Tafsir of Surah An-Naml (The Ant) | Dr. Mufti Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera

Added: 2026-06-10

[00:00:00]Allah subhana wa ta then talks about tamud and their discussion um and their destruction rather and then after that Allah subhanaa tala the last story that's mentioned here before the chapter ends though the surah does not end is the story again of do you do this vice this sexual vice when you don't and you're watching do you come to men with desire and leave out the women you're a very ignorant people and the people. Their response was just get rid of the the family of Lutam. Get rid of them from your people.

[00:00:36]They they and look at what they say.

[00:00:40]There are people who want to stay pure like literally incriminating themselves by saying we're not pure. They are pure.

[00:00:46]So they want to they there are people who want to be pure let them you know take them out of here.

[00:00:52]So we uh we we basically gave him uh we we saved him and his family except his wife. Now his wife may have not been doing the acts but she somehow supported them and that's why we sent down a rain upon them. And what a severe and evil rain that was for those who've been warned.

[00:01:20]Alhamdulillah.

[00:01:33]Now let's start in the bit of time that we have and we ask Allah for surah is the surah of the ant. So the previous one is surah the poets and that's was just a small mention. It could have been called surah because it's got such a heavy discussion of the prophets but yesah so in this one now surah because there's going to be a discussion of the en encounter witham of the of the ants 93 verses in this surah seven sections starts off with but it's probably it's as opposed to most meme this is just wonder what that means but then Allah subhanaa again says these are the verses of the Quran and the clear book which is a source of guidance and glad tidings guidance and glad tidings for the believers and then he gives some description of who these believers are and again the first thing is zakat and zak there's people who pray salah they don't do zakat May Allah make us of those who establish both and those who have yin on the hereafter who have conviction and then and then so on. One thing about surah n though one of the special characteristics of it is that surah n is part of a setah is a a set of three suras that were revealed in the order in which you found them in the Quran.

[00:03:13]Right? So that the three are then was revealed and then the next surah which is which we'll be looking at tomorrow.

[00:03:21]So they were revealed three together with similar ideas in them and they also mentioned the same way in the Quran but again they're still maki suras. Uh and so it starts in the same way as other suras like that. Then after that you've got a numerous discussions. The first right from verse 7 it starts off with Musa Alisam's story but this time it kind kind of zooms into when he's returning from Byan after meeting with which we're going to read more about tomorrow. He's meeting with Shaham in his marriage. Very interesting encounter there. He's coming back and that's when he sees some fire. So he goes, I'll he says to his wife, "You stay here. I'll go and get some fire, right? I'll go and get an ember, something from there or a piece of, you know, a bit of a lit uh timber or something. And that's where he's has an encounter with Allah subhanaa tala. Allah speaks to him and he tells him what to do and he gives him the he gives him his miracles and he also gives him his prophecy at that. So all of that is discussed there, right?

[00:04:23]about how the two miracles came out to be and he says that these are the nine signs that you will be given for the from the pharaoh. So that's discussion.

[00:04:30]Then Allah subhana wa tala from verse 15 starts discussing about misallam and how they were given all of these um really interesting things more than anybody else especially. So became the inheritor of it says in verse 16 and then he was taught the language of the birds and is given everything right this is a great father of Allah and then he would have his armies of the various the jin were his army the animals were his army the birds everything were his army so then he would have these different contingents parade for him essentially.

[00:05:19]So they're all separated out.

[00:05:22]And as he's going with them, as he's traveling, suddenly, how would you even tell? There's an ant colony. They're very small, right? And again, an ant colony is again something we're not we're not going to have time to go into as we did a bit with the bees, but it's again another very interesting creature and the way they live together. So now imagine an ant.

[00:05:42]You can't even hear an ant. Surmanam understands the ant. He hears the ant because as they're going to come come through that one of the ant says to the others quickly let's get into our burrows in our holes in the ground cuz coming with his army and is going to trample upon us. So hears that and after he hears it he thanks Allah.

[00:06:06]Allah what have you given me? You've given me so much that I can even understand these birds. Right.

[00:06:12]Give me the ability.

