Al-Ankabut (الْعَنْكَبُوت) is the 29th surah of the Quran. It is one of the 29 surahs of the Quran that start with “Mysterious Letters”, known as Haroof e Muqatta’at (حُرُوف مُقَطَّعَات). Al-Ankabut starts with the mysterious letters الۗمّۗ, the meanings and purpose of which are best known only to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. The name of the Surah is taken from its 41st verse, where the word الْعَنْكَبُوْتِ appears. The Arabic word Al-Ankabut (الْعَنْكَبُوْتِ) means “Spider.”
The 41st verse of Surah Al-Ankabut narrates the example of a spider's house, which is known as the flimsiest of structures. By giving this example, disbelievers are warned that their act of seeking protection from anyone other than Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, is just like the house of a spider, the weakest of all. Hence, they are warned to believe in the Oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَى, and seek only His protection, as He is the Creator of this entire Universe. The believers, who were facing oppressive actions by the disbelievers of Mecca, are advised to face this difficult time with courage. Simultaneously, they are also encouraged to settle somewhere else, which points to the first Hijra (Migration) to Habshah, which took place soon after the revelation of this Surah.
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Soon after the Prophet Muhammad’s صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ Prophethood, the Quraysh tribe of Mecca started opposing him. The newly converted Muslims, especially the poor and the weak, were being tortured. As a whole, the believers, as well as the Prophet himself, were subjected to oppressive actions at the hands of the disbelieving Quraysh. The persecution was increasing with every passing day. Life was made so difficult for the Muslims in Mecca that some of them adopted a hypocritical style of living, just to avoid the persecution of the disbelievers.
In the backdrop of this ongoing critical time for newly converted Muslims, Surah Al-Ankabut was revealed. The purpose of this revelation was to encourage the Muslims to face this difficult time with patience, as the previous Prophets and their nations also faced such hostility, but eventually the help and assistance of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, came to rescue them. Likewise, it is also specifically mentioned that Allah's سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ land is so vast, so if they should leave this place and find a better place for them, where they might live peacefully. This instruction points towards the first ever migration (Hijra) of the Muslims of Mecca, where they migrated to Habshah.
Hence, the purpose of the revelation of Surah Al-Ankabut was to make the believers realize that difficult time comes in the way of righteousness, as was faced by the previous nations. At the same time, the believers were encouraged to migrate to a peaceful place, where they might live a safer life.
The subject matter of Surah Al-Ankabut precisely evidences that it was revealed before the first Hijra of Muslims of Mecca, where they migrated to Habshah. Hence, it is the consensus of the majority of the commentators that this Surah was revealed in Mecca. Some scholars believe that the verses addressed to the hypocrites may have been revealed during the Prophet's stay in Medina. But the fact is that these verses are about the hypocrisy of those Muslims of Mecca who adopted this policy due to the fear of the oppression of Quraysh. Therefore, this Surah is unanimously considered as the Makki Surah.
It is the 29th Surah of the Quran. Surah Al-Ankabut is split in Juzz (para) 20 and 21. Surah Al-Ankabut comes before Surah Ar-Rum (30th Surah) and after Surah Al-Qasas (28th Surah). It is the 29th Surah per the order of recitation, where it comes at number 85 in the order of revelation.
Surah Al-Ankabut comprises 69 verses.
Surah Al-Ankabut is divided into 7 sections (Rukus).
Surah Al-Ankabut carries huge spiritual and practical significance. It was revealed during a very critical phase, in the earlier and middle stages of the spread of Islam. In that context, Surah Al-Ankabut provides a powerful base in strengthening the faith (Iman) of the newly converted Muslims. At that point in time, these Muslims were facing ever-increasing persecution at the hands of disbelievers. It clearly differentiates between the true believers and those who had developed a hypocritical lifestyle to avoid persecution. The surah specifically addresses the concerns of the youth, who had accepted Islam but were being pressured by their parents. Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَى clearly commanded in this surah that the children are not bound to obey their parents, if they call them back to polytheism (shirk).
