Sūrah An-Naml

āyāt 3–8

These verses first describe those who truly believe: they establish prayer, give zakāh, and are certain about the Hereafter. In contrast, those who do not believe in the Hereafter find their deeds pleasing to them, so they wander aimlessly, and for them awaits the worst punishment and the greatest loss in the Hereafter. The Qur'an given to the Prophet ﷺ comes from one who is All-Wise and All-Knowing. Then, it recounts a moment when Mūsā عليه السلام saw a fire and told his family he would bring them information or a torch to warm themselves; when he approached it, a voice called out, proclaiming blessings upon those at and around the fire, and praising Allāh, the Lord of all worlds.

āyāt 9–14

Allāh addressed Prophet Moses عليه السلام, declaring Himself to be the Exalted in Might and the Wise. He commanded Prophet Moses عليه السلام to throw down his staff, and when it turned into a writhing snake, Prophet Moses عليه السلام fled. Allāh reassured him not to fear, stating that messengers do not fear in His presence, except for those who do wrong and then replace their evil with good, for Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful. Allāh then instructed Prophet Moses عليه السلام to put his hand into his garment, promising it would emerge white without blemish, as one of nine signs for Pharaoh and his people, who were defiantly disobedient. However, when Allāh's clear signs came to Pharaoh's people, they dismissed them as obvious magic and rejected them despite their inner conviction, due to their injustice and arrogance. The passage concludes by inviting reflection on the fate of those who spread corruption.

āyāt 15

Allāh states that He had certainly granted knowledge to Prophet Dawūd عليه السلام and Prophet Sulaymān عليه السلام. They both responded by praising Allāh, recognizing that He had favored them above many of His believing servants.

āyāt 17

This passage describes how the army of Sulaymān عليه السلام was assembled, consisting of jinn, humans, and birds, all arranged in orderly ranks.

āyāt 20–21

Prophet Sulaymān عليه السلام once inspected his birds and noticed the hoopoe was missing. He wondered why he didn't see the hoopoe, asking if it was absent. He then declared that he would severely punish or even slay the hoopoe unless it came to him with a compelling reason for its absence.

āyāt 23–26

The hoopoe reported to Prophet Sulaymān عليه السلام that it found a woman ruling a people. She possessed many things, including a magnificent throne. The hoopoe also saw her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of to Allāh, because Satan had made their actions appealing to them and diverted them from the right path, so they were not guided. Therefore, they did not prostrate to Allāh, who reveals all that is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows everything people conceal and disclose. This Allāh is the only Deity, the Lord of the magnificent Throne.

āyāt 27–29

Prophet Sulaymān عليه السلام said that he would see if the hoopoe was truthful in its report, or if it was lying. He instructed the bird to take his letter and deliver it to the people, then to leave them and observe their response. The queen then addressed her advisors, informing them that she had received a noble letter.

āyāt 31–36

Prophet Sulaymān عليه السلام sent a message instructing the queen not to be arrogant and to come to him in submission. The queen then consulted her advisors, who emphasized their strength and military might, but left the final decision to her. She explained that kings, upon conquering a city, typically ruin it and humble its respected people, but she decided to send a gift and await the messengers' return before acting.

āyāt 37–39

The queen's messengers are told to return to their people, as an army will surely come to them that they cannot resist, and they will be driven out from their land in disgrace and humiliation. Prophet Sulaymān عليه السلام then asked his assembly of jinn who among them could bring him the queen's throne before she and her people arrived in submission. A powerful jinn responded that he could bring it before Prophet Sulaymān عليه السلام even rose from his seat, affirming his strength and trustworthiness for the task.

āyāt 41–43

Sulaymān عليه السلام then ordered that her throne be disguised so they could see if she would recognize the truth or remain among those who are not guided. When she arrived, she was asked if her throne looked like that. She replied that it looked as if it were indeed her own, and Sulaymān عليه السلام added that they had been given knowledge before her and had already submitted to God. He also mentioned that what she used to worship instead of God had led her astray, for she came from a people who disbelieved.

