Today, as a reminder to our readers, we share the 89th ayat / verse from Surah 16. AN Nahl (The Honey Bee) so that such verses are pondered and reflected upon for seeking guidance, which is the pathway to success or failure (in case of deviation form the guidance):
وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِيدًا عَلَىٰ هَٰؤُلَاءِ ۚ وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ
“And [mention] the Day We will raise from every nation a witness over them from among themselves. And We will bring you, [O Muhammad], as a witness over these. And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings to those who have submitted to Allah.”
What a gloomy and fraught scene is chosen as the background: that of pagans / polytheists looking on when the false deities they used to worship declare that they are liars, and those very deities declare their own submission to God, totally disowning their former worshippers.
The verse mentions that the revelations given to the Prophet “makes everything clear,” leaving no excuse for anyone to justify turning away from them. The revelation of the Qur’ān also provides “guidance and grace and gives good news to those who submit themselves to God.” (Verse 89) This shows clearly that whoever wishes to follow right guidance and receive God’s mercy should declare his submission to God before the arrival of that awesome and fearful day. For when it comes, no one will be given leave to justify his position or to make amends for past deeds. Thus we see that the scenes of the Day of Judgement given in the Qur’ān serve a definite purpose endorsing the message given in the section where they occur.
The verse stated above has two parts: The witnesses from each nation on the Day of Judgement and secondly a Divine reminder for everyone how guidance and mercy of Allah can ensure success or failure (in case of deviation) both in this world and the Hereafter. Let us reflect upon both the parts:
Detailed Explanation
The Quran makes manifest everything on which depends guidance or deviation, success or failure. Whose knowledge is essential for following the right way. What clearly distinguishes truth from falsehood. In this connection one should guard against that meaning of this sentence and the like in the Quran according to which some people interpret “everything” to mean the knowledge of all sciences, arts, etc. and in order to prove the correctness of their interpretation, they have to pervert the real meaning of the Quran.
Let us take this verse selectively with every piece of Divine caution one by one:
1. “And [mention] the Day We will raise from every nation a witness over them from among themselves…”
On Yawm al-Qiyāmah (Day of Judgment), every nation will have a witness — their respective prophet or messenger — who will testify whether or not the message was conveyed to them.
- Related Verses:
- Surah An-Nisa (4:41): “So how [will it be] when We bring from every nation a witness and We bring you, [O Muhammad], against these [people] as a witness?”
- Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:117) — Jesus (‘Isa) عليه السلام will say: “...I was a witness over them while I remained among them, but when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them...”
- Reflection: This emphasizes accountability: the people of every nation cannot claim ignorance because a witness from among them (a messenger) conveyed the truth.
2. “And We will bring you, [O Muhammad], as a witness over these…”
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ will be a witness over his own ummah and possibly over previous nations as well (based on some tafsir).
- Hadith Connection:
- A powerful hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari: The Prophet ﷺ recited this verse, then said: "O my Lord, my nation! My nation!" and he wept.
- Allah then said to Jibril: "Go to Muhammad and ask him what is making him weep..."
- Allah said: "We will please you concerning your nation and will not displease you." — (Bukhari, Tafsir 16:89)
- Reflection: This shows the deep compassion of the Prophet ﷺ for his ummah and his unique role as a witness over us — reminding us to live in a way that would honor that testimony.
3. “And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things…”
This Book is a guidance for those who surrender to it as a divine Book and follow it in every aspect of life. Thus Al Qur'an is not just a book of stories or rituals — it is:
- Tibyān li kulli shay’ (Clarification for all things) A complete guidance in beliefs, worship, ethics, laws, and spirituality.
- Related Verses:
- Surah Al-Isra (17:9): “Indeed, this Qur'an guides to that which is most just and right…”
- Surah Al-An'am (6:38): “We have not neglected in the Book a thing…”
- Reflection: This affirms that the Qur'an provides sufficient guidance — we don’t need to look elsewhere for moral or spiritual truth.
4. “...and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims.”
Al Qur'an will bring Allah’s blessings upon them, and will give them the good news that they will come out successful in the court of Allah on the Day of Judgment.
- The Qur’an is:
- Hudan: A guide
- Rahmah: A mercy
- Bushrā: A bearer of glad tidings
- Related Verses:
- Surah Yunus (10:57): “O mankind, there has come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers.” Surah Az-Zumar (39:23):
- “Allah has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book... It causes the skins of those who fear their Lord to shiver…”
Those people who reject it shall not only be deprived of guidance and blessing but will also find it as a testimony against themselves on the Day of Resurrection when Allah’s Messenger will stand up to testify against them. This Book will prove to be a strong argument against them. For Allah’s Messenger will say that he had conveyed its message which made manifest the distinction between truth and falsehood.
Practical Takeaways
- Be mindful of the Prophet’s testimony — live as people he would be proud to represent.
- Honor the Qur’an — study it deeply, as it is the ultimate guide.
- Be grateful for being part of this Ummah — we are blessed with the final Messenger ﷺ and the final Revelation.
- Convey the message — just as previous messengers did, we are now responsible to share the truth, especially as the Prophet’s witnesses to mankind (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:143).
AL Qur'an, unlike other scriptures in un-countable volumes, is a mere 600-700 pages Divine Scripture from Allah for the guidance of the entire mankind. It does not violate any authentic commands from the previous scriptures. But in stead, it clarifies previous commands with more clarity in easy to understand language. IF DEPSITE THESE CLARIFICATIONS, IF SOME STILL DEVIATES FROM THESE, he is bound to face failure both in this world and the Hereafter.
So let us not be in any illusion for everything we do or say is being recorded and will be presented for the ultimate success or failure. We have been warned!!
For Detailed Exegesis of the above quoted verse by eminent Muslim scholars, please refer to our earlier post: Qur'an: A Book of guidance and glad tidings to those who have submitted to Allah
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from Sūrah 16. An Nahl الْنَّحْل - The Honey Bee for more verses from this Surah
You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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