The Spider (Al-Ankabût)

In the name of Allah, Gracious, Merciful.

¹A.L.M.

²Do men think that they will be left alone on saying “We believe” and that they will not be tested?¹

³And We did test those before them and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false.

⁴Do those who practice evil think that they will get the better of us? Evil is their judgment!

⁵For those whose hopes are in the meeting with Allah; for the term appointed by Allah is surely coming: and He hears and knows all things.

Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim

¹Alif lam mim

²Ahasiban nasu ay yutraku ay yaqulu aman na wa hum la yuftanun

³Wa laqad fatan nal lazina min qablihim falayalaman nal lahul lazina sadaqu wa layalaman nal kazibin

⁴Am hasibal lazina yamalunas sayyi ati yasbiquna sa a ma yahkumun

⁵Man kana yarju liqa allahi fa inna ajalal lahi la at wa huwas samiul alamin

1. Being tested is not as if to say that one will be tempted, rather, it means one has to practice what one preaches. Lip service is not enough. It is as Jesus said that “it is not those who say Lord, Lord, but those who do His Father’s Will (Matthew 7:21).

[Commentary continues below.]

⁶And if any strive, they do so for their own souls: for Allah is free of all needs from all creation.

⁷And those who believe and work righteous deeds from them shall We blot out all evil in them and We shall reward them according to the best of their deeds.

⁸And We have enjoined on man kindness to parents: but if they strive to force thee to join with Me anything of which you have no knowledge, obey them not. You have to return to Me and I will tell you of all that you did.

⁹And those who believe and work righteous deeds, them shall We admit to the company of the righteous.²

⁶Wa man jahada fa innama yujahidu linafsihi innal laha la ganiy yun anil alamin

⁷Wal lazina amanu wa amilus salihati lanukaf firan na anhum say yi atihim wa lanajziyan nahum ahsanal lazi kanu yamalun

⁸Wa was sainal insana biwalidaihi husna wa in jahadaka litusrika bima laisa laka bihi ilmun fala tutihuma ilay ya marjiukum fa unab bi ukum bima kuntum tamalun

⁹Wal lazina amanu wa amilus salihati lanudhilan nahum fis salihin

2. Please refer to notes on Qur’an 19:60.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹⁰Then there are among men such as say “We believe in Allah”; but when they suffer affliction in Allah they treat men’s oppression as if it were the wrath of Allah! and if help comes from your Lord, they are sure to say “We have always been with you!” Does not Allah know best all thatis in the hearts of all creation?

¹¹And Allah most certainly knows those who believe and certainly those who are hypocrites.

¹²And the unbelievers say to those who believe: “Follow our path and we will bear of your faults.” Never in the least will they bear their faults: in fact they are liars!

¹³They will bear their own burdens and burdens along with their own, and on the day of judgment they will be called to account for their falsehoods.

¹⁰Wa minannasi mayyaqulu amanna billahi fa iza uziya fillahi jaala fitnatan nasi kaazabil lah wa la in ja a nasrum mi rabbika layaqulun na in na kun na maakum awalaisal lahu bi alama bima fi suduril alamin

¹¹Wa layalaman nal lahul lazina amanu wa layalaman nal munafiqin

¹²Wa qalal lazina kafaru lil lazina amanut tabiu sabilana walnahmil hatayakum wa ma hum bihamilina min hatayahum min sai in nahum lakazibun

¹³Wa layahmilun na asqalahum wa asqalam ma’a asqalihim wa layusalun na yaumal qiyamati am ma kanu yaftarun

[Commentary continues below.]

¹⁴We sent Noah to his people and he tarried among them a thousand years less fifty: but the deluge overwhelmed them while they sinned.³

¹⁵But We saved him and the companions of the Ark and We made it a sign for all peoples!

