The Ant and Sulayman: a Quran story for kids

Allah gathered for Sulayman a great army: of jinn, of people, and of birds.

﴿وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيْمَـٰنَ جُنُودُهُۥ مِنَ ٱلْجِنِّ وَٱلْإِنسِ وَٱلطَّيْرِ﴾

An-Naml 27:17

It means: Sulayman’s army was gathered: jinn, people and birds.

They marched together until they reached a valley full of ant homes.

﴿حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَتَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ وَادِ ٱلنَّمْلِ﴾

An-Naml 27:18

It means: Until they came to a valley where ants live.

A little ant saw them, and called out to the others:

﴿قَالَتْ نَمْلَةٌۭ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّمْلُ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ مَسَـٰكِنَكُمْ﴾

An-Naml 27:18

It means: The ant said: O ants, go into your homes, quickly.

And she told them:

﴿لَا يَحْطِمَنَّكُمْ سُلَيْمَـٰنُ وَجُنُودُهُۥ وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ﴾

An-Naml 27:18

It means: So that Sulayman and his army do not step on you without seeing you.

Think: Why did the ant say: “without noticing”?

Sulayman heard what the ant said, and he smiled and laughed.

﴿فَتَبَسَّمَ ضَاحِكًۭا مِّن قَوْلِهَا﴾

An-Naml 27:19

It means: Sulayman smiled at what the ant said.

And he thanked his Lord:

﴿وَقَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِىٓ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ﴾

An-Naml 27:19

It means: My Lord, help me to thank You for Your blessings.

The little ant cared for the others and warned them, and Sulayman thanked Allah for His blessings. We too look after those around us, and thank Allah.