Surah Al-Ankabut: The Spider | Quran Study Guide

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The Surah · Al-Ankabut

﴾١﴿ الٓمٓ

Alif-Laaam-Mim

Alif Lam Mim.

﴾٢﴿ أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوٓا۟ أَن يَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ

Ahasiban naasu anyu yutraku any yaqulu aamannaa wa hum la yuftanun

Do people think they will be left to say, "We believe," and not be tested?

﴾٣﴿ وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱلْكَٰذِبِينَ

Wa laqad fatannal lazina min qablihim fala ya'lamannal laahul lazina sadaqu wa la ya'lamannal kaazibin

We tested those before them. Allah will certainly make evident those who were truthful, and He will certainly make evident the liars.

﴾٤﴿ أَمْ حَسِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ أَن يَسْبِقُونَا ۚ سَآءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ

Am hasibal lazina ya'malunas sayyiaati any yasbiqunaa; saaa'a maa yahkumun

Or do those who do evil deeds think they will outrun Us? Evil is what they judge.

﴾٥﴿ مَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ لِقَآءَ ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّ أَجَلَ ٱللَّهِ لَءَاتٍۢ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

Man kaana yarju liqaaa 'allaahi fa inna ajalal laahi laaat; wa Huwass Samiul 'Alim

Whoever hopes for the meeting with Allah, the term set by Allah is coming. He is the Hearing, the Knowing.

﴾٦﴿ وَمَن جَٰهَدَ فَإِنَّمَا يُجَٰهِدُ لِنَفْسِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

Wa man jaahada fainnamaa yujaahidu linafsih; innal laaha laghaniyyun 'anil 'aalamin

Whoever strives, strives only for himself. Allah has no need of the worlds.

﴾٧﴿ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ لَنُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنْهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَحْسَنَ ٱلَّذِى كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

Wallazina aamanu wa 'amilus saalihaati lanukaf firanna 'anhum saiyiaatihim wa lanajziyannahum ahsanal lazi kaanu ya'malun

Those who believe and do righteous deeds, We will remove their bad deeds from them and reward them for the best of what they used to do.

﴾٨﴿ وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ حُسْنًۭا ۖ وَإِن جَٰهَدَاكَ لِتُشْرِكَ بِى مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌۭ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَآ ۚ إِلَىَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

Wa wassainal insaana biwaalidaihi husnanw wa in jaahadaaka litushrika bi maa laisa laka bihi 'ilmun falaa tuti'humaa; ilaiya marji'ukum fa unabbi'ukum bimaa kuntum ta'malun

We instructed man to be good to his parents. If they strive to make you associate with Me what you have no knowledge of, do not obey them. To Me is your return, and I will inform you of what you used to do.

﴾٩﴿ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ لَنُدْخِلَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ

Wallazina aamanu w a'amilus saalihaati lanudkhilan nahum fis saalihin

Those who believe and do righteous deeds, We will admit them among the righteous.

﴾١٠﴿ وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ فَإِذَآ أُوذِىَ فِى ٱللَّهِ جَعَلَ فِتْنَةَ ٱلنَّاسِ كَعَذَابِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَئِن جَآءَ نَصْرٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكَ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّا كُنَّا مَعَكُمْ ۚ أَوَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَعْلَمَ بِمَا فِى صُدُورِ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

Wa minan naasi many yaqulu aamannaa billaahi faizaaa uziya fil laahi ja'ala fitnatan naasi ka'azaabil laahi wa la'in jaaa'a nasrum mir Rabbika la yaqulunna innaa kunnaa ma'akum; awa laisal laahu bi a'lama bimaa fi surduril 'aalamin

Among people is the one who says, "We believe in Allah," and then, when he is harmed in the cause of Allah, treats the persecution of people as the punishment of Allah. If help comes from your Lord, they say, "We were with you." Is Allah not most knowing of what is in the chests of all creatures?

﴾١١﴿ وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱلْمُنَٰفِقِينَ

Wa la ya'lamannal laahul lazina aamanu wa la ya'lamannal munaafiqin

Allah will certainly make evident those who believe, and He will certainly make evident the hypocrites.

﴾١٢﴿ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّبِعُوا۟ سَبِيلَنَا وَلْنَحْمِلْ خَطَٰيَٰكُمْ وَمَا هُم بِحَٰمِلِينَ مِنْ خَطَٰيَٰهُم مِّن شَىْءٍ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَٰذِبُونَ

Wa qaalal lazaina kafaru lillazina aamanut tabi'u sabilanaa walnahmil khataayaakum wa maa hum bihaamilina min khataa yaahum min shai'in innahum lakaazibun

Those who disbelieve say to those who believe, "Follow our way and we will carry your sins." They will carry nothing of their sins. They are liars.