¹⁶And Abraham: Behold he said to his people “Serve Allah and fear Him: that will be best for you, if you understand!⁴

¹⁴Wa laqad arsalna Nuhan ila qaumihi falabitsa fihim alfa sanatin il la hamsina ama fa ahazahumut tufanu wa hum zalimun

¹⁵Fa anjalnahu ashabas safinati wa jaalnaha ayatal lil alamin

¹⁶Wa Ibrahima iz qala liqaumihi budul laha wat taquh zalikum hairul lakum in kuntum talamun

3. Noah could not have preached to his people for 950 years. He was 600 years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth Genesis 7:6. According to Genesis 5:32, Noah was 500 years old and he begat his three sons. So, even assuming that Noah began preaching at the age of 500 years, he could have only preached for one hundred years before the flood, though he lived for 950 years.

4. According to Qur’an 21:68-69, when he destroyed the gods of his people, he was put in the fire for to be burned but Allah saved him from that. Three Hebrew boys were once put in the furnace by Nebuchadnezzar, these were saved by God (Daniel 3:19-26); not so with Abraham. According to the Bible he was never near nor in any fire for to be burnt.

¹⁷“For you do worship idols besides Allah and you invent falsehood. The things that you worship besides Allah have no power to give you sustenance: then seek sustenance from Allah, serve Him and be grateful to Him: to Him will be your return.

¹⁸“And if you reject the message so did generations before you: and the duty of the apostle is only to preach publicly.”

¹⁹Do they not see how Allah originates creation then repeats it: truly that is easy for Allah.

²⁰Say: “Travel through the earth and see how Allah did originate creation: so will Allah produce a later creation: for Allah has power over all things.⁵

²¹“He punishes whom He pleases and He grants mercy to whom He pleases and towards Him are you turned.

¹⁷Innama tabuduna min dunil lahi ausanaw wa tahluquna ifka inal lazina tabuduna min dunil lahi la yamlikuna lakum rizqan fabtagu indal lahir rizqa wa buduhu waskuru lah ilaihi turjaun

¹⁸Wa in tukaz zibu faqad kaz zaba umamum min qablikum wa ma alar rasuli il lal balagul mubin

¹⁹Awalam yarau kaifa yubdiul lahul halqa summa yuiduh inna zalika alal lahi yasir

²⁰Qul siru fil ardi fanzuru kaifa bada al halqa sum mal lahu yunsi un nas atal ahirah innallaha ala kulli sai in qadir

²¹Yuaz zibu may yasyau wa yarhamu may yasyau wa ilaihi tuqlabun

5. Traveling through the earth will only give us God’s completed creation. We would never know from these how they were created. However, the Scriptures contain an account of God’s creation, both the “hows” and the “whens”. There is no hint of a second creation by God, except that there will be a new heaven and a new earth after this one is destroyed. Revelation 21:1-2:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, because the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and the sea was gone. I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.

²²“And not on earth, nor in heaven will you be able to frustrate His plan, nor have you besides Allah any protector or helper.”

²³And those who reject the signs of Allah and the meeting with Him, it is they who shall despair of My mercy: it is they who will suffer a most grievous penalty.⁶

²⁴So naught was the answer of Abraham’s people except that they said: “Slay him or burn him.” But Allah did save him from the fire: verily, in this are signs for people who believe.

²²Wa ma antum bimujizina fil ardi wa la fis samai wa ma lakum min dunil lahi miw waliy yiw wa la nasir

²³Wallazina kafaru bi ayatillahi wa liqa ihi ulaika ya isu mir rahmati wa ulaika lahum azabun alim

²⁴Fama kana jawaba qaumihi illa an qaluq tuluhu au harriquhu fa anjahul lahu minan nar inna fi zalika la ayatil liqaumiy yuminun

6. Signs of Allah can be rejected but not meeting with Him, for we must all appear before His Majesty on the day of Judgment.

[Commentary continues below.]

