النحل
An-Nahl
The Bee
1 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 001
أَتَىٰٓ أَمۡرُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَسۡتَعۡجِلُوهُۚ سُبۡحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُونَ
Allah’s decree is coming[1], so do not seek to hasten it. Glorified and Exalted is He far above what they associate with Him[2]!
[1] Allah’s punishment is imminent and certain, as the Hour is approaching.
[2] Shirk (associating partners with Allah) is the most egregious of all sins, as He warned against it right after mentioning the imminence of the Hour. Allah stresses against Shirk or calls for pure Tawhīd (monotheism) in the two subsequent verses as well.
2 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 002
يُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةَ بِٱلرُّوحِ مِنۡ أَمۡرِهِۦ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦٓ أَنۡ أَنذِرُوٓاْ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱتَّقُونِ
He sends down the angels with revelation by His command to whom He wills of His slaves, [saying], “Warn that none has the right to be worshiped except Me, so fear Me.”
3 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 003
خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ بِٱلۡحَقِّۚ تَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُونَ
He created the heavens and earth for a true purpose. Exalted is He far above what they associate with Him!
4 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 004
خَلَقَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مِن نُّطۡفَةٖ فَإِذَا هُوَ خَصِيمٞ مُّبِينٞ
He created man from a sperm-drop, and then he becomes a clear adversary[3].
[3] As soon as he becomes strong and independent. The ones who are meant here are, especially, the disbelievers who deny resurrection, argue against the Truth, and are ungrateful to Allah’s favors.
5 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 005
وَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمَ خَلَقَهَاۖ لَكُمۡ فِيهَا دِفۡءٞ وَمَنَٰفِعُ وَمِنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ
And He has created the livestock for you as a source of warmth and other benefits[4], and from them you eat.
[4] i.e., in clothing, tents, furnishings, etc.
6 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 006
وَلَكُمۡ فِيهَا جَمَالٌ حِينَ تُرِيحُونَ وَحِينَ تَسۡرَحُونَ
There is beauty for you in them when you bring them home to rest and when you take them out to graze[5].
[5] Their bringing back is mentioned before their setting off to pasture because that is when their udders and waists are full and thus more pleasing to the beholder.
7 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 007
وَتَحۡمِلُ أَثۡقَالَكُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَلَدٖ لَّمۡ تَكُونُواْ بَٰلِغِيهِ إِلَّا بِشِقِّ ٱلۡأَنفُسِۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكُمۡ لَرَءُوفٞ رَّحِيمٞ
And they carry your heavy loads to lands that you could not reach without great hardship. Indeed, your Lord is Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
8 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 008
وَٱلۡخَيۡلَ وَٱلۡبِغَالَ وَٱلۡحَمِيرَ لِتَرۡكَبُوهَا وَزِينَةٗۚ وَيَخۡلُقُ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ
And [He created] the horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride and for adornment, and He creates other things that you do not know.
9 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 009
وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ قَصۡدُ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمِنۡهَا جَآئِرٞۚ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ لَهَدَىٰكُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ
It is upon Allah to show the straight path, while other ways are deviant. If He had willed, He could have guided you all.
10 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 010
هُوَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءٗۖ لَّكُم مِّنۡهُ شَرَابٞ وَمِنۡهُ شَجَرٞ فِيهِ تُسِيمُونَ
It is He Who sends down rain from the sky, from it you drink, and by it plants thrive on which you pasture your livestock.
11 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 011
يُنۢبِتُ لَكُم بِهِ ٱلزَّرۡعَ وَٱلزَّيۡتُونَ وَٱلنَّخِيلَ وَٱلۡأَعۡنَٰبَ وَمِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَةٗ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
He causes to grow therewith crops, olives, palm trees, grapevines and all kinds of fruits[6] for you. Indeed, there is a sign in this for people who reflect.
[6] It highlight the great wonder that although all these are irrigated with the same water, yet they come in different kinds, tastes, colors and shapes.