﴾١٣﴿ وَلَيَحْمِلُنَّ أَثْقَالَهُمْ وَأَثْقَالًۭا مَّعَ أَثْقَالِهِمْ ۖ وَلَيُسْـَٔلُنَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ عَمَّا كَانُوا۟ يَفْتَرُونَ

Wa la yahmilunna asqaa lahum wa asqaalam ma'a asqaalihim wa la yus'alunna Yawmal Qiyaamati 'ammaa kaanu yaftarun

They will carry their own loads, and other loads along with their loads, and on the Day of Resurrection they will be questioned about what they used to invent.

﴾١٤﴿ وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ فَلَبِثَ فِيهِمْ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ إِلَّا خَمْسِينَ عَامًۭا فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱلطُّوفَانُ وَهُمْ ظَٰلِمُونَ

Wa laqad arsalnaa Nuhan ilaa qawmihi falabisa fihim alfa sanatin illaa khamsina 'aaman fa akhazahumut tufaanu wa hum zaalimun

We sent Nuh to his people, and he remained among them a thousand years less fifty. Then the flood seized them while they were wrongdoers.

﴾١٥﴿ فَأَنجَيْنَٰهُ وَأَصْحَٰبَ ٱلسَّفِينَةِ وَجَعَلْنَٰهَآ ءَايَةًۭ لِّلْعَٰلَمِينَ

Fa anjainaahu wa as haabas safinati wa ja'alnaahaaa Aayatal lil'aalamin

We saved him and the companions of the ship, and We made it a sign for the worlds.

﴾١٦﴿ وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱتَّقُوهُ ۖ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

Wa Ibrahima iz qaala liqawmihi' budul laaha wattaquhu zaalikum khayrul lakum in kuntum ta'lamun

And Ibrahim, when he said to his people, "Worship Allah and be mindful of Him. That is better for you, if you only knew.

﴾١٧﴿ إِنَّمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْثَٰنًۭا وَتَخْلُقُونَ إِفْكًا ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ لَكُمْ رِزْقًۭا فَٱبْتَغُوا۟ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرِّزْقَ وَٱعْبُدُوهُ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لَهُۥٓ ۖ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

Innamaa ta'buduna min dunil laahi awsaananw-wa takhluquna ifkaa; innal lazina ta'buduna min dunil laahi laa yamlikuna lakum rizqan fabtaghu 'indal laahir rizqa wa'buduhu washkuru lahu ilaihi turja'un

You worship idols besides Allah and you invent a lie. Those you worship besides Allah do not own provision for you. So seek provision from Allah, worship Him and be grateful to Him. To Him you will be returned."

﴾١٨﴿ وَإِن تُكَذِّبُوا۟ فَقَدْ كَذَّبَ أُمَمٌۭ مِّن قَبْلِكُمْ ۖ وَمَا عَلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ

Wa in tukazzibu faqad kazzaba umamum min qablikum wa maa'alar Rasuli illal balaaghul mubin

If you deny, nations before you denied. Nothing is upon the Messenger except clear delivery.

﴾١٩﴿ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ كَيْفَ يُبْدِئُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌۭ

Awa lam yaraw kaifa yubdi'ul laahul khalqa summa yu'iduh; inna zaalika 'alal laahi yasir

Have they not seen how Allah begins creation and then repeats it? That is easy for Allah.

﴾٢٠﴿ قُلْ سِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ بَدَأَ ٱلْخَلْقَ ۚ ثُمَّ ٱللَّهُ يُنشِئُ ٱلنَّشْأَةَ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ

Qul siru fil ardi fanzuru kaifa baa al khalqa summal laahu yunshi''un nash atal Aakhirah; innal laaha 'alaa kulli shai'in Qadir

Say, "Travel the earth and see how He began creation. Then Allah brings about the later creation. Allah has power over all things."

﴾٢١﴿ يُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَرْحَمُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۖ وَإِلَيْهِ تُقْلَبُونَ

Yu'azzibu many yashaaa'u wa yarhamu many yashaaa'; wa ilaihi tuqlabun

He punishes whom He wills and has mercy on whom He wills, and to Him you will be turned.

﴾٢٢﴿ وَمَآ أَنتُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ ۖ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَلِىٍّۢ وَلَا نَصِيرٍۢ

Wa maaa antum bimu'jizina fil ardi wa laa fissamaaa'i wa maa lakum min dunil laahi minw waliyyinw wa laa nasir

You cannot escape, on the earth or in the sky, and you have no protector or helper besides Allah.

﴾٢٣﴿ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِقَآئِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ يَئِسُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَتِى وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ

Wallazina kafaru bi Aayaatil laahi wa liqaaa'ihi ulaaa'ika ya'isu mir rahmati wa ulaaa'ika lahum 'azaabun alim

Those who disbelieve in the verses of Allah and the meeting with Him have despaired of My mercy, and for them is a painful punishment.

