Surah An-Nahl, Chapter 16
Surah An-Nahl (The Bee)
No. 16 (Revealed in Mecca)
128 verses in 16 sections
Content of Surah An-Nahl
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In The Name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful
The sixteenth Surah of the Glorious Qur’an which contains 128 verses is called ‘Nahl’ ‘Bees’ owing to allusions made in it to the creation of bees.
Notwithstanding the Qur’an is a Book of Divine legislation, but many of its Suras are named based on creation, such as An-Najm (star), ‘Ash-Shams’ (the sun), ‘Al-Fil’ (the elephant), ‘Al-‘Ankabūt’ (spider), and ‘An-Nahl’ (the bee).
These names are clues as to the fact that all the creatures whether in the sky or on the earth, whether small or great, they are all equal to Him due to His Power, and the Book of legislation is based on the Book of nature, both of which have their sources in one origin.
One of the names of this Surah is ‘the Surah of the Blessings’ for there are the names of over 50 blessings mentioned in it.
The issues dealt with in this Surah are: the Divine blessings, reasons for monotheism and resurrection, ordinances concerning the Holy war, the threats against the pagans, the dissuasions of injustice, indecency, breaking of one’s promises, innovations, and satanical temptations.
Incidentally, most of the commentators are of the opinion that it is understood from the occasions of the revelation of the verses of this Surah that the first forty verses of it have been revealed at the end of the Meccan era, while the remaining eighty eight were revealed during the early period of the migration to Medina. Therefore, this holy Surah is both Meccan as well as Medinite.
The Virtues of Reading This Surah
In some quotations narrated from the Prophet (S), it has been confirmed that he said:
“He who recites this Surah, Allah will not hold him accountable for the blessings which He has bestowed on him in this world.”
All means will be made available to him to go to Paradise. 1
Certainly, that kind of reading is meant hereby that is coupled with meditation and decision which leads one to practice and taking steps on the path of gratitude.
- 1. Tafsir-i-Burhan
- An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur'an vol. 8
- Introduction
- Acknowledgment
- References
- A Presentation to Muslims
- Surah Ar-Ra‘d, Chapter 13
- Section 1: Signs of Allah in Nature
- Section 2: Allah, the Almighty Creator of the Universe
- Section 3: The Faithful and the Unfaithful Compared
- Section 4: Remembrance of Allah Sets Hearts at Rest
- Section 5: Messengers of Allah Were Mocked At
- Section 6: The Two Witnesses of the Truth
- Surah ‘Ibrahim, Chapter 14
- Section 1: Qur’an Revealed to Lead Mankind to Light
- Section 2: Moses’ Exhortation
- Section 3: The Disbelievers Punished
- Section 4: Disbelievers Shall Be Disappointed – Truth Shall Be Established
- Section 5: The Ingratitude of Men to Allah’s Bounties
- Section 6: Abraham’s Prayer
- Section 7: The Respite and the End
- The Highly Adventurous Life of ‘Ibrahim, the Iconoclastic Prophet
- The Birthplace and Childhood of ‘Ibrahim
- The Highly Adventurous Life of ‘Ibrahim (a. s.)
- Campaigns Against Various Groups of Idol-worshippers
- Logical Campaign Against the Idol-worshippers
- Dialogue with ‘Azar
- The Prophetic Mission of ‘Ibrahim
- Practical Campaigns Against the Idol-worshippers
- Dialogue with the Oppressive Ruler
- The Exodus of ‘Ibrahim
- The Last Stage of the Prophetic Mission of ‘Ibrahim
- The Highly-esteemed Position of ‘Ibrahim in the Qur’an
- Surah Al-Hijr, Chapter 15
- Section 1: The Qur’an Ever Protected by Allah
- Section 2: Everything in the Universe Takes Place by Allah’s Command
- Section 3: Man’s Creation – Satan’s Arrogance
- Section 4: Reward for the Righteous – Angles Give Abraham the Tidings of a Son
- Section 5: Lot and Shu‘ayb’s people
- Section 6: The People of the Rock
- Surah An-Nahl, Chapter 16
- Section 1: The Existence of Allah Proved by Nature
- Section 2: Allah’s Unity Testified in Nature
- Section 3: God of all is only One
- Section 4: The Disgrace Which the Wicked Shall Have
- Section 5: Every People Had the Guidance through an Apostle from Allah
- Section 6: To Seek Guidance from the People of the Qur’an
- Section 7: Polytheism Prohibited
- Section 8: Qur’an, the Guidance and the Mercy
- Section 9: Guidance from the Bounties of Allah for Man
- Section 10: The Faithful and the Unfaithful Ones Compared
- Section 11: The Hour of Judgment Shall Arrive Suddenly
- Section 12: Apostle Muhammad a Witness Over All Witnesses
- Section 13: To Keep up Covenants and Promises
- Section 14: Qur’an Brought Down by the Holy Spirit
- Section 15: Every Soul Shall Be Paid in Full What It Has Earned
- Section 16: Abraham Praised – His Faith Made an Ideal
- Surah ‘Isra’, Chapter 17
- Section 1: The Apostle Muhammad’s Visit
- Section 2: None Shall Bear the Burden of Others
- Section 3: Goodness and Submission to Parents Ordained
- Section 4: Moral Conduct
- Section 5: Everything in the Heavens and in the Earth Glorifies Allah
- Section 6: Gentleness in Dealing Enjoined
- Section 7: Satan’s Pride against Man
- Section 8: Every People Will Be Summoned with Their Own Imam
- Section 9: Times of Prayer and the Midnight Prayer
- Section 10: Qur’an Inimitable
- Section 11: No Cause for Anyone to Disbelieve Any Messenger of Allah
- Section 12: Those Gifted with Knowledge – The Ministry of Moses