12 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 012
وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيۡلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ وَٱلشَّمۡسَ وَٱلۡقَمَرَۖ وَٱلنُّجُومُ مُسَخَّرَٰتُۢ بِأَمۡرِهِۦٓۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَعۡقِلُونَ
And He has subjected for you the night and day, the sun and moon, and the stars[7] are made subservient by His command. Indeed, there are signs in this for people of understanding.
[7] Stars are crucial for knowing the directions in the darkness of the sea and the land.
13 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 013
وَمَا ذَرَأَ لَكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مُخۡتَلِفًا أَلۡوَٰنُهُۥٓۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَةٗ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَذَّكَّرُونَ
And He has created for you various kinds of things on earth[8]. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who take heed.
[8] Such as animals, minerals, plants and inanimate objects.
14 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 014
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي سَخَّرَ ٱلۡبَحۡرَ لِتَأۡكُلُواْ مِنۡهُ لَحۡمٗا طَرِيّٗا وَتَسۡتَخۡرِجُواْ مِنۡهُ حِلۡيَةٗ تَلۡبَسُونَهَاۖ وَتَرَى ٱلۡفُلۡكَ مَوَاخِرَ فِيهِ وَلِتَبۡتَغُواْ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ
It is He Who has subjected the sea, so that you may eat from it tender meat and extract ornaments to wear. And you see the ships cleaving their way through its waves[9], so that you may seek His bounty and so that you may give thanks.
[9] Another great sign of Allah, that heavy ships and vessels run smoothly on the surface of water without sinking.
15 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 015
وَأَلۡقَىٰ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَوَٰسِيَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِكُمۡ وَأَنۡهَٰرٗا وَسُبُلٗا لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ
And He has placed into the earth firm mountains, so it does not tremor with you, and there are rivers[10] and pathways so that you may find your way,
[10] Rivers are like bloodlines spreading life in the land; people drink from them along with their livestock, grow crops, and travel through them.
16 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 016
وَعَلَٰمَٰتٖۚ وَبِٱلنَّجۡمِ هُمۡ يَهۡتَدُونَ
and landmarks and the stars by which they find their way[11].
[11] With landmarks to find the way during the daytime and with the stars at night.
17 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 017
أَفَمَن يَخۡلُقُ كَمَن لَّا يَخۡلُقُۚ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ
Is then He Who creates equal to one who cannot create? Will you not then take heed?
18 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 018
وَإِن تَعُدُّواْ نِعۡمَةَ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُحۡصُوهَآۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ
If you try to count Allah’s favors, you will not be able to enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
19 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 019
وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ مَا تُسِرُّونَ وَمَا تُعۡلِنُونَ
Allah knows all that you conceal and all that you reveal.
20 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 020
وَٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَخۡلُقُونَ شَيۡـٔٗا وَهُمۡ يُخۡلَقُونَ
But those whom they invoke besides Allah do not create anything; rather, they themselves are created.
21 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 021
أَمۡوَٰتٌ غَيۡرُ أَحۡيَآءٖۖ وَمَا يَشۡعُرُونَ أَيَّانَ يُبۡعَثُونَ
They are dead, not living[12]; not even knowing when they will be resurrected.
[12] i.e., inanimate or without understanding.
22 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 022
إِلَٰهُكُمۡ إِلَٰهٞ وَٰحِدٞۚ فَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مُّنكِرَةٞ وَهُم مُّسۡتَكۡبِرُونَ
Your God is One God. But those who do not believe in the Hereafter, their hearts refuse to know, and they are arrogant[13].
[13] Arrogance and snobbery are the underlying reasons for denying Allah’s Signs and rejecting the Truth.
23 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 023
لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعۡلِنُونَۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُسۡتَكۡبِرِينَ
Undoubtedly, Allah knows what they conceal and what they reveal[14]. Indeed, He does not like those who are arrogant.
[14] He will hold them to account over them.
24 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 024
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُم مَّاذَآ أَنزَلَ رَبُّكُمۡ قَالُوٓاْ أَسَٰطِيرُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ
When it is said to them, “What has your Lord sent down?” They say, “Ancient fables!”