﴾٢٤﴿ فَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوا۟ ٱقْتُلُوهُ أَوْ حَرِّقُوهُ فَأَنجَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَٰتٍۢ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يُؤْمِنُونَ

Famaa kaana jawaaba qawmihi illaaa an qaaluqtuluhu aw harriquhu faanjaahul laahu minan naar; inna fi zaalika la Aayaatil laqawminy yu'minun

The only answer of his people was that they said, "Kill him or burn him." Then Allah saved him from the fire. In that are signs for a people who believe.

﴾٢٥﴿ وَقَالَ إِنَّمَا ٱتَّخَذْتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْثَٰنًۭا مَّوَدَّةَ بَيْنِكُمْ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ ثُمَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ يَكْفُرُ بَعْضُكُم بِبَعْضٍۢ وَيَلْعَنُ بَعْضُكُم بَعْضًۭا وَمَأْوَىٰكُمُ ٱلنَّارُ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ

Wa qaala innamat takhaz tum min dunil laahi awsaanam mawaddata bainikum fil hayaatid dunyaa summa yawmal qiyaamati yakfuru ba'dukum biba'dinw wa yal'anu ba'dukum ba'danw wa ma'waakumun Naaru wa maa lakum min naasirin

He said, "You have taken idols besides Allah only out of affection between you in the life of this world. Then on the Day of Resurrection you will reject one another and curse one another. Your refuge is the Fire, and you will have no helpers."

﴾٢٦﴿ ۞ فَـَٔامَنَ لَهُۥ لُوطٌۭ ۘ وَقَالَ إِنِّى مُهَاجِرٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّىٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ

Fa aamana lahu Lut; wa qaala inni mauhajirun ilaa Rabbi innahu Huwal 'Azizul Hakim

Lut believed him, and he said, "I am emigrating to my Lord. He is the Mighty, the Wise."

﴾٢٧﴿ وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ إِسْحَٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِى ذُرِّيَّتِهِ ٱلنُّبُوَّةَ وَٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُ أَجْرَهُۥ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَإِنَّهُۥ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ

Wa wahabnaa lahu Ishaaqa wa Ya'Quba wa ja'alnaa fi zurriyyatihin Nubuwwata wal Kitaaba wa aatainaahu ajrahu fid dunyaa wa innahu fil aakhirati laminas saalihin

We gave him Ishaq and Yaqub, and We placed prophethood and the Book in his descendants, and We gave him his reward in this world, and in the hereafter he is among the righteous.

﴾٢٨﴿ وَلُوطًا إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِۦٓ إِنَّكُمْ لَتَأْتُونَ ٱلْفَٰحِشَةَ مَا سَبَقَكُم بِهَا مِنْ أَحَدٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

Wa Lutan iz qaala liqawmihi innakum laatunal faahishata maa sabaqakum bihaa min ahadim minal 'aalamin

And Lut, when he said to his people, "You commit an indecency that no one in the worlds committed before you.

﴾٢٩﴿ أَئِنَّكُمْ لَتَأْتُونَ ٱلرِّجَالَ وَتَقْطَعُونَ ٱلسَّبِيلَ وَتَأْتُونَ فِى نَادِيكُمُ ٱلْمُنكَرَ ۖ فَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوا۟ ٱئْتِنَا بِعَذَابِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ

A'innakum lataatunar rijaala wa taqta'unas sabila wa taatuna fi naadikumul munkara famaa kaana jawaaba qawmihi illaaa an qaalu' tinaaa bi'azaabil laahi in kunta minas saadiqin

Do you approach men, cut off the way, and commit what is wrong in your gatherings?" The only answer of his people was that they said, "Bring us the punishment of Allah, if you are truthful."

﴾٣٠﴿ قَالَ رَبِّ ٱنصُرْنِى عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ

Qaala Rabbin surni 'alal qawmil mufsidin

He said, "My Lord, help me against the people who spread corruption."

﴾٣١﴿ وَلَمَّا جَآءَتْ رُسُلُنَآ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ بِٱلْبُشْرَىٰ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا مُهْلِكُوٓا۟ أَهْلِ هَٰذِهِ ٱلْقَرْيَةِ ۖ إِنَّ أَهْلَهَا كَانُوا۟ ظَٰلِمِينَ

Wa lammaa jaaa'at Rusulunaaa Ibraahima bil bushraa qaalu innaa muhliku ahli haazihil qaryati inna ahlahaa kaanu zaalimin

When Our messengers came to Ibrahim with the good news, they said, "We are going to destroy the people of this town. Its people have been wrongdoers."

﴾٣٢﴿ قَالَ إِنَّ فِيهَا لُوطًۭا ۚ قَالُوا۟ نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن فِيهَا ۖ لَنُنَجِّيَنَّهُۥ وَأَهْلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱمْرَأَتَهُۥ كَانَتْ مِنَ ٱلْغَٰبِرِينَ

Qaala inna fiha Lutaa; qaalu nahnu a'lamu biman fihaa lanunajjjiyannahu wa ahlahu illam ra atahu kaanat minal ghaabirin

He said, "Lut is in it." They said, "We know better who is in it. We will save him and his family, except his wife. She is among those who stay behind."

