Chapter 27

Surah An Naml (The Ant)

27.1

surah 27 - verse 1

translator's name verse
Arberry Ta Sin. Those are the signs of the Koran and a Manifest Book,
Maududi Ta'. Sin. These are the verses of the Qur'an and a Clear Book;
Pickthall Ta. Sin. These are revelations of the Qur'an and a Scripture that maketh plain;
Sahih Ta, Seen. These are the verses of the Qur'an and a clear Book
Yusuf Ali These are verses of the Qur'an,-a book that makes (things) clear;

27.2

surah 27 - verse 2

translator's name verse
Arberry a guidance, and good tidings unto the believers
Maududi a guidance and good tidings for the believers
Pickthall A guidance and good tidings for believers
Sahih As guidance and good tidings for the believers
Yusuf Ali A guide: and glad tidings for the believers,-

27.3

surah 27 - verse 3

translator's name verse
Arberry who perform the prayer, and pay the alms, and have sure faith in the Hereafter.
Maududi who establish Prayer and give Zakah, and have firm faith in the Hereafter.
Pickthall Who establish worship and pay the poor-due and are sure of the Hereafter.
Sahih Who establish prayer and give zakah, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith].
Yusuf Ali Those who establish regular prayers and give in regular charity, and also have (full) assurance of the hereafter.

27.4

surah 27 - verse 4

translator's name verse
Arberry Those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have decked out fair for them their works, and they wander blindly;
Maududi As for those who do not believe in the Hereafter, We have made their deeds seem attractive to them so they stumble around in perplexity.
Pickthall Lo! as for those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have made their works fairseeming unto them so that they are all astray.
Sahih Indeed, for those who do not believe in the Hereafter, We have made pleasing to them their deeds, so they wander blindly.
Yusuf Ali As to those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have made their deeds pleasing in their eyes; and so they wander about in distraction.

27.5

surah 27 - verse 5

translator's name verse
Arberry those are they whom an evil chastisement awaits, and they will be the greatest losers in the Hereafter.
Maududi It is they for whom a grievous chastisement lies in store; it is they who shall be the greatest losers in the Hereafter.
Pickthall Those are they for whom is the worst of punishment, and in the Hereafter they will be the greatest losers.
Sahih Those are the ones for whom there will be the worst of punishment, and in the Hereafter they are the greatest losers.
Yusuf Ali Such are they for whom a grievous Penalty is (waiting); and in the Hereafter theirs will be the greatest loss.

27.6

surah 27 - verse 6

translator's name verse
Arberry Thou receivest the Koran from One All-wise, All-knowing.
Maududi As for you, (O Muhammad), you are receiving the Qur'an from the Most Wise, the All-Knowing.
Pickthall Lo! as for thee (Muhammad), thou verily receivest the Qur'an from the presence of One Wise, Aware.
Sahih And indeed, [O Muhammad], you receive the Qur'an from one Wise and Knowing.
Yusuf Ali As to thee, the Qur'an is bestowed upon thee from the presence of one who is wise and all-knowing.

27.7

surah 27 - verse 7

translator's name verse
Arberry When Moses said to his people 'I observe a fire, and will bring you news of it, or I will bring you a flaming brand, that haply you shall warm yourselves.'
Maududi (Recount to them) when Moses said to his family: "I perceive something like fire: soon will I bring to you some information from there, or I will bring you a burning brand that you may warm yourselves."
Pickthall (Remember) when Moses said unto his household: Lo! I spy afar off a fire; I will bring you tidings thence, or bring to you a borrowed flame that ye may warm yourselves.
Sahih [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."
Yusuf Ali Behold! Moses said to his family: "I perceive a fire; soon will I bring you from there some information, or I will bring you a burning brand to light our fuel, that ye may warm yourselves.

