Explore Surah 29: Al-Ankabut (The Spider) with a clear English translation and insightful commentary. Discover its timeless lessons on faith, patience, trials, and the fragility of worldly life compared to the strength of reliance on Allah.
Surah 29: Al-Ankabut (The Spider)
Introduction
Surah Al-Ankabut is the 29th chapter of the Holy Qur’an. It was revealed in Makkah and contains 69 verses. The Surah is named ‘Al-Ankabut’, which means ‘The Spider’, a reference to verse 41 where Allah compares the weakness of false beliefs to the fragility of a spider’s web.
This Surah was revealed during a time of great hardship for the early Muslims in Makkah. They were being persecuted for their faith and needed guidance, strength, and reassurance from Allah. Surah Al-Ankabut came as a response to their pain, reminding them — and all believers — that faith is always tested, and true believers are those who remain patient and firm.
The Surah begins by stating a powerful truth: just saying “We believe” is not enough — believers will be tested to prove the sincerity of their faith. Allah gives the example of earlier prophets like Noah, Abraham, Lot, and Shu’aib, who all faced trials, rejection, and hardship, yet remained committed to their mission. Their stories show that difficulty is part of the journey, but Allah always helps the truthful.
The central image of the spider’s web is a deep lesson: just as a spider’s web looks fine and delicate but is too weak to protect or hold anything firm, so too are the idols and lies that people worship besides Allah. They may seem attractive or comforting, but in reality, they provide no strength or shelter.
Surah Al-Ankabut also highlights:
- The greatness of Allah’s creation and His signs in the universe.
- The need to stay away from disbelief, arrogance, and false hope.
- The importance of prayer, trust, and righteous action.
- The promise that Allah is always with those who strive sincerely in His path.
In the end, the Surah gives a beautiful assurance:
“Those who strive for Us, We will surely guide them to Our paths. And indeed, Allah is with those who do good.” 0 0 0
Surah 29: Al-Ankabut (The Spider): Text
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
1. Alif, Lam, Meem.
2. Do people think they will be left alone simply by saying, ‘We believe,’ without being tested?
3. We certainly tested those before them, so Allah will surely make known those who are truthful and those who are lying.
4. Or do those who do evil think they can escape Us? What a wrong judgment they make!
5. Whoever hopes to meet Allah, let them know that Allah’s time is surely coming. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.
6. Whoever strives, strives only for their own benefit. Surely Allah is free from need of all creation.
7. As for those who believe and do good deeds, We will certainly remove their sins from them and reward them according to the best of what they used to do.
8. We have commanded people to be kind to their parents. But if they pressure you to associate with Me what 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.
9. Those who believe and do righteous deeds – We will surely admit them among the righteous.
10. Among people, there are some who say, ‘We believe in Allah,’ but when they are harmed in Allah’s cause, they treat it as a hardship from people. But if help comes from your Lord, they say, ‘We were always with you!’ Does Allah not already know what is in the hearts of all creatures?
11. Allah will surely make known those who truly believe and those who are hypocrites.
12. The disbelievers say to the believers, ‘Follow our way, and we will bear your sins.’ But they will never bear any of their sins. They are surely lying.
13. In fact, they will bear their own burdens, and other burdens along with their own. And on the Day of Judgment, they will be questioned about what they used to invent.
14. We surely sent Noah to his people, and he lived among them for a thousand years less fifty. Then the flood overtook them while they were wrongdoers.
15. But We saved him and those with him in the ship, and made it a sign for all people.
16. And Abraham said to his people, ‘Worship Allah and fear Him. That is better for you, if only you knew.
17. You worship nothing but idols instead of Allah, and you only invent lies. Those whom you worship besides Allah have no power to provide for you. So seek your provision from Allah, worship Him, and be grateful to Him. To Him alone you will be returned.’
18. But if you reject the truth, many nations before you also rejected. The duty of the Messenger is only to deliver the message clearly.
19. Have they not seen how Allah begins creation and then brings it back again? That is easy for Allah.
20. Say: ‘Travel through the earth and see how He originated the creation. Then Allah will bring about the next creation. Indeed, Allah is capable of everything.’
21. He punishes whom He wills and shows mercy to whom He wills, and to Him you will be returned.
22. You cannot escape Him either on earth or in the sky, and besides Allah you have no protector or helper.
23. Those who disbelieve in Allah’s signs and deny meeting Him – they have no hope in My mercy, and for them is a painful punishment.
24. The only response of Abraham’s people was that they said, ‘Kill him or burn him.’ But Allah saved him from the fire. Surely in this are signs for people who believe.
25. Abraham said, ‘You have taken idols instead of Allah out of love for each other in worldly life. But on the Day of Judgment, you will reject and curse each other. Your home will be the Fire, and you will have no helpers.’