²⁵And He said: “For you have taken idols besides Allah out of mutual love and regard between yourselves in this life; but on the day of judgment you shall disown each other and curse each other: and your abode will be the fire and you shall have none to help.

²⁶But Lut had faith in Him: he said: “I will leave home for the sake of my Lord: for He is exalted in might and wise.”⁷

²⁷And We gave Abraham Isaac and Jacob and ordained among his progeny prophethood and revelation and We granted him his reward in this life; and he was in the hereafter of the Righteous.⁸

²⁸And Lut; behold he said to his people: “You do commit lewdness such as no people in creation ever committed before you.

²⁵Wa qala innamat takaztum min dunil lahi ausanam mawad data bainikum fil hayatid dunya summa yaumal qiyamati yakfuru badukum bibadiw wa yalanu badukum badaw wa mawakumun naru wa ma lakum min nasirin

²⁶Fa amana lahu Lutun wa qala inni muhajirun ila Rabbi innahu huwal azizul hakim

²⁷Wa wahabna lahu Ishaqa wa Yaquba wa jaalna fi zur riy yatihin nubuw wata wal kitaba wa atainahu ajrahu fid dun ya wa in nahu fil akhirati laminas salihin

²⁸Wa Lutan iz qala liqaumihi in nakum latatunal fahisah ma sabaqakum biha min ahadim minal alamin

7. According to Genesis 11:31; Lot grew up with Terah, his grandfather, Abraham, and Sarai. So quite naturally, when Abraham was leaving the land of the Chaldeans in obedience to the Word of God, Lot went along with him. In the process, Lot cultivated faith in the God of Abraham and was saved from Sodom and Gomorrah.

8. The hereafter is yet to come. The above passage states that ‘Abraham was in the hereafter of the company of the righteous.’ Allah should know since the hereafter is yet to come that the tense used is wrong. It should read, and he shall be in the hereafter, of the company of the righteous. Here is an example from the mouth of Jesus. “ And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:11-12).

[Commentary continues below.]

²⁹“Do you indeed approach men and cut off the highway? And practice wickedness even in your councils?” But his people gave no answer but this: they said: “Bring us the wrath of Allah if you tell the truth.”

³⁰He said: “O my Lord! Help me against people who do mischief!”

³¹And when Our messengers came to Abraham with the good news, they said: “We are indeed going to destroy the people of this township: for truly they are addicted to crime.”⁹

³²He said: “But there is Lut there.” They said: “Well do we know who is there: we will certainly save him and his following except his wife: she is of those who lag behind!”¹⁰

²⁹A innakum latatunar rijala wa taqtaunas sabila wa tatuna fi nadikumul munkara fama kana jawaba qaumihi illa an qalu tina biazabil lahi inkunta minas sadiqin

³⁰Qala rabbin surni alal qaumil mufsidin

³¹Wa lam ma ja at rusuluna Ibrahima bil busra qalu inna muhliku ahli hazihil qaryah inna ahlaha kanu zalimin

³²Qala inna fiha Luta qalu nahnu alamu biman fiha lanunaj jiyan nahu wa ahlahu il lam ra atah kanat minal gabirin

9. Good news is news to pertains to life not death. Therefore, this could not have been classified as good news., but simply, news.

10. The account of Abraham’s interaction with God on behalf of Lot is as follows.

The LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him." Then the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know." So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD.

Then Abraham drew near and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?"

And the LORD said, "If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake." Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?" And he said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there."

Again he spoke to him and said, "Suppose forty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of forty I will not do it." Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there." He answered, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." He said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it."

Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it." And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place. (Genesis 18:17-33).

³³And when Our messengers came to Lut, he was grieved on their account and felt himself powerless to protect them: but they said “Fear not, nor grieve: we are here to save you and your following, except your wife: she is of those who lag behind.

³⁴“For we are going to bring down on the people of this township a punishment from heaven because they have been wickedly rebellious.”

³⁵And We have left thereof an evident sign for any people who understand.

