fact, they are in doubt about it. Actually, they are 'totally' blind to it.

67The disbelievers ask, "What! When we and our fathers are turned into dust, will we really be brought out 'alive'? 68We have already been promised this, like our fathers in the past. This is just a bunch of fairy tales!" 69Say, 'O Prophet,' "Travel throughout the land and see the fate of the wicked." 70Do not feel sorry for them or be stressed by their evil plans. 71They ask 'the believers', "When will this threat happen, if what you say is true?" 72Say, 'O Prophet,' "Perhaps some of the punishment you want to speed up is very close by." 73Surely your Lord is always generous to people, but most of them are ungrateful. 74And your Lord truly knows what their hearts hide and what they show. 75There is nothing hidden in the heavens or the earth without being 'written' in a perfect Book.

76Indeed, this Quran clarifies for the Children of Isra'il most of what they differ about. 77And it is truly a guide and mercy for the believers. 78Your Lord will definitely judge between them with His justice. He is the Almighty, full of knowledge. 79So put your trust in Allah-you are really following the clear truth. 80You certainly cannot make the dead hear 'the truth', and you cannot make the deaf hear the call when they turn their backs and walk away. 81And you cannot lead the blind out of their falsehood. You can make no one hear 'the truth' except those who believe in Our revelations, 'fully' submitting 'to Allah'.

82When the promise of 'Judgment' is about to come true, We will bring for them a beast out of the earth, telling them that the people had no sure faith in Our revelations. 83'Watch for' the Day We will gather from every faith-community a group of those who denied Our revelations, and they will be driven in perfect lines. 84When they finally arrive 'in front of Allah', He will ask them, "Did you reject My revelations without even understanding them? Or what exactly were you doing?" 85So they will deserve punishment for the wrong they did, leaving them speechless.

86Do they not see that We made the night for them to rest in and the day for light? Surely in this are signs for those who believe.

87And 'watch for' the Day the Horn will be blown, and everyone in the heavens and everyone on earth will be horrified, except those Allah wants 'to save'. And all will come in front of Him, fully humbled.

88Now, you see the mountains, thinking they are firmly fixed, but they are travelling just like clouds. 'That is' the design of Allah, Who has perfected everything. Surely He is fully Aware of what you do.

89Whoever comes with a good deed will be rewarded with something better, and they will be secure from the horror on that Day. 90And whoever comes with an evil deed will be dumped face-first into the Fire. Is this not what you deserve for what you did?

91Say, 'O Prophet,' "I have only been commanded to worship the Lord of this 'city of Makkah', Who has made it holy, and everything belongs to Him. And I am commanded to be one of those who 'fully' submit 'to Him', 92and to recite the Quran." Then whoever chooses to be guided, it is only for their own good. But whoever chooses to stray, say, 'O Prophet,' "I am only a warner." 93And say, "All praise is for Allah! He will show you His signs, and you will recognize them. Your Lord is never unaware of what you all do."