Quran Verses about Animals

وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٖ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا طَٰٓئِرٖ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيۡهِ إِلَّآ أُمَمٌ أَمۡثَالُكُمۚ مَّا فَرَّطۡنَا فِي ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ مِن شَيۡءٖۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمۡ يُحۡشَرُونَ ٣٨

Wa mā min dābbatin fil-arḍi wa lā ṭāʾiriy yaṭīru bijanāḥayhi illā umamun amthālukum, mā farraṭnā fil-kitābi min shayʾ, thumma ilā rabbihim yuḥsharūn.

And there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that flies with its wings except [that they are] communities like you. We have not neglected in the Register¹ a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.

۞ وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٖ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رِزۡقُهَا وَيَعۡلَمُ مُسۡتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسۡتَوۡدَعَهَاۚ كُلّٞ فِي كِتَٰبٖ مُّبِينٖ ٦

Wa mā min dābbatin fil-arḍi illā ʿalallāhi rizquhā wa yaʿlamu mustaqarrahā wa mustawdaʿahā, kullun fī kitābim mubīn.

And there is no creature on earth but that upon Allāh is its provision, and He knows its place of dwelling and place of storage.¹ All is in a clear register.

وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَ كُلَّ دَآبَّةٖ مِّن مَّآءٖۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّن يَمۡشِي عَلَىٰ بَطۡنِهِۦ وَمِنۡهُم مَّن يَمۡشِي عَلَىٰ رِجۡلَيۡنِ وَمِنۡهُم مَّن يَمۡشِي عَلَىٰٓ أَرۡبَعٖۚ يَخۡلُقُ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٞ ٤٥

Wallāhu khalaqa kulla dābbatim mim māʾ, faminhum may yamshī ʿalā baṭnihī wa minhum may yamshī ʿalā rijlayni wa minhum may yamshī ʿalā arbaʿ, yakhluqullāhu mā yashāʾ, innallāha ʿalā kulli shayʾin qadīr.

Allāh has created every [living] creature from water. And of them are those that move on their bellies, and of them are those that walk on two legs, and of them are those that walk on four. Allāh creates what He wills. Indeed, Allāh is over all things competent.

وَكَأَيِّن مِّن دَآبَّةٖ لَّا تَحۡمِلُ رِزۡقَهَا ٱللَّهُ يَرۡزُقُهَا وَإِيَّاكُمۡۚ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٦٠

Wa kaʾayyim min dābbatil lā taḥmilu rizqahallāhu yarzuquhā wa iyyākum, wa huwas-samīʿul-ʿalīm.

And how many a creature carries not its [own] provision. Allāh provides for it and for you. And He is the Hearing, the Knowing.

وَمِنَ ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ حَمُولَةٗ وَفَرۡشٗاۚ كُلُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ خُطُوَٰتِ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوّٞ مُّبِينٞ ١٤٢

Wa minal-anʿāmi ḥamūlataw wa farshā, kulū mimmā razaqakumullāhu wa lā tattabiʿū khuṭuwātish-shayṭān, innahū lakum ʿaduwwum mubīn.

And of the grazing livestock are carriers [of burdens] and those [too] small. Eat of what Allāh has provided for you and do not follow the footsteps of Satan.¹ Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

وَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمَ خَلَقَهَاۖ لَكُمۡ فِيهَا دِفۡءٞ وَمَنَٰفِعُ وَمِنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ ٥

Wal-anʿāma khalaqahā, lakum fīhā difʾuw wa manāfiʿu wa minhā taʾkulūn.

And the grazing livestock He has created for you; in them is warmth¹ and [numerous] benefits, and from them you eat.

وَلَكُمۡ فِيهَا جَمَالٌ حِينَ تُرِيحُونَ وَحِينَ تَسۡرَحُونَ ٦

Wa lakum fīhā jamālun ḥīna turīḥūna wa ḥīna tasraḥūn.

And for you in them is [the enjoyment of] beauty when you bring them in [for the evening] and when you send them out [to pasture].

وَتَحۡمِلُ أَثۡقَالَكُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَلَدٖ لَّمۡ تَكُونُواْ بَٰلِغِيهِ إِلَّا بِشِقِّ ٱلۡأَنفُسِۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكُمۡ لَرَءُوفٞ رَّحِيمٞ ٧

Wa taḥmilu athqālakum ilā baladil lam takūnū bālighīhi illā bishiqqil-anfus, inna rabbakum laraʾūfur raḥīm.