27.8

surah 27 - verse 8

translator's name verse
Arberry So, when he came to it, he was called: 'Blessed is he who is in the fire, and he who is about it. Glory be to God, the Lord of all Being!
Maududi But when Moses came to the fire, a call was sounded: "Blessed is He Who is in the fire and whatever is around it. Glory be to Allah, the Sustainer of all in the Universe.
Pickthall But when he reached it, he was called, saying: Blessed is Whosoever is in the fire and Whosoever is round about it! And Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!
Sahih But when he came to it, he was called, "Blessed is whoever is at the fire and whoever is around it. And exalted is Allah, Lord of the worlds.
Yusuf Ali But when he came to the (fire), a voice was heard: "Blessed are those in the fire and those around: and glory to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

27.9

surah 27 - verse 9

translator's name verse
Arberry Moses, behold, it is I, God, the All-mighty, the All-wise.
Maududi O Moses, verily this is Me, Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise!
Pickthall O Moses! Lo! it is I, Allah, the Mighty, the Wise.
Sahih O Moses, indeed it is I - Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Wise."
Yusuf Ali "O Moses! verily, I am Allah, the exalted in might, the wise!....

27.10

surah 27 - verse 10

translator's name verse
Arberry Cast down thy staff.' And when he saw it quivering like a serpent he turned about, retreating, and turned not back. 'Moses, fear not; surely the Envoys do not fear in My presence,
Maududi Now cast your rod!" But when he saw the rod writhing as though it were a serpent, he turned his back in retreat and did not even look behind. "O Moses, have no fear. Messengers have no fear in My presence,
Pickthall And throw down thy staff! But when he saw it writhing as it were a demon, he turned to flee headlong; (but it was said unto him): O Moses! Fear not! the emissaries fear not in My presence,
Sahih 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. [Allah said], "O Moses, fear not. Indeed, in My presence the messengers do not fear.
Yusuf Ali "Now do thou throw thy rod!" But when he saw it moving (of its own accord) as if it had been a snake, he turned back in retreat, and retraced not his steps: "O Moses!" (it was said), "Fear not: truly, in My presence, those called as messengers have no fear,-

27.11

surah 27 - verse 11

translator's name verse
Arberry save him who has done evil, then; after evil, has changed into good; All-forgiving am I, All-compassionate.
Maududi except he who has committed some wrong. But if he substitutes good in place of evil, I am Most Forgiving, Most Compassionate.
Pickthall Save him who hath done wrong and afterward hath changed evil for good. And lo! I am Forgiving, Merciful.
Sahih Otherwise, he who wrongs, then substitutes good after evil - indeed, I am Forgiving and Merciful.
Yusuf Ali "But if any have done wrong and have thereafter substituted good to take the place of evil, truly, I am Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

27.12

surah 27 - verse 12

translator's name verse
Arberry Thrust thy hand in thy bosom and it will come forth white without evil-among nine signs to Pharaoh and his people; they are an ungodly people.'
Maududi Now put your hand into your bosom, and it will come forth shining without any blemish. (These are two of the) nine Signs to be carried to Pharaoh and his people. They are surely a wicked people."
Pickthall And put thy hand into the bosom of thy robe, it will come forth white but unhurt. (This will be one) among nine tokens unto Pharaoh and his people Lo! they were ever evil-living folk.
Sahih 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."
Yusuf Ali "Now put thy hand into thy bosom, and it will come forth white without stain (or harm): (these are) among the nine Signs (thou wilt take) to Pharaoh and his people: for they are a people rebellious in transgression."

27.13

surah 27 - verse 13

translator's name verse
Arberry But when Our signs came to them visibly, they said, 'This is a manifest sorcery';
Maududi But when Our Clear Signs came to them, they said: "This is plain magic."
Pickthall But when Our tokens came unto them, plain to see, they said: This is mere magic,
Sahih But when there came to them Our visible signs, they said, "This is obvious magic."
Yusuf Ali But when Our Signs came to them, that should have opened their eyes, they said: "This is sorcery manifest!"

27.14

surah 27 - verse 14

translator's name verse
Arberry and they denied them, though their souls acknowledged them, wrongfully and out of pride. Behold, how was the end of the workers of corruption!
Maududi They denied those Signs out of iniquity and arrogance although their hearts were convinced of their truth. So see how evil was the end of those mischief-makers!
Pickthall And they denied them, though their souls acknowledged them, for spite and arrogance. Then see the nature of the consequence for the wrong-doers!
Sahih 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.
Yusuf Ali And they rejected those Signs in iniquity and arrogance, though their souls were convinced thereof: so see what was the end of those who acted corruptly!

