This page contains all verses of surah Al-Ankaboot in addition to Interpretation of all verses by Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Hafiz Ibn Kathir). In the first part you can read surah العنكبوت ordered in pages exactly as it is present in the Quran. To read an interpretation of a verse click on its number.
Surah Al-Ankaboot, meaning "The Spider," is the 29th chapter of the Quran. It consists of 69 verses and is categorized as a Meccan surah. The surah takes its name from the mention of the spider's web in verse 41, which serves as a metaphor for the fragility of false beliefs and the strength of true faith.
The central theme of Surah Al-Ankaboot revolves around the trials and tribulations faced by believers, emphasizing the importance of patience, perseverance, and reliance on Allah. The surah also addresses the concept of testing one's faith and the consequences of disbelief.
Surah Al-Ankaboot provides guidance and encouragement for believers to remain steadfast in the face of adversity, reminding them of the ultimate accountability to Allah. It emphasizes the need for sincere devotion and steadfastness in the path of righteousness, despite the challenges and opposition encountered.
The surah also highlights the concept of migration for the sake of preserving faith and seeking refuge in Allah's guidance. It underscores the significance of seeking knowledge, understanding, and reflection on the signs of Allah's creation as a means of strengthening faith and gaining wisdom.
Furthermore, Surah Al-Ankaboot addresses the importance of maintaining family ties, upholding justice, and enjoining good while forbidding evil. It emphasizes the significance of establishing prayer and giving in charity as essential acts of worship that strengthen the bond between the believer and Allah.
Overall, Surah Al-Ankaboot serves as a source of guidance, inspiration, and reassurance for believers, reminding them of the transient nature of worldly trials and the eternal rewards of steadfast faith. It encourages believers to remain steadfast in their commitment to Allah, seek knowledge, and uphold moral values in the face of adversity.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Allah says:
Alif Lam Mim.
In the beginning of the Tafsir of Surah Al-Baqarah, we discussed the letters which appear at the beginning of some Surahs.
(Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested.) This is a rebuke in the form of a question, meaning that Allah will inevitably test His believing servants according to their level of faith, as it recorded in the authentic Hadith:
(The people most severly tested are the Prophets, then the righteous, then the next best and the next best. A man will be tested in accordance with the degree of his religious commitment; the stonger his religious commitment, the stronger his test.) This Ayah is like the Ayah,
(Do you think that you will enter Paradise without Allah knowing those of you who fought (in His cause) and knowing those who are the patient) (3:142) There is a similar Ayah in Surat At-Tawbah. And Allah says:
(Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, "When (will come) the help of Allah" Yes! Certainly, the help of Allah is near!) (2:214) Allah says here:
(And We indeed tested those who were before them so that Allah will know those who are true, and will know those who are liars.) meaning, He will make know which are sincere in their claim to be believers from those who are lying. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, knows what has happened in the past and what is yet to come, and He knows how that which will not happen would have happened if it were to happen. All the Imams of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah are agreed on this. This is the view of Ibn `Abbas and others concerning phrases such as the Ayah,
(only that We know) (2:143). Meaning, only to see -- because seeing has to do with what is there, but knowledge is broader than seeing, since it includes what is not present as well as what is.
(Or think those who do evil deeds that they can outstrip Us Evil is that which they judge!) means, those who are not believers should not think that they will escape such trials and tests, for ahead of them lies a greater and more severe punishment. Allah says:
(Or think those who do evil deeds that they can outstrip Us) meaning, "escape" from Us.
(Evil is that which they judge!) what they think is evil.
(Whoever hopes in meeting with Allah,) means, in the Hereafter, and does righteous deeds, and hopes for a great reward with Allah, then Allah will fulfill his hopes and reward him for his deeds in full. This will undoubtedly come to pass, for He is the One Who hears all supplications, He knows and understands the needs of all created beings. Allah says:
(Whoever hopes in meeting with Allah, then Allah's term is surely coming, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.)
(And whosoever strives, he strives only for himself.) This is like the Ayah,
(Whosoever does righteous good deed, it is for himself) (41:46). Whoever does a righteous deed, the benefit of that deed will come back to him, for Allah has no need of the deeds of His servants, and even if all of them were to be as pious as the most pious man among them, that would not add to His dominion in the slightest. Allah says:
(And whosoever strives, he strives only for himself. Verily, Allah stands not in need of any of the creatures.) Then Allah tells us that even though He has no need of His creatures, He is kind and generous to them. He will still give to those who believe and do righteous deeds the best of rewards, which is that He will expiate for them their bad deeds, and will reward them according to the best deeds that they did. He will accept the fewest good deeds and in return for one good deed will give anything between ten rewards and seven hundred, but for every bad deed, He will give only one evil merit, or even that He may overlook and forgive. This is like the Ayah,
(Surely, Allah wrongs not even the weight of a speck of dust, but if there is any good, He doubles it, and gives from Him a great reward.) (4:40). And He says here:
(Those who believe, and do righteous good deeds, surely, We shall expiate from them their evil deeds and We shall indeed reward them according to the best of that which they used to do.)