Islam Guidance

The Bee (an-Nahl) -16

Recitation by: Maher Al Meaqli Suras 16
16	An-Nahl (The Bee)	Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.		15.1 MB	00:33:06

In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
1. The decree of God comes; therefore, do not (seek to) hasten it. Glory be to Him and Exalted is He above what they associate with Him.
2. He sends down the angels with the Spirit by His own decree on whomsoever He pleases of His servants (saying): “Warn (mankind) that there is no god but I; therefore, fear Me.”
3. He created the heavens and the earth with the truth; Exalted is He above what they associate (with Him).
4. He created man from a drop of sperm, and, behold, he is an open disputer.
5. He created cattle for you, wherein is warmth and many gains, and you eat thereof.
6. There is comeliness in them for you when you drive them (home) and when you lead them forth (to pasture).
7. They bear your loads to lands which you could not otherwise reach but with distress; verily your Lord is Compassionate, Merciful.
8. (He made) horses and mules and donkeys that you might ride upon them, and as finery; and He creates what you do not know.
9. It rests upon God to make the straight Way, and among them are deviating ones; if He pleases, He would certainly guide you all aright.
10. He it is Who sends down water from the heavens for you; from it you drink, and by it trees grow, on which you pasture your cattle.
11. With this He produces corn for you, olives, palm trees, grapes, and all fruits; verily there is a sign in this for people who reflect.
12. He has made the night and the day, the sun and the moon, of use to you, and the stars have been made of service by His decree; verily there are signs in this for people who understand.
13. What He has produced in the earth of varied hues, verily there is a sign in this for people who are mindful.
14. He it is Who made the sea of service that you might eat fresh (fish) meat from it and take out therefrom ornaments which you wear from it; and you see the ships cleaving through it, and that you might seek of His Grace, and that you might offer thanks.
15. He has cast great mountains (standing firm) in the earth lest it may shake with you, and rivers and roads that you may be guided aright.
16. And landmarks (too), and by stars are they guided.
17. Then is He who creates like that who does not? Will you not then consider?
18. If you would count God’s bounties, you would not be able to compute them; verily God is oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
19. God knows what you hide and what you reveal.
20. Those whom they call on besides God do not create anything, while they are themselves created.
21. (They are) dead, not living, and they do not have knowledge as to when they will be raised.
22. Your God is One God; the hearts of those who do not believe in the hereafter do not acknowledge (the truth), and they are arrogant people.
23. Of course God knows what they hide and what they reveal; verily He does not love arrogant people.
24. When it is said to them: “What is it that your Lord has revealed?” They said: “The legends of the ancient.”
25. So they shall bear their burden entirely on the Day of Judgment, and also the burdens of those whom they led astray without knowledge. Behold! Evil is what they bear.
26. Indeed those before them plotted, and then (the Wrath of) God came (and destroyed) their buildings from the foundations, and the roof fell over them, and the torment came to them from where they did not perceive.
27. Then on the Day of Resurrection He will bring them to disgrace and say: “Where are My partners about whom you have been disputing?” Those who have are endowed with knowledge will say: “Verily, the disgrace this day and the evil is upon the unbelievers.”
28. (They are) those whose life the angels terminate while they behave unjustly to their own selves; then they will offer submission (saying): “Aye! Indeed God well knows what you were doing.
29. “Therefore enter the gates of Hell to stay therein; woeful indeed will be the abode of the haughty people!”
30. It is said to those who guard themselves against evil: “What is that which your Lord has revealed?” They say: “Good.” There will be good in this world for those who do good, but indeed the abode of the hereafter is better, and excellent indeed is the abode of those who guard themselves (against evil).
31. Gardens of eternity: they shall enter therein, rivers flowing beneath them; they shall have whatever they desire. Thus does God reward those who guard themselves (against evil).
32. Those whom the angels take away in state of goodness while receiving them (the angels) will say: “Peace be on you; enter the Garden, for what you have done.”
33. Do they waiting till the angels to come to them, or the Decree of your Lord is passed? Thus did those before them behave, and God was never unjust to them; they were unjust to their own souls.
