The Bee (

Arabic Arabic (, , or , ) is a Central Semitic languages, Central Semitic language of the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family spoken primarily in the Arab world. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) assigns lang ...

: الْنَّحْل; ''an-naḥl'') is the 16th chapter (''

sūrah A ''surah'' (; ; ) is an Arabic word meaning 'chapter' in the Quran. There are 114 ''suwar'' in the Quran, each divided into ayah, verses (). The ''suwar'' are of unequal length; the shortest ''surah'' (al-Kawthar) has only three verses, while ...

'') of the

Qur'an The Quran, also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation directly from God ('' Allāh''). It is organized in 114 chapters (, ) which consist of individual verses ('). Besides ...

, with 128 verses ('' āyāt''). It is named after

honey bee A honey bee (also spelled honeybee) is a eusocial flying insect within the genus ''Apis'' of the bee clade, all native to mainland Afro-Eurasia. After bees spread naturally throughout Africa and Eurasia, humans became responsible for the ...

s mentioned in verse 68, and contains a comparison of the industry and adaptability of honey bees with the industry of man. Regarding the timing and contextual background of the believed

revelation Revelation, or divine revelation, is the disclosing of some form of Religious views on truth, truth or Knowledge#Religion, knowledge through communication with a deity (god) or other supernatural entity or entities in the view of religion and t ...

(''

asbāb al-nuzūl Occasions or circumstances of revelation (in Arabic - ''al-nuzūl'') names the historical context in which Quranic verses were revealed from the perspective of traditional Islam. Though of some use in reconstructing the Qur'an's historicity, ''a ...

''), it is an "

Meccan surah A Meccan surah is, according to the timing and contextual background of their revelation ('' asbāb al-nuzūl'') within Islamic tradition, a chronologically earlier chapter ('' suwar'', singular ''sūrah'') of the Qur'an. The traditional chronolog ...

" during the last period, which means it is believed to have been revealed in Mecca, instead of later in Medina.

Summary

*1 God's judgment sure to be visited on the infidels *2

Revelation Revelation, or divine revelation, is the disclosing of some form of Religious views on truth, truth or Knowledge#Religion, knowledge through communication with a deity (god) or other supernatural entity or entities in the view of religion and t ...

is from God by the ministry of

angels An angel is a spiritual (without a physical body), heavenly, or supernatural being, usually humanoid with bird-like wings, often depicted as a messenger or intermediary between God (the transcendent) and humanity (the profane) in variou ...

*3–8 God the Creator, as his works testify *9 God the true instructor of man *10–14 His works in heaven, earth, and sea described *15 The earth made firm by the mountains *16 The stars appointed to guide man *17 God not to be compared to idols *18–19 God merciful and omniscient *20–22 The character of the idols declared *23

Infidels An infidel (literally "unfaithful") is a person who is accused of disbelief in the central tenets of one's own religion, such as members of another religion, or irreligion, irreligious people. Infidel is an Ecclesiology, ecclesiastical term in Ch ...

reject the one true God *24–25 The

Omniscient Omniscience is the property of possessing maximal knowledge. In Hinduism, Sikhism and the Abrahamic religions, it is often attributed to a divine being or an all-knowing spirit, entity or person. In Jainism, omniscience is an attribute that any ...

hates the proud *26 Muhammad charged with forgery *27–28 The unbelievers shall be destroyed *29–31 Idolaters will be disappointed in the resurrection *32–34 The reward of the righteous *35–36 Infidels can only look for judgment *37 They lay their crimes to God's charge *38 Every nation has its own prophet *38–39 The dreadful end of infidelity *40 The infidels deny the resurrection *41 They shall be taught their error *42 God creates by a word *43 Promises to the

Muhájirín The ''Muhajirun'' (, singular , ) were the converts to Islam and the Islamic prophet Muhammad's advisors and relatives, who emigrated from Mecca to Medina; the event is known in Islam as the ''Hijra''. The early Muslims from Medina are called the ' ...