26. But Lot believed in him. And Abraham said, ‘I will leave my people for the sake of my Lord. He is the Almighty, the Wise.’
27. And We granted him Isaac and Jacob, and placed Prophethood and the Book among his descendants. And We gave him his reward in this world, and he will surely be among the righteous in the Hereafter.
28. And Lot said to his people, ‘You commit such shameful acts that no one in the world has ever done before you.
29. You approach men with desire, obstruct the road, and commit evil openly in your gatherings.’ But the only reply of his people was, ‘Bring us Allah’s punishment if you are telling the truth.’
30. Lot prayed, ‘My Lord, help me against these people who spread corruption.’
31. When Our messengers (angels) came to Abraham with good news, they ( the messengers) said, ‘We are going to destroy the people of this town, for they have been wrongdoers.’
32. Abraham said, ‘But Lot lives there!’ They (angels) replied, ‘We know who lives there. We will definitely save him and his family — except for his wife; she will be among those who stay behind.’
33. When Our messengers (angels) came to Lot, he was distressed and worried for them. But they said, ‘Do not fear or grieve. We will rescue you and your family — except your wife; she will be among those who stay behind.
34. We are going to bring down a punishment from heaven upon the people of this town because they have been rebellious.’
35. And We have left a clear sign of that for those who use their reason.
36. And to the people of Midian We sent their brother Shu’aib. He said, ‘O my people, worship Allah and expect the Last Day, and do not spread corruption on the earth.’
37. But they rejected him, so an overwhelming earthquake struck them, and they were left lifeless in their homes.
38. And [the people of] ‘Ad and Thamud — their destruction is clear to you from their ruins. Satan made their actions seem good to them and turned them away from the right path, even though they had insight.
39. And [remember] Qarun, Pharaoh, and Haman — Moses came to them with clear signs, but they acted arrogantly in the land, and they could not escape.
40. So each We punished for their sins: some were struck by a storm, some were overtaken by a blast, some We caused the earth to swallow, and some We drowned. Allah did not wrong them; rather, they wronged themselves.
41. The example of those who take protectors besides Allah is like the spider who builds a home. But the weakest of homes is the spider’s web — if only they knew.
42. Surely Allah knows whatever they call upon besides Him. He is the Almighty, the All-Wise.
43. These are examples We set for people, but none understand them except those who have knowledge.
44. Allah created the heavens and the earth for a true purpose. Surely in that is a sign for those who believe.
45. Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and perform the prayer. Surely, prayer keeps one away from shameful and evil deeds. And surely, remembering Allah is the greatest thing. And Allah knows what you do.
46. Do not argue with the People of the Book except in the best and most respectful way — unless they are unjust to you. And say, ‘We believe in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to you. Our God and your God is One, and we submit to Him.’
47. We have sent down the Book to you, O Prophet. And those We gave the Scripture before believe in it, and among these people also, there are some who believe in it. Only the disbelievers reject Our signs.
48. You never used to read any scripture before this, nor did you write it with your hand. If you had, those who doubt would have reason to be suspicious.
49. But this Qur’an is clear verses kept in the hearts of those who have been given knowledge. No one rejects Our signs except the wrongdoers.
50. They say, ‘Why have no signs been sent down to him from his Lord?’ Say: ‘The signs are only with Allah, and I am only a clear warner.’
51. Is it not enough for them that We have sent down to you the Book, which is recited to them? Surely in it is a mercy and reminder for people who believe.
52. Say: ‘Allah is enough as a witness between me and you. He knows what is in the heavens and the earth. And those who believe in falsehood and reject Allah — it is they who are the losers.’
53. They ask you to bring the punishment quickly. If it were not for a set time, it would have already come to them. But it will certainly come to them suddenly, while they are unaware.
54. They ask you to bring the punishment quickly — but surely, Hell will surround the disbelievers.
55. On that Day, the punishment will cover them from above and below, and it will be said, ‘Taste the consequences of what you used to do!’
56. O My servants who believe, My earth is vast, so worship Me alone.
57. Every soul will taste death. Then to Us you will all be returned.
58. Those who believe and do good deeds — We will surely house them in elevated rooms in Paradise, beneath which rivers flow, where they will stay forever. What an excellent reward for those who strive,
59. those who patiently endure and put their trust in their Lord.
60. How many creatures are there that do not carry their own provision! Allah provides for them — and for you. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.
61. If you ask them, ‘Who created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon?’ they will surely say, ‘Allah.’ Then how are they being misled?
62. Allah gives abundant provision to whom He wills, and restricts it for whom He wills. Surely Allah has knowledge of all things.
63. If you ask them, ‘Who sends down water from the sky and gives life to the earth after its death?’ they will certainly say, ‘Allah.’ Say: ‘All praise is due to Allah.’ But most of them do not understand.
