No authentic hadith mentions a virtue specific to Surah Al-’Ankabut; it is, however, one of the Mathani given to the Prophet ﷺ in place of the Gospel, according to the hadith of Wathilah ibn al-Asqa’. It is the surah of trials: it commands patience and steadfastness in trials and temptations and shows their good outcome, and likens false protectors to the spider’s house, the frailest of houses.
It is one of the Mathani, given to the Prophet ﷺ in place of the Gospel, according to the hadith of Wathilah ibn al-Asqa’: “… in place of the Gospel I was given the Mathani.”
Its aim is to command patience and steadfastness in trials and temptations and to show their good outcome: trials distinguish the truthful from the liars, and it closes with glad tidings: “As for those who strive for Us, We will surely guide them to Our ways.”
Arabic text, translation, reference and authenticity grade of each hadith.
أعطيت مكان التوراة السبع الطوال، وأعطيت مكان الزبور المئين، وأعطيت مكان الإنجيل المثاني، وفضلت بالمفصل
I was given in place of the Torah the seven long surahs, in place of the Psalms the Mi’in, in place of the Gospel the Mathani, and I was favoured with the Mufassal.
Main purpose: To command patience and steadfastness in trials and temptations, and to show their good outcome.
Al-’Ankabut is the 29th surah in the order of the Qur’an; revealed after Ar-Rum, it is one of the last Meccan surahs: the 83rd in the Meccan order of revelation, with only Al-Mutaffifin revealed after it before the Hijrah. It has sixty-nine verses, and one of its main aims is to speak of trial and the state of the tried in this world and the Hereafter.
Tafsir of Surah Al-’Ankabut Listen to Al-’Ankabut by other reciters
The full Arabic text: introduction, virtues, themes, and a study of the chain and authenticity of each hadith.