34. So the evil results of their deeds afflicted them, and that which they were scoffing at encompassed them.
35. They who associated (others with God) say: “Had God willed, we would have worshipped naught besides Him, (neither) we nor our fathers; nor would we have forbidden anything without a decree from Him.” So did those before them say. Should the messengers then do anything other than clearly convey the message?
36. Indeed We raised in every nation a messenger (who said): “Worship God (only), and stay clear of the worship of every kind of idol (taghut).” So among them were some whom God guided, and among them were others on whom error was confirmed. Therefore, travel throughout the world and see what the end of those who rejected (Us) has been.
37. (Even) if you strongly wish for their guidance, yet verily God does not guide those whom He leaves to stray, nor shall they have anyone to aid.
38. They swear by God, with the strongest of their oaths, that God will not raise those who die. Nay! It is a promise binding upon Him in truth, yet most people do not know.
39. (They will be resurrected) so that He may manifest to them that about which they differed, and so that those who disbelieved may know that they were liars.
40. Indeed, Our Word for a thing, when We will, is that We say: “Be,” and it is.
41. Those who migrate in (the cause of) God after being oppressed, We will certainly give them good in this world, and certainly the reward in the hereafter is much greater, if they only know.
42. Those who endure patiently and rely on their Lord (alone),
43. We sent nothing before you except men (as Our messengers). We revealed to them; so, ask those who remember (God often) if you do not know.
44. (We sent them) with indisputable evidence and scriptures, and We revealed the Zikr (Qur’an) to you so that you might clarify to mankind what has been revealed to them, perhaps they will reflect.
45. Can they who devise evil stratagem ever feel secure by the earth swallowing them (concealing them) from God’s torment coming from where they cannot know?!
46. Or that He may seize them while they move around?! They shall never frustrate (God’s Decree).
47. Or that He may seize them by a slow destruction? Indeed your Lord is Compassionate and all-Merciful.
48. Or can they not see that God has created everything, that its shadow turns right and left, prostrating in obeisance to God, lying abased?
49. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth, the angels, the beasts, all prostrate in obeisance to God, showing no sign of naughtiness.
50. They fear their Lord (Who is ever) above them and do what they are commanded.
51. God has said: “Do not take two gods. Indeed there is only One God; so, Me (alone) should you fear.”
52. Everything in the heavens and the earth belong to Him, and to Him (only) should there be constant obedience. Will you then fear any other than God?
53. Whatever bounty with you is from God; then when distress touches you, you cry unto Him for help.
54. Yet when He removes the distress from you, lo, some of you associate others with their Lord;
55. That they may deny what We have given them. Then enjoy yourselves (for the time being); for soon will you come to know.
56. They set aside for what they do not know a portion of that with which We have provided them. By God! You shall be questioned about what you have been forging.
57. They ascribe daughters to God. Glory be to Him. And for themselves they only have a wishful thinking.
58. When a daughter is announced to one of them, his face becomes darkened, and he is filled with wrath.
59. He hides himself from people because of the “evil” of what is announced to him; (pondering whether) he should “disgracefully” keep her or bury her alive in the ground. Behold how evil their judgment is.
60. The attribute of evil applies to those who do not believe in the hereafter, and the highest attribute belongs to God, for He is the Mighty, the Wise.
61. If God were to punish people for their iniquity, He would not leave a single moving being (on earth), but He gives them respite until an appointed term; so when their doom comes, they shall not (be able to) delay it even an hour, nor shall they bring it on before its appointed time.
62. They assign to God what they themselves hate, and their tongues ascribe the deceit that they shall have all good things. There shall inevitably be the Fire for them, and they shall be sent ahead to it.
63. By God! Indeed, We sent messengers to people before you, but Satan made their deeds fair-seeming to them, so he is their guardian today, and for them there shall be a grievous chastisement.
64. We did not reveal the Book to you (O Our Prophet Muhammad) except that you may explain to them that about which they differ, and as a guidance and a mercy for those who believe.
65. God has sent down water from the heavens, then He enlivens the earth therewith after its death; verily in this there is a sign for people who listen.
66. For you there is in the cattle a lesson; We give you to drink what is in their bellies from betwixt the chyme and the blood pure milk, easy and palatable for those who drink it.
67. And of the fruits of the date palms, and grapes-you obtain from them both drinks of intoxication and goodly substance; verily in this is a sign for people who understand.