[00:06:17]This is you know for anybody to be honest anybody who's thinks they've been given bounty by Allah and most of us have been given a lot by Allah right we everybody's given a lot some people have given been given a lot more anybody who thinks who can realize that he smiled from the speech of that and then he said oh my lord give me the ability to thank you for your bounties that you have showered upon me and upon my parents and that I do good that you are then satisfied with and enter me through your mercy among your righteous servants because there's a fitna when you have so much but I want to be always part of your righteous servants so those of us who have good let us make this dua and say a mean to this dua then it carries on and it says that he zooms into one particular incident where he's looking around and there was a hood hood a hoop bird that used to frequent his gathering right it seemed like you know they had a special relationship and that day he couldn't see the hoop where the hoop gone right where's the hood hood what's the problem why don't I see the hood hood I'm is he not present I'm going to punish him severely or I'm going to basically slaughter him unless he comes with me with a with a clear reasoning evidence for why he's not here he didn't have to wait for long it says from verse 32 22 on onwards and he says I've just come from in this far away place from the queen of Sheba and basically it these are a people they're disbelievers they worship the son and the whole story then is mentioned of Alisam and Bilis right so the just to put it simply um he sends a message that this is probably the I mean I think that this is probably the shortest letter ever written in the world this is the letter that wrote to soil says talking to her ministers vizers just amazing right she says oh oh my dignitaries or whatever I've just been sent a noble letter it's from and it is and this is the This is probably the only other place where comes in the Quran itself as opposed to just as a beginner, something you do as a prefix to the surah. This is in the Quran itself. in the name of Allah most gracious, most merciful that you do not try to overcome me and you come to me in submission. That was the letter right now that impacted her to such a degree that she asked her people, her ministers, what should we do? They gave her different responses, right? That that you know sometimes they could these people could just destroy us, whatever the case is. So she plays she plays a certain hand in there. I'm going to send them some gifts and then see how they respond. She sends gifts and sulam what are you trying to do with these gifts? What Allah has given me is far superior. I've got everything right.

[00:09:40]Subhan Allah. So then she's going to come. So then he asks, okay, I want you to bring I want somebody to bring I've got all of these forces at my disposal, all of these sources of great things.

[00:09:52]Which one of you can bring me her throne? And it was well known. Her throne was well known. amazing throne before she comes back. She comes here before she arrives here. She was I think in the south of Yemen, south of the Arabian Peninsula. Soam is most likely in Sham. All right, that's quite a few several hundred miles or more. Who's going to bring it before she comes here faster? So there's a gin. He says I can be bring it to you before you stand up from your place. That's good enough.

[00:10:20]That's good enough. But then the one who had the right he says I can bring it to you before you blink an eye literally there.

[00:10:29]Now lots of scholars have actually decided how is that even physically like literally from laws of physics possible that you take such a mass of a throne and it's carried with all that resistance of wind and everything and it's come here physically. How is that possible? So that's where the atomic theory comes of some good use. They're basically saying, and this is maybe not the time for it, but the atomic theory is that everything in this world is being annihilated in nanconds and recreated in a constant theme. It's just we can't notice it. Like right now, as I speak, as we here, we're literally perishing and regenerating, perishing, regenerating, perishing, regenerating so many times in a single second that you can't even tell we're not there. It's like blinking rate of a screen that you see it like that you see it flat but it's actually blinking.

[00:11:20]So it's very possible that in one screen the throne is there in the next screen it's not there but it's here just like you have in movies and that's up to Allah. Allah knows best. Maybe on the day of judgment we can ask to understand the physics behind here the quantum physics mechanics whatever you want to call it in that.

[00:11:38]Subhan Allah. Anyway that's the story.

[00:11:42]Eventually, mashallah, she submits puts another test out for her, a glass, a glass palace. She thinks that it's water. She lifts up her leg. She lifts up her trousers from the bottom and uh and then basically she realizes that I don't have you know the understanding he does and then says that then he married her. That's a whole discussion. It doesn't say that in the Quran though it says that in some of the other places. Then finally the two last stories that are mentioned here again the lesson we get from Sulman's story is to use whatever kingdom rule authority power you have in the right way to do the right things to bring faith to people. Then of course there is Allah subhana wa ta'ala then talks about Tamud and their discussion um and their destruction rather and then after that Allah subhana wa tala the last story that's mentioned here before the chapter ends though the surah does not end is the story again of do you do this vice this sexual vice when you don't and you're watching do you come to men with desire and leave out the in you're a very ignorant people. And the people their response was just get rid of the the family of Lut Alam. Get rid of them from your people. They And so look at what they say.

[00:13:10]There are people who want to stay pure like literally incriminating themselves by saying we're not pure, they are pure.

[00:13:16]So they want to they there are people who want to be pure. Let them you know take them out of here.