25 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 025
لِيَحۡمِلُوٓاْ أَوۡزَارَهُمۡ كَامِلَةٗ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ وَمِنۡ أَوۡزَارِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُضِلُّونَهُم بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٍۗ أَلَا سَآءَ مَا يَزِرُونَ
They will bear their burdens in full on the Day of Resurrection and some burdens of those whom they misled without knowledge[15]. How terrible is what they will bear!
[15] The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever calls to misguidance will incur as much sin as that of whoever follows him.” [Muslim: 2674].
26 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 026
قَدۡ مَكَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ فَأَتَى ٱللَّهُ بُنۡيَٰنَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡقَوَاعِدِ فَخَرَّ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلسَّقۡفُ مِن فَوۡقِهِمۡ وَأَتَىٰهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ
Those who came before them plotted, so Allah uprooted their buildings from their foundations and the roof fell down on top of them[16], and the punishment came on them from where they could not imagine.
[16] i.e., Allah caused their plot to fail and exposed their plan.
27 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 027
ثُمَّ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ يُخۡزِيهِمۡ وَيَقُولُ أَيۡنَ شُرَكَآءِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ كُنتُمۡ تُشَـٰٓقُّونَ فِيهِمۡۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ إِنَّ ٱلۡخِزۡيَ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَٱلسُّوٓءَ عَلَى ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ
Then on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them and will say, “Where are My [so-called] partners for whose sake you used to oppose [the truth]?” Those who were given knowledge will say, “Today disgrace and misery will befall the disbelievers.”
28 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 028
ٱلَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّىٰهُمُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ ظَالِمِيٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡۖ فَأَلۡقَوُاْ ٱلسَّلَمَ مَا كُنَّا نَعۡمَلُ مِن سُوٓءِۭۚ بَلَىٰٓۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمُۢ بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ
Those whose souls are seized by the angels while they wrong themselves will then offer submission, “We did not do anything evil.” “Yes, indeed you did! Allah knows well what you used to do.
29 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 029
فَٱدۡخُلُوٓاْ أَبۡوَٰبَ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَاۖ فَلَبِئۡسَ مَثۡوَى ٱلۡمُتَكَبِّرِينَ
So enter the gates of Hell, abiding therein forever. What a terrible abode for those who were arrogant!”
30 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 030
۞وَقِيلَ لِلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوۡاْ مَاذَآ أَنزَلَ رَبُّكُمۡۚ قَالُواْ خَيۡرٗاۗ لِّلَّذِينَ أَحۡسَنُواْ فِي هَٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا حَسَنَةٞۚ وَلَدَارُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ خَيۡرٞۚ وَلَنِعۡمَ دَارُ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ
And it will be said to those who fear Allah, “What has your Lord sent down?” They will say, “All that is good.” For those who do good in this world, there is a good reward[17]; and the home of the Hereafter is far better. What an excellent home for those who fear Allah!
[17] Of a plentiful and satisfying life in this world.
31 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 031
جَنَّـٰتُ عَدۡنٖ يَدۡخُلُونَهَا تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُۖ لَهُمۡ فِيهَا مَا يَشَآءُونَۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَجۡزِي ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ
They will enter the Gardens of Eternity, under which rivers flow. They will have therein whatever they wish[18]. This is how Allah rewards those who fear Him,
[18] Unlike this worldly life.
32 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 032
ٱلَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّىٰهُمُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ طَيِّبِينَ يَقُولُونَ سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ
those whose souls the angels take while they are in a state of purity[19], saying, “Peace be upon you; enter Paradise for what you used to do.”
[19] Their souls will be purified from polytheism, sins, and ill feelings.
33 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 033
هَلۡ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّآ أَن تَأۡتِيَهُمُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ أَوۡ يَأۡتِيَ أَمۡرُ رَبِّكَۚ كَذَٰلِكَ فَعَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ وَمَا ظَلَمَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ يَظۡلِمُونَ
Are [the disbelievers] waiting for the angels to come to them[20] or for the command of your Lord to come[21]? Those who came before them did the same. It was not Allah Who wronged them, but it was they who wronged themselves.
