Introduction to
Surah
16. An-Nahl
In the Name of Allâh, the Most
Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
1. The Event (the
Hour or the punishment of disbelievers and polytheists or the
Islâmic laws or commandments), ordained by Allâh will
come to pass, so seek not to hasten it. Glorified and Exalted
be He above all that they associate as partners with Him.
2. He sends down
the angels with inspiration of His Command to whom of His slaves
He pleases (saying): "Warn mankind that Lâ ilâha
illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so fear
Me (by abstaining from sins and evil deeds).
3. He has created
the heavens and the earth with truth. High be He Exalted above
all they associate as partners with Him.
4. He has created
man from Nutfah (mixed drops of male and female sexual
discharge), then behold, this same (man) becomes an open opponent.
5. And the cattle,
He has created them for you; in them there is warmth (warm clothing),
and numerous benefits, and of them you eat.
6. And wherein is
beauty for you, when you bring them home in the evening, and as
you lead them forth to pasture in the morning.
7. And they carry
your loads to a land that you could not reach except with great
trouble to yourselves. Truly, your Lord is full of Kindness, Most
Merciful.
8. And (He has created)
horses, mules and donkeys, for you to ride and as an adornment.
And He creates (other) things of which you have no knowledge.
9. And upon Allâh
is the responsibility to explain the Straight Path (i.e. Islâmic
Monotheism for mankind i.e. to show them legal and illegal, good
and evil things, etc. so, whosoever accepts the guidance, it will
be for his own benefit and whosoever goes astray, it will be for
his own destruction), but there are ways that turn aside (such
as Paganism, Judaism, Christianity, etc.). And had He willed,
He would have guided you all (mankind).
10. He it is Who
sends down water (rain) from the sky; from it you drink and from
it (grows) the vegetation on which you send your cattle to pasture;
11. With it He causes
to grow for you the crops, the olives, the date-palms, the grapes,
and every kind of fruit. Verily! In this is indeed an evident
proof and a manifest sign for people who give thought.
12. And He has subjected
to you the night and the day, the sun and the moon; and the stars
are subjected by His Command. Surely, in this are proofs for people
who understand.
13. And whatsoever
He has created for you on this earth of varying colours [and qualities
from vegetation and fruits, etc. (botanical life) and from animal
(zoological life)]. Verily! In this is a sign for people who remember.
14. And He it is
Who has subjected the sea (to you), that you eat thereof fresh
tender meat (i.e. fish), and that you bring forth out of it ornaments
to wear. And you see the ships ploughing through it, that you
may seek (thus) of His Bounty (by transporting the goods from
place to place) and that you may be grateful.
15. And He has affixed
into the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with
you, and rivers and roads, that you may guide yourselves.
16. And landmarks
(signposts, etc. during the day) and by the stars (during the
night), they (mankind) guide themselves.
17. Is then He, Who
creates as one who creates not? Will you not then remember?
18. And if you would
count the graces of Allâh, never could you be able to count
them. Truly! Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
19. And Allâh
knows what you conceal and what you reveal.
20. Those whom they
(Al-Mushrikûn[]) invoke besides
Allâh have not created anything, but are themselves created.
21. (They are) dead,
lifeless, and they know not when they will be raised up.
22. Your Ilâh
(God) is One Ilâh (God Allâh, none has
the right to be worshipped but He). But for those who believe
not in the Hereafter, their hearts deny (the faith in the Oneness
of Allâh), and they are proud.
23. Certainly, Allâh
knows what they conceal and what they reveal. Truly, He likes
not the proud.
24. And when it is
said to them: "What is it that your Lord has sent down (unto
Muhammad SAW)?"
They say: "Tales of the men of old!"
25. They will bear
their own burdens in full on the Day of Resurrection, and also
of the burdens of those whom they misled without knowledge. Evil
indeed is that which they shall bear!
26. Those before
them indeed plotted, but Allâh struck at the foundation
of their building, and then the roof fell down upon them, from
above them, and the torment overtook them from directions they
did not perceive.