﴾٣٣﴿ وَلَمَّآ أَن جَآءَتْ رُسُلُنَا لُوطًۭا سِىٓءَ بِهِمْ وَضَاقَ بِهِمْ ذَرْعًۭا وَقَالُوا۟ لَا تَخَفْ وَلَا تَحْزَنْ ۖ إِنَّا مُنَجُّوكَ وَأَهْلَكَ إِلَّا ٱمْرَأَتَكَ كَانَتْ مِنَ ٱلْغَٰبِرِينَ

Wa lammaaa an jaaa'at Rusulunaa Lutan si'a bihim wa daaqa bihim zar'anw wa qaalu laa takhaf wa laa tahzan innaa munajjuka wa ahlaka illam ra ataka kaanat minal ghaabirin

When Our messengers came to Lut, he was distressed for them and felt unable to protect them. They said, "Do not fear and do not grieve. We are going to save you and your family, except your wife. She is among those who stay behind.

﴾٣٤﴿ إِنَّا مُنزِلُونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَهْلِ هَٰذِهِ ٱلْقَرْيَةِ رِجْزًۭا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَفْسُقُونَ

Innaa munziluna 'alaaa ahli haazihil qaryati rijzam minas samaaa'i bimaa kaanu yafsuqun

We are bringing down upon the people of this town a punishment from the sky, for the corruption they committed."

﴾٣٥﴿ وَلَقَد تَّرَكْنَا مِنْهَآ ءَايَةًۢ بَيِّنَةًۭ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَعْقِلُونَ

Wa laqat taraknaa min haaa aayatam baiyinatal liqawminy ya'qilun

We left from it a clear sign for a people who reason.

﴾٣٦﴿ وَإِلَىٰ مَدْيَنَ أَخَاهُمْ شُعَيْبًۭا فَقَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱرْجُوا۟ ٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلْءَاخِرَ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ

Wa ilaa Madyana akhaahum Shu'ayban faqaala yaa qawmi'-budul laaha warjul yawmal aakhira wa laa ta'saw fil ardi mufsidin

And to Madyan their brother Shu'ayb. He said, "My people, worship Allah, hope for the Last Day, and do not spread corruption in the earth."

﴾٣٧﴿ فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلرَّجْفَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ فِى دَارِهِمْ جَٰثِمِينَ

Fakazzabuhu fa akhazat humur rajfatu fa asbahu fi daarihim jaasimin

They denied him, so the earthquake seized them, and they lay lifeless in their homes.

﴾٣٨﴿ وَعَادًۭا وَثَمُودَا۟ وَقَد تَّبَيَّنَ لَكُم مِّن مَّسَٰكِنِهِمْ ۖ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ أَعْمَٰلَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَكَانُوا۟ مُسْتَبْصِرِينَ

Wa 'Aadanw wa Samuda wa qat tabaiyana lakum mim masaakinihim wa zaiyana lahumush Shaitaanu a'maalahum fasaddahum 'anis sabili wa kaanu mustabsirin

And Ad and Thamud. It has become clear to you from their dwellings. Satan made their deeds attractive to them and turned them from the way, though they had been able to see.

﴾٣٩﴿ وَقَٰرُونَ وَفِرْعَوْنَ وَهَٰمَٰنَ ۖ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُم مُّوسَىٰ بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ سَٰبِقِينَ

Wa Qaaruna wa Fir'awna wa haamaana wa laqad jaaa'ahum Musa bilbaiyinaati fastakbaru fil ardi wa maa kaanu saabiqin

And Qarun, Pharaoh and Haman. Musa came to them with clear proofs, and they were arrogant in the land. They could not outrun Us.

﴾٤٠﴿ فَكُلًّا أَخَذْنَا بِذَنۢبِهِۦ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ حَاصِبًۭا وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَخَذَتْهُ ٱلصَّيْحَةُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ خَسَفْنَا بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَغْرَقْنَا ۚ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ

Fakullan akhaznaa bizam bihi faminhum man arsalnaa 'alaihi haasibaa; wa minhum man akhazat hus saihatu wa minhum man khasafnaa bihil arda wa minhum man aghraqnaa; wa maa kaanal laahu li yazlimahum wa laakin kaanu anfusahum yazlimun

Each of them We seized for his sin. Among them was one on whom We sent a storm of stones, and among them was one seized by the blast, and among them was one We caused the earth to swallow, and among them was one We drowned. Allah did not wrong them, but they wronged themselves.