³⁶And to the people of Madyan We sent their brother Shu`aib. Then he said: “O my people! serve Allah and fear the last day: nor commit evil on the earth with intent to do mischief.”

³³Wa lam ma an ja at rusuluna Lutan si a bihim wa daqa bihim zaraw wa qalu la takaf wa la tahzan inna munaj juka wa ahlaka il lam ra ataka kanat minal gabirin

³⁴Inna munziluna ala ahli hazihil qaryati rijzam minas samai bima kanu yafsuqun

³⁵Wa laqad tarakna minha ayatam bay yinatal liqaumiy yaqilun

³⁶Wa ila mad yana ahahum suaiban faqala ya qaumi budul laha war jul yaumal akhira wa la tasau fil ardi mufsidin

[Commentary continues below.]

³⁷But they rejected him: then the mighty blast seized them and they lay prostrate in their homes by the morning.¹¹

³⁸And remember also the people of `Ad and the Thamud: clearly will appear to you from the traces of their buildings: the evil one made their deeds alluring to them and kept them back from the path, though they were gifted with intelligence and skill.

³⁹Remember also Qarun, Pharaoh, and Haman: there came to them Moses with clear signs, but they behaved with insolence on the earth; yet they could not overreach Us.

³⁷Fakaz zabuhu fa akhazat humur rajfatu fa asbahu fi darihim jasimin

³⁸Wa Adaw wa Samuda wa qad tabay yana lakum mim masakinihim wa zayyana lahumus Syaitanu amalahum fasad dahum anis sabili wa kanu mustabsirin

³⁹Wa Qaruna wa Firauna wa Haman wa laqad ja ahum Musa bil bay yinati fastakbaru fil ardi wa ma kanu sabiqin

11. Their destruction was by fire and brimstone, therefore, they were burnt to ashes, their prostrate bodies would not be evident as claimed here.

“Those who reject faith includes all those reject Islam. Therefore, George sale in his commentary says that this verse has been abrogated by that of the sword. That means that, those who reject faith can be forced or be killed (Qur’an 9:5, 29).

[Commentary continues below.]

⁴⁰Each one of them We seized for his crime: of them against some We sent a violent tornado with showers of stones; some were caught by a mighty blast; some We caused the earth to swallow up; and some We drowned in the waters: it was not Allah who injured them: they injured their own souls.

⁴¹The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of the spider who builds a house; but truly the flimsiest of houses is the spider’s house if they but knew.

⁴²Verily, Allah does know of whatever that they call upon besides Him: and He is exalted and wise.

⁴³And such are the parables We set for mankind but only those understand them who have knowledge.

⁴⁴Allah created the heavens and the earth in true proportions: verily, in that is a sign for those who believe.

⁴⁰Fakul lan akhazna bizam bih faminhum man arsalna alaihi hasiba wa minhum man akhazat hus saihah wa minhum man hasafna bihil ard wa minhum man agraqna wa ma kanal lahu liyazlimahum wa lakin kanu anfusahum yazlimun

⁴¹Matsalul lazinat takhazu min dunil lahi auliya a kamatsalil ankabut it takhazat baita wa in na auhanal buyuti labaitul ankabuti laukanu yalamun

⁴²Innal laha yalamu ma yaduna min dunihi min sai in wa huwal azizul hakim

⁴³Wa tilkal amsalu nadribuha linasi wa ma yaqilu ha il lal alimun

⁴⁴Halaqal lahus samawati wal arda bil haq in na fi zalika ka ayatal lil muminin

[Commentary continues below.]

⁴⁵Recite what is sent of the book by inspiration to you and establish regular prayer: for prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest thing in life without doubt. And Allah knows the deeds that you do.

⁴⁶And dispute not with the people of the book except with means better than mere disputation, unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong and injury: but say “We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our Allah and your Allah is one; and it is to Him we bow.”¹²

⁴⁷And thus it is that We have sent down the book to you. So the people of the book believe therein as also do some of these pagan Arabs: and none but unbelievers reject Our signs.