[00:13:22]So we uh we we basically gave him uh we we saved him and his family except his wife. Now his wife may have not been doing the act but she somehow supported them and that's why we sent down a rain upon them and what a severe and evil rain that was for those who' been warned. Then the final verse is alhamdulillah say alhamdulillah all praise to Allah and peace upon those servants that he has chosen the various ways of reading that in isn't is Allah superior or that which they impartner now the beginning of this starts with Five evidences, five bhans, five proofs that Allah subhana wa tala is providing from again things that you see around you from the heavens, the earth, the rain and many other natural phenomena that everybody can relate to and Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala provides this so that we can um anybody who thinks deeply about this will be able to affirm their faith in Allah subhanana wa tala and increase their faith in Allah subhana wa tala if they're already believers. So the first one I mean just going through this the first one he's asking Allah subhanaa tala is asking is that who's the one who creates the heavens and the earth who is the one who sends rain down from the heavens and due to which all the orchards and all the fields and the lands and the crops become very green is it Allah subhana wa ta'ala that's inah is there's a refrain in all of this there's a repeat in all of this is there a god with Allah is there another god with Allah is there but these people they just equating partners with Allah then the second the second verse verse 61 Allah subhana wa ta'ala says who made the earth good enough for you to rest upon to live upon to be stabilized upon who put through rain uh who put through rivers and lakes and mountains and who who is it that created between the two oceans that uh that invisible barrier again that that's mentioned there. Uh unfortunately majority of them just do not know that's what Allah says. The third one, who is it that assists those who are in trouble, those who are desperate, those who are oppressed, those who are sick and so on and so forth. Who is it that removes all of these things from them? Uh so little do you think, so little do you take heed?

[00:16:11]Then the fourth one is who is it that who is it that guides you in the darknesses of the night right? And likewise in the oceans who is the one that sends the wind uh full of his mercy before his mercy again they're just too arrogant who actually Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is way transcendent above what they impartner with him and then the last one is who is the one who created you the first time who's the one who originates creation then after that he will resurrect them as well he'll bring them back to life and who is Is it the one?

[00:16:48]Who is it that gives you sustenance in the heavens and the earth? Is there a god with Allah?

[00:16:54]Now finally Allah subhanaa tala then challenges them and he says okay why don't you bring the proof if you are truthful and we've just brought these five proofs. We're just showing you from completely essential realities that you can see observable phenomena outside.

[00:17:08]Now you bring your proof if you're going to if you're truthful.

[00:17:13]So that's how it begins and that is basically the Quran's normal method that it just invokes things that you can clearly see outside generally uh either from the universe or from the human being themselves one's own feelings.

[00:17:27]That's why people have found the Quran just to be so intuitive. Uh once they take away all their subjectivities and all their biases and their hatred and everything and they actually look through the Quran and let it come through they actually notice that it's actually speaking to them. It's not speaking to somebody else. It's actually speaking to them. It's very personal.

[00:17:46]Engages with them. And again, the same thing Allah subhana wa tala is saying tell them that they should bring the evidence that bring your evidence if you're truthful.

[00:17:56]So the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam is guided throughout this process.

[00:18:00]So in essentially the discussion the the points of discussion is everything in the world. Allah subhanaa t uses that to explain and for most people who will read that they will they will have to submit after that the other thing which the mushri had a big problem with um aside from the idols that they used to worship in even though they believed in Allah is resurrection so that's why Allah subhana wa t'ala then mentions their uh objection and then the and then the response to that which you can see in verse 67 uh what I would suggest gest to everybody is uh don't to get the most out of this. It's always good that you sit with a translation. If you sit with a translation while I do go fast sometimes then you can't always keep up but at least then you can make little notes or whatever and you can actually see the translation while I'm explaining it. So that's better because I can't always translate everything in the short time that we have. So that was verse 67.

[00:18:59]Then we uh jump forward because it's very common themes throughout.

[00:19:04]Allah subhana wa ta'ala then provides warnings. So now after bringing evidences, he also frightens them. He also provides warnings because remember that's the whole dissu aspect of the Quran. So he talks about how the punishment is going to be for the wrongdoers and so on. And uh then there's some discussions about the day of judgment. if you carry on. So that's why if you look at from here uh in fact there's one very interesting verse here which is 82 verse 82 which speaks about a sign of the day of judgment.

[00:19:47]So that's a reference to that beast of the earth that is going to arrive uh as soon as the sun has that one mo for that one instance risen from the west. Sun rises from the east all the time but as a sign of the day of judgment sun will rise from the west and once it does that that's a signal that there's no more uh the doors of hell fire close the door of paradise is closed there's no more conversion anymore. So what happens is that whoever's a believer remains a believer. Whoever rem whoever's a disbeliever remains a disbeliever.

