Surah an-Naml (The Ant ) 27 : 86

Explanatory Note

The presentation in this round follows a special pattern, setting scenes from this life against those from the life to come, moving from one to the other at the moment when it is particularly effective. Here the sūrah leaves those who denied God’s revelations as they stand speechless on the Day of Resurrection to draw a scene of this world which should have awakened their consciences and invited them to reflect on the universe and its creation. They should have thought of this and realized that God takes care of them, providing them with what enables them to have comfortable lives, making the universe around them suitable for life, not hostile to it: “Are they not aware that it is We who have made the night for them to rest in, and the day to give them light? In this there are truly signs for people who will believe.” (Verse 86)

The scene of the still night and the alert day should give man a religious conscience that directs him to maintain his bond with God who alternates the night and day. Both day and night are two universal signs that bear a clear message to anyone who accepts the faith, but unbelievers do not do so. Had there been only night or only day, life would not have been possible on earth. Indeed, had either the day or the night been ten times longer than what they are now, the sun would have burnt out every plant on earth, while at night every surviving plant would have been frozen. Life then would have been impossible. We see that the present state of the night and day is suitable to life, and this carries signs for people who respond to faith.