And they carry your loads to a land you could not have reached except with difficulty to yourselves. Indeed, your Lord is Kind and Merciful.

وَٱلۡخَيۡلَ وَٱلۡبِغَالَ وَٱلۡحَمِيرَ لِتَرۡكَبُوهَا وَزِينَةٗۚ وَيَخۡلُقُ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ ٨

Wal-khayla wal-bighāla wal-ḥamīra litarkabūhā wa zīnah, wa yakhluqu mā lā taʿlamūn.

And [He created] the horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride and [as] adornment. And He creates that which you do not know.

وَإِنَّ لَكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ لَعِبۡرَةٗۖ نُّسۡقِيكُم مِّمَّا فِي بُطُونِهِۦ مِنۢ بَيۡنِ فَرۡثٖ وَدَمٖ لَّبَنًا خَالِصٗا سَآئِغٗا لِّلشَّٰرِبِينَ ٦٦

Wa inna lakum fil-anʿāmi laʿibrah, nusqīkum mimmā fī buṭūnihī mim bayni farthiw wa damil labanan khāliṣan sāʾighal lish-shāribīn.

And indeed, for you in grazing livestock is a lesson. We give you drink from what is in their bellies - between excretion and blood - pure milk, palatable to drinkers.

وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنۢ بُيُوتِكُمۡ سَكَنٗا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّن جُلُودِ ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ بُيُوتٗا تَسۡتَخِفُّونَهَا يَوۡمَ ظَعۡنِكُمۡ وَيَوۡمَ إِقَامَتِكُمۡ وَمِنۡ أَصۡوَافِهَا وَأَوۡبَارِهَا وَأَشۡعَارِهَآ أَثَٰثٗا وَمَتَٰعًا إِلَىٰ حِينٖ ٨٠

Wallāhu jaʿala lakum mim buyūtikum sakanaw wa jaʿala lakum min julūdil-anʿāmi buyūtan tastakhiffūnahā yawma ẓaʿnikum wa yawma iqāmatikum wa min aṣwāfihā wa awbārihā wa ashʿārihā athāthaw wa matāʿan ilā ḥīn.

And Allāh has made for you from your homes a place of rest and made for you from the hides of the animals tents which you find light on your day of travel and your day of encampment; and from their wool, fur and hair is furnishing and enjoyment [i.e., provision] for a time.

كُلُواْ وَٱرۡعَوۡاْ أَنۡعَٰمَكُمۡۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّأُوْلِي ٱلنُّهَىٰ ٥٤

Kulū warʿaw anʿāmakum, inna fī dhālika laʾāyātil liʾulin-nuhā.

Eat [therefrom] and pasture your livestock. Indeed in that are signs for those of intelligence.

وَإِنَّ لَكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ لَعِبۡرَةٗۖ نُّسۡقِيكُم مِّمَّا فِي بُطُونِهَا وَلَكُمۡ فِيهَا مَنَٰفِعُ كَثِيرَةٞ وَمِنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ ٢١

Wa inna lakum fil-anʿāmi laʿibrah, nusqīkum mimmā fī buṭūnihā wa lakum fīhā manāfiʿu kathīratuw wa minhā taʾkulūn.

And indeed, for you in livestock is a lesson. We give you drink from that which is in their bellies, and for you in them are numerous benefits, and from them you eat.

وَعَلَيۡهَا وَعَلَى ٱلۡفُلۡكِ تُحۡمَلُونَ ٢٢

Wa ʿalayhā wa ʿalal-fulki tuḥmalūn.

And upon them and on ships you are carried.

أَوَلَمۡ يَرَوۡاْ أَنَّا خَلَقۡنَا لَهُم مِّمَّا عَمِلَتۡ أَيۡدِينَآ أَنۡعَٰمٗا فَهُمۡ لَهَا مَٰلِكُونَ ٧١

Awalam yaraw annā khalaqnā lahum mimmā ʿamilat aydīnā anʿāman fahum lahā mālikūn.

Do they not see that We have created for them from what Our hands¹ have made, grazing livestock, and [then] they are their owners?

