Revealed during the late Makkan period as the persecution of Muslims reached a tipping point, Surah Al-'Ankabut (The Spider) addresses the profound reality of trials, opening with the crucial question of whether people expect to declare belief without being tested. It comforts the believers by showcasing that testing is a universal divine law, pointing to the trials faced by past prophets like Noah, Abraham, Lot, and Moses. The Surah takes its name from its striking metaphor comparing the fragile, temporary web of a spider to the false security sought by those who take protectors other than God, reminding humanity that worldly support systems built on disbelief will inevitably collapse. It commands the believers to remain steadfast, perform regular prayer to ward off evil, and migrate if their homeland prevents them from worshiping their Lord, ending with a powerful promise that those who strive in the path of God will be guided to His straight paths.
Transliteration
Aliflammeem
Translation
Alif, Lam, Meem
Transliteration
Ahasiba alnnasu an yutrakoo an yaqooloo amanna wahum la yuftanoona
Translation
Have the people supposed that they will be left alone to say, “We believe,” without being put to the test
Transliteration
Walaqad fatanna allatheena min qablihim falayaAAlamanna Allahu allatheena sadaqoo walayaAAlamanna alkathibeena
Translation
We have tested those before them. God will surely know the truthful, and He will surely know the liars
Transliteration
Am hasiba allatheena yaAAmaloona alssayyiati an yasbiqoona saa ma yahkumoona
Translation
Or do those who commit sins think they can fool Us? Terrible is their opinion
Transliteration
Man kana yarjoo liqaa Allahi fainna ajala Allahi laatin wahuwa alssameeAAu alAAaleemu
Translation
Whoever looks forward to the meeting with God—the appointed time of God is coming. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing
Transliteration
Waman jahada fainnama yujahidu linafsihi inna Allaha laghaniyyun AAani alAAalameena
Translation
Whoever strives, strives only for himself. God is Independent of the beings
Transliteration
Waallatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati lanukaffiranna AAanhum sayyiatihim walanajziyannahum ahsana allathee kanoo yaAAmaloona
Translation
Those who believe and do righteous deeds—We will remit their sins, and We will reward them according to the best of what they used to do
Transliteration
Wawassayna alinsana biwalidayhi husnan wain jahadaka litushrika bee ma laysa laka bihi AAilmun fala tutiAAhuma ilayya marjiAAukum faonabbiokum bima kuntum taAAmaloona
Translation
We have advised the human being to be good to his parents. But if they urge you to associate with Me something you have no knowledge of, do not obey them. To Me is your return; and I will inform you of what you used to do
Transliteration
Waallatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati lanudkhilannahum fee alssaliheena
Translation
Those who believe and do good works—We will admit them into the company of the righteous
Transliteration
Wamina alnnasi man yaqoolu amanna biAllahi faitha oothiya fee Allahi jaAAala fitnata alnnasi kaAAathabi Allahi walain jaa nasrun min rabbika layaqoolunna inna kunna maAAakum awalaysa Allahu biaAAlama bima fee sudoori alAAalameena
Translation
Among the people is he who says, “We have believed in God.” Yet when he is harmed on God’s account, he equates the people's persecution with God’s retribution. And if help comes from your Lord, he says, “We were actually with you.” Is not God aware of what is inside the hearts of the people
Transliteration
WalayaAAlamanna Allahu allatheena amanoo walayaAAlamanna almunafiqeena
Translation
God certainly knows those who believe, and He certainly knows the hypocrites
Transliteration
Waqala allatheena kafaroo lillatheena amanoo ittabiAAoo sabeelana walnahmil khatayakum wama hum bihamileena min khatayahum min shayin innahum lakathiboona
Translation
Those who disbelieve say to those who believe, “Follow our way, and we will carry your sins.” In no way can they carry any of their sins. They are liars
Transliteration
Walayahmilunna athqalahum waathqalan maAAa athqalihim walayusalunna yawma alqiyamati AAamma kanoo yaftaroona
Translation
They will carry their own loads, and other loads with their own. And they will be questioned on the Day of Resurrection concerning what they used to fabricate
Transliteration
Walaqad arsalna noohan ila qawmihi falabitha feehim alfa sanatin illa khamseena AAaman faakhathahumu alttoofanu wahum thalimoona
Translation
We sent Noah to his people, and He stayed among them for a thousand years minus fifty years. Then the Deluge swept them; for they were wrongdoers
Transliteration
Faanjaynahu waashaba alssafeenati wajaAAalnaha ayatan lilAAalameena
Translation
But We saved him, together with the company of the Ark, and We made it a sign for all peoples
Transliteration
Waibraheema ith qala liqawmihi oAAbudoo Allaha waittaqoohu thalikum khayrun lakum in kuntum taAAlamoona
Translation
And Abraham, when he said to his people, “Worship God, and fear Him. That is better for you, if you only knew
Transliteration
Innama taAAbudoona min dooni Allahi awthanan watakhluqoona ifkan inna allatheena taAAbudoona min dooni Allahi la yamlikoona lakum rizqan faibtaghoo AAinda Allahi alrrizqa waoAAbudoohu waoshkuroo lahu ilayhi turjaAAoona
Translation
You worship idols besides God, and you fabricate falsehoods. Those you worship, instead of God, cannot provide you with livelihood. So seek your livelihood from God, and worship Him, and thank Him. To Him you will be returned.”
Transliteration
Wain tukaththiboo faqad kaththaba omamun min qablikum wama AAala alrrasooli illa albalaghu almubeenu
Translation
If you disbelieve, communities before you have also disbelieved. The Messenger is only responsible for clear transmission
Transliteration
Awalam yaraw kayfa yubdio Allahu alkhalqa thumma yuAAeeduhu inna thalika AAala Allahi yaseerun
Translation
Have they not seen how God originates the creation, and then reproduces it? This is easy for God
Transliteration
Qul seeroo fee alardi faonthuroo kayfa badaa alkhalqa thumma Allahu yunshio alnnashata alakhirata inna Allaha AAala kulli shayin qadeerun
Translation
Say, “Roam the earth, and observe how He originated the creation.” Then God will bring about the next existence. God has power over all things.”