Surah an-Naml (The Ant ) 27 : 93

Overview (Verses 91 - 93)

Summing Up Instructions
 
At the end the Prophet is instructed to sum up his call and his method in calling on people to believe. He leaves them to their destiny, which they have chosen for themselves after the issues have been clearly put in front of them. The sūrah concludes, as it started, with praising God, leaving it to Him to show them His signs and to hold them to account for their deeds:
 
I am only bidden to worship the Lord of this city who has made it sacred. To Him all things belong. And I am bidden to be one of those who submit themselves [to God]. And to recite the Qur’ān. So whoever chooses to follow the right path does so for his own benefit; and if any chooses to go astray, say: “I am only a warner.’ And say: All praise is due to God. He will indeed make you see His signs, and you will recognize them. Your Lord is never heedless of what you do.’ (Verses 91-93)
 
The Arab idolaters used to believe in the sanctity of Makkah and the Sacred House, i.e. the Ka`bah. Indeed they based their supremacy in Arabia on belief in the sanctity of this House. Yet they did not believe in the oneness of God who made it sacred and also made it the focus of their lives. Therefore, God’s Messenger gives faith its proper value, declaring that he is commanded to worship the Lord of this sacred city, who has no partners. He states the Islamic concept of God’s oneness: the Lord of this city is the Lord of everything: “To Him all things belong.” (Verse 91) He also declares that he is bidden to be one of those who surrender themselves totally to God. No one else has any claim on them. They are a group of their own stretching over countless generations, sharing their belief in God and surrendering themselves to Him.
 
Such is the essence of his message, while its essential means is the recitation of the Qur’ān: “And to recite the Qur’ān.” (Verse 92) The Qur’ān is the book of this message, and also its constitution and method. The Prophet has been ordered to strive against the unbelievers by means of the Qur’ān, because it is sufficient as a means to address hearts, minds and souls. It contains what overpowers souls, influences feelings, and violently shakes hearts. Fighting was permitted at a later stage to defend believers, ensure the freedom for God’s message to address people with the Qur’ān, and to implement the divine law. As for calling people to faith, the Qur’ān itself is sufficient: “And to recite the Qur’ān.”
 
“So whoever chooses to follow the right path does so for his own benefit; and if any chooses to go astray, say: I am only a warner.” (Verse 92) This statement represents personal responsibility with regard to following divine guidance or error. In turn, it reflects the dignity that Islam guarantees man such that none are driven to faith against their will. It is only that we recite the Qur’ān and let it work on people in accordance with its profound and meticulous method. Needless to say, when human nature is left unshackled, it responds to the Qur’ān because its very constitution is in unison with the Qur’ānic method.
 
“And say: All praise is due to God.” (Verse 93) This is by way of introducing what is to come concerning God’s own making. “He will indeed make you see His signs, and you will recognize them.” (Verse 93) God certainly says the truth. Every day He shows His servants some of His signs within themselves and in the great expanse of the universe. He reveals to them some of the secrets at work in the universe.
 
“Your Lord is never heedless of what you do.” (Verse 93) This is the final note in the sūrah, expressed gently yet imparting an awesome sense. They are then left to do what they want, prompted by the profound note: “Your Lord is never heedless of what you do.”