48And you were not able to recite a book before this book came, nor are you able to transcribe it with your right hand: in that case indeed would the talkers of vanities have doubted.

⁴⁹No, here are signs self evident in the hearts of those endowed with knowledge: and none but the unjust reject Our signs.

⁵⁰Yet they say: “Why are not signs sent down to him from his Lord?” Say: “The signs are indeed with Allah: and I am indeed a clear warner.”

⁵¹And is it not enough for them that We have sent down to you the book which is rehearsed to them? Verily, in it is mercy and reminder to those who believe.

⁴⁵Utlu ma uhiya ilaika minal kitabi wa aqimis salah in nas salata tanha anil fahsai wal munkar wa lazikrul lahi akbar wal lahu yalamu ma tasnaun

⁴⁶Wa la tujadilu ahlal kitabi il la bil lati hiya ahsan il lal lazina zalamu minhum wa qulu amanna bil lazi unzila ilaina wa unzila ilaikum wa ilahuna wa ilahukum wahiduw wa nahnu lahu muslimun

⁴⁷Wa kaza lika anzalna ilaikal kitab fal lazina atainahumul kitaba yuminuna bih wa min ha ulai may yuminu bih wa ma yajhadu bi ayatina il lal kafirun

⁴⁸Wa ma kunta tatlu min qablihi min kitabiw wa la tahut tuhu biyaminika izal lar tabal mubtilun

⁴⁹Bal huwa ayatun bay yinatun fi suduril lazina utul ilm wa ma yajhadu bi ayatina il laz zalimun

⁵⁰Wa qalu lau la unzila alaihi ayatum mirrabbihi qul innamalayatu indal lah wa innama ana nazirum mubin

⁵¹Awalam yakfihim an na anzalna alaikal kitaba yutla alaihim in na fi zalika larahmataw wa zikra laqaumiy yuminun

12. This is an eye opener for those who are “Truth seekers”. Disputation or argument with the people of the Book is not encouraged. The condition given here is that except those who seek to injure the believers. Other than that, the Muslim is not to dispute with the “People of the Book” The Christian and the Jews. We argue with those with whom we disagree, since the Qur’an has created this injunction, it is alleging that, it holds the revelation of the Bible as truth, just as it holds those of the Qur’an. We have had time to refute this amply. Qur’an 109 makes it plain that if we reject the Islamic revelations we become unbelievers who do not share common faith with the Muslims. “Say: O ye that reject Faith! I worship not that which ye worship; Nor will ye worship that which I worship. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship; Nor will ye worship that which I worship. To you be your Way and to me mine.

“Those who reject faith includes all those reject Islam. Therefore, George sale in his commentary says that this verse has been abrogated by that of the sword. That means that, those who reject faith can be forced or be killed (Qur’an 9:5, 29).

⁵²Say: “Enough is Allah for a witness between you and I: He knows what is in the heavens and on earth. And it is those who believe in vanities and reject Allah that will perish.”

⁵³And they ask you to hasten on the punishment: had it not been for a term appointed, the punishment would certainly have come to them: and it will certainly reach them of a sudden while they perceive not!

⁵⁴They ask you to hasten on the punishment, but of a surety hell will encompass the rejecters of faith!

⁵⁵On the day that the punishment shall cover them from above them and from below them and a voice shall say: “Taste the fruits of your deeds!”

⁵²Qul kafa bil lahi baini wa bainakum sahida yalamu ma fis samawati walardi wallazina amanu bil batili wa kafaru billahi ulaika humul hasirun

⁵³Wa yastajilunaka bil azab wa lau la ajalum musam mal laja ahumul azab wa layatiyan nahum bagtataw wa hum la yasurun

⁵⁴Yastajilunaka bil azab wa in na jahan nama lamuhitatum bil kafirin

⁵⁵Yauma yagsahumul azabu min fauqihim wa min tahti arjulihim wa yaqulu zuqu ma kuntum tamalun

⁵⁶O My servants who believe! truly spacious is My earth: therefore serve Me!

