Surah An-Naml (Arabic: ٱلنَّمْل, translation: the ant) is the 27th surah of the Quran and was revealed during the Prophet's (صلى الله عليه وسلم) residence in Mecca in around 616-620 AD. Allah revealed the surah to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) after Surah Ash-Shu'ara and before Surah Al-Qasas. The surah takes its name from the phrase وَادِ النَّمْلِ (wadi alnnaml) in verse 18. This verse retells how Prophet Sulaiman (عليه السلام) was amused by an Ant who told the army of ants to hide in their homes lest the fast-approaching army of Prophet Sulaiman (عليه السلام) crush them under its feet.
Surah An-Naml comprises 93 verses contained in 7 Rukus (small sections) and was revealed in two discourses. It is in Juz 19 and 20 of the Quran. The surah was revealed sometime between the 6th and 10th year of the prophethood, almost 2 – 6 years before hijrah. Therefore, it is a Makki (Meccan) surah. Like other Meccan surahs, Surah An-Naml urges people towards monotheism through the examples of the lives of the past prophets and signs of divinity in nature. The surah provided guidance and wisdom for believers. It emphasizes the importance of faith, guidance, and mercy of Allah. The surah symbolizes the battle between good and evil and highlights the significance of accepting the realities of the universe as presented in the Quran and submitting to Allah.
Surah An-Naml narrates the story of Prophet Sulaiman (عليه السلام), his wisdom, his kingdom, his exceptional abilities, and the prominence of his obedience to Allah سبحانه وتعالى. The surah demonstrates the power and authority of Allah سبحانه وتعالى over all creation. Allah had given Prophet Sulaiman the power to talk to humans, Jinns, and animals. He was the Prophet of Humans but also of the animals, birds, and insects. Surah An-Naml recounts the story of the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis) and how she converted to Islam, demonstrating her wisdom and acceptance of the truth. The surah maintains the unity and continuity of the message of all Prophets, including Prophet Sulaiman (عليه السلام) and Prophet Muhammad Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). The surah highlights three types of characters: the disbelieving Pharaoh, the obedient Prophet Sulaiman (عليه السلام) and the convert queen of Sheba (Bilqis).
The Quran says that the Prophet Sulaiman (عليه السلام), who was blessed with the wisdom of the language of birds, noticed the hoopoe bird missing from the assembly. He vowed that if the bird did not have a valid reason for missing the assembly, he would be punished. The bird returned with news of a distant land, Saba or Sheba, ruled by a beautiful Queen where people worshipped the sun. Prophet Sulaiman (عليه السلام) sent a letter to the Queen inviting her to submit to Allah سبحانه وتعالى. The Queen sent Sulaiman (عليه السلام) rich gifts to test whether he was a true Prophet. Indeed, the riches of this world held no sway over Sulaiman (عليه السلام), and he rejected her gifts. He told the ambassadors of the Queen that these gifts were nothing compared to what Allah had given him. He bid them to go back to their Queen and await a host that will humble them if they do not submit to Allah.
The Queen, upon hearing his answer, knew that he was a true prophet and decided to travel to his land. Before her arrival, Sulaiman (عليه السلام) had her throne brought and altered slightly to check her wisdom and whether she would be able to recognize her own throne. When the Queen arrived, she recognized her throne and declared her wisdom to Sulaiman (عليه السلام). Impressed by his wisdom and power, the Queen submitted to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). This story highlights the devotion of Sulaiman (عليه السلام) to Allah. He did not stray from the path of Allah despite being offered wealth beyond measure by the Queen. It also highlights the benefits to those people who hear the message of Allah and accept it. Bilqis, with the blessing of Allah, saw the signs and accepted Islam and thus became righteous and deserving of Allah's mercy. On the other hand, some, like the Pharaoh, were blind to Islam even when it was preached to them. Thus, they received punishment in this world and will receive it in the Hereafter.
