Living Quran

Surah Al-'Ankabut (The Spider)

Al-'Ankabut means "The Spider," drawn from a parable comparing the fragile protection offered by false objects of worship to the flimsy home a spider builds.

Al-'Ankabut ("The Spider") is the 29th surah of the Quran, commonly classified as Meccan, containing 69 ayahs. As a Meccan surah, it strengthens believers facing hardship and clarifies the nature of true faith. A central theme is trial and testing: the surah teaches that belief is proven through perseverance and that claiming faith invites tests of sincerity. It recounts the struggles of earlier prophets, including Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Lut (Lot), and Shu'ayb, to show that opposition and difficulty have always accompanied the call to truth. The surah's well-known parable likens reliance on anything besides God to the frail web of a spider. It closes with encouragement to strive in God's path with patience, assuring believers that God guides those who sincerely endeavor toward Him.
Surah number
29
Revelation
Meccan
Ayahs
69
Arabic
العنكبوت

Read Surah Al-'Ankabut online — full Arabic text with the Pickthall English translation.

Main themes

  • Trial and testing as part of faith
  • Patience and perseverance under hardship
  • The parable of the spider's web
  • Struggles of earlier prophets
  • The frailty of false reliance
  • Striving sincerely in God's path

Why this surah matters

Al-'Ankabut is often read as a source of consolation and steadfastness, addressing a community under pressure. It is one of several surahs opening with disconnected letters. Its parable of the spider is among the Quran's most recognized images, widely cited in discussions of tawhid (divine oneness) and the emptiness of misplaced trust.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the surah named after the spider?

It contains a parable comparing those who take protectors besides God to a spider relying on its fragile web, illustrating how weak such reliance truly is.

What is the main message of Al-'Ankabut?

It teaches that faith is tested through trials, and calls for patience and perseverance, drawing on the examples of earlier prophets who faced opposition.

Is Al-'Ankabut Meccan or Medinan?

It is commonly held to be a Meccan surah, though some scholars note certain verses have been discussed in connection with the Medinan period.

Read Surah Al-'Ankabut

Read Surah Al-'Ankabut with the Pickthall translation and ask Noor about any ayah — ad-free and neutral across all five schools.

Get Living Quran free