Quran chapter: Chapter 29: The Spider (Al-‘Ankaboot)‎

A. L. M.*

الم

Alif-Laaam-Meeem

*29:1 See Appendix 1 for details of the Quran’s mathematical composition, and the meaning of these previously mysterious Quranic Initials.

(The Test is Mandatory)

Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe,” without being put to the test?

أَحَسِبَ النّاسُ أَن يُترَكوا أَن يَقولوا ءامَنّا وَهُم لا يُفتَنونَ

ahasiban naasu any yutrakooo any yaqoolooo aamannaa wa hum la yuftanoon

We have tested those before them, for God must distinguish those who are truthful, and He must expose the liars.

وَلَقَد فَتَنَّا الَّذينَ مِن قَبلِهِم فَلَيَعلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذينَ صَدَقوا وَلَيَعلَمَنَّ الكٰذِبينَ

wa laqad fatannal lazeena min qablihim fala ya’lamannal laahul lazeena sadaqoo wa la ya’lamannal kaazibeen

Do those who commit sins think that they can ever fool us? Wrong indeed is their judgment.

أَم حَسِبَ الَّذينَ يَعمَلونَ السَّيِّـٔاتِ أَن يَسبِقونا ساءَ ما يَحكُمونَ

am hasibal lazeena ya’maloonas sayyiaati any yasbiqoonaa; saaa’a maa yahkumoon

Anyone hoping to meet God, (should know that) such a meeting with God will most assuredly come to pass. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.

مَن كانَ يَرجوا لِقاءَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ أَجَلَ اللَّهِ لَـٔاتٍ وَهُوَ السَّميعُ العَليمُ

man kaana yarjoo liqaaa ‘allaahi fa inna ajalal laahi la’aat; wa Huwass Sameeul ‘Aleem

Those who strive, strive for their own good. God is in no need of anyone.

وَمَن جٰهَدَ فَإِنَّما يُجٰهِدُ لِنَفسِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَغَنِىٌّ عَنِ العٰلَمينَ

wa man jaahada fainnamaa yujaahidu linafsih; innal laaha laghaniyyun ‘anil ‘aalameen

Those who believe and lead a righteous life, we will certainly remit their sins, and will certainly reward them generously for their righteous works.

وَالَّذينَ ءامَنوا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ لَنُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنهُم سَيِّـٔاتِهِم وَلَنَجزِيَنَّهُم أَحسَنَ الَّذى كانوا يَعمَلونَ

wallazeena aamanoo wa ‘amilus saalihaati lanukaf firanna ‘anhum saiyiaatihim wa lanajziyannahum ahsanal lazee kaanoo ya’maloon

(You Shall Honor Your Parents)

We enjoined the human being to honor his parents. But if they try to force you to set up idols beside Me, do not obey them. To Me is your ultimate return, then I will inform you of everything you had done.

وَوَصَّينَا الإِنسٰنَ بِوٰلِدَيهِ حُسنًا وَإِن جٰهَداكَ لِتُشرِكَ بى ما لَيسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلمٌ فَلا تُطِعهُما إِلَىَّ مَرجِعُكُم فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِما كُنتُم تَعمَلونَ

wa wassainal insaana biwaalidaihi husnanw wa in jaahadaaka litushrika bee maa laisa laka bihee ‘ilmun falaa tuti’humaa; ilaiya marji’ukum fa unabbi’ukum bimaa kuntum ta’maloon

Those who believe and lead a righteous life, we will certainly admit them with the righteous.

وَالَّذينَ ءامَنوا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ لَنُدخِلَنَّهُم فِى الصّٰلِحينَ

wallazeena aamanoo wa’amilus saalihaati lanudkhilan nahum fis saaliheen

(Fair Weather Friends)

Among the people there are those who say, “We believe in God,” but as soon as they suffer any hardship because of God, they equate the people’s persecution with God’s retribution. But if blessings from your Lord come your way, they say, “We were with you.” Is God not fully aware of the people’s innermost thoughts?

وَمِنَ النّاسِ مَن يَقولُ ءامَنّا بِاللَّهِ فَإِذا أوذِىَ فِى اللَّهِ جَعَلَ فِتنَةَ النّاسِ كَعَذابِ اللَّهِ وَلَئِن جاءَ نَصرٌ مِن رَبِّكَ لَيَقولُنَّ إِنّا كُنّا مَعَكُم أَوَلَيسَ اللَّهُ بِأَعلَمَ بِما فى صُدورِ العٰلَمينَ

wa minan naasi many yaqoolu aamannaa billaahi faizaaa ooziya fil laahi ja’ala fitnatan naasi ka’azaabil laahi wa la’in jaaa’a nasrum mir Rabbika la yaqoolunna innaa kunnaa ma’akum; awa laisal laahu bi a’lama bimaa fee sudooril ‘aalameen