⁵⁷Every soul shall have a taste of death: in the end to Us shall you be brought back.

⁵⁸But those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, to them shall We give a home in heaven, lofty mansions, beneath which flow rivers to dwell therein for ever; an excellent reward for those who do good!

⁵⁹Those who persevere in patience and put their trust in their Lord.

⁶⁰And how many are the creatures that carry not their own sustenance? It is Allah who feeds them and you: for He hears and knows all things.

⁵⁶Ya ibadiyal lazina amanu inna ardi wasiatun fa iy yaya fabudun

⁵⁷Qullu nafsin za iqatul maut summa ilaina turjaun

⁵⁸Wal lazina amanu wa amilus salihati lanubaw wi an nahum minal jan nati gurafan tajri min tahtihal anharu halidina fiha nima ajrul amilin

⁵⁹Al lazina sabaru wa ala rabbihim yatawak kalun

⁶⁰Wa ka ayyim min dabatil la tahmilu rizqaha allahu yarzuquha wa iyyakum wa huwa samiul alim

⁶¹If indeed you ask them who has created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon; they will certainly reply “Allah.” How are they then deluded away from the truth?

⁶²Allah enlarges the sustenance which He gives to whichever of His servants He pleases; and He grants by measure: for Allah has full knowledge of all things.

⁶³And if indeed you ask them who it is that sends down rain from the sky and gives life therewith to the earth after its death they will certainly reply “Allah!” Say “Praise be to Allah!” But most of them understand not.

⁶⁴What is the life of this world but amusement and play? But verily, the home in the hereafter, that is life indeed, if they but knew.

⁶¹Wa lainsa altahum man halaqas samawati wal arda wa sah haras samsa wal qamara layaqulun nal lah fa anna yufakun

⁶²Allahu yabsutur rizqa limay yasau min ibadihi wa yaqdiru lah in nal laha bikul li sai in alim

⁶³Wa la in sa altahum man naz zala minas samai ma an fa ahya bihil arda min badi mautiha layaqulun nal lah qulil hamdu lil lah bal aksarahum la yaqilun

⁶⁴Wa ma hazihil hayatud dunya illa lahwuw wa laib wa in nad daral ahirata lahiyal hayawan lau kanu yalamun

⁶⁵Now if they embark on a boat they call on Allah, making their devotion sincerely to Him; but when He had delivered them safely to land. Behold, they give a share of their worship to others!

⁶⁶Disdaining ungratefully Our gifts and giving themselves up to enjoyment! But soon will they know.

⁶⁷Do they not then see that We have made a sanctuary secure and that men are being snatched away from all around them? Then do they believe in that which is vain and reject the grace of Allah?

⁶⁸And who does more wrong than he who invents a lie against Allah or rejects the truth when it reaches Him? Is there not a home in hell for those who reject faith?

⁶⁵Fa iza rakibu fil fulki daawul laha muhlisina lahuddin falamma najjahum il al bar riiza hum yusrikun

⁶⁶Liyakfuru bima atainahum wa liyamat tau fasaufa yalamun

⁶⁷Awalam yarau an na jaalna haraman aminaw wa yutakhat tafun nasu min haulihim afabil batili yuminuna wa binimatil lahi yakfurun

⁶⁸Wa man azlamu mim manif tara alal lahi kaziban au kaz zaba bil haq qi lam ma jaah alaisa fi jahan nama maswal lil kafirin

⁶⁹And those who strive in Our cause, We will certainly guide them to Our paths: for verily, Allah is with those who do right.

⁶⁹Walazina jahadu fina lanahdiyan nahum subulana wa innallaha lamaal muhsinin