Chapter 27

Surah An Naml (The Ant)

27.41

surah 27 - verse 41

translator's name verse
Arberry He said, 'Disguise her throne for her, and we shall behold whether she is guided or if she is of those that are not guided.'
Maududi Solomon said: " Set the throne before her casually, and let us see whether she gets to the Truth or is one of those who are not guided to what is right."
Pickthall He said: Disguise her throne for her that we may see whether she will go aright or be of those not rightly guided.
Sahih 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."
Yusuf Ali He said: "Transform her throne out of all recognition by her: let us see whether she is guided (to the truth) or is one of those who receive no guidance."

27.42

surah 27 - verse 42

translator's name verse
Arberry So, when she came, it was said, 'Is thy throne like this?' She said, 'It seems the same.' 'And we were given the knowledge before her, and we were in surrender,
Maududi When the Queen arrived, she was asked: "Is your throne like this one?" She said: "It seems as if it is the same. We had already come to know this and we had submitted ourselves."
Pickthall So, when she came, it was said (unto her): Is thy throne like this? She said: (It is) as though it were the very one. And (Solomon said): We were given the knowledge before her and we had surrendered (to Allah).
Sahih 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 Allah].
Yusuf Ali So when she arrived, she was asked, "Is this thy throne?" She said, "It was just like this; and knowledge was bestowed on us in advance of this, and we have submitted to Allah (in Islam)."

27.43

surah 27 - verse 43

translator's name verse
Arberry but that she served, apart from God, barred her, for she was of a people of unbelievers.'
Maududi What prevented her (from accepting the True Faith) was her worshipping deities other than Allah, for she belonged to an unbelieving people.
Pickthall And (all) that she was wont to worship instead of Allah hindered her, for she came of disbelieving folk.
Sahih And that which she was worshipping other than Allah had averted her [from submission to Him]. Indeed, she was from a disbelieving people."
Yusuf Ali And he diverted her from the worship of others besides Allah: for she was (sprung) of a people that had no faith.

27.44

surah 27 - verse 44

translator's name verse
Arberry It was said to her, 'Enter the pavilion.' But when she saw it, she supposed it was a spreading water, and she bared her legs. He said, 'It is a pavilion smoothed of crystal. She said, 'My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I surrender with Solomon to God, the Lord of all Being.'
Maududi She was told: "Enter the palace." But when she saw it, she thought it was a pool of water and she bared both her calves (to enter into it). Solomon said: "This is a slippery floor of crystal." Thereupon she cried out: "My Lord, I have been inflicting much wrong on myself. Now I submit myself with Solomon to Allah, the Lord of the whole Universe."
Pickthall It was said unto her: Enter the hall. And when she saw it she deemed it a pool and bared her legs. (Solomon) said: Lo! it is a hall, made smooth, of glass. She said: My Lord! Lo! I have wronged myself, and I surrender with Solomon unto Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
Sahih She was told, "Enter the palace." But when she saw it, she thought it was a body of water 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 Allah, Lord of the worlds."
Yusuf Ali She was asked to enter the lofty Palace: but when she saw it, she thought it was a lake of water, and she (tucked up her skirts), uncovering her legs. He said: "This is but a palace paved smooth with slabs of glass." She said: "O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul: I do (now) submit (in Islam), with Solomon, to the Lord of the Worlds."

27.45

surah 27 - verse 45

translator's name verse
Arberry And We sent to Thamood their brother Salih: 'Serve you God!' And behold, they were two parties, that were disputing one with another.
Maududi And We sent to Thamud their brother Salih (with the Message): "Serve Allah," but all of a sudden they became split into two quarrelling factions.
Pickthall And We verily sent unto Thamud their brother Salih, saying: Worship Allah. And lo! they (then became two parties quarrelling.
Sahih And We had certainly sent to Thamud their brother Salih, [saying], "Worship Allah," and at once they were two parties conflicting.
Yusuf Ali We sent (aforetime), to the Thamud, their brother Salih, saying, "Serve Allah": But behold, they became two factions quarrelling with each other.

27.46

surah 27 - verse 46

translator's name verse
Arberry He said, 'O my people, why do you seek to hasten evil before good? Why do you not ask forgiveness of God? Haply so you will find mercy.'
Maududi Salih said: "My people, why do you wish to hasten that evil rather than good should come upon you? Why should you not seek pardon from Allah so that mercy be shown to you?"
Pickthall He said: O my people! Why will ye hasten on the evil rather than the good? Why will ye not ask pardon of Allah, that ye may receive mercy.
Sahih He said, "O my people, why are you impatient for evil instead of good? Why do you not seek forgiveness of Allah that you may receive mercy?"
Yusuf Ali He said: "O my people! why ask ye to hasten on the evil in preference to the good? If only ye ask Allah for forgiveness, ye may hope to receive mercy.