وَذَلَّلۡنَٰهَا لَهُمۡ فَمِنۡهَا رَكُوبُهُمۡ وَمِنۡهَا يَأۡكُلُونَ ٧٢

Wa dhallalnāhā lahum faminhā rakūbuhum wa minhā yaʾkulūn.

And We have tamed them for them, so some of them they ride, and some of them they eat.

خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفۡسٖ وَٰحِدَةٖ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۡهَا زَوۡجَهَا وَأَنزَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ ثَمَٰنِيَةَ أَزۡوَٰجٖۚ يَخۡلُقُكُمۡ فِي بُطُونِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمۡ خَلۡقٗا مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ خَلۡقٖ فِي ظُلُمَٰتٖ ثَلَٰثٖۚ ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمۡ لَهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكُۖ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُصۡرَفُونَ ٦

Khalaqakum min nafsiw wāḥidatin thumma jaʿala minhā zawjahā wa anzala lakum minal-anʿāmi thamāniyata azwāj, yakhluqukum fī buṭūni ummahātikum khalqam mim baʿdi khalqin fī ẓulumātin thalāth, dhālikumullāhu rabbukum lahul-mulk, lā ilāha illā huw, fa annā tuṣrafūn.

He created you from one soul. Then He made from it its mate, and He produced for you from the grazing livestock eight mates.¹ He creates you in the wombs of your mothers, creation after creation, within three darknesses.² That is Allāh, your Lord; to Him belongs dominion. There is no deity except Him, so how are you averted?

أَفَلَا يَنظُرُونَ إِلَى ٱلۡإِبِلِ كَيۡفَ خُلِقَتۡ ١٧

Afalā yanẓurūna ilal-ibili kayfa khuliqat.

Then do they not look at the camels - how they are created?

وَأَوۡحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلنَّحۡلِ أَنِ ٱتَّخِذِي مِنَ ٱلۡجِبَالِ بُيُوتٗا وَمِنَ ٱلشَّجَرِ وَمِمَّا يَعۡرِشُونَ ٦٨

Wa awḥā rabbuka ilan-naḥli anittakhidhī minal-jibāli buyūtaw wa minash-shajari wa mimmā yaʿrishūn.

And your Lord inspired to the bee, "Take for yourself among the mountains, houses [i.e., hives], and among the trees and [in] that which they construct.

ثُمَّ كُلِي مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ فَٱسۡلُكِي سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلٗاۚ يَخۡرُجُ مِنۢ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٞ مُّخۡتَلِفٌ أَلۡوَٰنُهُۥ فِيهِ شِفَآءٞ لِّلنَّاسِۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَةٗ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ٦٩

Thumma kulī min kullith-thamarāti faslukī subula rabbiki dhululā, yakhruju mim buṭūnihā sharābum mukhtalifun alwānuhū fīhi shifāʾul lin-nās, inna fī dhālika laʾāyatal liqawmiy yatafakkarūn.

Then eat from all the fruits¹ and follow the ways of your Lord laid down [for you]." There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought.

وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٰهِـۧمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِي كَيۡفَ تُحۡيِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰۖ قَالَ أَوَلَمۡ تُؤۡمِنۖ قَالَ بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَطۡمَئِنَّ قَلۡبِيۖ قَالَ فَخُذۡ أَرۡبَعَةٗ مِّنَ ٱلطَّيۡرِ فَصُرۡهُنَّ إِلَيۡكَ ثُمَّ ٱجۡعَلۡ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ جَبَلٖ مِّنۡهُنَّ جُزۡءٗا ثُمَّ ٱدۡعُهُنَّ يَأۡتِينَكَ سَعۡيٗاۚ وَٱعۡلَمۡ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٞ ٢٦٠

Wa idh qāla ibrāhīmu rabbi arinī kayfa tuḥyil-mawtā, qāla awalam tuʾmin, qāla balā wa lākil liyaṭmaʾinna qalbī, qāla fakhudh arbaʿatam minaṭ-ṭayri faṣurhunna ilayka thummajʿal ʿalā kulli jabalim minhunna juzʾan thummadʿuhunna yaʾtīnaka saʿyā, waʿlam annallāha ʿazīzun ḥakīm.