*44 The patient believer will be rewarded *45 The custodians of the Scriptures to be inquired of *46 The Quran sent to be proclaimed to the people *47–49 The Prophet's enemies will be punished * ۩ 50–52 All God's creatures

worship Worship is an act of religious devotion usually directed towards a deity or God. For many, worship is not about an emotion, it is more about a recognition of a God. An act of worship may be performed individually, in an informal or formal group, ...

him *53–55 The true God to be worshipped and obeyed *56–58 Idolaters are ungrateful *59–61 Hating daughters, the

Quraish The Quraysh () are an Arab tribe who controlled Mecca before the rise of Islam. Their members were divided into ten main clans, most notably including the Banu Hashim, into which Islam's founding prophet Muhammad was born. By the seventh centu ...

attribute daughters to God *62–63 The human race dependent on God's mercy *64 Idolatry unreasonable *65

Satan Satan, also known as the Devil, is a devilish entity in Abrahamic religions who seduces humans into sin (or falsehood). In Judaism, Satan is seen as an agent subservient to God, typically regarded as a metaphor for the '' yetzer hara'', or ' ...

the patron of the ungodly *66 Why the Quran was sent *67–69 God's witness to himself in nature *70–71 The bee taught of God *72–74 All man is and all he has is of God *75 Yet man worships idols *76 God not to be likened to anything *77 The

parable A parable is a succinct, didactic story, in prose or verse, that illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles. It differs from a fable in that fables employ animals, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature as characters, whe ...

of a slave and his master *78 The parable of the blind man and one having sight *79 The affairs of the judgment-day shall be accomplished in a moment *80–83 God to be obeyed because he is Creator and Preserver *84 Muhammad only a public preacher *85 Idolaters recognise God's mercy and yet deny him *86–87 Idolaters shall be deserted by their idols *88–89 Every nation has a witness against it *90 Infidel leaders to be severely punished *91 Muhammad is God's witness against the Arabians *92–99

Exhortation Advice (also called exhortation) is a form of relating personal or institutional opinions, belief systems, values, recommendations or guidance about certain situations relayed in some context to another person, group or party. Advice is often off ...

to loyalty to God *100 Muhammad to have recourse to God in reading the Quran *101–102 Satan has no power over believers *103 The doctrine of abrogation announced *104 The Quran sent down by the "

holy spirit The Holy Spirit, otherwise known as the Holy Ghost, is a concept within the Abrahamic religions. In Judaism, the Holy Spirit is understood as the divine quality or force of God manifesting in the world, particularly in acts of prophecy, creati ...

" *105 Muhammad charged with writing the Quran with foreign help *106–107 The unbelievers shall be punished *108 Forced apostasy no offence against God *108–110 Wilful apostates condemned *111 The Muhájirín blessed *112 The rewards of the judgment-day will be just *113–114 Makkah punished by famine for unbelief *115–119 Lawful and unlawful food *120 Sins of ignorance may be pardoned *121–124 Muhammad exhorted to adopt the religion of Abraham *125 Friday to be observed instead of the Sabbath *126 Infidels not to be treated harshly *127 Patient forbearance better than vengeance *128 God is with the righteous This surah warns against

polytheism Polytheism is the belief in or worship of more than one god. According to Oxford Reference, it is not easy to count gods, and so not always obvious whether an apparently polytheistic religion, such as Chinese folk religions, is really so, or whet ...

, saying that the pagan gods cannot create anything, and against comparisons between

God In monotheistic belief systems, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator, and principal object of faith. In polytheistic belief systems, a god is "a spirit or being believed to have created, or for controlling some part of the un ...

and any created beings. It praises God for giving the Earth with all its wealth to mankind. According to this surah, all wonders of the natural world, such as seas, stars and mountains, are proofs of God's infinite power.Q16:14
islamawakened.com Verse 66 speaks of the miracle in milk formation in cattle: "From what is within their bodies, between excretions and blood, We produce for your drink, milk, pure and agreeable to those who drink it." Verse 67 speaks of the miracle of the vine: "And from the fruit of the date-palm and the vine, ye get out strong drink and wholesome food: behold, in this also is a sign for those who are wise". Quran 16:103 addresses the allegations that Muhammad has invented the Qur'an.

References

External links

Q16:68
50+ translations, islamawakened.com
Quran 16

Clear Quran translation Mustafa Khattab is a Canadian–Egyptian Muslim scholar, imam, and university chaplain. He holds a professional ijâzah in the Ḥafṣ style of recitation. He is known for his translation of the Quran in "The Clear Quran" series. Career He ...

Surah An-Nahl Transliteration and Arabic TextSurah An Nahl With Urdu Translation
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Nahl Nahl or NAHL may refer to: * Nahl (surname) * National Accident Helpline, a British personal injury lawyer service * North American Hockey League, an American junior hockey league * North American Hockey League (1973–1977), an American profession ...

Insects in culture Bees in religion Animals in Islam