Surah Al-'Ankabut Verse 41 - Read, Listen, Translation, English : The example of those who take allies other than Allah…

Al-'Ankabut · 41/69

Translation Transliteration — Al-'Ankabut

مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ كَمَثَلِ الْعَنكَبُوتِ اتَّخَذَتْ بَيْتًا ۖ وَإِنَّ أَوْهَنَ الْبُيُوتِ لَبَيْتُ الْعَنكَبُوتِ ۖ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ ۝٤١

🔤 Transliteration

Masalul lazeenat takhazoo min doonil laahi awliyaaa`a kamasalil `ankaboot, ittakhazat baitaa; wa inna awhanal buyooti la baitul `ankaboot; law kaanoo ya`lamoon

📖 Translation (English Meaning)

📖 English Meaning

The example of those who take allies other than Allah is like that of the spider who takes a home. And indeed, the weakest of homes is the home of the spider, if they only knew.

🌐 Additional reference in Français

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Translation — Tafsir

Word Meanings:

Awliyaa (أَوْلِيَاء): Protectors, allies, or helpers whom one relies upon for support and defense.
Al-'Ankabut (الْعَنكَبُوت): The spider, a tiny, weak creature known for weaving a fragile web.
Awahan (أَوْهَن): The weakest, most feeble, and most fragile.

Explanation of the Verse:

Allah, the Most High, presents a striking and vivid parable to expose the reality of those who take false deities and idols as their protectors and allies instead of Allah. They place their hopes in these idols, expecting them to bring benefit, grant victory, or intercede on their behalf. Yet, their situation is likened to that of a spider that spins a delicate web, hoping it will serve as a protective home. But when the moment of need arrives—whether against heat, cold, or an enemy—this fragile web offers absolutely no defense or shelter. It is, in fact, the weakest of all dwellings, crumbling at the slightest touch.

Similarly, the idols and false gods that the polytheists cling to are utterly powerless. They can neither bring harm nor benefit, neither grant victory nor provide protection. If only those who worship them truly understood this, they would never have placed their trust in such hollow, helpless beings. The parable is a profound call to awaken the intellect: how can a rational person rely on something weaker than a spider's web, while the Almighty Creator—who holds all power and mercy—is there, ever ready to answer those who turn to Him?

This verse carries a timeless lesson for every believer: true strength, protection, and security lie only in Allah. He is the Strongest of supporters, the Most Capable of defenders. Whoever places their trust in Him will never be disappointed, for His power knows no limits. The spider's web is a reminder that anything we rely upon besides Allah—be it wealth, status, people, or false deities—is ultimately fragile and fleeting. But Allah's support is eternal and unshakable. So turn to Him with a sincere heart, and you will find a refuge far stronger than any fortress, and a protector far mightier than any ally.

🎧 Listen

📜 Verse 39-43 — Al-'Ankabut

39وَقَارُونَ وَفِرْعَوْنَ وَهَامَانَ ۖ وَلَقَدْ جَاءَهُم مُّوسَىٰ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا كَانُوا سَابِقِينَ

And [We destroyed] Qarun and Pharaoh and Haman. And Moses had already come to them with clear evidences, and they were arrogant in the land, but they were not outrunners [of Our punishment].

40فَكُلًّا أَخَذْنَا بِذَنبِهِ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ حَاصِبًا وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَخَذَتْهُ الصَّيْحَةُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ خَسَفْنَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَغْرَقْنَا ۚ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ

So each We seized for his sin; and among them were those upon whom We sent a storm of stones, and among them were those who were seized by the blast [from the sky], and among them were those whom We caused the earth to swallow, and among them were those whom We drowned. And Allah would not have wronged them, but it was they who were wronging themselves.

41مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ كَمَثَلِ الْعَنكَبُوتِ اتَّخَذَتْ بَيْتًا ۖ وَإِنَّ أَوْهَنَ الْبُيُوتِ لَبَيْتُ الْعَنكَبُوتِ ۖ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ

The example of those who take allies other than Allah is like that of the spider who takes a home. And indeed, the weakest of homes is the home of the spider, if they only knew.

42إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ مِن شَيْءٍ ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

Indeed, Allah knows whatever thing they call upon other than Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

43وَتِلْكَ الْأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ ۖ وَمَا يَعْقِلُهَا إِلَّا الْعَالِمُونَ

And these examples We present to the people, but none will understand them except those of knowledge.

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Al-'AnkabutQuran Index

69Verse

MeccanRevelation

41Verse

Translation — Al-'Ankabut 41

Surah Al-'Ankabut Verse 41 - Read, Listen, Translation, English : The example of those who take allies other than Allah…

Surah Verse 41/69 — Al-'Ankabut العنكبوت (Meccan). Read Listen Translation (English). Listen: Al-'Ankabut Listen, Al-'Ankabut Translation, Al-'Ankabut mp3, Al-'Ankabut pdf. Verse 39–43. English Meaning: Français.

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