27.47

surah 27 - verse 47

translator's name verse
Arberry They said, 'We augur ill of thee and of those that are with thee.' He said, 'Your augury is with God; nay, but you are a people being proved.'
Maududi They said: "We augur ill of you and those who are with you." Salih replied: "Your augury is with Allah. The truth is that you are a people who are being tried."
Pickthall They said: We augur evil of thee and those with thee. He said: Your evil augury is with Allah. Nay, but ye are folk that are being tested.
Sahih They said, "We consider you a bad omen, you and those with you." He said, "Your omen is with Allah. Rather, you are a people being tested."
Yusuf Ali They said: "Ill omen do we augur from thee and those that are with thee". He said: "Your ill omen is with Allah; yea, ye are a people under trial."

27.48

surah 27 - verse 48

translator's name verse
Arberry Now in the city there were nine persons who did corruption in the land, and put not things right;
Maududi Now there were nine ring-leaders in the city who created corruption in the land and never worked to set things right.
Pickthall And there were in the city nine persons who made mischief in the land and reformed not.
Sahih And there were in the city nine family heads causing corruption in the land and not amending [its affairs].
Yusuf Ali There were in the city nine men of a family, who made mischief in the land, and would not reform.

27.49

surah 27 - verse 49

translator's name verse
Arberry they said, 'Swear you, one to another, by God, "We will attack him and his family by night, then we will tell his protector, We were not witnesses of the destruction of his family; and assuredly we are truthful men."'
Maududi They said: "Swear to one another in the name of Allah that we shall make a sudden night swoop on Salih and his family and will then tell their heirs that we did not witness the destruction of his family. We are indeed truthful."
Pickthall They said: Swear one to another by Allah that we verily will attack him and his household by night, and afterward we will surely say unto his friend: We witnessed not the destruction of his household. And lo! we are truthtellers.
Sahih They said, "Take a mutual oath by Allah that we will kill him by night, he and his family. Then we will say to his executor, 'We did not witness the destruction of his family, and indeed, we are truthful.' "
Yusuf Ali They said: "Swear a mutual oath by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his people, and that we shall then say to his heir (when he seeks vengeance): 'We were not present at the slaughter of his people, and we are positively telling the truth.'"

27.50

surah 27 - verse 50

translator's name verse
Arberry And they devised a device, and We likewise devised a device, while they were not aware;
Maududi Thus they planned and We too planned, the while they did not know.
Pickthall So they plotted a plot: and We plotted a plot, while they perceived not.
Sahih And they planned a plan, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.
Yusuf Ali They plotted and planned, but We too planned, even while they perceived it not.

27.51

surah 27 - verse 51

translator's name verse
Arberry and behold, how was the end of their device! For We destroyed them and their people all together.
Maududi So see what was the outcome of the plan they made: We utterly destroyed them and their people, all of them.
Pickthall Then see the nature of the consequence of their plotting, for lo! We destroyed them and their people, every one.
Sahih Then look how was the outcome of their plan - that We destroyed them and their people, all.
Yusuf Ali Then see what was the end of their plot!- this, that We destroyed them and their people, all (of them).

27.52

surah 27 - verse 52

translator's name verse
Arberry Those are their houses, all fallen down because of the evil they committed; surely in that is a sign for a people who have knowledge.
Maududi Now behold their houses that lie in utter ruins because of their wrong-doing. Verily there is a Sign in this for the people who know.
Pickthall See, yonder are their dwellings empty and in ruins because they did wrong. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for a people who have knowledge.
Sahih So those are their houses, desolate because of the wrong they had done. Indeed in that is a sign for people who know.
Yusuf Ali Now such were their houses, - in utter ruin, - because they practised wrong-doing. Verily in this is a Sign for people of knowledge.

27.53

surah 27 - verse 53

translator's name verse
Arberry And We delivered those who believed and were godfearing.
Maududi And We delivered those who believed and were wont to avoid disobeying (Allah).
Pickthall And we saved those who believed and used to ward off (evil).
Sahih And We saved those who believed and used to fear Allah.
Yusuf Ali And We saved those who believed and practised righteousness.

27.54

surah 27 - verse 54

translator's name verse
Arberry And Lot, when he said to his people, 'What, do you commit indecency with your eyes open?
Maududi We also sent Lot, and recall when he told his people: "Do you commit shameless acts with your eyes open?
Pickthall And Lot! when he said unto his folk: Will ye commit abomination knowingly?
Sahih And [mention] Lot, when he said to his people, "Do you commit immorality while you are seeing?
Yusuf Ali (We also sent) Lut (as a messenger): behold, He said to his people, "Do ye do what is shameful though ye see (its iniquity)?

