29.Al-'Ankabut (The Spider)
Period Uncertain
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
مَثَلُ
الَّذِينَ
اتَّخَذُوا
مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ
أَوْلِيَاء
كَمَثَلِ
الْعَنكَبُوتِ...
29:41. The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of the Spider,
...اتَّخَذَتْ بَيْتًا...
who builds (to itself) a house;
...وَإِنَّ أَوْهَنَ الْبُيُوتِ ...
but truly the flimsiest of houses
C3466. The Spider's house is one of the wonderful Signs of Allah's creation. It is made up of fine silk threads spun out of silk glands in the spider's body. ……… but in our actual world they are flimsy, especially the threads of the gossamer spider floating in the air.
... لَبَيْتُ الْعَنكَبُوتِ... ...
is the Spider's house,
...لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٤١﴾
if they but knew.
إِنَّ
اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ
مَا يَدْعُونَ
مِن دُونِهِ
مِن شَيْءٍ...
29: 42. Verily Allah doth know of (everything) whatever that they call upon besides Him:
C3468. The last verse told us that men, out of spiritual ignorance, build their hopes on flimsy unsubstantial things (like the spider's web) which are broken by a thousand chance attacks of wind and weather or the actions of animals or men.
...وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴿٤٢﴾
and He is Exalted (in power), Wise.
وَتِلْكَ
الْأَمْثَالُ
نَضْرِبُهَا
لِلنَّاسِ...
29: 43. And such are the Parables We set for mankind,
...وَمَا يَعْقِلُهَا إِلَّا الْعَالِمُونَ ﴿٤٣﴾
but only those understand them who have Knowledge.
C3469. Parables seem simple things, but their profound meaning and application can only be understood by those who seek knowledge and by Allah's grace attain it.
خَلَقَ
اللَّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَالْأَرْضَ
بِالْحَقِّ...
29: 44. Allah created the heavens and the earth in true (proportions):
In all Allah's Creation, not only is there evidence of intelligent Purpose, fitting all parts together with wisdom, but also of supreme Goodness and cherishing Care, by which all needs are satisfied and all the highest and truest cravings fulfilled. These are like beckoning signals to lead on those who pray and search in Faith.
...إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَةً لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٤٤﴾
verily in that is a Sign for those who believe.
C.179 (The running Commentary, in Rhythmic Prose)
(29:45-69)
Proclaim the Message of Allah, and pray
To Him for purity and guidance.
Allah's Revelation carries its own
Proofs and is recognized by men
Of wisdom. Its rejecters but lose
Their own chances of profiting
By the Truth, and attaining the Paths
That lead to Allah's own gracious Presence!
29:41
THE PARABLE of those who take [beings or forces] other than God for their protectors is that of the spider which makes for itself a house: for, behold, the frailest of all houses is the spider's house. Could they but understand this!
(29:42) Verily, God knows whatever it is that men invoke instead of Him 37 for He alone is almighty, truly wise.
(29:43) And so We propound these parables unto man: but none can grasp their innermost meaning save those who [of Us] are aware, 38
(29:44) [and hence are certain that] God has created the heavens and the earth in accordance with [an inner] truth: 39 for, behold, in this [very creation] there is a message indeed for all who believe [in Him].
[[ Ruby’s note on 29:41-43 – Spiders web is skillfully done with intricate design. However it can get wiped out with a slight wind or very low force. The house looks strong but in reality it has no foundation and cannot withstand slight .]]