The Ant (Al-Naml)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ These are verses of the Qur'an,-a book that makes (things) clear; 1 As guidance and good tidings for the believers 2 Who fulfil their devotional obligations, pay the zakat, and believe with certainty in the life to come. 3 Lo! as for those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have made their works fairseeming unto them so that they are all astray. 4 Those are the ones for whom there will be the worst of punishment, and in the Hereafter they are the greatest losers. 5 Lo! as for thee (Muhammad), thou verily receivest the Qur'an from the presence of One Wise, Aware. 6 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. 7 And when he came near it he was called: 'Blessed be who is (Moses) in the fire and (the angels) who are around it! Exaltations to Allah, Lord of the Worlds! 8 "O Moses! verily, I am Allah, the exalted in might, the wise!.... 9 Throw down your staff." When he saw it wriggling like a serpent he turned his back and fled without turning (to look). "O Moses," (said the voice), "be not fearful. Surely those sent as messengers do not fear in My presence, 10 "Except him who has done wrong and afterwards has changed evil for good, then surely, I am Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 11 Now put your hand inside your cloak next to your bosom and it will come out [shining] white, without any blemish. This will be one of the nine signs for Pharaoh and his people: for truly they are a rebellious people." 12 But when Our signs came to them in all their clarity they said, "This is clearly sorcery!" 13 And they denied them, though their souls acknowledged them, for spite and arrogance. Then see the nature of the consequence for the wrong-doers! 14