27.15

surah 27 - verse 15

translator's name verse
Arberry And We gave David and Solomon knowledge and they said, 'Praise belongs to God who has preferred us over many of His believing servants.'
Maududi (On the other hand), We granted knowledge to David and Solomon and they said: "All praise be to Allah Who has exalted us above many of His believing servants!"
Pickthall And We verily gave knowledge unto David and Solomon, and they said: Praise be to Allah, Who hath preferred us above many of His believing slaves!
Sahih And We had certainly given to David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, "Praise [is due] to Allah, who has favored us over many of His believing servants."
Yusuf Ali We gave (in the past) knowledge to David and Solomon: And they both said: "Praise be to Allah, Who has favoured us above many of his servants who believe!"

27.16

surah 27 - verse 16

translator's name verse
Arberry And Solomon was David's heir, and he said, 'Men, we have been taught the speech of the birds, and we have been given of everything; surely this is indeed the manifest bounty.'
Maududi And Solomon succeeded David and said: "O people, we have been taught the speech of birds and we have been endowed with all kinds of things. Surely this is a conspicuous favour (from Allah)."
Pickthall And Solomon was David's heir. And he said: O mankind! Lo! we have been taught the language of birds, and have been given (abundance) of all things. This surely is evident favour.
Sahih 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."
Yusuf Ali And Solomon was David's heir. He said: "O ye people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and on us has been bestowed (a little) of all things: this is indeed Grace manifest (from Allah.)"

27.17

surah 27 - verse 17

translator's name verse
Arberry And his hosts were mustered to Solomon, jinn, men and birds, duly disposed;
Maududi Hosts of jinn and humans and birds were marshalled for Solomon and were kept under full control.
Pickthall And there were gathered together unto Solomon his armies of the jinn and humankind, and of the birds, and they were set in battle order;
Sahih And gathered for Solomon were his soldiers of the jinn and men and birds, and they were [marching] in rows.
Yusuf Ali And before Solomon were marshalled his hosts,- of Jinns and men and birds, and they were all kept in order and ranks.

27.18

surah 27 - verse 18

translator's name verse
Arberry till, when they came on the Valley of Ants, an ant said, 'Ants, enter your dwelling-places, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you, being unaware!'
Maududi (Solomon was once on the move with them) until when they reached a valley of ants one of the ants said: "O ants, get into your holes, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (under their feet) without even knowing."
Pickthall Till, when they reached the Valley of the Ants, an ant exclaimed: O ants! Enter your dwellings lest Solomon and his armies crush you, unperceiving.
Sahih 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."
Yusuf Ali At length, when they came to a (lowly) valley of ants, one of the ants said: "O ye ants, get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (under foot) without knowing it."

27.19

surah 27 - verse 19

translator's name verse
Arberry But he smiled, laughing at its words, and he said, 'My Lord, dispose me that I may be thankful for Thy blessing wherewith Thou hast blessed me and my father and mother, and that I may do righteousness well-pleasing to Thee; and do Thou admit me, by Thy mercy, amongst Thy righteous servants.'
Maududi Smiling at the ant's utterance, Solomon burst into laughter and said: "My Lord! Hold me under (Your) control that I may render thanks for the favour which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may act righteously in a manner that would please You. Include me, out of Your Mercy, among Your righteous servants."
Pickthall And (Solomon) smiled, laughing at her speech, and said: My Lord, arouse me to be thankful for Thy favour wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and to do good that shall be pleasing unto Thee, and include me in (the number of) Thy righteous slaves.
Sahih So [Solomon] smiled, amused at her speech, and said, "My Lord, enable me 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."
Yusuf Ali So he smiled, amused at her speech; and he said: "O my Lord! so order me that I may be grateful for Thy favours, which thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may work the righteousness that will please Thee: And admit me, by Thy Grace, to the ranks of Thy righteous Servants."

27.20

surah 27 - verse 20

translator's name verse
Arberry And he reviewed the birds; then he said, 'How is it with me, that I do not see the hoopoe? Or is he among the absent?
Maududi (On another occasion) Solomon inspected the birds and said: "Why is it that I do not see the hoopoe? Is he among the absentees?
Pickthall And he sought among the birds and said: How is it that I see not the hoopoe, or is he among the absent?
Sahih And he took attendance of the birds and said, "Why do I not see the hoopoe - or is he among the absent?
Yusuf Ali And he took a muster of the Birds; and he said: "Why is it I see not the Hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?