[20] To take their souls while they are unjust to themselves.
[21] To punish them in this worldly life.
34 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 034
فَأَصَابَهُمۡ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا عَمِلُواْ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَهۡزِءُونَ
They were afflicted by the evil consequences of their deeds, and they were overwhelmed by what they used to ridicule.
35 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 035
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَشۡرَكُواْ لَوۡ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا عَبَدۡنَا مِن دُونِهِۦ مِن شَيۡءٖ نَّحۡنُ وَلَآ ءَابَآؤُنَا وَلَا حَرَّمۡنَا مِن دُونِهِۦ مِن شَيۡءٖۚ كَذَٰلِكَ فَعَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ فَهَلۡ عَلَى ٱلرُّسُلِ إِلَّا ٱلۡبَلَٰغُ ٱلۡمُبِينُ
Those who associate partners with Allah say, “If Allah had willed, neither we nor our forefathers would have worshiped anything besides Him, nor would we have prohibited anything without His command[22].” Those who came before them did the same. Is the duty of the messengers except to convey the message clearly?
[22] They falsely argue citing predestination (al-qadā’ wa al-qadar), while they were given the ability to choose the path to follow in this life.
36 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 036
وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٖ رَّسُولًا أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ حَقَّتۡ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلضَّلَٰلَةُۚ فَسِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ
Indeed, We sent to every community a messenger, [saying], “Worship Allah and shun false gods[23].” Among them were some whom Allah guided, while others were destined to stray. So travel through the land and see how was the end of the deniers!
[23] Tāghūt: false objects of worship. See footnote 2:256.
37 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 037
إِن تَحۡرِصۡ عَلَىٰ هُدَىٰهُمۡ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهۡدِي مَن يُضِلُّۖ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّـٰصِرِينَ
Even though you are keen to guide them, Allah does not guide those whom He causes to stray[24], and they will have no helpers.
[24] As a result of their choice to reject guidance.
38 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 038
وَأَقۡسَمُواْ بِٱللَّهِ جَهۡدَ أَيۡمَٰنِهِمۡ لَا يَبۡعَثُ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَمُوتُۚ بَلَىٰ وَعۡدًا عَلَيۡهِ حَقّٗا وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ
They swear by Allah their solemn oaths that Allah will not resurrect those who die. Yes, He will! It is a true promise upon Him, but most people do not know –
39 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 039
لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلَّذِي يَخۡتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ وَلِيَعۡلَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ أَنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ كَٰذِبِينَ
so that He may make clear to them that over which they differ, and so that the disbelievers may realize that they were liars.
40 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 040
إِنَّمَا قَوۡلُنَا لِشَيۡءٍ إِذَآ أَرَدۡنَٰهُ أَن نَّقُولَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ
When We intend something, We only say to it, “Be!”, and it is.
41 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 041
وَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُواْ فِي ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا ظُلِمُواْ لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُمۡ فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا حَسَنَةٗۖ وَلَأَجۡرُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ أَكۡبَرُۚ لَوۡ كَانُواْ يَعۡلَمُونَ
Those who migrated for the sake of Allah after being oppressed[25], We will surely give them good in this world. But the reward of the Hereafter is greater, if only they knew,
[25] The Companions who fled persecution to Abyssinia, or the early migrants to Madinah.
42 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 042
ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمۡ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
those who endured patiently and put their trust in their Lord.
43 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 043
وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالٗا نُّوحِيٓ إِلَيۡهِمۡۖ فَسۡـَٔلُوٓاْ أَهۡلَ ٱلذِّكۡرِ إِن كُنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ
We did not send before you except men to whom We sent revelation. Ask the people of knowledge[26], if you do not know.
[26] People of the knowledge (ahl al-dhikr) are the People of the Book, the Jews and Christians. They are mentioned here for the Makkan Arabs because they were generally regarded as possessors of knowledge before the advent of Islam.
