An-Nahl
16th chapter of the Qur'an
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The Bee[1][2] (Arabic: اÙÙÙÙÙØÙÙ;[3] an-naḥl) is the 16th chapter (sÅ«rah) of the Qur'an, with 128 verses (ÄyÄt). It is named after honey bees mentioned in verse 68, and contains a comparison of the industry and adaptability of honey bees with the industry of man.[4]
Regarding the timing and contextual background of the believed revelation (asbÄb al-nuzÅ«l), it is an "Meccan surah" 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 is from God by the ministry of angels
- 3â8 God the Creator, as his works testify
- 9 God the true instructor of man
- 10â14 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
- 18â19 God merciful and omniscient
- 20â22 The character of the idols declared
- 23 Infidels reject the one true God
- 24â25 The Omniscient hates the proud
- 26 Muhammad charged with forgery
- 27â28 The unbelievers shall be destroyed
- 29â31 Idolaters will be disappointed in the resurrection
- 32â34 The reward of the righteous
- 35â36 Infidels can only look for judgment
- 37 They lay their crimes to God's charge
- 38 Every nation has its own prophet
- 38â39 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 MuhájirÃn
- 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
- 47â49 The Prophet's enemies will be punished
- Û© 50â52 All God's creatures worship him
- 53â55 The true God to be worshipped and obeyed
- 56â58 Idolaters are ungrateful
- 59â61 Hating daughters, the Quraish attribute daughters to God
- 62â63 The human race dependent on God's mercy
- 64 Idolatry unreasonable
- 65 Satan the patron of the ungodly
- 66 Why the Quran was sent
- 67â69 God's witness to himself in nature
- 70â71 The bee taught of God
- 72â74 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 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
- 80â83 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
- 86â87 Idolaters shall be deserted by their idols
- 88â89 Every nation has a witness against it
- 90 Infidel leaders to be severely punished
- 91 Muhammad is God's witness against the Arabians
- 92â99 Exhortation to loyalty to God
- 100 Muhammad to have recourse to God in reading the Quran
- 101â102 Satan has no power over believers
- 103 The doctrine of abrogation announced
- 104 The Quran sent down by the "holy spirit"
- 105 Muhammad charged with writing the Quran with foreign help
- 106â107 The unbelievers shall be punished
- 108 Forced apostasy no offence against God
- 108â110 Wilful apostates condemned
- 111 The MuhájirÃn blessed
- 112 The rewards of the judgment-day will be just
- 113â114 Makkah punished by famine for unbelief
- 115â119 Lawful and unlawful food
- 120 Sins of ignorance may be pardoned
- 121â124 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[5]
This surah warns against polytheism, saying that the pagan gods cannot create anything,[6] and against comparisons between God and any created beings.[7] 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.[8] 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". Verse 103 addresses the allegations that Muhammad has invented the Qur'an.
And your Lord taught the honey bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in (men's) habitations; Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth), and find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for men: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought.[9][10]