Surah Al-Ankabut addresses another very sensitive and critical issue of that time. Muslims are urged to migrate to a safer place if they are facing difficulties in maintaining their faith. They are asked to leave their home but not their faith and find some other place where they can live peacefully, while maintaining their faith. This paved the way for the first migration in the history of Islam. By giving the example of the spider's web, it is mentioned that finding protection from anyone other than the One Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, is just like the home of a spider, which is the flimsiest of structures. Similarly, by giving the examples of the previous Prophets, it is established that they and their followers stood firm on their faith; hence, it is a lesson for the Muslims as well. The Surah is therefore a sort of lesson for the Muslims that:
The main theme of Surah Al-Ankabut is to guide the newly converted Muslims to strengthen their faith and to admonish those who had adopted a hypocritical way of life, only to avoid persecution. This matter is explicitly discussed in the first part of the Surah, which is addressed to the believers. While urging them to stand firm on their faith, it is mentioned that the hardship is a trial for them. It is also mentioned here that if your parents ask you to leave Islam, you are not bound to obey them. Although the Quran gives a prime status to the parents, their children are urged not to obey them if they ask them to follow polytheism.
The next topic discussed in this Surah is the concept of migration. It is specifically mentioned that the Muslims should leave their current homes if they feel that the persecution is beyond the limits. They are urged to find some other peaceful place, as the land of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, is so vast. This resulted in the first migration of Muslims, from Mecca to Habshah.
Then the stories and references of various previous Prophets are also mentioned. The purpose of these stories is to make the new Muslims realize that hardship is a part of the test and trials, which earlier Prophets and their followers also faced. By mentioning these stories, the believers are urged to keep patience, as Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ will definitely help them come out of this difficult time.
The fate of the disbelievers is made clear by creating a resemblance of their endeavors to that of the house of spiders, which is the weakest of the structures. So, they are reminded that they would not get protection from anyone other than Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, in the life hereafter. The disbelievers are urged to try to understand the teachings of Islam, the reality of the concept of Oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, and the life hereafter. The concept of polytheism (shirk) is categorically refuted by inviting them to consider the signs of the Universe, as all these signs point towards the teachings of Islam, as conveyed to them by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
Being a Muslim, it is our unwavering belief that the verses of the Quran are the words of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. Reciting any of the verses or Surahs of the Quran carries enormous benefits. The same is also true for the verses of Surah Al-Ankabut. However, there are some specific benefits and virtues associated with different Surahs of the Quran. Al-Ankabut also has some specific virtues and benefits.
Some of the virtues and benefits of reciting this Surah include:
Correct recitation of the Quran, with exact pronunciation, is exceptionally important. Even a minor deviation in pronouncing a word or letter, or a phrase of the Quran, can alter its meaning entirely. Arabic is a highly sensitive language, where every word, phrase, and letter needs to be recited correctly to avoid misinterpretation. This precision becomes even more critical when reciting the Quran, as these are the words of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ, deserving the utmost care in pronunciation.
For a non-Arabic speaker, correctly pronouncing Quranic verses can be challenging. However, mastering Tajweed (proper recitation rules) is quite essential for them. Listening to the recitation of an authentic Qari can greatly help in learning the correct Tajweed. Additionally, sometimes you may prefer simply listening to the Quran rather than reciting it yourself.
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Al-Ankabut is an Arabic word, which can be translated as “Spider”. The relevance of this phrase is found in the 41st verse of this Surah.
There are 69 verses in Al-Ankabut.
It strengthens Iman (faith). It makes us realize that hardship is an essential part of the faith, as it is a test and trial for the believers. The examples of previous Prophets mentioned in this Surah also provide us with confidence that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ will help us come out of difficult times.
It can be recited anytime during the day or night. No specific time is associated with its recitation.
Yes, you can listen to it online on the Mobile Application of MuslimandQuran.