44 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 044
بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِ وَٱلزُّبُرِۗ وَأَنزَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَ ٱلذِّكۡرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
[We sent them] with clear proofs and scriptures, and We have sent down to you [O Prophet] the Reminder to explain to people what has been sent down to them, and so that they may reflect.
45 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 045
أَفَأَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مَكَرُواْ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ أَن يَخۡسِفَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ أَوۡ يَأۡتِيَهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ
Do those who devise evil plots feel secure that Allah will not make them sink into the earth or that the punishment will not come upon them from where they do not expect?
46 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 046
أَوۡ يَأۡخُذَهُمۡ فِي تَقَلُّبِهِمۡ فَمَا هُم بِمُعۡجِزِينَ
Or that He may seize them while they are going about[27], and they will have no escape?
[27] i.e., their recurrent travels through lands and going about their lives.
47 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 047
أَوۡ يَأۡخُذَهُمۡ عَلَىٰ تَخَوُّفٖ فَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمۡ لَرَءُوفٞ رَّحِيمٌ
Or that He will seize them when they are in a state of fear? But your Lord is indeed Ever Gracious, Most Merciful[28].
[28] Postponing punishment and giving opportunity for repentance.
48 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 048
أَوَلَمۡ يَرَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ مِن شَيۡءٖ يَتَفَيَّؤُاْ ظِلَٰلُهُۥ عَنِ ٱلۡيَمِينِ وَٱلشَّمَآئِلِ سُجَّدٗا لِّلَّهِ وَهُمۡ دَٰخِرُونَ
Do they not see the things that Allah has created, how their shadows incline to the right and left, prostrating[29] to Allah in all humility?
[29] Prostration is the greatest sign of submission to Allah.
49 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 049
وَلِلَّهِۤ يَسۡجُدُۤ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مِن دَآبَّةٖ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَهُمۡ لَا يَسۡتَكۡبِرُونَ
To Allah prostrates[30] all that is in the heavens and on earth of living things, and so do the angels; and they do not show arrogance.
[30] Actual prostration or figurative one, which is full submission.
50 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 050
يَخَافُونَ رَبَّهُم مِّن فَوۡقِهِمۡ وَيَفۡعَلُونَ مَا يُؤۡمَرُونَ۩
They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.
51 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 051
۞وَقَالَ ٱللَّهُ لَا تَتَّخِذُوٓاْ إِلَٰهَيۡنِ ٱثۡنَيۡنِۖ إِنَّمَا هُوَ إِلَٰهٞ وَٰحِدٞ فَإِيَّـٰيَ فَٱرۡهَبُونِ
Allah said, “Do not take two gods[31]. He is only One God, so fear Me alone.”
[31] i.e., more than one.
52 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 052
وَلَهُۥ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَهُ ٱلدِّينُ وَاصِبًاۚ أَفَغَيۡرَ ٱللَّهِ تَتَّقُونَ
To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and earth, and constant devotion is to Him alone. Will you then fear anyone other than Allah?
53 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 053
وَمَا بِكُم مِّن نِّعۡمَةٖ فَمِنَ ٱللَّهِۖ ثُمَّ إِذَا مَسَّكُمُ ٱلضُّرُّ فَإِلَيۡهِ تَجۡـَٔرُونَ
Whatever blessing you have, it is from Allah. Then when you are afflicted with hardship, to Him alone you cry out for help[32].
[32] The One Who grants favors and removes hardship is to be worshiped alone.
54 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 054
ثُمَّ إِذَا كَشَفَ ٱلضُّرَّ عَنكُمۡ إِذَا فَرِيقٞ مِّنكُم بِرَبِّهِمۡ يُشۡرِكُونَ
Then as soon as He removes the hardship from you, some of you associate partners with their Lord,
55 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 055
لِيَكۡفُرُواْ بِمَآ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُمۡۚ فَتَمَتَّعُواْ فَسَوۡفَ تَعۡلَمُونَ
showing their ingratitude for what We have given them. Then enjoy yourselves now, but you will soon come to know.
