Sura 16, The Bee (Al-Nahl)
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
[16:1] GOD's command has already been issued (and everything has
already been written), so do not rush it.* Be He glorified; the
Most High, far above any idols they set up.
Footnote
[16:2] He sends down the angels with the revelations, carrying His
commands, to whomever He chooses from among His servants: "You
shall preach that there is no other god beside Me; You shall
reverence Me."
[16:3] He created the heavens and the earth for a specific
purpose. He is much too High, far above any idols they set up.
[16:4] He created the human from a tiny drop, then he turns into
an ardent opponent.
[16:5] And He created the livestock for you, to provide you with
warmth, and many other benefits, as well as food.
[16:6] They also provide you with luxury during your leisure, and
when you travel.
God's Blessings
[16:7] And they carry your loads to lands that you could not reach
without a great hardship. Surely, your Lord is Compassionate, Most
Merciful.
[16:8] And (He created) the horses, the mules, and the donkeys for
you to ride, and for luxury. Additionally, He creates what you do
not know.
[16:9] GOD points out the paths, including the wrong ones. If He
willed, He could have guided all of you.
[16:10] He sends down from the sky water for your drink, and to
grow trees for your benefit.
[16:11] With it, He grows for you crops, olives, date palms,
grapes, and all kinds of fruits. This is (sufficient) proof for
people who think.
[16:12] And He commits, in your service, the night and the day, as
well as the sun and the moon. Also, the stars are committed by His
command. These are (sufficient) proofs for people who understand.
[16:13] And (He created) for you on earth things of various
colors. This is a (sufficient) proof for people who take heed.
[16:14] And He committed the sea to serve you; you eat from it
tender meat, and extract jewelry which you wear. And you see the
ships roaming it for your commercial benefits, as you seek His
bounties, that you may be appreciative.
[16:15] And He placed stabilizers (mountains) on earth, lest it
tumbles with you, as well as rivers and roads, that you may be
guided.
[16:16] And landmarks, as well as the stars; to be used for
navigation.
[16:17] Is One who creates like one who does not create? Would you
now take heed?
[16:18] If you count GOD's blessings, you cannot possibly
encompass them. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
[16:19] And GOD knows whatever you conceal and whatever you
declare.
The Dead Prophets and Saints
[16:20] As for the idols they set up beside GOD, they do not
create anything; they themselves were created.
[16:21] They are dead, not alive, and they have no idea how or
when they will be resurrected.
[16:22] Your god is one god. As for those who do not believe in
the Hereafter, their hearts are denying, and they are arrogant.
[16:23] Absolutely, GOD knows everything they conceal and
everything they declare. He does not love those who are arrogant.
[16:24] When they are asked, "What do you think of these
revelations from your Lord," they say, "Tales from the past."
[16:25] They will be held responsible for their sins on the Day of
Resurrection, all of them, in addition to sins of all those whom
they misled by their ignorance. What a miserable load!
[16:26] Others like them have schemed in the past, and
consequently, GOD destroyed their building at the foundation,
causing the roof to fall on them. The retribution struck them when
they least expected.
[16:27] Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them
and ask, "Where are My partners that you had set up beside Me, and
had opposed Me for their sake?" Those blessed with knowledge will
say, "Today, the shame and misery have befallen the disbelievers."
Death for the Disbelievers
[16:28] The angels put them to death in a state of wronging their
souls. That is when they finally submit, and say, "We did not do
anything wrong!" Yes indeed. GOD is fully aware of everything you
have done.
[16:29] Therefore, enter the gates of Hell, wherein you abide
forever. What a miserable destiny for the arrogant ones.
The Believers Do Not Really Die*
[16:30] As for the righteous, when they are asked, "What do you
think of these revelations from your Lord," they say, "Good." For
those who lead a righteous life, happiness; and the abode of the
Hereafter is even better. What a blissful abode for the righteous.
Footnote
[16:31] The gardens of Eden are reserved for them, wherein rivers
flow. They have anything they wish therein. GOD thus rewards the
righteous.
They Go Straight to Paradise
[16:32] The angels terminate their lives in a state of
righteousness, saying, "Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise (now) as
a reward for your works."*
Footnote
The Disbelievers
[16:33] Are they waiting for the angels to come to them, or until
your Lord's judgment comes to pass? Those before them did the same
thing. GOD is not the One who wronged them; they are the ones who
wronged their own souls.
[16:34] They have incurred the consequences of their evil works,
and the very things they ridiculed came back to haunt them.
Famous Excuse
[16:35] The idol worshipers say, "Had GOD willed, we would not
worship any idols besides Him, nor would our parents. Nor would we
prohibit anything besides His prohibitions." Those before them
have done the same. Can the messengers do anything but deliver the
complete message?
