The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

27. THE ANTS
A Meccan sura which takes its title from the ants mentioned in the Solomon
story (verses 18–19). It both opens and closes by describing the Quran as joyful
news for the believers and a warning for others. It gives stories of past prophets
and the destruction of the communities that disbelieved in them. Illustrations
are given of the nature of God’s power, contrasted with the total lack of power
of the ‘partners’ they worship beside Him, and descriptions are given of the
Day of Judgement for those who deny it.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1 Ta Sin
These are the verses of the Quran––a scripture that makes things
clear; 2 a guide and joyful news for the believers 3 who keep up the
prayer, pay the prescribed alms, and believe firmly in the life to
come. 4 As for those who do not believe in the life to come, We have
made their deeds seem alluring to them, so they wander blindly: 5 it
is they who will have the worst suffering, and will be the ones to lose
most in the life to come. 6 You [Prophet] receive the Quran from One
who is all wise, all knowing.
7 Moses said to his family, ‘I have seen a fire. I will bring you news
from there, or a burning stick for you to warm yourselves.’ 8 When he
reached the fire, a voice called: ‘Blessed is the person near this fire a
and those around it; b may God be exalted, the Lord of the Worlds.
9 Moses, I am God, the Mighty, the Wise. 10 Throw down your staff,’
but when he saw it moving like a snake, he turned and fled. ‘Moses,
do not be afraid! The messengers need have no fear in My presence,
11 I am truly most forgiving and merciful to those who do wrong, c
and then replace their evil with good. 12 Put your hand inside your
cloak and it will come out white, but unharmed. These are among
a Moses or God. Literally ‘in this fire’ (fi al-nari). Zamakhshari interprets fi as ‘near’,
while Qatada and Zajjaj understand nar ‘fire’ to mean nur ‘light’ (Razi).
b The angels.
c Cf. 28: 15. This is an allusion to a man Moses killed in Egypt.