SURAH AN-NAML

Ṭā, Seen.[1071] These are the verses of the Qur’ān [i.e., recitation] and a clear Book

As guidance and good tidings for the believers

Who establish prayer and give zakāh, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith].

Indeed, for those who do not believe in the Hereafter, We have made pleasing to them their deeds, so they wander blindly.

Those are the ones for whom there will be the worst of punishment, and in the Hereafter they are the greatest losers.

And indeed, [O Muḥammad], you receive the Qur’ān from one Wise and Knowing.

[Mention] when Moses said to his family, "Indeed, I have perceived a fire. I will bring you from there information or will bring you a burning torch that you may warm yourselves."

But when he came to it, he was called, "Blessed is whoever is at the fire and whoever is around it. And exalted is Allāh, Lord of the worlds.

O Moses, indeed it is I - Allāh, the Exalted in Might, the Wise."

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.[1072] [Allāh said], "O Moses, fear not. Indeed, in My presence the messengers do not fear.

Otherwise, he who wrongs, then substitutes good after evil - indeed, I am Forgiving and Merciful.

And put your hand into the opening of your garment [at the breast]; it will come out white without disease. [These are] among the nine signs [you will take] to Pharaoh and his people. Indeed, they have been a people defiantly disobedient."

But when there came to them Our visible signs, they said, "This is obvious magic."

And they rejected them, while their [inner] selves were convinced thereof, out of injustice and haughtiness. So see how was the end of the corrupters.

And We had certainly given to David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, "Praise [is due] to Allāh, who has favored us over many of His believing servants."

And Solomon inherited David. He said, "O people, we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given from all things. Indeed, this is evident bounty."

And gathered for Solomon were his soldiers of the jinn and men and birds, and they were [marching] in rows

Until, when they came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, "O ants, enter your dwellings that you not be crushed by Solomon and his soldiers while they perceive not."

So [Solomon] smiled, amused at her speech, and said, "My Lord, enable me[1073] to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants."[1074]

And he took attendance of the birds and said, "Why do I not see the hoopoe - or is he among the absent?

I will surely punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him unless he brings me clear authorization."[1075]

But he [i.e., the hoopoe] stayed not long and said, "I have encompassed [in knowledge] that which you have not encompassed, and I have come to you from Sheba with certain news.

Indeed, I found [there] a woman ruling them, and she has been given of all things, and she has a great throne.

I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allāh, and Satan has made their deeds pleasing to them and averted them from [His] way, so they are not guided,

[And] so they do not prostrate to Allāh, who brings forth what is hidden within the heavens and the earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare -

Allāh - there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Great Throne."

[Solomon] said, "We will see whether you were truthful or were of the liars.

Take this letter of mine and deliver it to them. Then leave them and see what [answer] they will return."

She said, "O eminent ones, indeed, to me has been delivered a noble letter.

Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, it is [i.e., reads]: 'In the name of Allāh, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,

Be not haughty with me but come to me in submission [as Muslims].'"

She said, "O eminent ones, advise me in my affair. I would not decide a matter until you witness [for] me."[1076]

They said, "We are men of strength and of great military might, but the command is yours, so see what you will command."

She said, "Indeed kings - when they enter a city, they ruin it and render the honored of its people humbled. And thus do they do.

But indeed, I will send to them a gift and see with what [reply] the messengers will return."

So when they came to Solomon, he said, "Do you provide me with wealth? But what Allāh has given me is better than what He has given you. Rather, it is you who rejoice in your gift.

Return to them, for we will surely come to them with soldiers that they will be powerless to encounter, and we will surely expel them therefrom in humiliation, and they will be debased."

[Solomon] said, "O assembly [of jinn], which of you will bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?"

A powerful one from among the jinn said, "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place, and indeed, I am for this [task] strong and trustworthy."

Said one who had knowledge from the Scripture, "I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you." And when [Solomon] saw it placed before him, he said, "This is from the favor of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful - his gratitude is only for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever is ungrateful - then indeed, my Lord is Free of need and Generous."

He said, "Disguise for her her throne; we will see whether she will be guided [to truth] or will be of those who is not guided."

So when she arrived, it was said [to her], "Is your throne like this?" She said, "[It is] as though it was it." [Solomon said], "And we were given knowledge before her, and we have been Muslims [in submission to Allāh].

And that which she was worshipping other than Allāh had averted her [from submission to Him]. Indeed, she was from a disbelieving people."

She was told, "Enter the palace." But when she saw it, she thought it was a body of water[1077] and uncovered her shins [to wade through]. He said, "Indeed, it is a palace [whose floor is] made smooth with glass." She said, "My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Solomon to Allāh, Lord of the worlds."

And We had certainly sent to Thamūd their brother Ṣāliḥ, [saying], "Worship Allāh," and at once they were two parties conflicting.

He said, "O my people, why are you impatient for evil before [i.e., instead of] good?[1078] Why do you not seek forgiveness of Allāh that you may receive mercy?"

They said, "We consider you a bad omen, you and those with you." He said, "Your omen [i.e., fate] is with Allāh. Rather, you are a people being tested."[1079]

And there were in the city nine family heads causing corruption in the land and not amending [its affairs].

They said, "Take a mutual oath by Allāh that we will kill him by night, he and his family. Then we will say to his executor,[1080] 'We did not witness the destruction of his family, and indeed, we are truthful.'"

And they planned a plan, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.