And [mention] when Abraham said, "My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead." [Allāh] said, "Have you not believed?" He said, "Yes, but [I ask] only that my heart may be satisfied." [Allāh] said, "Take four birds and commit them to yourself.¹ Then [after slaughtering them] put on each hill a portion of them; then call them - they will come [flying] to you in haste. And know that Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise."

فَبَعَثَ ٱللَّهُ غُرَابٗا يَبۡحَثُ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ لِيُرِيَهُۥ كَيۡفَ يُوَٰرِي سَوۡءَةَ أَخِيهِۚ قَالَ يَٰوَيۡلَتَىٰٓ أَعَجَزۡتُ أَنۡ أَكُونَ مِثۡلَ هَٰذَا ٱلۡغُرَابِ فَأُوَٰرِيَ سَوۡءَةَ أَخِيۖ فَأَصۡبَحَ مِنَ ٱلنَّٰدِمِينَ ٣١

Fabaʿathallāhu ghurābay yabḥathu fil-arḍi liyuriyahū kayfa yuwārī sawʾata akhīh, qāla yāwaylatā aʿajaztu an akūna mithla hādhal-ghurābi fa uwāriya sawʾata akhī, fa aṣbaḥa minan-nādimīn.

Then Allāh sent a crow searching [i.e., scratching] in the ground to show him how to hide the disgrace¹ of his brother. He said, "O woe to me! Have I failed to be like this crow and hide the disgrace [i.e., body] of my brother?" And he became of the regretful.

أَلَمۡ يَرَوۡاْ إِلَى ٱلطَّيۡرِ مُسَخَّرَٰتٖ فِي جَوِّ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَا يُمۡسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يُؤۡمِنُونَ ٧٩

Alam yaraw ilaṭ-ṭayri musakhkharātin fī jawwis-samāʾi mā yumsikuhunna illallāh, inna fī dhālika laʾāyātil liqawmiy yuʾminūn.

Do they not see the birds controlled in the atmosphere of the sky? None holds them up except Allāh. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.

فَفَهَّمۡنَٰهَا سُلَيۡمَٰنَۚ وَكُلًّا ءَاتَيۡنَا حُكۡمٗا وَعِلۡمٗاۚ وَسَخَّرۡنَا مَعَ دَاوُۥدَ ٱلۡجِبَالَ يُسَبِّحۡنَ وَٱلطَّيۡرَۚ وَكُنَّا فَٰعِلِينَ ٧٩

Fafahhamnāhā sulaymān, wa kullan ātaynā ḥukmaw wa ʿilmā, wa sakhkharnā maʿa dāwūdal-jibāla yusabbiḥna waṭ-ṭayr, wa kunnā fāʿilīn.

And We gave understanding of it [i.e., the case] to Solomon, and to each [of them] We gave judgement and knowledge. And We subjected the mountains to exalt [Us], along with David and [also] the birds. And We were doing [that].¹

أَلَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ مَن فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱلطَّيۡرُ صَٰٓفَّٰتٖۖ كُلّٞ قَدۡ عَلِمَ صَلَاتَهُۥ وَتَسۡبِيحَهُۥۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمُۢ بِمَا يَفۡعَلُونَ ٤١

Alam tara annallāha yusabbiḥu lahū man fis-samāwāti wal-arḍi waṭ-ṭayru ṣāffāt, kullun qad ʿalima ṣalātahū wa tasbīḥah, wallāhu ʿalīmum bimā yafʿalūn.

Do you not see that Allāh is exalted by whomever is within the heavens and the earth and [by] the birds with wings spread [in flight]? Each [of them] has known his [means of] prayer and exalting [Him], and Allāh is Knowing of what they do.

۞ وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَا دَاوُۥدَ مِنَّا فَضۡلٗاۖ يَٰجِبَالُ أَوِّبِي مَعَهُۥ وَٱلطَّيۡرَۖ وَأَلَنَّا لَهُ ٱلۡحَدِيدَ ١٠

Wa laqad ātaynā dāwūda minnā faḍlā, yājibālu awwibī maʿahū waṭ-ṭayr, wa alannā lahul-ḥadīd.