27. Then, on the
Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them and will say: "Where
are My (so called) 'partners' concerning whom you used to disagree
and dispute (with the believers, by defying and disobeying Allâh)?"
Those who have been given the knowledge (about the Torment of
Allâh for the disbelievers) will say: "Verily! Disgrace
this Day and misery are upon the disbelievers.
28. "Those whose
lives the angels take while they are doing wrong to themselves
(by disbelief and by associating partners in worship with Allâh
and by committing all kinds of crimes and evil deeds)." Then,
they will make (false) submission (saying): "We used not
to do any evil." (The angels will reply): "Yes! Truly,
Allâh is All-Knower of what you used to do.
29. "So enter
the gates of Hell, to abide therein[], and indeed,
what an evil abode will be for the arrogant."
30. And (when) it
is said to those who are the Muttaqûn (pious - see
V.2:2) "What is it that your Lord has sent down?" They
say: "That which is good." For those who do good in
this world, there is good, and the home of the Hereafter will
be better. And excellent indeed will be the home (i.e. Paradise)
of the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2).
31. 'Adn
(Eden) Paradise (Gardens of Eternity) which they will enter, under
which rivers flow, they will have therein all that they wish.
Thus Allâh rewards the Muttaqûn (pious - see
V.2:2).
32. Those whose lives
the angels take while they are in a pious state (i.e. pure from
all evil, and worshipping none but Allâh Alone) saying (to
them): Salâmun 'Alaikum (peace be on you) enter you
Paradise, because of (the good) which you used to do (in the world)."
33. Do they (the
disbelievers and polytheists) await but that the angels should
come to them [to take away their souls (at death)], or there should
come the command (i.e. the torment or the Day of Resurrection)
of your Lord? Thus did those before them. And Allâh wronged
them not, but they used to wrong themselves.
34. Then, the evil
results of their deeds overtook them, and that at which they used
to mock surrounded them.
35. And those who
join others in worship with Allâh say: "If Allâh
had so willed, neither we nor our fathers would have worshipped
aught but Him, nor would we have forbidden anything without (Command
from) Him." So did those before them. Then! Are the Messengers
charged with anything but to convey clearly the Message?
36. And verily, We
have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger
(proclaiming): "Worship Allâh (Alone), and avoid (or
keep away from) Tâghût[] (all false
deities, etc. i.e. do not worship Tâghût besides
Allâh)." Then of them were some whom Allâh guided
and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So
travel through the land and see what was the end of those who
denied (the truth).
37. If you (O Muhammad
SAW) covet for their guidance[],
then verily Allâh guides not those whom He makes to go astray
(or none can guide him whom Allâh sends astray). And they
will have no helpers.
38. And they swear
by Allâh their strongest oaths, that Allâh will not
raise up him who dies. Yes, (He will raise them up), a promise
(binding) upon Him in truth, but most of mankind know not.
39. In order that
He may make manifest to them the truth of that wherein they differ,
and that those who disbelieved (in Resurrection, and in the Oneness
of Allâh) may know that they were liars.
40. Verily! Our Word
unto a thing when We intend it, is only that We say unto it: "Be!"
and it is.
41. And as for those
who emigrated for the Cause of Allâh, after suffering oppression,
We will certainly give them goodly residence in this world, but
indeed the reward of the Hereafter will be greater, if they but
knew!
42. (They are) those
who remained patient (in this world for Allâh's sake), and
put their trust in their Lord (Allâh Alone).
43. And We sent not
(as Our Messengers) before you (O Muhammad SAW)
any but men, whom We inspired, (to preach and invite mankind to
believe in the Oneness of Allâh). So ask of those who know
the Scripture [learned men of the Taurât (Torah) and the
Injeel (Gospel)], if you know not.
44. With clear signs
and Books (We sent the Messengers). And We have also sent down
unto you (O Muhammad SAW)
the reminder and the advice (the Qur'ân), that you may explain
clearly to men what is sent down to them, and that they may give
thought.
45. Do then those
who devise evil plots feel secure that Allâh will not sink
them into the earth, or that the torment will not seize them from
directions they perceive not?