﴾٤١﴿ مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْلِيَآءَ كَمَثَلِ ٱلْعَنكَبُوتِ ٱتَّخَذَتْ بَيْتًۭا ۖ وَإِنَّ أَوْهَنَ ٱلْبُيُوتِ لَبَيْتُ ٱلْعَنكَبُوتِ ۖ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ

Masalul lazinat takhazu min dunil laahi awliyaaa'a kamasalil 'ankabut, ittakhazat baitaa; wa inna awhanal buyuti la baitul 'ankabut; law kaanu ya'lamun

The likeness of those who take protectors besides Allah is the likeness of the spider that takes a house. The frailest of houses is the house of the spider, if they only knew.

﴾٤٢﴿ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مِن شَىْءٍۢ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ

Innal laaha ya'lamu maa yad'una min dunihi min shai'; wa Huwal 'Azizul Hakim

Allah knows whatever they call upon besides Him. He is the Mighty, the Wise.

﴾٤٣﴿ وَتِلْكَ ٱلْأَمْثَٰلُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ ۖ وَمَا يَعْقِلُهَآ إِلَّا ٱلْعَٰلِمُونَ

Wa tilkal amsaalu nadribuhaa linnaasi wa maa ya'qiluhaaa illal 'aalimun

These are the examples We present to people, and none understand them except those who know.

﴾٤٤﴿ خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Khalaqal laahus samaawaati wal arda bilhaqq; inna fi zaalika la aayatal lilmu minin

Allah created the heavens and the earth in truth. In that is a sign for the believers.

﴾٤٥﴿ ٱتْلُ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلَذِكْرُ ٱللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ

Utlu maaa uhiya ilaika miunal Kitaabi wa aqimis Salaata innas Salaata tanhaa 'anil fahshaaa'i wal munkar; wa lazikrul laahi akbar; wal laahu ya'lamu maa tasna'un

Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book, and establish the prayer. The prayer restrains from indecency and wrong, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. Allah knows what you do.

﴾٤٦﴿ ۞ وَلَا تُجَٰدِلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ ۖ وَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَأُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَإِلَٰهُنَا وَإِلَٰهُكُمْ وَٰحِدٌۭ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ

Wa laa tujaadilu Ahlal Kitaabi illaa billati hiya ahsanu illal lazina zalamu minhum wa qulu aamannaa billazi unzila ilainaa wa unzila ilaikum wa illaahunna wa illahukum waahidunw-wa nahnu lahu muslimun

Do not argue with the People of the Book except in the best way, apart from those of them who do wrong. Say, "We believe in what was revealed to us and revealed to you. Our God and your God is One, and to Him we submit."

﴾٤٧﴿ وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ ۚ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ ۖ وَمِنْ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ مَن يُؤْمِنُ بِهِۦ ۚ وَمَا يَجْحَدُ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ إِلَّا ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ

Wa kazaalika anzalnaaa ilaikal Kitaab; fallazina aatainaahumul kitaaba yu'minuna bihi wa min haaa'ulaaa'i many yu'minu bih; wa maa yajhadu bi'Aayaatinaa illal kaafirun

In the same way We revealed the Book to you. Those to whom We gave the Book believe in it, and among these are those who believe in it. None reject Our verses except the disbelievers.

﴾٤٨﴿ وَمَا كُنتَ تَتْلُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ مِن كِتَٰبٍۢ وَلَا تَخُطُّهُۥ بِيَمِينِكَ ۖ إِذًۭا لَّٱرْتَابَ ٱلْمُبْطِلُونَ

Wa maa kunta tatlu min qablihi min kitaabinw wa laa takhuttubhu bi yaminika izal lartaabal mubtilun

You did not recite any book before it, nor write one with your right hand. Then those who follow falsehood would have doubted.

﴾٤٩﴿ بَلْ هُوَ ءَايَٰتٌۢ بَيِّنَٰتٌۭ فِى صُدُورِ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ ۚ وَمَا يَجْحَدُ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ إِلَّا ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ

Bal huwa aayaatum baiyinaatun fi suduril lazina utul 'ilm; wa maa yajhadu bi aayaatinaa illaz zaalimun

Rather, it is clear verses in the chests of those who have been given knowledge. None reject Our verses except the wrongdoers.

﴾٥٠﴿ وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَٰتٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ ۖ قُلْ إِنَّمَا ٱلْءَايَٰتُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَإِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ نَذِيرٌۭ مُّبِينٌ

Wa qaalu law laaa unzila 'alaihi aayaatum mir Rabbihi qul innamal aayaatu 'indal laahi wa innamaaa ana nazirum mubin

They say, "Why have signs not been sent down to him from his Lord?" Say, "The signs are with Allah, and I am only a clear warner."

﴾٥١﴿ أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِهِمْ أَنَّآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَرَحْمَةًۭ وَذِكْرَىٰ لِقَوْمٍۢ يُؤْمِنُونَ

Awa lam yakfihim annaaa anzalnaa 'alaikal kitaaba yutlaa 'alaikhim; inna fi zaalika larahmatanw wa zikraa liqawminy yu'minun

Is it not enough for them that We sent down to you the Book that is recited to them? In that is a mercy and a reminder for a people who believe.