68. Your Lord revealed to the bee saying: “Make hives in the mountains and in the trees and in what they build,
69. “Then eat of all the fruits and walk in the ways of your Lord submissively.” There comes out from within it a drink of various shades of colour, therein is healing for men; verily in this is a sign for people who reflect.
70. God has created you, then He shall take you away, and among you is he who is taken back to the meanest state of life, so (much so) that he knows nothing after once having had knowledge. God is all-Knowing, all-Powerful.
71. God has favoured some of you over others in the provision of sustenance. Now those who have been more favoured do not give their sustenance to those whom their right hands possess so that they may be equal therein. Is it then the bounty of God which they deny?
72. God has blessed you with wives from among your own selves, and has granted you sons and grandchildren by your wives and sustained you with good things. Is it then in falsehood that they believe, and in the bounty of God that they disbelieve?
73. Do they worship others than God that have no control over any sustenance for them in the heavens and the earth, having no power at all?
74. So do not coin any similitude for God; verily God knows (everything) while you do not.
75. God sets the example of the two men: one is a slave, the property of another; he has no power over anything, while the other is that whom We have Ourselves sustained with a goodly sustenance from which he spends privately and publicly. Are they both equal? All praise is God’s! Yet most of them do not know (this much).
76. God sets forth the parable of two men: one of them is dumb, unable to do anything; he is a burden even to his master; wherever he sends him, no good comes out of him. Can he be equalled to that who enjoins justice and he himself is on the Straight Path?
77. To God belongs the unperceivable of the heavens and the earth; and the matter of the Hour (of judgment) is but like the twinkling of the eye, or even more nigh; verily God has power over all things.
78. God has brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers - you knew nothing - and He gave you hearing, sight and heart, so that you might give thanks.
79. Do they not remark the birds held poised in the sky? Nothing holds them but God; verily in this are signs for people who believe.
80. God has made houses for you, a place of rest, and He has made houses (tents) from the skins of cattle for you which you find so light to carry on the day you depart and the day you camp, and of their wool, fur and hair, are goods of convenience and provision for a time.
81. God has made (some) of the mountains places of refuge for you, and He has made for you garments to protect you against the heat, and coats of mail to protect you in your fighting. Thus He completes his bounties unto you so that you may submit (to Him in appreciation).
82. But if they turn away from you, then only the delivering of Our clear message is incumbent upon you.
83. They recognize the bounties of God, yet they deny them, and most of them are unbelievers.
84. One day, We shall raise from among every nation a witness, there shall be no permission then for those who disbelieve (to make excuses), nor shall they be permitted to solicit amends.
85. When those who act unjustly see the torment, it shall not be lightened for them, nor shall they be given respite.
86. When those who associate (others with God) see those they associated (with Him), they shall say: “Lord! These are the ones we associated (with You) whom we called besides You!” But they will throw their word back to them and say: “Indeed, you are liars!”
87. They shall tender submission to God on that day; and what they were forging shall fail them.
88. (As for) those who disbelieve and hinder people from the way of God, We shall increase their share of torment, for they were causing mischief.
89. One day, We shall raise a witness in every people from among themselves, and bring you (O Our Prophet Muhammad) as a witness over all, and We have revealed unto you the Book, explaining everything, a guidance, mercy, and glad tidings to those who submit themselves (to God).
90. God enjoins justice and benevolence (to others) and giving to kindred, and forbids lewdness and evil and rebellion. He exhorts you that you may take heed.
91. And fulfill the covenant of God when you have pledged (to fulfill it), and do not break the oaths after ratification thereof, when you have consented that God is a surety over your covenant; indeed God knows whatever you do.
92. And do not be like her who unravels her yarn, splitting it up into thin filaments, after she has made it strongly spun; you take your oaths as a means of deceit between you because one nation is more numerous than the other. Verily God only tries you by this; and most surely he will make clear to you on the Day of Judgment concerning that about which you differed.
93. Had God willed, He would surely have made you all a single nation, but He leaves to err whomsoever He pleases and guides whomsoever He pleases; you will certainly be questioned about what you were doing.