46. Or that He may
catch them in the midst of their going to and fro (in their jobs),
so that there be no escape for them (from Allâh's Punishment)?
47. Or that He may
catch them with gradual wasting (of their wealth and health).
Truly! Your Lord is indeed full of Kindness, Most Merciful?
48. Have they not
observed things that Allâh has created, (how) their shadows
incline to the right and to the left, making prostration unto
Allâh, and they are lowly?
49. And to Allâh
prostate all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth,
of the live moving creatures and the angels, and they are not
proud [i.e. they worship their Lord (Allâh) with humility].
50. They fear their
Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.
51. And Allâh
said (O mankind!): "Take not ilâhaîn (two
gods in worship, etc.). Verily, He (Allâh) is (the) only
One Ilâh (God). Then, fear Me (Allâh Ìá
ÌáÇáå) much [and Me (Alone),
i.e. be away from all kinds of sins and evil deeds that Allâh
has forbidden and do all that Allâh has ordained and worship
none but Allâh][].
52. To Him belongs
all that is in the heavens and (all that is in) the earth and
Ad-Din Wasiba is His [(i.e. perpetual sincere obedience
to Allâh is obligatory). None has the right to be worshipped
but Allâh)]. Will you then fear any other than Allâh?
53. And whatever
of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allâh.
Then, when harm touches you, unto Him you cry aloud for help.
54. Then, when He
has removed the harm from you, behold! Some of you associate others
in worship with their Lord (Allâh).
55. So (as a result
of that ) they deny (with ungratefulness) that (Allâh's
Favours) which We have bestowed on them! Then enjoy yourselves
(your short stay), but you will come to know (with regrets).
56. And they assign
a portion of that which We have provided them unto what they know
not (false deities). By Allâh, you shall certainly be questioned
about (all) that you used to fabricate.
57. And they assign
daughters unto Allâh! Glorified (and Exalted) be He above
all that they associate with Him! . And unto themselves what
they desire;
58. And when the
news of (the birth of) a female (child) is brought to any of them,
his face becomes dark, and he is filled with inward grief!
59. He hides himself
from the people because of the evil of that whereof he has been
informed. Shall he keep her with dishonour or bury her in the
earth[]? Certainly, evil is their decision.
60. For those who
believe not in the Hereafter is an evil description, and for Allâh
is the highest description. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
61. And if Allâh
were to seize mankind for their wrong-doing, He would not leave
on it (the earth) a single moving (living) creature, but He postpones
them for an appointed term and when their term comes, neither
can they delay nor can they advance it an hour (or a moment).
62. They assign to
Allâh that which they dislike (for themselves), and their
tongues assert the falsehood that the better things will be theirs.
No doubt for them is the Fire, and they will be the first to be
hastened on into it, and left there neglected. (Tafsir Al-Qurtubî,
Vol.10, Page 121)
63. By Allâh,
We indeed sent (Messengers) to the nations before you (O Muhammad
SAW), but Shaitân (Satan)
made their deeds fair-seeming to them. So he (Satan) is their
Wali (helper) today (i.e. in this world), and theirs will
be a painful torment.
64. And We have not
sent down the Book (the Qur'an) to you (O Muhammad SAW),
except that you may explain clearly unto them those things in
which they differ, and (as) a guidance and a mercy for a folk
who believe.
65. And Allâh
sends down water (rain) from the sky, then He revives the earth
therewith after its death. Verily, in this is a sign (clear proof)
for people who listen (obey Allâh).
66. And verily! In
the cattle, there is a lesson for you. We give you to drink of
that which is in their bellies, from between excretions and blood,
pure milk; palatable to the drinkers.
67. And from the
fruits of date-palms and grapes, you derive strong drink (this
was before the order of the prohibition of the alcoholic drinks)
and a goodly provision. Verily, therein is indeed a sign for people
who have wisdom.
68. And your Lord
inspired the bee, saying: "Take you habitations in the mountains
and in the trees and in what they erect.
69. "Then, eat
of all fruits, and follow the ways of your Lord made easy (for
you)." There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying
colour wherein is healing for men. Verily, in this is indeed a
sign for people who think.