27.55

surah 27 - verse 55

translator's name verse
Arberry What, do you approach men lustfully instead of women? No, you are a people that are ignorant.'
Maududi Do you lustfully approach men instead of women? Nay, you engage in acts of sheer ignorance."
Pickthall Must ye needs lust after men instead of women? Nay, but ye are folk who act senselessly.
Sahih Do you indeed approach men with desire instead of women? Rather, you are a people behaving ignorantly."
Yusuf Ali Would ye really approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay, ye are a people (grossly) ignorant!

27.56

surah 27 - verse 56

translator's name verse
Arberry And the only answer of his people was that they said, 'Expel the folk of Lot from your city; they are men that keep themselves clean!'
Maududi But this had only one answer from his people. They said: "Expel Lot's folk from your city. They pretend to be absolutely clean."
Pickthall But the answer of his folk was naught save that they said: Expel the household of Lot from your township, for they (forsooth) are folk who would keep clean!
Sahih But the answer of his people was not except that they said, "Expel the family of Lot from your city. Indeed, they are people who keep themselves pure."
Yusuf Ali But his people gave no other answer but this: they said, "Drive out the followers of Lut from your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!"

27.57

surah 27 - verse 57

translator's name verse
Arberry So We delivered him and his family, except his wife; We decreed she should be of those that tarried.
Maududi Eventually We saved (Lot) and his family, except his wife. We had decreed that she should be among those who would remain behind.
Pickthall Then We saved him and his household save his wife; We destined her to be of those who stayed behind.
Sahih So We saved him and his family, except for his wife; We destined her to be of those who remained behind.
Yusuf Ali But We saved him and his family, except his wife; her We destined to be of those who lagged behind.

27.58

surah 27 - verse 58

translator's name verse
Arberry And We rained on them a rain; and evil indeed is the rain of them that are warned.
Maududi And We rained down upon them a rain. It was an evil rain for those who had already been warned.
Pickthall And We rained a rain upon them. Dreadful is the rain of those who have been warned.
Sahih And We rained upon them a rain [of stones], and evil was the rain of those who were warned.
Yusuf Ali And We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): and evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but heeded not)!

27.59

surah 27 - verse 59

translator's name verse
Arberry Say: 'Praise belongs to God, and peace be on His servants whom He has chosen.' What, is God better, or that they associate?
Maududi Say, (O Muhammad): "All praise be to Allah, and peace be on those of His servants whom He has chosen." (Ask them): "Who is better: Allah or the false gods that they associate with Him as His partners?
Pickthall Say (O Muhammad): Praise be to Allah, and peace be on His slaves whom He hath chosen! Is Allah best, or (all) that ye ascribe as partners (unto Him)?
Sahih Say, [O Muhammad], "Praise be to Allah, and peace upon His servants whom He has chosen. Is Allah better or what they associate with Him?"
Yusuf Ali Say: Praise be to Allah, and Peace on his servants whom He has chosen (for his Message). (Who) is better?- Allah or the false gods they associate (with Him)?

27.60

surah 27 - verse 60

translator's name verse
Arberry He who created the heavens and earth, and sent down for you out of heaven water; and We caused to grow therewith gardens full of loveliness whose trees you could never grow. Is there a god with God? Nay, but they are a people who assign to Him equals!
Maududi Who is it that has created the heavens and the earth and sent down for you water from the sky and then We caused to grow therewith orchards full of beauty whose trees you could never grow. Is there any god associated with Allah (in these tasks)?" Nay, they are a people who are veering away from the Right Path.
Pickthall Is not He (best) Who created the heavens and the earth, and sendeth down for you water from the sky wherewith We cause to spring forth joyous orchards, whose trees it never hath been yours to cause to grow. Is there any Allah beside Allah? Nay, but they are folk who ascribe equals (unto Him)!
Sahih [More precisely], is He [not best] who created the heavens and the earth and sent down for you rain from the sky, causing to grow thereby gardens of joyful beauty which you could not [otherwise] have grown the trees thereof? Is there a deity with Allah? [No], but they are a people who ascribe equals [to Him].
Yusuf Ali Or, Who has created the heavens and the earth, and Who sends you down rain from the sky? Yea, with it We cause to grow well-planted orchards full of beauty of delight: it is not in your power to cause the growth of the trees in them. (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Nay, they are a people who swerve from justice.