And We certainly gave David from Us bounty. [We said], "O mountains, repeat [Our] praises with him, and the birds [as well]." And We made pliable for him iron,

وَٱلطَّيۡرَ مَحۡشُورَةٗۖ كُلّٞ لَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٞ ١٩

Waṭ-ṭayra maḥshūrah, kullul lahū awwāb.

And the birds were assembled, all with him repeating [praises].

أَوَلَمۡ يَرَوۡاْ إِلَى ٱلطَّيۡرِ فَوۡقَهُمۡ صَٰٓفَّٰتٖ وَيَقۡبِضۡنَۚ مَا يُمۡسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنُۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِكُلِّ شَيۡءِۭ بَصِيرٌ ١٩

Awalam yaraw ilaṭ-ṭayri fawqahum ṣāffātiw wa yaqbiḍn, mā yumsikuhunna illar-raḥmān, innahū bikulli shayʾim baṣīr.

Do they not see the birds above them with wings outspread and [sometimes] folded in? None holds them [aloft] except the Most Merciful. Indeed He is, of all things, Seeing.

وَأَرۡسَلَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ طَيۡرًا أَبَابِيلَ ٣

Wa arsala ʿalayhim ṭayran abābīl.

And He sent against them birds in flocks,

وَوَرِثَ سُلَيۡمَٰنُ دَاوُۥدَۖ وَقَالَ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ عُلِّمۡنَا مَنطِقَ ٱلطَّيۡرِ وَأُوتِينَا مِن كُلِّ شَيۡءٍۖ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلۡفَضۡلُ ٱلۡمُبِينُ ١٦

Wa waritha sulaymānu dāwūd, wa qāla yāʾayyuhan-nāsu ʿullimnā manṭiqaṭ-ṭayri wa ūtīnā min kulli shayʾ, inna hādhā lahuwal-faḍlul-mubīn.

And Solomon inherited David. He said, "O people, we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given from all things. Indeed, this is evident bounty."

وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيۡمَٰنَ جُنُودُهُۥ مِنَ ٱلۡجِنِّ وَٱلۡإِنسِ وَٱلطَّيۡرِ فَهُمۡ يُوزَعُونَ ١٧

Wa ḥushira lisulaymāna junūduhū minal-jinni wal-insi waṭ-ṭayri fahum yūzaʿūn.

And gathered for Solomon were his soldiers of the jinn and men and birds, and they were [marching] in rows

حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَتَوۡاْ عَلَىٰ وَادِ ٱلنَّمۡلِ قَالَتۡ نَمۡلَةٞ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّمۡلُ ٱدۡخُلُواْ مَسَٰكِنَكُمۡ لَا يَحۡطِمَنَّكُمۡ سُلَيۡمَٰنُ وَجُنُودُهُۥ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ ١٨

Ḥattā idhā ataw ʿalā wādin-namli qālat namlatuy yāʾayyuhan-namludkhulū masākinakum lā yaḥṭimannakum sulaymānu wa junūduhū wa hum lā yashʿurūn.

Until, when they came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, "O ants, enter your dwellings that you not be crushed by Solomon and his soldiers while they perceive not."

فَتَبَسَّمَ ضَاحِكٗا مِّن قَوۡلِهَا وَقَالَ رَبِّ أَوۡزِعۡنِيٓ أَنۡ أَشۡكُرَ نِعۡمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِيٓ أَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَيَّ وَأَنۡ أَعۡمَلَ صَٰلِحٗا تَرۡضَىٰهُ وَأَدۡخِلۡنِي بِرَحۡمَتِكَ فِي عِبَادِكَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ ١٩

Fatabassama ḍāḥikam min qawlihā wa qāla rabbi awziʿnī an ashkura niʿmatakal-latī anʿamta ʿalayya wa ʿalā wālidayya wa an aʿmala ṣāliḥan tarḍāhu wa adkhilnī biraḥmatika fī ʿibādikaṣ-ṣāliḥīn.

So [Solomon] smiled, amused at her speech, and said, "My Lord, enable me¹ to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants."²

وَتَفَقَّدَ ٱلطَّيۡرَ فَقَالَ مَالِيَ لَآ أَرَى ٱلۡهُدۡهُدَ أَمۡ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡغَآئِبِينَ ٢٠

Wa tafaqqadaṭ-ṭayra faqāla mā liya lā aral-hudhuda am kāna minal-ghāʾibīn.