āyāt 45–50

Allāh sent Ṣāliḥ عليه السلام to his people, Thamūd, telling them to worship Allāh alone, but they immediately split into two opposing groups. Ṣāliḥ عليه السلام asked them why they rushed to evil instead of good, urging them to seek Allāh's forgiveness so they might receive mercy. They accused him and his followers of being a bad omen, but he clarified that their destiny was with Allāh, and they were undergoing a test. Within the city, nine leaders spread corruption, and they conspired to secretly kill Ṣāliḥ عليه السلام and his family, then deny any knowledge, but Allāh also had a plan, which they did not perceive.

āyāt 51

Consider what happened as a result of the Thamūd's scheme; God utterly destroyed them and all their people.

āyāt 53–58

This passage describes that Allāh saved those who believed and were mindful of Him. It then recounts Prophet Lūṭ عليه السلام asking his people why they engaged in immorality openly, approaching men with desire instead of women, calling them an ignorant people. His people's only response was to demand that Prophet Lūṭ عليه السلام and his family be expelled from their city, claiming they were people who kept themselves pure. Consequently, Allāh saved Prophet Lūṭ عليه السلام and his family, except for his wife who was destined to remain behind, and then rained stones upon the disbelievers, a terrible rain for those who had been warned.

āyāt 59–61

The Prophet ﷺ is told to declare praise to Allah and peace upon His chosen servants, and then to ask if Allah is better than what people associate with Him. It asks if the best One is not He who created the heavens and the earth, sending down rain to grow beautiful gardens whose trees humans could not have grown. Then it asks if there is any other deity with Allah, concluding that those who attribute partners to Him are a people who do not know.

āyāt 63–64

These verses ask if anyone but God guides you through the darkness of land and sea and sends winds as good news before His rain. They challenge the idea of any other god, reminding us that God is far above what people associate with Him. The verses further ask if anyone else originates creation and then repeats it, providing sustenance from the heavens and earth. They then challenge those who claim there is another god to present their proof, if they are truthful.

āyāt 66–71

Some people have limited knowledge about the Hereafter, are in doubt about it, and are blind to its reality. The disbelievers ask how they and their forefathers could be brought out from their graves after turning to dust, claiming this promise was made before and is just a myth of ancient peoples. The Prophet ﷺ is told to travel through the land and observe the end of those who commit crimes. He ﷺ should not grieve over them or be distressed by their plots, even as they challenge, asking when this promised Day will come if he ﷺ is truthful.

āyāt 72–77

The Prophet ﷺ is instructed to tell people that the punishment they are impatiently asking for might already be very close to them. Your Lord is full of grace for humanity, but most people do not show gratitude. Indeed, your Lord knows everything that is hidden in people's hearts and everything they say openly. And there is nothing hidden in the heavens or on Earth except that it is recorded in a clear Book. This Qur'an clarifies for the Children of Israel many of the matters they dispute, and it is a source of guidance and mercy for those who believe.

āyāt 78–83

This passage states that your Lord will judge between people with His wise judgment, for He is All-Mighty and All-Knowing. It tells the Prophet ﷺ to rely on Allāh, as he is upon a clear truth. It then explains that the Prophet ﷺ cannot make the dead hear, nor the deaf, especially when they turn away, nor can he guide the blind from their error; he can only make those hear who believe in God's signs and submit to Him. It further warns that when God's decree comes upon them, a creature from the earth will emerge to speak to them, confirming that people lacked certainty in God's signs, and it describes the Day when God will gather groups from every nation who denied His signs, and they will be driven in rows.

āyāt 84–89

When people arrive at the Day of Judgement, God will ask them why they denied His signs without full knowledge, and His decree will then fall upon them for their wrongdoing, leaving them speechless. God asks if they don't see how He made the night for rest and the day for sight, as these are clear signs for those who believe. The āyāt then describe the Day the Horn will be blown, causing terror to all in the heavens and earth except those God wills, and everyone will come to Him in humility. On that Day, the mountains that seemed motionless will pass like clouds, all part of the perfect work of God, Who is aware of all that you do. Whoever comes with a good deed will receive a better reward and be safe from the terror of that Day.

āyāt 90–92

Those who commit evil deeds will be dragged into the Fire on their faces, being justly repaid only for what they did. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is commanded to worship the Lord of this sacred city, to whom everything belongs, and to be among those who submit to God. He ﷺ is also commanded to recite the Qur’ān, and it is made clear that guidance benefits only the one who receives it, while those who go astray will find that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is merely a warner.