An-Naml

Reason for the Name

Named after the incident mentioned in verses 18-19 where Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) and his army overheard an ant warning its colony to enter their dwellings lest they be crushed unknowingly. This highlights Allah's intricate creation and Sulaiman's unique ability, granted by Allah, to understand even the speech of animals.

Summary

Surah An-Naml begins by asserting the clarity and guidance of the Quran for believers. It briefly touches upon the story of Musa (Moses) receiving his initial commission. The Surah then transitions into a detailed account of the wisdom, power, and kingdom granted to Prophets Dawood (David) and Sulaiman (Solomon).

Key episodes include Sulaiman inheriting from Dawood, his understanding the speech of the ant, his interaction with the hoopoe bird, and the elaborate story of the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis) and her eventual submission to Allah.

Following this, the Surah presents the stories of Prophet Salih and the people of Thamud, and Prophet Lut and his people, highlighting their rejection of Allah's message and subsequent destruction.

The latter part of the Surah poses powerful rhetorical questions (verses 60-64) challenging polytheists and affirming Allah as the sole Creator and Sustainer. It concludes with descriptions of the Day of Judgment, reassurances for the believers, and a command to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to worship Allah alone, convey the message, and praise Allah Who will show His signs.

Core Message

To affirm the truth of the Quran and the message of Tawhid (Oneness of Allah) by showcasing Allah's absolute power, knowledge, and grace through narratives of past prophets (especially Sulaiman) and contrasting the outcomes of belief/gratitude versus disbelief/arrogance.

Themes

• Allah's Omnipotence and Omniscience: Demonstrated through miracles, control over nature (wind, jinn), vast knowledge (understanding animal speech), and creation itself (verses 60-64).
• Prophethood and Divine Revelation: Affirming the truth of the Quran and the missions of various prophets (Musa, Dawood, Sulaiman, Salih, Lut, Muhammad ﷺ).
• Tawhid (Oneness of Allah) vs. Shirk (Polytheism): A central thread, explicitly argued against in verses 60-64 and implicitly shown through the submission of Sulaiman and the Queen of Sheba.
• Gratitude (Shukr) vs. Ingratitude (Kufr): Contrasting Sulaiman's gratitude 27:19, 27:40 and the Queen of Sheba's eventual submission with the arrogance and denial of the destroyed nations.
• Knowledge and Wisdom: Highlighted as gifts from Allah to Dawood and Sulaiman 27:15, used wisely by Sulaiman.
• Communication: Divine communication (Quran, signs), communication between humans (Sulaiman and Queen of Sheba), and even communication among animals (ant, hoopoe) under Allah's domain.
• The Hereafter: Descriptions of the Day of Judgment, resurrection, and the consequences of deeds (e.g., 27:83-90.
• Guidance and Misguidance: The Quran as guidance for believers 27:1-2, while those who deny the Hereafter are left wandering blindly 27:4.

Key Verses

• 27:15-19 Description of the knowledge given to Dawood and Sulaiman, Sulaiman inheriting, his organized army, and the story of the ant. Significance: Shows Allah's favor, the importance of knowledge and wisdom, and the vastness of Allah's creation and Sulaiman's unique abilities.
• 27:20-44 The detailed narrative of the hoopoe discovering the kingdom of Sheba, Sulaiman's correspondence with the Queen, the bringing of her throne, and her eventual visit and submission to Allah. Significance: A captivating story illustrating wisdom, diplomacy, divine power, guidance leading to faith, and the superiority of faith over worldly splendor.
• 27:60-64 A series of powerful rhetorical questions establishing Allah's exclusive right to worship by highlighting His unique power in creation, provision, guidance, and originating/repeating creation. Significance: A profound argument for Tawhid, challenging listeners to reflect on the true source of power and sustenance.
• 27:89-90 Contrasting the reward for those who come with good deeds (security on Judgment Day) versus the punishment for those who bring evil deeds. Significance: A clear reminder of accountability and the justice of the Hereafter.
• 27:93 The concluding command: "And say, 'Praise be to Allah! He will show you His signs, and you will recognize them.' And your Lord is not unaware of what you do." Significance: Final affirmation of truth, promise of future clarity, and reminder of Allah's constant awareness.