94. Do not take your oaths as means of deceit between you, lest a foot should slip after being firmly fixed, and you taste evil on account of hindering others from God’s Way; and there would be a great torment for you.
95. Do not sell the Covenant of God for a mean price, for verily with God is that which is better for you, if only you knew.
96. What is with you passes away, and what is with God is everlasting; We shall certainly give those who exercise patience their (just) recompense with the best of what they were doing.
97. Whosoever did good, whether male or female, being a believer, then We shall certainly make them live a good and pure life. We shall certainly give them their (just) recompense with the best of what they were doing.
98. When you recite the Qur’an, seek refuge with God against Satan the accursed.
99. Indeed there is no authority for him over those who believe and rely on their Lord;
100. Indeed, his authority is only over those who befriend him and those who associate others with God.
101. When We change one sign for another, and God knows best what He sends down, they say: “You (Muhammad) are only a forgerer.” Nay! Most of them do not know.
102. Say (to the believers, O Our Prophet Muhammad): “The Holy Spirit has brought it down from your Lord in truth, that it may strengthen (the faith of) those who believe, and as a guidance and glad tidings to those who submit (to God).”
103. Indeed We know that they say: “It is only a man that teaches him.” The tongue of him whom they (falsely) hint at is non-Arabic, while this language is (pure and) clear.
104. Those who do not believe in the signs of God, God does not guide them; for them there shall be a painful torment.
105. Verily, only those who do not believe in the signs of God forge, and these are the liars.
106. He who disbelieves in God after having believed, save he who is compelled while his heart remains steadfast with respect to his faith, and he who opens his breast for disbelief, on these is God’s Wrath; for them there shall be a great torment.
107. This (is so) because they prefer the life of this world to the hereafter, and because God does not guide the unbelieving people.
108. These are those on whose hearts God has set a seal, and on their hearing and sight (as well), and these are the heedless (ones).
109. There is no doubt that in the hereafter they will be the losers.
110. Then verily your Lord, to those who migrate after being persecuted, then they struggled hard and exercised patience, verily your Lord after that is oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
111. (Remember) the day when every soul shall come pleading for itself, and every soul shall be recompensed fully for what it has done, and they will not be dealt with unjustly.
112. God sets down an example: a town safe and secure, its sustenance comes to it in abundance from every side, then it becomes unappreciative of the bounties of God; so God makes it taste extreme hunger and dire fear for the evil its inhabitants committed.
113. Certainly a messenger came to them from among themselves, but they rejected him, so a torment seized them for they were behaving unjustly.
114. So eat of what God has provided for you lawful and good things, and offer thanks for God’s bounty if you adore Him.
115. He has made forbidden to you what dies of itself, the blood and flesh of pigs, and that over which any name other than God’s has been invoked; but whosoever is forced by necessity (to partake thereof), not desiring nor willfully transgressing the limit, then verily God is oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
116. Do not utter falsehood concerning what qualify (as pure or impure), saying: “This is lawful and this is forbidden,” to forge a lie against God; verily those who forge a lie against God do not succeed.
117. There is very little enjoyment, and there is a painful torment.
118. To those who were Jews We had forbidden from before what We have already related to you; and We did not do them any injustice, but they were unjust to their own selves.
119. Yet verily your Lord, to those who commit evil in ignorance and turn (repentant) after that and make amends, is oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
120. Abraham was an Imam, devoutly obedient to God, upright; he was not a polytheist.
121. (He was) grateful for His bounties; He chose him and He guided him on the Right Path.
122. We gave him good in this world, and verily in the hereafter he will surely be among the righteous ones.
123. So We revealed to you (O Our Prophet Muhammad) that you follow the religion of Abraham, the upright, and he was not a polytheist.
124. The Sabbath was ordained only for those who differed about it; and verily your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Judgment concerning that about which they used to differ.
125. Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and kind exhortation, and dispute with them in the manner which is the best; verily your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He knows best those who are rightly guided.
126. If you punish, then punish as you were afflicted; but if you show patience, it will certainly be best for those who bear patiently.
127. Be patient (O Our Prophet Muhammad), and your patience is only by (the help of) God; do not grieve for them, and do not be distressful at what they devise.
128. Verily God is with those who guard (themselves against evil) and those who do good (unto others).

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