Surah Al-'Ankabut
Surah 29 · The Spider · 69 verses · meccan
The Spider — from verse 41, where relying on anything besides Allah is compared to a spider's house: the flimsiest of homes.
The story
A spider's web looks like a house, but you could break it with one finger. This surah says that trusting anything other than Allah is like living in a spider's web.
How it unfolds
AYAH 1-13
Tested, not just asked
The opening question, and the rule that everyone before was tested too.
AYAH 8
Parents and loyalty
Kindness to parents held together with refusal to follow them away from Allah.
AYAH 41-45
The spider's house
The parable of the flimsiest home, and prayer described as what restrains from indecency.
AYAH 69
Those who strive
The closing promise — effort met with guidance.
Verses to carry
- 29:69"Those who strive for Us — We will surely guide them to Our ways." Effort is the condition, not success.
- 29:2"Do people think they will be left to say we believe, and not be tested?"
- 29:45"Prayer restrains from immorality and wrongdoing." What salah is actually for.
Remember this
Allah promises that if you *try* for Him, He will show you the way. You do not have to be perfect — you have to try.
Talk about it
Have you ever seen a spider's web? What happens if you touch it?