56 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 056
وَيَجۡعَلُونَ لِمَا لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ نَصِيبٗا مِّمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡۗ تَٱللَّهِ لَتُسۡـَٔلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنتُمۡ تَفۡتَرُونَ
They assign a portion of what We have provided for them to those [idols] who know nothing. By Allah, you will surely be called to account for what you used to fabricate.
57 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 057
وَيَجۡعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ ٱلۡبَنَٰتِ سُبۡحَٰنَهُۥ وَلَهُم مَّا يَشۡتَهُونَ
To Allah they ascribe daughters[33] – glory be to Him – but for themselves they choose what they desire [i.e., sons].
[33] The pagans falsely claimed that the angels were Allah’s daughters.
58 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 058
وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِٱلۡأُنثَىٰ ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهُۥ مُسۡوَدّٗا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٞ
When one of them is given the good news of a female baby, his face darkens while suppressing his anguish.
59 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 059
يَتَوَٰرَىٰ مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ مِن سُوٓءِ مَا بُشِّرَ بِهِۦٓۚ أَيُمۡسِكُهُۥ عَلَىٰ هُونٍ أَمۡ يَدُسُّهُۥ فِي ٱلتُّرَابِۗ أَلَا سَآءَ مَا يَحۡكُمُونَ
He hides away from people because of the bad news he was given. Should he keep her in disgrace, or bury her in the dust? How terrible is their judgment!
60 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 060
لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ مَثَلُ ٱلسَّوۡءِۖ وَلِلَّهِ ٱلۡمَثَلُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ
Those who do not believe in the Hereafter have evil attributes[34], and Allah has the highest attributes[35], for He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
[34] As described in the previous two verses such as the need for children, ignorance, and disbelief.
[35] Attributes of grandeur, perfection, and knowledge, and is free from all imperfections and need.
61 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 061
وَلَوۡ يُؤَاخِذُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّاسَ بِظُلۡمِهِم مَّا تَرَكَ عَلَيۡهَا مِن دَآبَّةٖ وَلَٰكِن يُؤَخِّرُهُمۡ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٖ مُّسَمّٗىۖ فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهُمۡ لَا يَسۡتَـٔۡخِرُونَ سَاعَةٗ وَلَا يَسۡتَقۡدِمُونَ
If Allah were to take people to task for their wrongdoing, He would not leave a single living being on earth, but He gives them respite for an appointed time. When their time comes, they cannot delay it for a moment nor can they bring it forward.
62 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 062
وَيَجۡعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ مَا يَكۡرَهُونَۚ وَتَصِفُ أَلۡسِنَتُهُمُ ٱلۡكَذِبَ أَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰۚ لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّارَ وَأَنَّهُم مُّفۡرَطُونَ
They attribute to Allah[36] what they dislike for themselves, and their tongues make false claim that they will have the best [reward][37]. Without a doubt for them there will be the Fire, and they will be neglected.
[36] That the angels are Allah’s daughters. [37] Both in this life and in the Hereafter.
63 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 063
تَٱللَّهِ لَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمَمٖ مِّن قَبۡلِكَ فَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ أَعۡمَٰلَهُمۡ فَهُوَ وَلِيُّهُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٞ
By Allah, We sent [messengers] to nations before you, but Satan made their deeds[38] appealing to them. He is their ally today, and for them there will be a painful punishment.
[38] Such as disbelief, polytheism, rejecting the Messenger, and evil deeds.
64 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 064
وَمَآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ إِلَّا لِتُبَيِّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلَّذِي ٱخۡتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ وَهُدٗى وَرَحۡمَةٗ لِّقَوۡمٖ يُؤۡمِنُونَ
We have only sent down to you the Book so that you may make clear to them what they differed about[39] and as a guidance and mercy for people who believe.
[39] i.e., worshiping Allah alone, resurrection, and the rules of law.
65 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 065
وَٱللَّهُ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءٗ فَأَحۡيَا بِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِهَآۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَةٗ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَسۡمَعُونَ
Allah sends down rain from the sky and revives thereby the earth after its death. Indeed, there is a sign in this for people who listen[40].