﴾٥٢﴿ قُلْ كَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَكُمْ شَهِيدًۭا ۖ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱلْبَٰطِلِ وَكَفَرُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْخَٰسِرُونَ

Qul kafaa billaahi baini wa bainakum shahidaa; ya'lamu maa fis samaawaati wal ard; wallazina aamanu bil baatili wa kafaru billaahi ulaaa'ika humul khaasirun

Say, "Allah is sufficient as a witness between me and you. He knows what is in the heavens and the earth." Those who believe in falsehood and disbelieve in Allah are the losers.

﴾٥٣﴿ وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِٱلْعَذَابِ ۚ وَلَوْلَآ أَجَلٌۭ مُّسَمًّۭى لَّجَآءَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَلَيَأْتِيَنَّهُم بَغْتَةًۭ وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

Wa yasta'jilunaka bil'azaab; wa law laaa ajalum musammal lajaaa'ahumul 'zaab; wa la yaatiyannahum baghta tanw wa hum laa yash'urun

They ask you to hasten the punishment. If not for a stated term, the punishment would have come to them. It will come to them suddenly, while they are unaware.

﴾٥٤﴿ يَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِٱلْعَذَابِ وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمُحِيطَةٌۢ بِٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ

Yasta'jilunak bil'azaab; wa inna Jahannama lamuhi tatum bilkaafirin

They ask you to hasten the punishment. Hell will encompass the disbelievers

﴾٥٥﴿ يَوْمَ يَغْشَىٰهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ مِن فَوْقِهِمْ وَمِن تَحْتِ أَرْجُلِهِمْ وَيَقُولُ ذُوقُوا۟ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

Yawma yaghshaahumul 'azaabu min fawqihim wa min tahti arjulim wa yaqulu zuqu maa kuntum ta'malun

on the Day the punishment covers them from above them and from beneath their feet, and He says, "Taste what you used to do."

﴾٥٦﴿ يَٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّ أَرْضِى وَٰسِعَةٌۭ فَإِيَّٰىَ فَٱعْبُدُونِ

Yaa 'ibaadiyal lazina aamanu inna ardi waasi 'atun fa iyyaaya fa'budun

My servants who believe, My earth is spacious, so worship Me alone.

﴾٥٧﴿ كُلُّ نَفْسٍۢ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ

Kullu nafsin zaaa'iqatul mawti summa ilainaa turja'un

Every soul will taste death. Then to Us you will be returned.

﴾٥٨﴿ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُم مِّنَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ غُرَفًۭا تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ نِعْمَ أَجْرُ ٱلْعَٰمِلِينَ

Wallazina aamanu wa 'amilus saalihaati la nubawwi 'annahum minal Jannati ghurafan tajri min tahtihal anhaaru khaalidina fihaa; ni'ma ajrul 'aamilin

Those who believe and do righteous deeds, We will settle them in high chambers of the Garden, beneath which rivers flow, remaining in them. Excellent is the reward of the workers,

﴾٥٩﴿ ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

Allazina sabaru wa 'alaa Rabbihim yatawakkalun

those who were patient and relied upon their Lord.

﴾٦٠﴿ وَكَأَيِّن مِّن دَآبَّةٍۢ لَّا تَحْمِلُ رِزْقَهَا ٱللَّهُ يَرْزُقُهَا وَإِيَّاكُمْ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

Wa ka ayyim min daaabbatil laa tahmilu riqqahaa; al laahu yarzuquhaa wa iyyaakum; wa Huwas Sami'ul Alim

How many creatures carry no provision of their own. Allah provides for them and for you. He is the Hearing, the Knowing.

﴾٦١﴿ وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ

Wa la'in sa altahum man khalaqas samaawaati wal arda wa sakhkharash shamsa wal qamara la yaqulunnal laahu fa ann yu'fakun

If you ask them who created the heavens and the earth and made the sun and the moon subject, they will say Allah. Then how are they turned away?

﴾٦٢﴿ ٱللَّهُ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقْدِرُ لَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌۭ

Allaahu yabsutur rizqa limany yashaaa'u min 'ibaadihi wa yaqdiru lah; innal laaha bikulli shai'in Alim

Allah extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts it for him. Allah is Knowing of all things.

﴾٦٣﴿ وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّن نَّزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءًۭ فَأَحْيَا بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَوْتِهَا لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ ۚ قُلِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ

Wa la'in sa altahum man nazzala minas samaaa'i maaa'an fa ahyaa bihil arda mim ba'di mawtihaa la yaqulunnal laah; qulil hamdu lillah; bal aksaruhum laa ya'qilun

If you ask them who sends down water from the sky and gives life to the earth after its death, they will say Allah. Say, praise belongs to Allah. But most of them do not reason.