64. This worldly life is nothing but play and amusement. But the life of the Hereafter is the real life — if only they knew.
65. When they board a ship, they call upon Allah, making their faith purely for Him. But when He brings them safely to land, they begin to associate others with Him again,
66. showing ungratefulness for what We gave them, and enjoying themselves in this worldly life. But soon they will know.
67. Have they not seen that We made a safe sanctuary (Makkah) while people around them are being snatched away? Then do they still believe in falsehood and reject Allah’s blessings?
68. Who does more wrong than the one who invents lies about Allah or denies the truth when it comes to him? Is there not a place in Hell for the disbelievers?
69. As for those who strive for Our sake — We will surely guide them to Our paths. Indeed, Allah is with those who do good. 0 0 0
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Comment
Surah Al-Ankabut is a deeply spiritual and powerful chapter that speaks directly to the heart of a believer. Its central message is that faith is not just a word — it is a test. When someone says, “I believe,” they should not expect a life without difficulty. Just as gold is purified by fire, believers are purified through trials, so that their sincerity and patience are proven.
The Surah begins by making this truth clear: Allah tests those who believe, just as He tested those before them — including prophets like Noah, Abraham, Lot, and Shu’aib. These stories show us that the path of truth has always been full of hardship, but those who trusted Allah were eventually saved, while the wrongdoers were destroyed.
One of the most striking parts of the Surah is its name: Al-Ankabut — The Spider. Allah uses the image of the spider’s web to show how fragile and weak the false gods and beliefs of the disbelievers really are. Just like a spider’s web may look fine and delicate, it cannot protect anyone from harm. In the same way, anything we rely on besides Allah will fail us in the end.
This Surah also reminds us about the beauty of trusting in Allah, turning away from the lies of this world, and focusing on the greater life of the Hereafter. It warns against arrogance, pride, and false promises, and it highlights how Allah’s signs are everywhere — in nature, in history, and even in our personal struggles.
One powerful lesson from this Surah is that truth is always worth the struggle. The believers may face harm, rejection, or mockery — just like the early Muslims in Makkah — but if they remain patient, they will be rewarded in both this world and the next. The end of the Surah beautifully says:
“Those who strive for Our cause — We will surely guide them to Our paths. And Allah is with those who do good.”
In summary, Surah Al-Ankabut teaches us that:
Faith will be tested.
The stories of the prophets are lessons for us today.
False beliefs are weak like a spider’s web.
True strength comes from turning to Allah with patience, trust, and sincerity. 0 0
Al-Ankabut (The Spider): Additional Study
Frequently Asked Questions on Al-Ankabut (The Spider)
Q1. What is Surah Al-Ankabut about?
Ans: Surah Al-Ankabut mainly addresses the trials of believers, the importance of patience, the weakness of false gods, and the eternal strength of faith in Allah.
Q2. Why is it called Al-Ankabut (The Spider)?
Ans: It is named after the parable of the spider’s web mentioned in verse 41, symbolizing the frailty of relying on false deities and worldly supports.
Q3. How many verses are there in Surah Al-Ankabut?
Ans: Surah Al-Ankabut has 69 verses.
Q4. Where was Surah Al-Ankabut revealed?
Ans: Most scholars consider the Surah Al-Ankabut a Makkan surah, though some verses are believed to have been revealed in Madinah.
Q5. What is the central message of Surah Al-Ankabut?
Ans: The central message is that faith is tested through hardships, and true reliance should only be on Allah, for all else is weak and temporary like a spider’s web.
Q6. Which prophets are mentioned in Surah Al-Ankabut?
Ans: The Surah Al-Ankabut mentions several prophets, including Noah, Abraham, Lot, Shu‘ayb, and Moses, to highlight their struggles and endurance in faith.
Q7. What lessons can Muslims learn from Surah Al-Ankabut?
Ans: Lessons include being steadfast in trials, understanding the weakness of worldly attachments, rejecting false gods, and recognizing that patience and reliance on Allah bring ultimate success. 0 0 0
A Poem on Surah Al-Ankabut
In trials the hearts are weighed,
Faith shines when comforts fade.
Like fragile threads the webs they spin,
False gods collapse, no strength within.
The spider’s house so thin, so weak,
No shelter found for those who seek.
Yet patience builds a fortress strong,
Where truth and trust in God belong.
Prophets walked through storms of fear,
Their steadfast voices still ring clear.
Noah’s call, Abraham’s flame,
Lot’s courage, Moses’ claim.
This fleeting world, a passing show,
Its glitter fades, its shadows go.
But faith endures, a guiding light,
Through darkest hours into the night.
So trust in Him, the One Most High,
Whose mercy vast no soul denies.
For webs may fall and worlds decay,
But God’s true promise lights the way. 0 0 0
N.B. Please send your comments on the translation of Surah Al-Ankabut.