70. And Allâh
has created you and then He will cause you to die, and of you
there are some who are sent back to senility, so that they know
nothing after having known (much). Truly! Allâh is All-Knowing,
All-Powerful.
71. And Allâh
has preferred some of you above others in wealth and properties.
Then, those who are preferred will by no means hand over their
wealth and properties to those (slaves) whom their right hands
possess, so that they may be equal with them in respect thereof[].
Do they then deny the Favour of Allâh?
72. And Allâh
has made for you wives of your own kind, and has made for you,
from your wives, sons and grandsons, and has bestowed on you good
provision. Do they then believe in false deities and deny the
Favour of Allâh (by not worshipping Allâh Alone).
73. And they worship
others besides Allâh, such as do not and cannot own any
provision for them from the heavens or the earth.
74. So put not forward
similitudes for Allâh (as there is nothing similar to Him,
nor He resembles anything). Truly! Allâh knows and you know
not.
75. Allâh puts
forward the example (of two men a believer and a disbeliever);
a slave (disbeliever) under the possession of another, he has
no power of any sort, and (the other), a man (believer) on whom
We have bestowed a good provision from Us, and He spends thereof
secretly and openly. Can they be equal? (By no means, not). All
the praises and thanks be to Allâh. Nay! (But) most of them
know not.
76. And Allâh
puts forward (another) example of two men, one of them dumb, who
has no power over anything (disbeliever), and he is a burden to
his master, whichever way he directs him, he brings no good. Is
such a man equal to one (believer in the Islâmic Monotheism)
who commands justice, and is himself on a Straight Path?
77. And to Allâh
belongs the unseen of the heavens and the earth. And the matter
of the Hour is not but as a twinkling of the eye, or even nearer.
Truly! Allâh is Able to do all things.
78. And Allâh
has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you know
nothing. And He gave you hearing, sight, and hearts that you might
give thanks (to Allâh).
79. Do they not see
the birds held (flying) in the midst of the sky? None holds them
but Allâh [none gave them the ability to fly but Allâh].
Verily, in this are clear proofs and signs for people who believe
(in the Oneness of Allâh).
80. And Allâh
has made for you in your homes an abode, and made for you out
of the hides of the cattle (tents for) dwelling, which you find
so light (and handy) when you travel and when you stay (in your
travels), and of their wool, fur, and hair (sheep wool, camel
fur, and goat hair), a furnishing and articles of convenience
(e.g. carpets, blankets, etc.), a comfort for a while.
81. And Allâh
has made for you out of that which He has created shades, and
has made for you places of refuge in the mountains, and has made
for you garments to protect you from the heat (and cold), and
coats of mail to protect you from your (mutual) violence. Thus
does He perfect His Grace unto you, that you may submit yourselves
to His Will (in Islâm).
82. Then, if they
turn away, your duty (O Muhammad SAW)
is only to convey (the Message) in a clear way.
83. They recognise
the Grace of Allâh, yet they deny it (by worshipping others
besides Allâh) and most of them are disbelievers (deny the
Prophethood of Muhammad SAW).
84. And (remember)
the Day when We shall raise up from each nation a witness (their
Messenger), then, those who have disbelieved will not be given
leave (to put forward excuses), nor will they be allowed (to return
to the world) to repent and ask for Allâh's Forgiveness
(of their sins, etc.).
85. And when those
who did wrong (the disbelievers) will see the torment, then it
will not be lightened unto them, nor will they be given respite.
86. And when those
who associated partners with Allâh see their (Allâh's
so-called) partners, they will say: "Our Lord! These are
our partners whom we used to invoke besides you." But they
will throw back their word at them (and say): "Surely! You
indeed are liars!"
87. And they will
offer (their full) submission to Allâh (Alone) on that Day,
and their invented false deities [all that they used to invoke
besides Allâh, e.g. idols, saints, priests, monks, angels,
jinns, Jibrael (Gabriel), Messengers, etc.] will vanish from them.
