An-Naml (ٱلنَّمْل)

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.

The Story of Prophet Sulaiman and the Queen of Sheba in Surah An-Naml (ٱلنَّمْل) 

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

طٰسۗ۝۰ۣ تِلْكَ اٰيٰتُ الْقُرْاٰنِ وَكِتَابٍ مُّبِيْنٍ۝۱ۙ
Taseen tilka ayatu alqurani wakitabin mubeenin

English

Ahmed Ali

TA SIN. THESE are the verses of the Qur'an, and collection of explicit laws,

1

ہُدًى وَّبُشْرٰي لِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ۝۲ۙ
Hudan wabushra lilmumineena

English

Ahmed Ali

A guidance and good tidings for the believers,

2

الَّذِيْنَ يُقِيْمُوْنَ الصَّلٰوۃَ وَيُؤْتُوْنَ الزَّكٰوۃَ وَہُمْ بِالْاٰخِرَۃِ ہُمْ يُوْقِنُوْنَ۝۳
Allatheena yuqeemoona alssalata wayutoona alzzakata wahum bialakhirati hum yooqinoona

English

Ahmed Ali

Who fulfil their devotional obligations, pay the zakat, and believe with certainty in the life to come.

3

اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ لَا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِالْاٰخِرَۃِ زَيَّنَّا لَہُمْ اَعْمَالَہُمْ فَہُمْ يَعْمَہُوْنَ۝۴ۭ
Inna allatheena la yuminoona bialakhirati zayyanna lahum aAAmalahum fahum yaAAmahoona

English

Ahmed Ali

We make their deeds attractive to those who do not believe in the Hereafter, so that they may wander in perplexity.

4

اُولٰۗىِٕكَ الَّذِيْنَ لَہُمْ سُوْۗءُ الْعَذَابِ وَہُمْ فِي الْاٰخِرَۃِ ہُمُ الْاَخْسَرُوْنَ۝۵
Olaika allatheena lahum sooo alAAathabi wahum fee alakhirati humu alakhsaroona

English

Ahmed Ali

They are those who will suffer the worst chastisement in this life, and will be the greatest losers in the life to come.

5

وَاِنَّكَ لَتُلَقَّى الْقُرْاٰنَ مِنْ لَّدُنْ حَكِيْمٍ عَلِيْمٍ۝۶
Wainnaka latulaqqa alqurana min ladun hakeemin AAaleemin

English

Ahmed Ali

You have been conveyed the Qur'an from One all-wise and all-knowing.

6

اِذْ قَالَ مُوْسٰي لِاَہْلِہٖۗ اِنِّىْۗ اٰنَسْتُ نَارًا۝۰ۭ سَاٰتِيْكُمْ مِّنْہَا بِخَــبَرٍ اَوْ اٰتِيْكُمْ بِشِہَابٍ قَبَسٍ لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَصْطَلُوْنَ۝۷
Ith qala moosa liahlihi innee anastu naran saateekum minha bikhabarin aw ateekum bishihabin qabasin laAAallakum tastaloona

English

Ahmed Ali

(Remember) when Moses said to his family: "I see a fire. I shall bring you news from it, or bring an ember that you may warm yourselves."

7

فَلَمَّا جَاۗءَہَا نُوْدِيَ اَنْۢ بُوْرِكَ مَنْ فِي النَّارِ وَمَنْ حَوْلَہَا۝۰ۭ وَسُبْحٰنَ اللہِ رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ۝۸
Falamma jaaha noodiya an boorika man fee alnnari waman hawlaha wasubhana Allahi rabbi alAAalameena

English

Ahmed Ali

But when he reached it, a voice called out: "Blessed is He who is in the fire and all around it. Praised be God, the Lord of all the worlds.

8

يٰمُوْسٰۗي اِنَّہٗۗ اَنَا اللہُ الْعَزِيْزُ الْحَكِيْمُ۝۹ۙ
Ya moosa innahu ana Allahu alAAazeezu alhakeemu

English

Ahmed Ali

O Moses, I am that God, the mighty and all-wise.

9

وَاَلْقِ عَصَاكَ۝۰ۭ فَلَمَّا رَاٰہَا تَہْتَزُّ كَاَنَّہَا جَاۗنٌّ وَّلّٰى مُدْبِرًا وَّلَمْ يُعَقِّبْ۝۰ۭ يٰمُوْسٰي لَا تَخَفْ۝۰ۣ اِنِّىْ لَا يَخَافُ لَدَيَّ الْمُرْسَلُوْنَ۝۱۰ۤۖ
Waalqi AAasaka falamma raaha tahtazzu kaannaha jannun walla mudbiran walam yuAAaqqib ya moosa la takhaf innee la yakhafu ladayya almursaloona

English

Ahmed Ali

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

Themes and Subject Matter of Surah An-Naml (ٱلنَّمْل)

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.

Virtues and Benefits of Surah An-Naml (ٱلنَّمْل)

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.