Stories

• Brief account of Musa (AS) seeing the fire and receiving his first commands 27:7-14.
• The wisdom and kingdom of Dawood (AS) and Sulaiman (AS), including the ant, the hoopoe, and the Queen of Sheba 27:15-44.
• Prophet Salih (AS) and the rejection by the people of Thamud 27:45-53.
• Prophet Lut (AS) and the immorality and rejection by his people 27:54-58.

Personalities

• Musa (AS) (Moses): Mentioned briefly at the beginning, receiving his prophetic call and initial signs 27:7-14.
• Dawood (AS) (David): Mentioned as being granted knowledge and praised by Allah; father of Sulaiman 27:15-16.
• Sulaiman (AS) (Solomon): A central figure; inherited from Dawood, granted vast knowledge, wisdom, kingdom, control over wind, jinn, birds, understood animal speech; interacted wisely with the Queen of Sheba 27:15-44.
• The Ant (Naml): Gives the Surah its name; displays awareness and communication, recognized by Sulaiman 27:18-19.
• The Hoopoe (Hud-hud): Plays a crucial role in discovering the Queen of Sheba and acting as Sulaiman's messenger 27:20-28.
• Queen of Sheba (Bilqis - name not in Quran but known from tradition): Ruler of a prosperous kingdom, initially worshipped the sun, but recognized the truth and submitted to Allah through Sulaiman's wisdom and Allah's guidance 27:22-44.
• Salih (AS): Prophet sent to Thamud, calling them to worship Allah alone; rejected by most 27:45-53.
• Lut (AS) (Lot): Prophet who warned his people against extreme immorality; rejected and his people destroyed (except his family, excluding his wife) 27:54-58.

Practical Guidance

• Cultivate gratitude for all blessings, big and small, recognizing them as gifts from Allah (like Sulaiman - 27:19, 40).
• Use knowledge, power, and resources responsibly and in the way of Allah (Sulaiman's kingdom).
• Recognize Allah's signs in the intricate details of creation (the ant, the hoopoe) and the universe 27:60-64.
• Understand the importance of verifying information (Sulaiman testing the hoopoe's report - 27:27.
• Appreciate wisdom and diplomacy in calling others to truth (Sulaiman's approach with the Queen of Sheba).
• Learn from the mistakes of past nations – the consequences of arrogance, denial of truth, and transgression (Thamud, Lut's people).
• Strengthen conviction in Tawhid by reflecting on Allah's unique attributes and actions 27:60-64.
• Remember the reality of the Day of Judgment and strive to bring forth good deeds 27:89.

Points of Reflection

• How can the story of Sulaiman (AS), who possessed immense worldly power yet remained devoted and grateful to Allah, inspire my own attitude towards success and blessings?
• In what ways does Allah communicate His signs to us today, analogous to how He allowed Sulaiman (AS) to perceive the communication of ants and birds?
• Reflecting on verses 60-64, what aspects of modern life might subtly challenge the principle of Tawhid (Allah's absolute Oneness), and how can these verses strengthen my conviction?

Unique Features

• Named after an insect (the ant), highlighting Allah's attention to all creation.
• Contains one of the most detailed Quranic accounts of Prophet Sulaiman (AS) and the Queen of Sheba.
• Begins with the Arabic letters طس (Ta, Sin).
• Features the unique miracle of understanding animal speech (Sulaiman).
• Includes the powerful series of rhetorical questions 27:60-64 directly challenging polytheism.
• Contains a verse requiring prostration (Sajdah Tilawah) - verse 26 (according to most scholars, after 25 ends).

Connection to Chapters

• Follows Surah Ash-Shu'ara (Chapter 26), which heavily emphasized the rejection faced by numerous prophets (Musa, Ibrahim, Nuh, Hud, Salih, Lut, Shu'ayb) and the destruction of their people. Surah An-Naml continues the theme of prophethood but balances the narrative by focusing significantly on the success and power granted to Dawood and Sulaiman, showing Allah's favor upon His grateful servants and the triumph of truth (Queen of Sheba's conversion).
• Leads into Surah Al-Qasas (Chapter 28), which returns to a detailed narrative of Prophet Musa (AS), providing a much fuller account than the brief introduction given in An-Naml 27:7-14. This creates a thematic flow, exploring different facets and examples of prophethood and divine power across these chapters.