Living Quran

Surah An-Naml (The Ant)

An-Naml means "The Ant," named after the valley of the ants mentioned in the account of Prophet Sulayman (Solomon), where an ant warns its colony of the approaching army.

An-Naml ("The Ant") is the 27th surah of the Quran, traditionally classified as Meccan, comprising 93 ayahs. As a Meccan surah, it centers on the foundations of faith: the oneness of God, prophethood, resurrection, and divine power manifest in creation. It opens with the disconnected letters and describes itself as a guidance and glad tidings for believers. The surah is best known for its extended narratives of earlier prophets, particularly Prophet Sulayman (Solomon) and his kingdom, including his understanding of the speech of birds and ants and the episode involving the Queen of Sheba. It also recounts passages concerning Prophets Musa (Moses), Salih, and Lut (Lot). Through these stories the surah contrasts gratitude and humility with arrogance and denial, inviting reflection on signs in nature and history as evidence of the Creator.
Surah number
27
Revelation
Meccan
Ayahs
93
Arabic
النمل

Read Surah An-Naml online — full Arabic text with the Pickthall English translation.

Main themes

  • The oneness of God and evidence in creation
  • The story of Prophet Sulayman and the Queen of Sheba
  • Gratitude versus arrogance
  • Prophethood and the truth of revelation
  • Resurrection and accountability
  • Signs in nature pointing to the Creator

Why this surah matters

An-Naml sits within a sequence of Meccan surahs that share narrative themes and stylistic features. It is one of the surahs opening with the disconnected Arabic letters and is notable for containing one of the fuller Quranic treatments of Prophet Sulayman. Its account of the ant and the Queen of Sheba is among the most widely recognized passages in the Quran and is frequently referenced in Islamic literature and teaching about wisdom, gratitude, and just rule.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Surah An-Naml called "The Ant"?

It takes its name from a passage in the story of Prophet Sulayman in which an ant warns its colony to take shelter as his army approaches, a scene highlighting awareness and divine order in even the smallest creatures.

Is An-Naml Meccan or Medinan?

It is traditionally classified as a Meccan surah, consistent with its focus on core beliefs and prophetic narratives.

What is the surah mainly about?

It presents signs of God in creation and history, with extended stories of earlier prophets, especially Sulayman and the Queen of Sheba, emphasizing gratitude, humility, and accountability.

Read Surah An-Naml

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