[16:36] We have sent a messenger to every community, saying, "You
shall worship GOD, and avoid idolatry." Subsequently, some were
guided by GOD, while others were committed to straying. Roam the
earth and note the consequences for the rejectors.
[16:37] No matter how hard you try to guide them, GOD does not
guide the ones He had committed to straying. Thus, no one can help
them.
Deep In Their Minds
[16:38] They swore solemnly by GOD: "GOD will not resurrect the
dead." Absolutely, such is His inviolable promise, but most people
do not know.
[16:39] He will then point out to everyone all the things they had
disputed, and will let those who disbelieved know that they were
liars.
To Resurrect the Dead
[16:40] To have anything done, we simply say to it, "Be," and it
is.
[16:41] Those who emigrated for the sake of GOD, because they were
persecuted, we will surely make it up to them generously in this
life, and the recompense of the Hereafter is even greater, if they
only knew.
[16:42] This is because they steadfastly persevere, and in their
Lord they trust.
[16:43] We did not send before you except men whom we inspired.
Ask those who know the scripture, if you do not know.
[16:44] We provided them with the proofs and the scriptures. And
we sent down to you this message, to proclaim for the people
everything that is sent down to them, perhaps they will reflect.
[16:45] Did those who scheme evil schemes guarantee that GOD will
not cause the earth to swallow them, or that the retribution will
not come to them when they least expect it?
[16:46] It may strike them while they are asleep; they can never
escape.
[16:47] Or it may strike them while they are fearfully expecting
it. Your Lord is Compassionate, Most Merciful.
[16:48] Have they not seen all the things created by GOD? Their
shadows surround them right and left, in total submission to GOD,
and willingly.
[16:49] To GOD prostrates everything in the heavens and everything
on earth - every creature - and so do the angels; without the
least arrogance.*
Footnote
[16:50] They reverence their Lord, high above them, and they do
what they are commanded to do.
[16:51] GOD has proclaimed: "Do not worship two gods; there is
only one god. You shall reverence Me alone."
[16:52] To Him belongs everything in the heavens and the earth and
therefore, the religion shall be devoted absolutely to Him alone.
Would you worship other than GOD?
[16:53] Any blessing you enjoy is from GOD. Yet, whenever you
incur any adversity you immediately complain to Him.
[16:54] Yet, as soon as He relieves your affliction, some of you
revert to idol worship.
[16:55] Let them disbelieve in what we have given them. Go ahead
and enjoy temporarily; you will surely find out.
[16:56] They designate for the idols they set up out of ignorance,
a share of the provisions we bestow upon them. By GOD, you will be
held accountable for your innovations.
Bigoted Bias Against Baby Girls
[16:57] They even assign daughters to GOD, be He glorified, while
they prefer for themselves what they like.
[16:58] When one of them gets a baby girl, his face becomes
darkened with overwhelming grief.
[16:59] Ashamed, he hides from the people, because of the bad news
given to him. He even ponders: should he keep the baby grudgingly,
or bury her in the dust. Miserable indeed is their judgment.
[16:60] Those who do not believe in the Hereafter set the worst
examples, while to GOD belongs the most sublime examples. He is
the Almighty, the Most Wise.
The Original Sin
[16:61] If GOD punished the people for their transgressions, He
would have annihilated every creature on earth. But He respites
them for a specific, predetermined time. Once their interim ends,
they cannot delay it by one hour, nor advance it.
[16:62] They ascribe to GOD what they dislike for themselves, then
utter the lie with their own tongues that they are righteous!
Without any doubt, they have incurred Hell, for they have
rebelled.
[16:63] By GOD, we have sent (messengers) to communities before
you, but the devil adorned their works in their eyes.
Consequently, he is now their lord, and they have incurred a
painful retribution.
[16:64] We have revealed this scripture to you, to point out for
them what they dispute, and to provide guidance and mercy for
people who believe.
Additional Proofs From God
[16:65] GOD sends down from the sky water to revive the land after
it had died. This should be (sufficient) proof for people who
hear.
[16:66] And in the livestock there is a lesson for you: we provide
you with a drink from their bellies. From the midst of digested
food and blood, you get pure milk, delicious for the drinkers.
[16:67] And from the fruits of date palms and grapes you produce
intoxicants, as well as good provisions. This should be
(sufficient) proof for people who understand.
The Bee
[16:68] And your Lord inspired the bee: build homes in mountains
and trees, and in (the hives) they build for you.
[16:69] Then eat from all the fruits, following the design of your
Lord, precisely. From their bellies comes a drink of different
colors, wherein there is healing for the people. This should be
(sufficient) proof for people who reflect.*
Footnote
[16:70] GOD created you, then He terminates your lives. He lets
some of you live to the oldest age, only to find out that there is
a limit to the knowledge they can acquire. GOD is Omniscient,
Omnipotent.