88. Those who disbelieved
and hinder (men) from the Path of Allâh, for them We will
add torment over the torment; because they used to spread corruption
[by disobeying Allâh themselves, as well as ordering others
(mankind) to do so].
89. And (remember)
the Day when We shall raise up from every nation a witness against
them from amongst themselves. And We shall bring you (O Muhammad
SAW) as a witness against these. And
We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur'an) as an exposition
of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those
who have submitted themselves (to Allâh as Muslims).
90. Verily, Allâh
enjoins Al-Adl (i.e. justice and worshipping none but Allâh
Alone - Islâmic Monotheism) and Al-Ihsân [i.e.
to be patient in performing your duties to Allâh, totally
for Allâh's sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal
ways) of the Prophet SAW
in a perfect manner], and giving (help) to kith and kin[]
(i.e. all that Allâh has ordered you to give them e.g.,
wealth, visiting, looking after them, or any other kind of help,
etc.): and forbids Al-Fahshâ' (i.e all evil deeds,
e.g. illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism,
to tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right,
etc.), and Al-Munkar (i.e all that is prohibited by Islâmic
law: polytheism of every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil
deeds, etc.), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of oppression),
He admonishes you, that you may take heed.
91. And fulfill the
Covenant of Allâh (Bai'a: pledge for Islâm)
when you have covenanted, and break not the oaths after you have
confirmed them, and indeed you have appointed Allâh your
surety. Verily! Allâh knows what you do.
92. And be not like
her who undoes the thread which she has spun after it has become
strong, by taking your oaths a means of deception among yourselves,
lest a nation may be more numerous than another nation. Allâh
only tests you by this [i.e who obeys Allâh and fulfills
Allâh's Covenant and who disobeys Allâh and breaks
Allâh's Covenant]. And on the Day of Resurrection, He will
certainly make clear to you that wherein you used to differ [i.e.
a believer confesses and believes in the Oneness of Allâh
and in the Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad SAW
which the disbeliever denies it and that was their difference
amongst them in the life of this world][].
93. And had Allâh
willed, He could have made you (all) one nation, but He sends
astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. But you shall certainly
be called to account for what you used to do.
94. And make not
your oaths, a means of deception among yourselves, lest a foot
may slip after being firmly planted, and you may have to taste
the evil (punishment in this world) of having hindered (men) from
the Path of Allâh (i.e. Belief in the Oneness of Allâh
and His Messenger, Muhammad SAW),
and yours will be a great torment (i.e. the Fire of Hell in the
Hereafter).
95. And purchase
not a small gain at the cost of Allâh's Covenant. Verily!
What is with Allâh is better for you if you did but know.
96. Whatever is with
you, will be exhausted, and whatever with Allâh (of good
deeds) will remain. And those who are patient, We will certainly
pay them a reward in proportion to the best of what they used
to do[].
97. Whoever works
righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a
true believer (of Islâmic Monotheism) verily, to him We
will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment
and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward
in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise
in the Hereafter).
98. So when you want
to recite the Qur'ân, seek refuge with Allâh from
Shaitân (Satan), the outcast (the cursed one).
99. Verily! He has
no power over those who believe and put their trust only in their
Lord (Allâh).
100. His power is
only over those who obey and follow him (Satan), and those who
join partners with Him (Allâh) [i.e. those who are Mushrikûn
- polytheists - see Verse 6:121].
101. And when We
change a Verse [of the Qur'ân, i.e. cancel (abrogate) its
order] in place of another, and Allâh knows the best of
what He sends down, they (the disbelievers) say: "You (O
Muhammad SAW)
are but a Muftari! (forger, liar)." Nay, but most
of them know not.
102. Say (O Muhammad
SAW) Ruh-ul-Qudus [Jibrael
(Gabriel)] has brought it (the Qur'an) down from your Lord with
truth, that it may make firm and strengthen (the Faith of) those
who believe and as a guidance and glad tidings to those who have
submitted (to Allâh as Muslims).
103. And indeed We
know that they (polytheists and pagans) say: "It is only
a human being who teaches him (Muhammad SAW)."
