Sūrah An Nahl الْنَّحْل - The Honey Bee, is the 16th chapter (sūrah) of the Qur'an, with 128 verses (āyāt), part of the 14th Juz of Al-Qurʾān. 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. The Sūrah combines creational signs, rational arguments, moral teachings, and prophetic encouragement. It serves as a powerful reminder of Allah’s favor, the need for gratitude, and the ultimate success of truth over falsehood.
Here's a detailed explanation of the reference to context, major themes, and its significance:
Reference to Context (Asbāb al-Nuzūl / Background)
Surah An-Nahl was revealed during the later Makkan period, a time when Muslims were facing intense persecution from the Quraysh. This period was marked by:
- Increasing hostility toward Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
- Resistance to the message of monotheism.
- Harsh treatment of early Muslims.
The surah was revealed to console and strengthen the Prophet and the believers, affirm the truth of the message, and warn the disbelievers of the consequences of rejecting divine guidance.
Major Focuses and Themes
- Tawheed (Oneness of Allah)
- The Sūrah repeatedly emphasizes Allah’s unity, contrasting it with the absurdity of polytheism.
- Nature is used as a sign of Allah’s power – bees, rain, cattle, fruits, etc.
- Verses 3–18 mention several blessings that demonstrate Allah’s creative power.
- Revelation and Prophethood
- The Qur'an is described as a mercy and guidance.
- Emphasis on the truthfulness and mission of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
- Encouragement to reflect on divine signs rather than blindly follow ancestors.
- Moral and Ethical Teachings
- Justice, righteousness, and fulfillment of promises are encouraged.
- Clear instruction in Verse 90: “Indeed, Allah commands justice, good conduct, and giving to relatives and forbids immorality, bad conduct, and oppression...” (16:90)
- This is considered one of the most comprehensive ethical verses in the Qur’an.
- Recited in Friday sermons around the world.
- Punishment and Reward
- Those who disbelieve and are arrogant will face punishment.
- Those who are patient, grateful, and righteous will be rewarded in the Hereafter.
- Gratitude vs. Ingratitude
- The surah stresses being grateful to Allah for His blessings.
- Ingratitude is strongly criticized.
- Reference to the (Honey) Bee (Verse 68–69)
- From which the surah takes its name: “Your Lord inspired the bee, saying: "Set up hives in the mountains and in the trees and in the trellises that people put up,.”
- This verse highlights the harmony of nature, and how creatures obey divine command.
- The bee symbolizes productivity, order, and divine instruction.
Why Surah An-Nahl is Important
- Strong argument for monotheism using signs in creation.
- Universal moral code in Verse 90 – "Surely Allah enjoins justice, kindness and the doing of good to kith and kin, and forbids all that is shameful, evil and oppressive. He exhorts you so that you may be mindful." - a cornerstone of Islamic ethics.
- Highlights divine blessings, urging reflection and gratitude.
- Encouragement during persecution – a morale boost for early Muslims.
- Scientific allusions – especially about the bee and honey, often cited in discussions on Islam and science.
Key Verses to Remember
- 16:5–8: Animals as a sign of Allah’s favor
- 16:18: “If you try to count Allah’s blessings, you cannot enumerate them.”
- 16:36: Messengers sent to every nation
- 16:36: The Divine miracle of formation of milk in the cattle
- 16:89: The Qur’an as clarification for all things
- 16:90: Universal moral code - Justice, kindness, and forbidding evil
- 16:115-119 Lawful and unlawful food
- 16:125 A notable verse that encourages inviting others to Islam with wisdom, good preaching, and respectful dialogue.
We have already shared the Overview and the Tafseer / Exegesis of the Surah which can be read from links given below:
Herein under are some of the selected verses / ayat already published by us for selective reading:
- Invoking the Dead - verse 21
- The Magnanimity of Allah - verse 61
- Qur'an: A Book of guidance and glad tidings to those who have submitted to Allah - verse 89
- Verse 90:
- The Skeleton: Universal moral code as explained in Al Qur'an
- The exegesis: Allah enjoins Three Virtues - and Forbids Three Vices
- Whenever you read the Qur’an, seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed - verse 98
- Call to way of Allah in the best manners possible - verse 125
- Islam and Retributive Justice - verse 126
In time, we shall add more important ayat / verses from Sūrah An Nahl for the interest of our readers.
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.
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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