No Partners With God
[16:71] GOD has provided for some of you more than others. Those
who are given plenty would never give their properties to their
subordinates to the extent of making them partners. Would they
give up GOD's blessings?*
Footnote
[16:72] And GOD made for you spouses from among yourselves, and
produced for you from your spouses children and grandchildren, and
provided you with good provisions. Should they believe in
falsehood, and turn unappreciative of GOD's blessings?
Idol Worship: Not Very Intelligent
[16:73] Yet, they worship beside GOD what possesses no provisions
for them in the heavens, nor on earth, nor can provide them with
anything.
[16:74] Therefore, do not cite the examples for GOD; GOD knows
while you do not know.
The Rich Believer is Better than the Poor Believer
[16:75] GOD cites the example of a slave who is owned, and is
totally powerless, compared to one whom we blessed with good
provisions, from which he gives to charity secretly and publicly.
Are they equal? Praise be to GOD, most of them do not know.
[16:76] And GOD cites the example of two men: one is dumb, lacks
the ability to do anything, is totally dependent on his master -
whichever way he directs him, he cannot produce anything good. Is
he equal to one who rules with justice, and is guided in the right
path?
This Life is Very Short
[16:77] To GOD belongs the future of the heavens and the earth. As
far as He is concerned, the end of the world (the Hour) is a blink
of an eye away, or even closer. GOD is Omnipotent.
[16:78] GOD brought you out of your mothers' bellies knowing
nothing, and He gave you the hearing, the eyesight, and the
brains, that you may be appreciative.
[16:79] Do they not see the birds committed to fly in the
atmosphere of the sky? None holds them up in the air except GOD.
This should be (sufficient) proof for people who believe.
[16:80] And GOD provided for you stationary homes where you can
live. And He provided for you portable homes made of the hides of
livestock, so you can use them when you travel, and when you
settle down. And from their wools, furs, and hair, you make
furnishings and luxuries for awhile.
[16:81] And GOD provided for you shade through things which He
created, and provided for you shelters in the mountains, and
provided for you garments that protect you from heat, and garments
that protect when you fight in wars. He thus perfects His
blessings upon you, that you may submit.
[16:82] If they still turn away, then your sole mission is the
clear delivery (of the message).
The Disbelievers Unappreciative
[16:83] They fully recognize GOD's blessings, then deny them; the
majority of them are disbelievers.
On The Day of Resurrection
[16:84] The day will come when we raise from every community a
witness, then those who disbelieved will not be permitted (to
speak), nor will they be excused.
[16:85] Once those who transgressed see the retribution, it will
be too late; it will not be commuted for them, nor will they be
respited.
The Idols Disown Their Idolizers
[16:86] And when those who committed idol worship see their idols,
they will say, "Our Lord, these are the idols we had set up beside
You." The idols will then confront them and say, "You are liars."
[16:87] They will totally submit to GOD on that day, and the idols
they had invented will disown them.
[16:88] Those who disbelieve and repel from the path of GOD, we
augment their retribution by adding more retribution, due to their
transgressions.
[16:89] The day will come when we will raise from every community
a witness from among them, and bring you as the witness of these
people. We have revealed to you this book to provide explanations
for everything, and guidance, and mercy, and good news for the
submitters.
[16:90] GOD advocates justice, charity, and regarding the
relatives. And He forbids evil, vice, and transgression. He
enlightens you, that you may take heed.
You Shall Keep Your Word
[16:91] You shall fulfill your covenant with GOD when you make
such a covenant. You shall not violate the oaths after swearing
(by God) to carry them out, for you have made GOD a guarantor for
you. GOD knows everything you do.
[16:92] Do not be like the knitter who unravels her strong
knitting into piles of flimsy yarn. This is your example if you
abuse the oaths to take advantage of one another. Whether one
group is larger than the other, GOD thus puts you to the test. He
will surely show you on the Day of Resurrection everything you had
disputed.
[16:93] Had GOD willed, He could have made you one congregation.
But He sends astray whoever chooses to go astray, and He guides
whoever wishes to be guided.* You will surely be asked about
everything you have done.
Footnote
Violating Your Oath: A Serious Offense
[16:94] Do not abuse the oaths among you, lest you slide back
after having a strong foothold, then you incur misery. Such is the
consequence of repelling from the path of GOD (by setting a bad
example); you incur a terrible retribution.
[16:95] Do not sell your oaths short before GOD. What GOD
possesses is far better for you, if you only knew.
[16:96] What you possess runs out, but what GOD possesses lasts
forever. We will surely reward those who steadfastly persevere; we
will recompense them for their righteous works.