And he took attendance of the birds and said, "Why do I not see the hoopoe - or is he among the absent?

فَلَمَّا قَضَيۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ مَا دَلَّهُمۡ عَلَىٰ مَوۡتِهِۦٓ إِلَّا دَآبَّةُ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ تَأۡكُلُ مِنسَأَتَهُۥۖ فَلَمَّا خَرَّ تَبَيَّنَتِ ٱلۡجِنُّ أَن لَّوۡ كَانُواْ يَعۡلَمُونَ ٱلۡغَيۡبَ مَا لَبِثُواْ فِي ٱلۡعَذَابِ ٱلۡمُهِينِ ١٤

Falammā qaḍaynā ʿalayhil-mawta mā dallahum ʿalā mawtihī illā dābbatul-arḍi taʾkulu minsaʾatah, falammā kharra tabayyanatil-jinnu al law kānū yaʿlamūnal-ghayba mā labithū fil-ʿadhābil-muhīn.

And when We decreed for him [i.e., Solomon] death, nothing indicated to them [i.e., the jinn] his death except a creature of the earth eating his staff.¹ But when he fell, it became clear to the jinn that if they had known the unseen, they would not have remained in humiliating punishment.²

وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمۡ صَٰلِحٗاۚ قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُۥۖ قَدۡ جَآءَتۡكُم بَيِّنَةٞ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡۖ هَٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةُ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمۡ ءَايَةٗۖ فَذَرُوهَا تَأۡكُلۡ فِيٓ أَرۡضِ ٱللَّهِۖ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٖ فَيَأۡخُذَكُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٞ ٧٣

Wa ilā thamūda akhāhum ṣāliḥā, qāla yāqawmiʿbudullāha mā lakum min ilāhin ghayruh, qad jāʾatkum bayyinatum mir rabbikum, hādhihī nāqatullāhi lakum āyah, fadharūhā taʾkul fī arḍillāh, wa lā tamassūhā bisūʾin fayaʾkhudhakum ʿadhābun alīm.

And to the Thamūd [We sent] their brother Ṣāliḥ. He said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. This is the she-camel of Allāh [sent] to you as a sign. So leave her to eat within Allāh's land and do not touch her with harm, lest there seize you a painful punishment.

فَعَقَرُواْ ٱلنَّاقَةَ وَعَتَوۡاْ عَنۡ أَمۡرِ رَبِّهِمۡ وَقَالُواْ يَٰصَٰلِحُ ٱئۡتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَآ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ ٧٧

Faʿaqarun-nāqata wa ʿataw ʿan amri rabbihim wa qālū yāṣāliḥuʾtinā bimā taʿidunā in kunta minal-mursalīn.

So they hamstrung the she-camel and were insolent toward the command of their Lord and said, "O Ṣāliḥ, bring us what you promise us, if you should be of the messengers."

قَالَ هَٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةٞ لَّهَا شِرۡبٞ وَلَكُمۡ شِرۡبُ يَوۡمٖ مَّعۡلُومٖ ١٥٥

Qāla hādhihī nāqatul lahā shirbuw wa lakum shirbu yawmim maʿlūm.

He said, "This is a she-camel.¹ For her is a [time of] drink, and for you is a [time of] drink, [each] on a known day.

إِنَّا مُرۡسِلُواْ ٱلنَّاقَةِ فِتۡنَةٗ لَّهُمۡ فَٱرۡتَقِبۡهُمۡ وَٱصۡطَبِرۡ ٢٧

Innā mursilun-nāqati fitnatal lahum fartaqibhum waṣṭabir.

Indeed, We are sending the she-camel as trial for them, so watch them and be patient.¹

وَتَحۡسَبُهُمۡ أَيۡقَاظٗا وَهُمۡ رُقُودٞۚ وَنُقَلِّبُهُمۡ ذَاتَ ٱلۡيَمِينِ وَذَاتَ ٱلشِّمَالِۖ وَكَلۡبُهُم بَٰسِطٞ ذِرَاعَيۡهِ بِٱلۡوَصِيدِۚ لَوِ ٱطَّلَعۡتَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ لَوَلَّيۡتَ مِنۡهُمۡ فِرَارٗا وَلَمُلِئۡتَ مِنۡهُمۡ رُعۡبٗا ١٨

Wa taḥsabuhum ayqāẓaw wa hum ruqūd, wa nuqallibuhum dhātal-yamīni wa dhātash-shimāl, wa kalbuhum bāsiṭun dhirāʿayhi bil-waṣīd, lawiṭṭalaʿta ʿalayhim lawallayta minhum firāraw wa lamuliʾta minhum ruʿbā.

