←Prev   Ayah al-`Ankabut (The Spider) 29:41   Next→ 

Popular and/or Featured Works
Muhammad Asad   
The parable of those who take [beings or forces] other than God for their protectors is that of the spider which makes for itself a house: for, behold, the frailest of all houses is the spiders house. Could they but understand this
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of a spider spinning a shelter. And the flimsiest of all shelters is certainly that of a spider, if only they knew.
Safi Kaskas   
The example of those who take protectors other than God is like that of the female spider that made itself a home, for the weakest of homes is the spider’s web. If they only knew.

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Source Arabic and Literal tools
Arabic   
مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِینَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡلِیَاۤءَ كَمَثَلِ ٱلۡعَنكَبُوتِ ٱتَّخَذَتۡ بَیۡتࣰاۖ وَإِنَّ أَوۡهَنَ ٱلۡبُیُوتِ لَبَیۡتُ ٱلۡعَنكَبُوتِۚ لَوۡ كَانُوا۟ یَعۡلَمُونَ ۝٤١
Transliteration (2021)   
mathalu alladhīna ittakhadhū min dūni l-lahi awliyāa kamathali l-ʿankabūti ittakhadhat baytan wa-inna awhana l-buyūti labaytu l-ʿankabūti law kānū yaʿlamūn
Word for Word
Dr. Shehnaz Shaikh, Ms. Kauser Katri, and more
  
(The) example (of) those who take from besides Allah protectors (is) like the spider who takes a house. And indeed, the weakest (of) houses (is) surely (the) house (of) the spider, if (only) they know.

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad   
The parable of those who take [beings or forces] other than God for their protectors is that of the spider which makes for itself a house: for, behold, the frailest of all houses is the spiders house. Could they but understand this
M. M. Pickthall   
The likeness of those who choose other patrons than Allah is as the likeness of the spider when she taketh unto herself a house, and lo! the frailest of all houses is the spider's house, if they but knew
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)   
The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of the spider, who builds (to itself) a house; but truly the flimsiest of houses is the spider's house;- if they but knew
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab   
The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of a spider spinning a shelter. And the flimsiest of all shelters is certainly that of a spider, if only they knew.
Safi Kaskas   
The example of those who take protectors other than God is like that of the female spider that made itself a home, for the weakest of homes is the spider’s web. If they only knew.
Wahiduddin Khan   
Those who take protectors other than God can be compared to the spider which builds itself a cobweb, but the frailest of all structures is the house of the spider, if they but knew it
Shakir   
The parable of those who take guardians besides Allah is as the parable of the spider that makes for itself a house; and most surely the frailest of the houses is the spider's house did they but know
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar   
The parable of those who took other than God to themselves as protectors is that of the spider who took a house to itself. But, truly, the frailest of houses is the house of the spider if they had but been knowing.
T.B.Irving   
Those who enlist other patrons instead of God may be compared to the Spider, who adopts a house for himself. The flimsiest house is the Spider´s house, if they only realized it!
Abdul Hye   
The example of those who take protectors other than Allah is the example of a spider who builds (for itself) a house, but surely, the weakest of houses is the house of the spider; if they but knew.
The Study Quran   
The parable of those who take protectors apart from God is that of the spider that makes a house. Truly the frailest of houses is the spider’s house, if they but knew
Talal Itani & AI (2024)   
The example of those who take allies other than God is like that of the spider who builds a house. Yet, the weakest of houses is the house of the spider—if they only knew.
Talal Itani (2012)   
The likeness of those who take to themselves protectors other than God is that of the spider. It builds a house. But the most fragile of houses is the spider's house. If they only knew
Dr. Kamal Omar   
The likeness of those who took ‘auliya’ (protectors and helpers) besides Allah is as the likeness of a she-spider — she built a house. And verily, the frailest of houses is surely a house (built by) the she-spider — if they had been knowing
M. Farook Malik   
The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of a spider who builds for itself a dwelling, and surely the weakest of all dwellings is the dwelling of a spider, if they but knew it
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali   
The likeness of the ones who have taken to themselves patrons apart from Allah is as the likeness of the spider that takes to itself a home; and surely the feeblest of homes is indeed the spider's house, if they knew (the Truth)
Muhammad Sarwar   
The belief of considering other things as one's guardians besides God is as feeble as a spider's web. The spider's web is the frailest of all dwellings, if only they knew it
Muhammad Taqi Usmani   
The example of those who have adopted patrons other than Allah is like the spider that has made a house, while indeed the weakest of houses is the house of the spider. If only they know
Shabbir Ahmed   
The likeness of those who choose patrons other than Allah, is that of the spider which makes for itself a house. And, behold, the frailest of all houses is the spider's house, if they would make use of what they know. (Its web easily traps the weak but cannot withstand the least bit of pressure)
Dr. Munir Munshey   
Those who take patrons other than Allah (and feel secure) may be likened to a spider that spins its home. Of course the flimsiest home is the web of the spider, if only they know
Syed Vickar Ahamed   
The story of those who take protectors other than Allah is like that of the Spider, who builds a house (web for itself); But truly, the weakest of the houses is the Spiders house— If they only knew
Umm Muhammad (Sahih International)   
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
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)   
The example of those who take allies besides God is like the spider how it makes a home; and the weakest home is the home of the spider, if they only knew
Abdel Haleem   
Those who take protectors other than God can be compared to spiders building themselves houses- the spider’s is the frailest of all houses- if only they could understand
Abdul Majid Daryabadi   
The likeness of those who take other patrons than Allah is as the likeness of the spider who taketh unto herself a house. And verily the frailest of all houses is the spider's house - if they but knew
Ahmed Ali   
The semblance of those who take protectors besides God is that of the spider. She arranges a house for herself, but the flimsiest of houses is the spider's. If only they had sense
Aisha Bewley   
The metaphor of those who take protectors besides Allah is that of a spider which builds itself a house; but no house is flimsier than a spider´s house, if they only knew.
Ali Ünal   
The parable of those who take to them other than God for guardians (to entrust their affairs to) is like a spider: it has made for itself a house, and surely the frailest of houses is the spider’s house. If only they knew this
Ali Quli Qara'i   
The parable of those who take guardians instead of Allah is that of the spider that takes a home, and indeed the frailest of homes is the home of a spider, had they known
Hamid S. Aziz   
The similitude of those who choose other patrons than Allah, is as the likeness of a spider, that takes to himself a house; and, lo! The frailest of all houses is the spider´s house, if they but knew
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad   
The example of those who take protectors/masters besides God is like the spider that makes a house for herself, and indeed the weakest house is the spider’s house, if they knew.
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)   
The parable of those who take protectors other than God, is that of the spider who builds for itself a house, but truly the flimsiest of houses is the spider’s house, if they only knew
Musharraf Hussain   
An example of those who adopt gods beside Allah is like a spider that spins a web – and a spider’s web is the weakest of homes – if only they knew.
Maududi   
The case of those who took others than Allah as their protectors is that of a spider who builds a house; but the frailest of all houses is the spider´s house; if they only knew
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)   
The example of those who take allies besides God is like the spider how it makes a home; and the weakest home is the home of the spider, if only they knew
Mohammad Shafi   
Those taking patrons other than Allah are like the spider building a web of a house. And, certainly indeed, the frailest of all houses is the spider's house — if they but knew

Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)   
The example of those who have made guardians other than Allah is like the spider. She has made a house of cobweb. And undoubtedly, the frailest of all houses is the house of the spider. What a good thing it would have been if they knew.
Rashad Khalifa   
The allegory of those who accept other masters beside GOD is that of the spider and her home; the flimsiest of all homes is the home of the spider, if they only knew.
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah   
The likeness of those who have taken guardians, other than Allah, is as the likeness of the spider that takes to itself a house; surely the spider's house is the weakest house if they but knew
Maulana Muhammad Ali   
The parable of those who take guardians besides Allah is as the parable of the spider that makes for itself a house; and surely the frailest of the houses is the spider’s house -- if they but knew
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira   
(The) example proverb (of) those who took from other than God guardians/allies , (is) as the example/proverb (of) the spider, it took/received (F) a house/home, and that (the) weakest/most feeble (of) the houses/homes, (is the) house/home (E) (of) the spider, if they were knowing
Bijan Moeinian   
Those who choose beside God as their protector, resemble to the spider who, as everyone knows, build the least strong house to live in. Would that these people had knowledge [and knew how they are betraying their own souls!]
Faridul Haque   
The example of those who choose masters other than Allah is like that of the spider; it makes the web its house; and indeed the weakest house of all is that of the spider; if only they knew
Sher Ali   
The case of those who take helpers beside ALLAH is like unto the case of the spider that takes to itself a house; and, surely, the frailest of all houses is the house of the spider, if they but knew
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri   
The example of those (disbelievers) who have taken others (i.e., idols) as guardians instead of Allah is like the story of a spider who builds (for herself) a house (of cobweb). And no doubt the weakest of all houses is the spider’s house. Would that they knew it
Amatul Rahman Omar   
The case of those who take helping friends apart from Allah is like the case of the spider that takes (to itself) a house, yet of (all) houses the house of the spider is the frailest. If they but knew (the flimsiness and fragility of their idols they would not have sought their protection)
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali   
The likeness of those who take Auliya (protectors and helpers) other than Allah is as the likeness of a spider, who builds (for itself) a house, but verily, the frailest (weakest) of houses is the spiders house; if they but knew

Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
Arthur John Arberry   
The likeness of those who have taken to them protectors, apart from God, is as the likeness of the spider that takes to itself a house; and surely the frailest of houses is the house of the spider, did they but know
George Sale   
The likness of those who take other patrons besides God, is as the likeness of the spider, which maketh herself a house: But the weakest of all houses surely is the house of the spider; if they knew this
Edward Henry Palmer   
The likeness of those who take, beside God, patrons is as the likeness of a spider, that takes to himself a house; and, verily, the weakest of houses is a spider's house, if they did but know
John Medows Rodwell   
The likeness for those who take to themselves guardians instead of God is the likeness of the SPIDER who buildeth her a house: But verily, frailest of all houses surely is the house of the spider. Did they but know this
N J Dawood (2014)   
Those who serve other masters besides God may be compared to the spider which builds a cobweb for itself. Surely the spider‘s is the frailest of all dwellings, if they but knew it

New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame   
The likeness of those who take allies other than Allah is the likeness of the spider taking a house for itself and truly the most fragile of all the houses is indeed the house of the spider if only they knew.
Munir Mezyed   
The parable of those who take guardians, other than Allâh, is as the parable of the Spider that takes to itself a house. Indeed, the frailest of houses is the house of the Spider, If only they had spiritual gift of knowledge.
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher   
The likeness of those who adopt protectors besides Allah is that of the spider adopting a dwelling, and the most feeble of dwellings is the dwelling of the spider if they only knew.
Linda “iLHam” Barto   
The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of the spider who builds its house. Truly, the spider’s house is the flimsiest home, if they only could understand.
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation   
The likeness of those who take for themselves guardians apart from Allah is as the likeness of the spider that takes for itself a house, and surely the feeblest of houses is indeed the house of the spider, if they only knew.
Irving & Mohamed Hegab   
Those who enlist other patrons instead of Allah (God) may be compared to the Spider, who adopts a house for himself. The flimsiest house is the Spider's house, if they only realized it!
Samy Mahdy   
Examples of those who took without Allah guardians is like an example of the spider. She took a house. And surely the feeblest house is the spider’s house. If they were knowing.
Sayyid Qutb   
Those who take anyone other than God for their protectors may be compared to the spider which makes for itself a home. Indeed the spider's home is the frailest of all homes, if they but knew it.
Ahmed Hulusi   
The example of those who take friends besides Allah (by deifying each other) is like that of a female spider who takes a home... Indeed, the weakest of homes is the home of a female spider! If only they knew.
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli   
The parable of those who take guardians besides Allah is as the parable of the spider that makes for itself a house but verily the frailest of (all) houses is the house of the spider, if they but know (this)
Al-muntakhab fi tafsir al-Qur‘an al-Karim   
The like of those who take tutelary guardians or protectors besides Allah stands similitude exact of the spider which seeks protection in a house made of slender filaments or threads spun all round. It may be strong enough to suit its purpose, but it collapses by a wave of the hand, and so the spider's house is indeed the flimsiest of all houses if only they -the infidels- know
Mir Aneesuddin   
The likeness of those who have taken guardians besides Allah, is as the likeness of the spider which takes hold of a house and certainly the weakest of (all) the houses is the house, of the spider, if they (only) know.
The Wise Quran   
The similitude of those who take patrons besides God is as the similitude of the spider that takes a house; and indeed, the weakest of houses is surely the spider's house, if they know.

Obsolete and/or older editions
Yusuf Ali (Orig. 1938)   
The parable of those who take protectors other than God is that of the spider, who builds (to itself) a house; but truly the flimsiest of houses is the spider's house;- if they but knew
OLD Literal Word for Word   
(The) example (of) those who take besides Allah protectors (is) like the spider who takes a house. And indeed, the weakest (of) houses (is) surely (the) house (of) the spider, if (only) they know
OLD Transliteration   
Mathalu allatheena ittakhathoo min dooni Allahi awliyaa kamathali alAAankabooti ittakhathat baytan wa-inna awhana albuyooti labaytu alAAankabooti law kanoo yaAAlamoona