Introduction
The Ants, a ninety-three verse chapter, was revealed in
Mecca. It opens with a description of the Quran as joyful news for the
believers and a severe warning for the non-believers. We then encounter
several short narratives concerning prophets and the communities that did not
believe their warnings. These narratives are illustrated with examples of
God’s power and the contrasting lack of power possessed by the things they
worship other than God. There are descriptions of the Day of Judgement and the
chapter closes by reiterating the beginning verses—the Quran is good news for the
believers but a warning to others.
Verses 1 – 6 Joy or retribution
Verse 1 is a combination of the letters ta and seen.
They are two letters from amongst various combinations of fourteen letters that
open twenty-nine chapters of Quran. God did not reveal any specific meaning
attached to them. Immediately following the letters, God says that this
scripture is a guide for the believers. It is joyful news for those who pray,
give charity, and believe in the Hereafter. One the other hand those that do
not believe wander blindly believing that their lives will have no lasting
consequences. They are wrong. Their punishment will be severe, and this
scripture is a warning. Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God
be upon him, receives this Quran from the one who is All Knowing.
Verses 7 – 14 Moses and Pharaoh
While travelling with his family Moses sees a fire. He
walks towards the light telling his family that he will return with either news
or burning sticks with which to make their own warming fire. When He reaches
the fire, God calls out to him and introduces Himself. God orders Moses to
throw down his staff; he complies but runs away in fright when the staff begins
to move like a snake. God tells him to stop and that the messengers should
not be afraid when in God’s presence because He, God, is merciful and forgiving.
God then tells Moses to put his hand inside his cloak and when he withdraws it,
it will be shinning white. God explains that these are two from the nine signs
that will be given to Pharaoh to convince him to submit to the One God. Pharaoh
and his advisers call the signs sorcery. They knew the signs were miracles
yet denied them and thus came to a very bad end.
Verses 15 – 44 Solomon and the Queen of Sheba
When God gave knowledge to David and Solomon they
praised Him. They understood the language of the birds and Solomon inherited
the Kingdom of David. Solomon’s soldiers marched in rows, jinn, humans and
birds. When the armies marched through the valley of the ants, one ant directed
the others so that they would not be crushed. Solomon understood and smiled
widely, and beseeched God to give him the strength and ability to be grateful,
the ability to perform good deeds that He loves, and to be with the righteous.
Solomon inspected the birds but could not find the
hoopoe. The hoopoe returned saying that he had been in Sheba where he found a
woman leading the people. She had a magnificent throne but they all worshipped
the sun instead of God. Solomon sent the hoopoe with a letter for the Queen of
Sheba. She read the letter to her counsellors. It was an invitation to submit
to the will of God. Solomon and his army had not invaded the city so she
decided to send a gift. When the gift arrived, Solomon said that they could
not give him anything that God had not already provided for him. Solomon sent
them away with a threat to invade their city.
Sheba decided to come in person, and whilst waiting
Solomon asked his own counsellors if someone was able to bring him Sheba’s
magnificent throne. One of the jinn was able to produce the throne within the
blink of an eye. When Sheba arrived, she was asked if what she saw was her
throne and although it was disguised she said it looked as if it was. When
Sheba was asked to enter the palace, she thought she was about to wade through
water and lifted her skirt, however the floor was made of shinning smooth glass.
When she saw for herself what God had given Solomon and how majestic his
position was, she submitted to the command of God and acknowledged that he was
a noble Prophet.
Verses 45 – 58 Saleh and Lot
Saleh called the people of Thamud to worship One God,
but they split into rival factions. One group said that Saleh and his
followers were an evil omen. The leaders of some families took an oath that
they would together kill Saleh and his family. They planned a deceitful plan,
but God also planned a plan. The outcome was that their plan came to nothing
and they were destroyed, and their desolate houses are a sign for those who
think. The true believers were saved.
Lot was sent to his people to ask them why they openly
committed homosexual acts even though they knew it to be wrong. They had no
answer except to try to expel Lot and his followers from the town. So God
saved Lot and all his family; except his wife who was destined to be one of
those who stayed behind. An evil rain of stones pelted down on those who chose
to ignore the warning.
Verses 59 – 93
Prophet Muhammad is asked to praise God, send peace upon
the messengers. He is also instructed to ask who is better, God, who created
the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, or another deity? Clearly it
is God who made rivers flow and firmly fixed the mountains and other wondrous
things. Why then do they worship something other than God? Who answers the
calls of the distressed and removes the burdens of the suffering? God, He the
One who is above all that they associate with Him. There is no one with
knowledge of the unseen except God. It is He who knows when the dead will be
raised.
This perturbs the unbelievers who say they have heard
ancient tales about the dead being raised and do not believe it. They must
therefore travel throughout the land see for themselves what has happened to
those who did not heed the warnings of a Hereafter. God is bountiful even
though most people are ungrateful. Nothing is concealed from God; it is all
kept in a clear record. The Quran is guidance and a mercy. God will be the
judge and Prophet Muhammad should not grieve over the people who will not heed
his warning. Instead he should put his trust in God because he is on the
straight path. He cannot make the deaf or dead hear; he cannot lead the blind.
A day will come when the disbelievers will be led before
God in groups. The verdict will be given but they will not speak. God sent
signs for those who believe and those who think. When the trumpet sounds many
will be terrified; the firm mountains will pass away like clouds. On that Day,
a good deed will keep a person safe, but an evil deed will see them flung into
the Fire. Muhammad says that he has been commanded to submit to God, to
worship Him and recite the Quran. Mohammad is only a warner; all praise
belongs only to God, and God is never unaware.