٢٧ - ٱلنَّمْل
27 - An-Naml
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Surah An-Naml belongs to the same group of Surahs of the Quran, which were revealed during the middle phase of the Prophet Muhammad’s صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ Prophetic mission in Mecca. The purpose of these surahs was primarily to emphasize the basic Islamic concepts such as Oneness of Allah (Tawheed), Prophethood, Day of Judgment, Life after Death, and the reality and truth of Quranic Revelations. In addition, these Surahs contain the life stories of previous Prophets and their peoples.
At the time of the revelation of this Surah, the disbelievers were still in rejection and denial. They were not only rejecting the Prophethood but had also increased their persecution against the Muslims. They were consistently demanding miracles and Signs as proof of the reality and truth of Quranic revelations and the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. With that historical background, Surah An-Naml was revealed, after Surah Ash-Shu’aara. In the same pattern, the life stories of Prophets Musa, Sulayman, Saleh, and Lut عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ were narrated in Surah An-Naml. While the stories of other Prophets are mentioned briefly in this Surah, the story of the Prophet Sulayman عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ is narrated in detail.
It is mentioned that Prophet Sulayman عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was given a special skill by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, so he was able to understand the language of birds and animals. In this context, the Surah narrates the historic event when an ant (An-Naml) was instructing her fellow Ants to be careful of the caravan of the Prophet Sulayman عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ that was passing nearby. The Prophet Sulayman عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ heard this talk. Similarly, the story of Queen of Sheba (Saba’a) and her throne is also narrated as part of the life story of the Prophet Sulayman عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ. The purpose of narrating these two stories with reference to Prophet Sulayman عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was to emphasize that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ blessed His Prophet with immense virtues and worldly benefits, yet he always remained obedient and thankful to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ for all His Blessings.
Likewise, the stories of Prophets Musa, Lut, and Saleh عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ are also narrated. The purpose of narrating these stories in this Surah was to emphasize that, despite all rejection and denial by their people, finally the truth prevailed and the Prophets and their believers succeeded against disbelievers, whereas, even the wife of the Prophet Lut عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, who was among the disbelievers, also got the same punishment.
In the second part of this Surah, some of the most prominent and glaring signs of Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ have been mentioned, describing His Creations and His Ultimate Authority. In a broader sense, this surah defines three types of characters. First, being the Pharaoh, the leaders of Thamud, and the rebellious people of Lut. These were the characters who, despite seeing the glaring signs of Allah's سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ Creations and Authority, did not pay heed to their respective Prophets. In fact, they had become slaves of the worldly lifestyle. Eventually, they all faced the resulting punishment.
The second type of character was described with the example of the Prophet Sulayman عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ. He possessed huge wealth and a great Kingdom, in addition to a God-gifted ability to understand the language of birds and animals. In fact, his kingdom included humans, animals, birds, and Jinns. Despite all that, he was a true believer and referred to all these worldly benefits only as a blessing by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
The third type of character is modelled on the Queen of Sheba (Saba’a). She also possessed a Kingdom and held vast wealth and power, yet she adhered to the same customs of shirk that were prevalent at the time. However, when the Message of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ reached her, she, along with her people, accepted and entered into the group of believers.
By narrating these stories, the disbelievers of Mecca were reminded of the importance of accepting the Message of Islam so that they might not be destined for the ultimate consequences that the earlier disbelievers had faced.
Surah An-Naml is a Makki Surah, revealed during the early to middle phase of the Prophet Muhammad’s صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ stay in Mecca, most probably around the 4th year after his Prophethood.
It is the 27th Surah of the Quran and is placed in Juzz (Para) 19 and 20. It comes after Surah Ash-Shu’araa and before Surah Al-Qassas. It is the 48th Surah. In the order of revelation, whereas in the sequence of recitation, it is placed at number 27.
Surah An-Naml, like other Meccan Surahs of that particular period, provides strength to believers against the disbelievers. It is a rich source of strengthening one’s faith in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, no matter what the level of difficulties may be that they are facing. The stories of the previous Prophets, narrated in this Surah, also indicate that, despite the odds, the Prophets and their followers remained steadfast and ultimately achieved success.