﴾٦٤﴿ وَمَا هَٰذِهِ ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا لَهْوٌۭ وَلَعِبٌۭ ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ لَهِىَ ٱلْحَيَوَانُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ

Wa maa haazihil hayaa tud dunyaaa illaa lahwunw-wa la'ib; wa innad Daaral Aakhirata la hiyal ha yawaan; law kaanu ya'lamun

This life of the world is only diversion and play. The home of the hereafter is the true life, if they only knew.

﴾٦٥﴿ فَإِذَا رَكِبُوا۟ فِى ٱلْفُلْكِ دَعَوُا۟ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ فَلَمَّا نَجَّىٰهُمْ إِلَى ٱلْبَرِّ إِذَا هُمْ يُشْرِكُونَ

Fa-izaa rakibu fil fulki da'awul laaha mukhilsina lahud dina falammaa najjaa hum ilal baari izaa hum yushrikun

When they board a ship, they call upon Allah, sincere to Him in religion. Then when He delivers them to land, they associate others with Him,

﴾٦٦﴿ لِيَكْفُرُوا۟ بِمَآ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُمْ وَلِيَتَمَتَّعُوا۟ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ

Li yakfuru bimaaa aatainaahum wa li yatamatta'u fasaw fa ya'lamun

so as to deny what We gave them, and to enjoy themselves. They are going to know.

﴾٦٧﴿ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا جَعَلْنَا حَرَمًا ءَامِنًۭا وَيُتَخَطَّفُ ٱلنَّاسُ مِنْ حَوْلِهِمْ ۚ أَفَبِٱلْبَٰطِلِ يُؤْمِنُونَ وَبِنِعْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ يَكْفُرُونَ

Awalam yaraw annaa ja'alnaa haraman aaminanw wa yutakhattafun naasu min haw lihim; afabil baatili yu'minuna wa bini'matil laahi yakfurun

Have they not seen that We made a secure sanctuary while people are snatched away all around them? Do they believe in falsehood and deny the favor of Allah?

﴾٦٨﴿ وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَآءَهُۥٓ ۚ أَلَيْسَ فِى جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًۭى لِّلْكَٰفِرِينَ

Wa man azlamu mimma nif taraa 'alal laahi kaziban aw kazzaba bilhaqqi lammaa jaaa'ah; alaisa fi jahannama maswal lil kaafirin

Who does greater wrong than one who invents a lie about Allah, or denies the truth when it comes to him? Is there not in Hell a home for the disbelievers?

﴾٦٩﴿ وَٱلَّذِينَ جَٰهَدُوا۟ فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمَعَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

Wallazina jaahadu finaa lanahdiyannahum subulana; wa innal laaha lama'al muhsinin

Those who strive for Us, We will guide them to Our ways. Allah is with those who do good.

The Tafsir · The Breakdown

What The Surah Means

Overview

The Question in the Second Verse.

Al-Ankabut opens with a question that removes an assumption most men are carrying without knowing it. Do people think they will be left to say, "We believe," and not be tested? The claim is not that testing is a possibility. It is that testing is the mechanism by which the claim gets verified, and there is no version of the arrangement where a man says it and is then left alone. Verse 3 gives the purpose without decoration. Allah will certainly make evident those who were truthful, and He will certainly make evident the liars. The surah then spends sixty-seven verses showing what the test does to different men, from the one in verse 10 who mistakes the hostility of people for the punishment of Allah, to Nuh holding a position for nine and a half centuries, to Ibrahim walking into a fire, and it ends in verse 69 with the sentence that changes the order of operations: those who strive for Us, We will guide them to Our ways.

Verses 1 to 13

The Test Nobody Is Exempt From.

Verse 6 sets the terms before the pressure arrives. Whoever strives, strives only for himself. Allah has no need of the worlds. Nothing a man endures adds to Allah. The entire benefit runs one direction, toward the man doing the enduring, which means quitting is not a loss to anyone but him. Verse 10 is the portrait that should stop a reader. Among people is the one who says, "We believe in Allah," and then, when he is harmed in the cause of Allah, treats the persecution of people as the punishment of Allah. He does not deny anything. He simply misreads what is happening to him. Pressure from men gets filed as abandonment by Allah, and he leaves. The verse then catches his other face: if help comes from your Lord, they say, "We were with you." Verse 12 exposes the offer that gets made to a man under that pressure. Follow our way and we will carry your sins. That offer is always available and it has never once been honorable. Verse 13 settles it. They will carry their own loads, and other loads along with their loads. Nobody transfers a burden. The man who invited you into it picks up an additional one for the invitation.

Verses 14 to 40

A Thousand Years Less Fifty.