[40] i.e., those who listen and reflect on such evidence of Allah’s ability over the resurrection.
66 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 066
وَإِنَّ لَكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ لَعِبۡرَةٗۖ نُّسۡقِيكُم مِّمَّا فِي بُطُونِهِۦ مِنۢ بَيۡنِ فَرۡثٖ وَدَمٖ لَّبَنًا خَالِصٗا سَآئِغٗا لِّلشَّـٰرِبِينَ
And there is surely a lesson for you in livestock. We give you drink from what is in their bellies – produced between excretion and blood – pure and pleasant milk for those who drink[41].
[41] This pure, palatable and enjoyable milk, comes from between the smelly excretion and colored blood.
67 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 067
وَمِن ثَمَرَٰتِ ٱلنَّخِيلِ وَٱلۡأَعۡنَٰبِ تَتَّخِذُونَ مِنۡهُ سَكَرٗا وَرِزۡقًا حَسَنًاۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَةٗ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَعۡقِلُونَ
And from the fruits of palm trees and grapevines, you make intoxicants[42] and good provision[43]. Indeed, there is a sign in this for people of understanding.
[42] This is a Makkan surah that was revealed prior to the prohibition of intoxicants. [43] It alludes that there are both evil and good aspects to certain things.
68 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 068
وَأَوۡحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلنَّحۡلِ أَنِ ٱتَّخِذِي مِنَ ٱلۡجِبَالِ بُيُوتٗا وَمِنَ ٱلشَّجَرِ وَمِمَّا يَعۡرِشُونَ
Your Lord inspired the bees, “Make homes in the mountains, the trees, and in the trellises that people put up,
69 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 069
ثُمَّ كُلِي مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ فَٱسۡلُكِي سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلٗاۚ يَخۡرُجُ مِنۢ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٞ مُّخۡتَلِفٌ أَلۡوَٰنُهُۥ فِيهِ شِفَآءٞ لِّلنَّاسِۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَةٗ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
Then feed on every kind of fruit and follow the ways that your Lord made easy for you.” There comes out from their bellies a drink[44] of various colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed, there is a sign in this for people who reflect.
[44] i.e., honey.
70 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 070
وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمۡ ثُمَّ يَتَوَفَّىٰكُمۡۚ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰٓ أَرۡذَلِ ٱلۡعُمُرِ لِكَيۡ لَا يَعۡلَمَ بَعۡدَ عِلۡمٖ شَيۡـًٔاۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٞ قَدِيرٞ
Allah has created you, then He causes you to die. Among you are some who are left to reach the most decrepit age[45], so that they may know nothing after having known much. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, Most Capable.
[45] i.e., old age when both the physical and mental powers of a human diminish.
71 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 071
وَٱللَّهُ فَضَّلَ بَعۡضَكُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٖ فِي ٱلرِّزۡقِۚ فَمَا ٱلَّذِينَ فُضِّلُواْ بِرَآدِّي رِزۡقِهِمۡ عَلَىٰ مَا مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَٰنُهُمۡ فَهُمۡ فِيهِ سَوَآءٌۚ أَفَبِنِعۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِ يَجۡحَدُونَ
Allah has favored some of you over others in provision. Those who are favored will not share their provision with their slaves, so that they may become equal to them[46]. Do they then deny the favors of Allah?
[46] If they would not accept to equally share their provision with their slaves, how would then they set up associates with Allah in worship?
72 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 072
وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنۡ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَزۡوَٰجٗا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنۡ أَزۡوَٰجِكُم بَنِينَ وَحَفَدَةٗ وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِۚ أَفَبِٱلۡبَٰطِلِ يُؤۡمِنُونَ وَبِنِعۡمَتِ ٱللَّهِ هُمۡ يَكۡفُرُونَ
Allah has made for you spouses of your own kind[47], and has given you through your spouses children and grandchildren, and has given you provision from good things. Do they still believe in falsehood and deny the favors of Allah?
[47] i.e., humans in general, or the original creation of Eve out of Adam.
73 - An-Nahl (The Bee) - 073