The significance of this Surah is summarized here:
The surah emphasizes the signs of Allah's سبحانه وتعالى existence and power in the universe, warns of the consequences of denying the Hereafter, and encourages belief in it. The importance of serving only Allah سبحانه وتعالى is mentioned in the surah, followed by Allah's سبحانه وتعالى mercy and forgiveness. The surah asks believers to repent and seek forgiveness and symbolizes the battle between good and evil. It highlights the stories of Prophets, including Sulaiman (عليه السلام) and the Queen of Sheba and teaches humility and submission to Allah سبحانه وتعالى.
Warnings and consequences of disbelief and disobedience and guidance and wisdom for believers are mentioned. The surah focuses on how everything will turn to dust and only the believers will be able to see the light of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, highlighting the power and authority of Allah سبحانه وتعالى and reminds us of our responsibilities and righteousness. Generally, Surah Al-Naml serves as a reminder of the importance of faith, wisdom, and obedience to Allah while also showcasing the significance of Prophet Sulaiman's (عليه السلام) story and the unity of the Prophetic message and allows the believers to remain committed in their faith to seek knowledge and wisdom.
Reciting Surah An-Naml is said to protect one from evil forces and Satan's whispers. It provides guidance and wisdom for the believers. Reciting Surah An-Naml also increases one's knowledge and understanding. It is believed to provide relief from difficulties and hardships. Allah سبحانه وتعالى forgiveness and mercy are sought through this surah. It also protects from snakes and scorpions, bringing blessings and prosperity. It is believed to have healing properties and can be used as a cure for ailments. The surah helps in spiritual growth and development.
Some traditions suggest that Surah An-Naml will intercede on behalf of those who recite it on the Days of Judgment. The primary virtue of Surah An-Naml lies in its revelation as guidance for humanity. It cures sleeplessness and acts as a safeguard for property, getting rid of oppression or detention. Finally, the surah is also beneficial for those memorizing the Quran. The verses are easy to memorize, so they are a good place to start memorization.
The correct recitation of the Quranic verses might be somewhat difficult for some readers, especially for those whose mother tongue is not Arabic. On the other hand, the correct recitation of the Quran is critically important because even a slight error can alter its meaning. Listening to the recitation by an authentic reciter (Qari) might be a good source of learning on how to read the Quranic Surahs, including Surah An-Naml. Apart from that, one may sometimes prefer to listen to the Quran rather than read it. Listening to a recitation by an authentic Qari is highly beneficial for anyone interested in learning or listening to the Quranic verses.
At Muslims and Quran, we provide access to the recitation of the Quran by renowned, authentic Qaris. We have uploaded recitations of the Quran by the famous reciters (Qaris). You may select a Qari of your choice to listen to and learn the correct recitation of the Quran. You only need to download the MuslimandQuran mobile application to listen to any Surah of the Quran, including An-Naml.
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Surah An-Naml can be downloaded in PDF by following these simple steps:
An-Naml translates to “the ants”. In Surah An-Naml, it refers to the occasion when the Prophet Sulayman عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, who was blessed with the ability to understand the language of birds and animals, heard a talk between ants.
Surah An-Naml has 93 verses.
No, there is no specific Hadith about Surah An-Naml.
Yes, you can easily listen to it on any of your mobile devices or laptops, as all the Surahs of the Quran are available on the Mobile Application and Website of the MuslimandQuran.
The recitation of the Quranic Surahs, including An-Naml, carries huge rewards, not only in this world but also on the Day of Judgment. Therefore, recitation of this Surah may be beneficial, whenever recited, not necessarily on a daily basis. You can recite it whenever you like.
The Quran is beneficial for the entire humankind, irrespective of nationality and language. Hence, anyone who recites any of the surahs of the Quran, including An-Naml, will get the same benefits, whether they are Arabic or non-Arabic speaking. However, to get maximum benefits and guidance, it is better if we can understand its meanings while reciting it.