Guaranteed Happiness Now and Forever
[16:97] Anyone who works righteousness, male or female, while
believing, we will surely grant them a happy life in this world,
and we will surely pay them their full recompense (on the Day of
Judgment) for their righteous works.
An Important Commandment*
[16:98] When you read the Quran, you shall seek refuge in GOD from
Satan the rejected.
Footnote
[16:99] He has no power over those who believe and trust in their
Lord.
[16:100] His power is limited to those who choose him as their
master, those who choose him as their god.
[16:101] When we substitute one revelation in place of another,
and GOD is fully aware of what He reveals, they say, "You made
this up!" Indeed, most of them do not know.
[16:102] Say, "The Holy Spirit has brought it down from your Lord,
truthfully, to assure those who believe, and to provide a beacon
and good news for the submitters."
The Quran Is Not Copied From The Bible
[16:103] We are fully aware that they say, "A human being is
teaching him!" The tongue of the source they hint at is
non-Arabic, and this is a perfect Arabic tongue.
[16:104] Surely, those who do not believe in GOD's revelations,
GOD does not guide them. They have incurred a painful retribution.
[16:105] The only ones who fabricate false doctrines are those who
do not believe in GOD's revelations; they are the real liars.
Lip Service Does Not Count
[16:106] Those who disbelieve in GOD, after having acquired faith,
and become fully content with disbelief, have incurred wrath from
GOD. The only ones to be excused are those who are forced to
profess disbelief, while their hearts are full of faith.*
Footnote
Preoccupation With This Life Leads to Exile From God
[16:107] This is because they have given priority to this life
over the Hereafter, and GOD does not guide such disbelieving
people.
[16:108] Those are the ones whom GOD has sealed their hearts, and
their hearing, and their eyesight. Consequently, they remain
unaware.
[16:109] Without a doubt, they will be the losers in the
Hereafter.
[16:110] As for those who emigrate because of persecution, then
continue to strive and steadfastly persevere, your Lord, because
of all this, is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
[16:111] The day will come when every soul will serve as its own
advocate, and every soul will be paid fully for whatever it had
done, without the least injustice.
Prohibiting Lawful Food Brings Deprivation
[16:112] GOD cites the example of a community that used to be
secure and prosperous, with provisions coming to it from
everywhere. But then, it turned unappreciative of GOD's blessings.
Consequently, GOD caused them to taste the hardships of starvation
and insecurity. Such is the requital for what they did.
[16:113] A messenger had gone to them from among them, but they
rejected him. Consequently, the retribution struck them for their
transgression.
[16:114] Therefore, you shall eat from GOD's provisions everything
that is lawful and good, and be appreciative of GOD's blessings,
if you do worship Him alone.
Only Four Foods Prohibited
[16:115] He only prohibits for you dead animals, blood, the meat
of pigs,* and food which is dedicated to other than GOD. If one is
forced (to eat these), without being deliberate or malicious, then
GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
Footnote
[16:116] You shall not utter lies with your own tongues stating:
"This is lawful, and this is unlawful," to fabricate lies and
attribute them to GOD. Surely, those who fabricate lies and
attribute them to GOD will never succeed.
[16:117] They enjoy briefly, then suffer painful retribution.
[16:118] For the Jews, we prohibited what we narrated to you
previously.* It was not us who wronged them; they are the ones who
wronged their own souls.
Footnote
[16:119] Yet, as regards those who fall in sin out of ignorance
then repent thereafter and reform, your Lord, after this is done,
is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
Abraham
[16:120] Abraham was indeed an exemplary vanguard in his
submission to GOD, a monotheist who never worshiped idols.
[16:121] Because he was appreciative of His Lord's blessings, He
chose him and guided him in a straight path.
[16:122] We granted him happiness in this life, and in the
Hereafter he will be with the righteous.
Muhammad: A Follower of Abraham*
[16:123] Then we inspired you (Muhammad) to follow the religion of
Abraham,* the monotheist; he never was an idol worshiper.
Footnote
The Sabbath Abrogated
[16:124] The Sabbath was decreed only for those who ended up
disputing it (Jews & Christians). Your Lord is the One who
will judge them on the Day of Resurrection regarding their
disputes.
How to Spread God's Message
[16:125] You shall invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and
kind enlightenment, and debate with them in the best possible
manner. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He
knows best who are the guided ones.
[16:126] And if you punish, you shall inflict an equivalent
punishment. But if you resort to patience (instead of revenge), it
would be better for the patient ones.
[16:127] You shall resort to patience - and your patience is
attainable only with GOD's help. Do not grieve over them, and do
not be annoyed by their schemes.
[16:128] GOD is with those who lead a righteous life, and those
who are charitable.
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