[00:20:17]There's no conversion afterwards. And that's why when this daba will finally come out, it'll be a beast. There's lots of descriptions about it as that it's made up in different ways and it looks like this and it's part of it is like this. I I can't go into that detail right now. But it will have a ring and apparently with that it will seal everybody. will brand everybody or basically put a sign on everybody believer and disbeliever cuz after that the day of judgment is going to occur.

[00:20:42]So this is a reference to that. Now from the next verses verse 83 and so on these are some of my favorite verses.

[00:21:02]So this is striking an example of the day of judgment. Now it's one of the depicted scenes of the day of judgment.

[00:21:08]And now if you carry on Allah subhana t in verse 87 speaks about the blowing of the trumpet.

[00:21:17]So that's the first blast of the trumpet. So everything will swoon everything in the heavens and earth except whoever Allah wants. So that's why some people have made exceptions that maybe and so because of [clears throat] the Allah mentioning Allah except the one who Allah wishes these mountains that you see so firm immovable you will see that they will be gliding they'll be floating like clouds Allah this is the craftsmanship of Allah This is the doing of Allah. This is the making of Allah.

[00:21:58]The one who makes everything well.

[00:22:02]These are very awesome verses. Really enjoy reading them all the time.

[00:22:07]Allah knows exactly what you do. And then Allah mentions whoever comes verse 89 whoever comes with a good deed then he gets better than that and they will be protected from the tre the the turbulence and the terror of that day but then whoever comes with the evil their faces in the hellfire but remember no oppression you're only going to be compensated and given back for what you did and Then the next verses are beautiful. You know, there's certain verses in the Quran that are kind of referring to specific spaces. And if you understand them and you know which verses they are, and if they're read in those places, it just adds a whole new sentiment, emotion to that uh to that reading because it just feels that much more real. Obviously, that's why when you go to the haram in Makkah and the imam is there and you can read it for yourself.

[00:23:15]I've been commanded that I worship the Lord of this area, the Lord of this city, the Lord of this location who has sanctified it and for him belongs everything. It's just amazing when you're standing in Makkah and you read these verses or you hear these verses and they're just echoing around you.

[00:23:37]That is just absolutely amazing. And then and I have been commanded that I be from the submitters from the Muslims. And then this is the way the surah ends just in a similar vein to the beginning how it starts with the discussion of the Quran.

[00:23:56]It dis this is beautiful.

[00:23:59]Quran and that I recite the Quran.

[00:24:06]Whoever is guided is guided for himself.

[00:24:08]Whoever is misguided then just tell them that I am the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam. This is basically Allah is telling the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam to say this. Just tell them that I am just of the warers and say alhamdulillah all praises to Allah.

[00:24:24]He will soon show you his signs and you will recognize them honestly like you will recognize them because your lord is not unaware of what you do and by that this surah endsalam brothers and sisters mashallah it's very very cold today and I'm rubbing my hands but uh very important message would you like a place in paradise in Jenna a place with bricks of golden silver, mortar of fragrant mus, pebbles of pearls and sapphire, soils of saffron.

[00:25:00]You may have not heard me talk like this before, but mashallah, gardens outside the palaces will have streams flowing beneath them. The streams of Jenna will be crystal clear water. And then after that, you're going to have others with milk and of honey and rivers. Mashallah.

[00:25:15]and sisters, the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said, "Whoever builds a masid for Allah, Allah will build for him likewise in paradise." Something similar in paradise. White Thread Institute which you all know inshallah desperately needs to re develop this center of ours to accommodate people, students and worshippers of Allah subhanaa tala. This area doesn't have a masid. So we want to give service to all sections of the community once this is built including the wider society. We need to raise 450,000 to achieve this.

[00:25:48]We just need 404,500 special people to donate just £100 each to reach our target. Well, sisters, the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said, I'm going to reiterate, whoever builds a masid for Allah, Allah will build for him similar in paradise. What an amazing reward this is. Imagine if you just donate a£100 in this world, Allah will build for you a house in par in paradise. Not just any house. A paradise house is not any house. Whatever your heart desires will be in this place. Not only this brothers and sisters, but this project is also saddakar which is a continuous ch charity. If you donate then anytime somebody prays here, worships here, learns anything from here and prays elsewhere, you get the same reward inshallah. Every person who learns the Quran, reads, you will get the same reward inshallah. What an amazing reward. Subhan Allah. That is waiting for you. All for just £100.

[00:26:43]Brothers and sisters, build your home in paradise. Donate towards this masid on the button below. Hit the link. And one more thing, please share this video. And anybody else that donates because of your sharing this video, inshallah, you will be rewarded as well.

[00:27:02]Allah reward you.

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