The BeeGeorge Sale translationSam Gerrans (Arabic: الْنَّحْل; an-naḥl) is the 16th chapter (sūrah) of the Qur'an, with 128 verses (āyāt). 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.
Regarding the timing and contextual background of the believed revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), 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 3–8 God the Creator, as his works testify 9 God the true instructor of man 10–14 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 18–19 God merciful and omniscient 20–21 The character of the idols declared 22 Infidels reject the one true God 23 The Omniscient hates the proud 24 The unbelievers accuse Muhammed of fables Q16:24, 50+ translations, islamawakened.com 25–26 The unbelievers shall be destroyed 27–28 Idolaters will be disappointed in the resurrection 29–31 The reward of the righteous 32–34 Infidels can only look for judgement 35 They lay their crimes to God's charge 36 Every nation has its own prophet 37 The dreadful end of infidelity 38 The infidels deny the resurrection 39 They shall be taught their error 40 God creates by a word 41-42 The patient & persecuted to be rewarded in the next life 43 Promises to the Muhájirín 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 47–49 The Prophet's enemies will be punished ۩ 50–52 All God's creatures worship him 53–55 The true God to be worshipped and obeyed 56–58 Idolaters are ungrateful 59–61 Hating daughters, the Quraish attribute daughters to God 62–63 The human race dependent on God's mercy 64 Idolatry unreasonable 65 Satan the patron of the ungodly 66 Why the Quran was sent 67–69 God's witness to himself in nature 70–71 The bee taught of God 72–74 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 80–83 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 86–87 Idolaters shall be deserted by their idols 88–89 Every nation has a witness against it 90 Infidel leaders to be severely punished 91 Muhammad is God's witness against the Arabians 92–99 Exhortation to loyalty to God 100 Muhammad to have recourse to God in reading the Quran 101–102 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 106–107 The unbelievers shall be punished 108 Forced apostasy no offence against God 108–110 Wilful apostates condemned 111 The Muhájirín blessed 112 The rewards of the judgment-day will be just 113–114 Makkah punished by famine for unbelief 115–119 Lawful and unlawful food 120 Sins of ignorance may be pardoned 121–124 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
This surah warns against polytheism, saying that the pagan gods cannot create anything,Q16:20, islamawakened.com and against comparisons between God and any created beings.Q16:74, islamawakened.com 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.Q16:14, islamawakened.com 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.
References
External links Q16:41, 50+ translations, islamawakened.com Quran 16 Clear Quran translation Surah An-Nahl Transliteration and Arabic Text Surah An Nahl With Urdu Translation