The Ant (Al-Naml)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ These are verses of the Qur'an,-a book that makes (things) clear; 1 A guide (to the Right Path); and glad tidings for the believers [who believe in the Oneness of Allah (i.e. Islamic Monotheism)]. 2 Who establish worship and pay the poor-due and are sure of the Hereafter. 3 As for those who will not believe in the life to come - behold, goodly have We made their own doings appear unto them, and so they stumble blindly to and fro 4 Such are those for whom there is an evil punishment, and in the Everlasting Life are the greatest losers. 5 (Muhammad), you have certainly received the Quran from the All-wise and All-knowing One. 6 Lo! [While lost in the desert,] Moses said to his family: "Behold, I perceive a fire [far away]; I may bring you from there some tiding [as to which way we are to pursue,] or bring you [at least] a burning brand so that you might warm yourselves." 7 But when he came to it, he was called: "Blessed is whosoever is in the fire, and whosoever is round about it! And glorified be Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). 8 Moses, I am God, the Majestic and All-wise. 9 [And then He said:] "Now throw down thy staff!" But when he saw it move rapidly, as if it were a serpent, he drew back [in terror,] and did not [dare to] return. [And God spoke to him again:] O Moses! Fear not - for, behold, no fear need the message-bearers have in My Presence, 10 Save him who hath done wrong and afterward hath changed evil for good. And lo! I am Forgiving, Merciful. 11 Put your hand in the bosom of your shirt; it will come out white without any blemish. This will be one of nine tokens for the Pharaoh and his people, who are a wicked lot indeed." 12 But when Our signs came to them visibly, they said: 'This is plain sorcery.' 13 And they belied them (those Ayat) wrongfully and arrogantly, though their ownselves were convinced thereof [i.e. those (Ayat) are from Allah, and Musa (Moses) is the Messenger of Allah in truth, but they disliked to obey Musa (Moses), and hated to believe in his Message of Monotheism]. So see what was the end of the Mufsidun (disbelievers, disobedient to Allah, evil-doers, liars.). 14