And you would think them awake, while they were asleep. And We turned them to the right and to the left, while their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance. If you had looked at them, you would have turned from them in flight and been filled by them with terror.

وَٱقۡصِدۡ فِي مَشۡيِكَ وَٱغۡضُضۡ مِن صَوۡتِكَۚ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ ٱلۡأَصۡوَٰتِ لَصَوۡتُ ٱلۡحَمِيرِ ١٩

Waqṣid fī mashyika waghḍuḍ min ṣawtik, inna ankaral-aṣwāti laṣawtul-ḥamīr.

And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys."

۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَسۡتَحۡيِۦٓ أَن يَضۡرِبَ مَثَلٗا مَّا بَعُوضَةٗ فَمَا فَوۡقَهَاۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ فَيَعۡلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمۡۖ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَيَقُولُونَ مَاذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَٰذَا مَثَلٗاۘ يُضِلُّ بِهِۦ كَثِيرٗا وَيَهۡدِي بِهِۦ كَثِيرٗاۚ وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهِۦٓ إِلَّا ٱلۡفَٰسِقِينَ ٢٦

Innallāha lā yastaḥyī ay yaḍriba mathalam mā baʿūḍatan famā fawqahā, fa ammal-ladhīna āmanū fayaʿlamūna annahul-ḥaqqu mir rabbihim, wa ammal-ladhīna kafarū fayaqūlūna mādhā arādallāhu bihādhā mathalā, yuḍillu bihī kathīraw wa yahdī bihī kathīrā, wa mā yuḍillu bihī illal-fāsiqīn.

Indeed, Allāh is not timid to present an example - that of a mosquito or what is smaller¹ than it. And those who have believed know that it is the truth from their Lord. But as for those who disbelieve, they say, "What did Allāh intend by this as an example?" He misleads many thereby and guides many thereby. And He misleads not except the defiantly disobedient,

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٞ فَٱسۡتَمِعُواْ لَهُۥٓۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَن يَخۡلُقُواْ ذُبَابٗا وَلَوِ ٱجۡتَمَعُواْ لَهُۥۖ وَإِن يَسۡلُبۡهُمُ ٱلذُّبَابُ شَيۡـٔٗا لَّا يَسۡتَنقِذُوهُ مِنۡهُۚ ضَعُفَ ٱلطَّالِبُ وَٱلۡمَطۡلُوبُ ٧٣

Yāʾayyuhan-nāsu ḍuriba mathalun fastamiʿū lah, innal-ladhīna tadʿūna min dūnillāhi lay yakhluqū dhubābaw wa lawijtamaʿū lah, wa iy yaslubhumudh-dhubābu shayʾal lā yastanqidhūhu minh, ḍaʿufaṭ-ṭālibu wal-maṭlūb.

O people, an example is presented, so listen to it. Indeed, those you invoke besides Allāh will never create [as much as] a fly, even if they gathered together for it [i.e., that purpose]. And if the fly should steal from them a [tiny] thing, they could not recover it from him. Weak are the pursuer and pursued.¹

مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡلِيَآءَ كَمَثَلِ ٱلۡعَنكَبُوتِ ٱتَّخَذَتۡ بَيۡتٗاۖ وَإِنَّ أَوۡهَنَ ٱلۡبُيُوتِ لَبَيۡتُ ٱلۡعَنكَبُوتِۚ لَوۡ كَانُواْ يَعۡلَمُونَ ٤١

Mathalul-ladhīnattakhadhū min dūnillāhi awliyāʾa kamathalil-ʿankabūtittakhadhat baytā, wa inna awhanal-buyūti labaytul-ʿankabūt, law kānū yaʿlamūn.

The example of those who take allies other than Allāh is like that of the spider who takes [i.e., constructs] a home. And indeed, the weakest of homes is the home of the spider, if they only knew.