The tongue of the man they refer to is foreign, while this (the
Qur'ân) is a clear Arabic tongue.
104. Verily! Those
who believe not in the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses,
lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh, Allâh
will not guide them and theirs will be a painful torment.
105. It is only those
who believe not in the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses,
lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh, who fabricate
falsehood, and it is they who are liars.
106. Whoever disbelieved
in Allâh after his belief, except him who is forced thereto
and whose heart is at rest with Faith but such as open their
breasts to disbelief, on them is wrath from Allâh, and
theirs will be a great torment.
107. That is because
they loved and preferred the life of this world over that of the
Hereafter. And Allâh guides not the people who disbelieve.
108. They are those
upon whose hearts, hearing (ears) and sight (eyes) Allâh
has set a seal. And they are the heedless!
109. No doubt, in
the Hereafter, they will be the losers.
110. Then, verily!
Your Lord for those who emigrated after they had been put to
trials and thereafter strove hard and fought (for the Cause of
Allâh) and were patient, verily, your Lord afterward is,
Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
111. (Remember) the
Day when every person will come up pleading for himself, and every
one will be paid in full for what he did (good or evil, belief
or disbelief in the life of this world) and they will not be dealt
with unjustly.
112. And Allâh
puts forward the example of a township (Makkah), that dwelt secure
and well content; its provision coming to it in abundance from
every place, but it (its people) denied the Favours of Allâh
(with ungratefulness). So Allâh made it taste the extreme
of hunger (famine) and fear, because of that (evil, i.e. denying
Prophet Muhammad SAW)
which they (its people) used to do[].
113. And verily,
there had come unto them a Messenger (Muhammad SAW)
from among themselves, but they denied him, so the torment overtook
them while they were Zâlimûn (polytheists and
wrong-doers, etc.).
114. So eat of the
lawful and good food[] which Allâh has
provided for you. And be grateful for the Graces of Allâh,
if it is He Whom you worship.
115. He has forbidden
you only Al-Maytatah (meat of a dead animal), blood, the
flesh of swine, and any animal which is slaughtered as a sacrifice
for others than Allâh (or has been slaughtered for idols
etc. or on which Allâh's Name has not been mentioned while
slaughtering). But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful
disobedience, and not transgressing, then, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving,
Most Merciful.
116. And say not
concerning that which your tongues put forth falsely: "This
is lawful and this is forbidden," so as to invent lies against
Allâh. Verily, those who invent lies against Allâh
will never prosper.
117. A passing brief
enjoyment (will be theirs), but they will have a painful torment.
118. And unto those
who are Jews, We have forbidden such things as We have mentioned
to you (O Muhammad SAW)
before [in Sûrat-Al-An'am, (The Cattle), see Verse
6:146]. And We wronged them not, but they used to wrong themselves.
119. Then, verily!
Your Lord for those who do evil (commit sins and are disobedient
to Allâh) in ignorance and afterward repent and do righteous
deeds, verily, your Lord thereafter, (to such) is Oft-Forgiving,
Most Merciful.
120. Verily, Ibrâhim
(Abraham) was an Ummah (a leader having all the good righteous
qualities), or a nation, obedient to Allâh, Hanifa (i.e.
to worship none but Allâh), and he was not one of those
who were Al-Mushrikûn (polytheists, idolaters, disbelievers
in the Oneness of Allâh, and those who joined partners with
Allâh).
121. (He was) thankful
for His (Allâh's) Graces. He (Allâh) chose him (as
an intimate friend) and guided him to a Straight Path (Islâmic
Monotheism, neither Judaism nor Christianity[]).
122. And We gave
him good in this world, and in the Hereafter he shall be of the
righteous.
123. Then, We have
inspired you (O Muhammad SAW
saying): "Follow the religion of Ibrâhim (Abraham)
Hanifa (Islâmic Monotheism[] -
to worship none but Allâh) and he was not of the Mushrikûn
(polytheists, idolaters, disbelievers, etc.).
124. The Sabbath
was only prescribed for those who differed concerning it, and
verily, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection
about that wherein they used to differ.