Verse 14 gives a number that ends most complaints about effort. Nuh remained among his people a thousand years less fifty. Nine hundred and fifty years of consistent work, and the surah moves on in the same sentence to the flood. Verse 15 names what came out of it. We saved him and the companions of the ship, and We made it a sign for the worlds. The yield of nine and a half centuries was a boat, a household, and a sign that outlasted everyone. A man measuring his own output against a decade should sit with that. Then Ibrahim, and verse 17 gives the economic argument for tawhid in plain terms. Those you worship besides Allah do not own provision for you. So seek provision from Allah. Go to the source that holds the thing you actually want. Verse 24 records the answer he received. Kill him or burn him. Then Allah saved him from the fire. Verse 25 is the sentence to underline, because it names what idolatry actually runs on. You have taken idols besides Allah only out of affection between you in the life of this world. Mawaddah baynakum. The idol is not a theological conviction. It is a social bond. Men hold a false position because letting go of it would cost them the room they stand in. And the verse says exactly what happens to that room: on the Day of Resurrection you will reject one another and curse one another. Verse 26 gives the alternative in five words. Lut believed him, and he said, "I am emigrating to my Lord." One man believed. That was the whole return on the argument, and it was enough to move. Verses 36 through 40 then run the roll call, Shu'ayb, Ad, Thamud, Qarun, Pharaoh and Haman, and verse 40 lists four different endings, stones, blast, swallowed and drowned, before closing on the line that governs all of them. Allah did not wrong them, but they wronged themselves.

Verses 41 to 55

The House of the Spider.

Verse 41 is the image the surah is named for, and it is more precise than it first appears. The likeness of those who take protectors besides Allah is the likeness of the spider that takes a house. The frailest of houses is the house of the spider. A spider's web is not a poor structure. Relative to its weight it is remarkably strong, and it works. What it cannot do is shelter anything. It stops no wind, keeps out no rain, and holds nothing that leans on it. That is the exact failure being described. The arrangement a man builds around a false protector functions until the day he needs it to hold weight. Verse 43 then adds the qualifier. These are the examples We present to people, and none understand them except those who know. The image is available to everyone and the lesson is not automatic. Verse 45 is the practical center of the surah. Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book, and establish the prayer. The prayer restrains from indecency and wrong, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. Two claims. The prayer produces restraint, which means a prayer that changes nothing about a man's conduct is asking a question about the prayer. And then, wa la dhikru Allahi akbar, the remembrance of Allah is greater, placed after the prayer rather than before it, so that a man who has established the prayer does not mistake it for the ceiling. Verse 46 governs how a man carries the argument. Do not argue with the People of the Book except in the best way. Method is legislated, not just content. Verse 51 answers the demand for more signs with a question that has aged well. Is it not enough for them that We sent down to you the Book that is recited to them?

Verses 56 to 69

A Spacious Earth, and the Road That Opens.

Verse 56 is addressed to a man who is stuck. My servants who believe, My earth is spacious, so worship Me alone. It is a permission and a push at once. If the place you are standing has made worship impossible, the place is the variable, not the worship. Verse 57 sets the frame around any such move. Every soul will taste death. Then to Us you will be returned. The move is not toward safety. Nobody gets that. Verse 60 is for the man calculating whether he can afford to obey. How many creatures carry no provision of their own. Allah provides for them and for you. Not a promise of ease. A statement about who has been running the arrangement the whole time. Verse 64 gives the measurement. This life of the world is only diversion and play. The home of the hereafter is the true life, al-hayawan, the living thing itself. Verse 65 gives the diagnostic anyone can run on himself. When they board a ship, they call upon Allah, sincere to Him in religion. Then when He delivers them to land, they associate others with Him. Sincerity in the storm proves nothing except that the man is capable of it. What he does on the shore is the actual reading. Then verse 69, which closes the surah and reverses the order most men are waiting on. Those who strive for Us, We will guide them to Our ways. The striving comes first and the guidance follows it. A man who is waiting to feel certain before he moves has the sequence backward. He is asking for the reward of a step he has not taken. And note the plural, subulana, Our ways. There is more than one road, and they open under the feet of the one already walking.

Structural Summary

Sixty-Nine Verses. Those Who Strive for Us, We Will Guide Them.

The surah opens by removing the idea that a claim of faith goes untested, then shows the test running on real men. It names the failure of mistaking the hostility of people for abandonment by Allah, exposes the offer to carry another man's sins as a lie, gives nine hundred and fifty years of work as a measure of scale, and identifies the real glue of idolatry as the affection between the people who hold it. It gives the spider's house as the image of a structure that works until it has to hold weight, places restraint and remembrance as the output of prayer, tells the man who is stuck that the earth is spacious, and closes by putting the striving before the guidance.

The Practice · Daily Integration

Sixty-Nine Verses. Move First.

Verse 65. Write down what you promised Allah during your last hard season. Check what survived the calm.

Verse 45. For two weeks, judge your prayer by one thing only: what it stopped you from doing that day.

Verse 69. Take the step you have been waiting to feel certain about. The guidance in this verse is downstream of the movement.

آمِين

Prepared with discipline · Ameen

Verse-By-Verse · Test Yourself

The Quiz

Two questions per verse. Translation and a key Arabic word. Walk through it slow. The goal is comprehension, not speed.

Verse 21 / 12

The Verse

What question does verse 2 open the surah with?