Surah an-Nahl (The Bee ) 16 : 94
Translations
Pickthall
Yusuf Ali
Qur'an Dictionary
Click word/image to view Qur'an Dictionary | ||
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Word | Arabic word | |
(16:94:1) |
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(16:94:2) tattakhidhū take |
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(16:94:3) aymānakum your oaths |
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(16:94:4) dakhalan (as) a deception |
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(16:94:5) baynakum between you |
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(16:94:6) fatazilla lest, should slip |
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(16:94:7) qadamun a foot |
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(16:94:8) baʿda after |
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(16:94:9) thubūtihā it is firmly planted |
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(16:94:10) watadhūqū and you would taste |
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(16:94:11) l-sūa the evil |
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(16:94:12) |
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(16:94:13) ṣadadttum you hindered |
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(16:94:14) |
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(16:94:15) sabīli (the) way |
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(16:94:16) l-lahi (of) Allah |
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(16:94:17) |
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(16:94:18) ʿadhābun (is) a punishment |
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(16:94:19) ʿaẓīmun great |
3. Surah Overview
The following internal evidence shows that this Surah was revealed during the last Makkan stage of Prophethood:
1. V. 41 clearly shows that persecution had forced some Muslims to emigrate to Abyssinia before the revelation of this Surah.
2. It is evident from v. 106 that at that time the persecution of the Muslims was at its height and a problem had arisen where Muslims under persecution were being forced to utter words of blasphemy.
3. V. 112-114 clearly refer to the end of a seven year famine that had struck Makkah some years after the beginning of Prophethood.
10. Wiki Forum
11. Tafsir Zone
Overview (Verses 94 - 96) Ideals Made Practical The sūrah places even greater emphasis on the fulfilment of pledges and the prohibition of resorting to oaths in order to deceive others, lulling them into a false sense of security in order to make transitory gain. It warns that the only result of such deception is to weaken the basis of social life and undermine bonds, commitments and beliefs. It warns against God’s severe punishment in the hereafter. At the same time, it holds the promise of a much better reward which more than compensates for any trivial gain they may have had to sacrifice in honouring their pledges. It reminds them that what they have in this life is transitory, certain to come to an end, while that which God holds is inexhaustible, everlasting. Do not use your oaths as a means to deceive one another, lest your foot should slip after it has been firm, and lest you should be made to suffer the evil [consequences] of your having debarred others from the path of God, with tremendous suffering awaiting you. Do not barter away your covenant with God for a trifling price. Surely, that which is with God is far better for you, if you but knew it. Whatever you have is certain to come to an end, but that which is with God is everlasting. We will certainly grant those who are patient in adversity their reward according to the best that they ever did. (Verses 94-96) When oaths are sworn only to deceive other people, the result is the weakening of faith in one’s own conscience and giving to others a distorted image of it. Someone who swears in order to deceive others cannot have firm belief, and cannot walk firmly along its path. At the same time, he presents a bad image of his professed faith to those who trust him only to find themselves deceived. In this way, he sets a very bad example of believers, in effect turning others away from God’s faith. In fact whole communities accepted the faith of Islam when they realized how faithful to their trust the Muslims were. The unhesitating fulfilment by the Muslims of their promises, their true oaths and clean, straightforward dealings motivated other communities to learn more about Islam and believe in it. Thus the resulting gain was far greater than the temporary loss that appeared to be incurred by fulfilment of pledges. The Qur’ān and the Sunnah of the Prophet have left a very strong impression on Muslims in relation to their promises and treaties. This has remained the distinctive characteristic of their dealings with others both at individual and international levels. It is reported that a truce was made between Mu`āwiyah, the fifth Caliph, and the Byzantine Emperor. When the truce was approaching its end, Mu`āwiyah marched towards Byzantium. He was very close to the border when the truce expired, and he began military activity. `Umar ibn `Utbah, a Companion of the Prophet in his army said to him: “Mu`āwiyah! God be glorified. Honour your pledges and never violate them. I have heard God’s Messenger [peace be upon him] saying: ‘Whoever has a treaty with other people must not break his commitment until the term has lapsed.’ Mu`āwiyah ordered his army to retreat and marched home.” Examples in history of Muslims honouring treaties, even though their immediate interests would have been better served by abrogating them, are numerous. The Qur’ān was able to make such a distinctly strong impression on Muslims through repeated warnings against violation of covenants, promises of reward for honouring them, and by making the covenant a bond with God. It shows the benefit that may result from such violation of commitment to be paltry, while God rewards generously those who are true to their word: “Do not barter away your covenant with God for a trifling price. Surely, that which is with God is far better for you, if but knew it.” (Verse 95) The verse reminds us that what human beings may have is transitory, even though it may be all the property of one person. On the other hand, what is with God remains for ever: “Whatever you have is certain to come to an end, but that which is with God is everlasting.” (Verse 96) Thus their determination to fulfil their commitments, even though they may be burdensome, is immensely strengthened. Those who persevere in the face of difficulty are promised generous reward: “We will certainly grant those who are patient in adversity their reward according to the best that they ever did” (Verse 96) The promise implies that their failings are overlooked, so that their reward takes into account only the best of their actions. |
Ibn Kathir (English)
Sayyid Qutb
Sha'rawi
Al Jalalain
Mawdudi
الطبري - جامع البيان
ابن كثير - تفسير القرآن العظيم
القرطبي - الجامع لأحكام
البغوي - معالم التنزيل
ابن أبي حاتم الرازي - تفسير القرآن
ابن عاشور - التحرير والتنوير
ابن القيم - تفسير ابن قيّم
السيوطي - الدر المنثور
الشنقيطي - أضواء البيان
ابن الجوزي - زاد المسير
الآلوسي - روح المعاني
ابن عطية - المحرر الوجيز
الرازي - مفاتيح الغيب
أبو السعود - إرشاد العقل السليم
الزمخشري - الكشاف
البقاعي - نظم الدرر
الهداية إلى بلوغ النهاية — مكي ابن أبي طالب
القاسمي - محاسن التأويل
الماوردي - النكت والعيون
السعدي - تيسير الكريم الرحمن
عبد الرحمن الثعالبي - الجواهر الحسان
السمرقندي - بحر العلوم
أبو إسحاق الثعلبي - الكشف والبيان
الشوكاني - فتح القدير
النيسابوري - التفسير البسيط
أبو حيان - البحر المحيط
البيضاوي - أنوار التنزيل
النسفي - مدارك التنزيل
ابن جُزَيّ - التسهيل لعلوم التنزيل
علي الواحدي النيسابوري - الوجيز
السيوطي - تفسير الجلالين
المختصر في التفسير — مركز تفسير
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Overview (Verses 94 - 96) Ideals Made Practical The sūrah places even greater emphasis on the fulfilment of pledges and the prohibition of resorting to oaths in order to deceive others, lulling them into a false sense of security in order to make transitory gain. It warns that the only result of such deception is to weaken the basis of social life and undermine bonds, commitments and beliefs. It warns against God’s severe punishment in the hereafter. At the same time, it holds the promise of a much better reward which more than compensates for any trivial gain they may have had to sacrifice in honouring their pledges. It reminds them that what they have in this life is transitory, certain to come to an end, while that which God holds is inexhaustible, everlasting. Do not use your oaths as a means to deceive one another, lest your foot should slip after it has been firm, and lest you should be made to suffer the evil [consequences] of your having debarred others from the path of God, with tremendous suffering awaiting you. Do not barter away your covenant with God for a trifling price. Surely, that which is with God is far better for you, if you but knew it. Whatever you have is certain to come to an end, but that which is with God is everlasting. We will certainly grant those who are patient in adversity their reward according to the best that they ever did. (Verses 94-96) When oaths are sworn only to deceive other people, the result is the weakening of faith in one’s own conscience and giving to others a distorted image of it. Someone who swears in order to deceive others cannot have firm belief, and cannot walk firmly along its path. At the same time, he presents a bad image of his professed faith to those who trust him only to find themselves deceived. In this way, he sets a very bad example of believers, in effect turning others away from God’s faith. In fact whole communities accepted the faith of Islam when they realized how faithful to their trust the Muslims were. The unhesitating fulfilment by the Muslims of their promises, their true oaths and clean, straightforward dealings motivated other communities to learn more about Islam and believe in it. Thus the resulting gain was far greater than the temporary loss that appeared to be incurred by fulfilment of pledges. The Qur’ān and the Sunnah of the Prophet have left a very strong impression on Muslims in relation to their promises and treaties. This has remained the distinctive characteristic of their dealings with others both at individual and international levels. It is reported that a truce was made between Mu`āwiyah, the fifth Caliph, and the Byzantine Emperor. When the truce was approaching its end, Mu`āwiyah marched towards Byzantium. He was very close to the border when the truce expired, and he began military activity. `Umar ibn `Utbah, a Companion of the Prophet in his army said to him: “Mu`āwiyah! God be glorified. Honour your pledges and never violate them. I have heard God’s Messenger [peace be upon him] saying: ‘Whoever has a treaty with other people must not break his commitment until the term has lapsed.’ Mu`āwiyah ordered his army to retreat and marched home.” Examples in history of Muslims honouring treaties, even though their immediate interests would have been better served by abrogating them, are numerous. The Qur’ān was able to make such a distinctly strong impression on Muslims through repeated warnings against violation of covenants, promises of reward for honouring them, and by making the covenant a bond with God. It shows the benefit that may result from such violation of commitment to be paltry, while God rewards generously those who are true to their word: “Do not barter away your covenant with God for a trifling price. Surely, that which is with God is far better for you, if but knew it.” (Verse 95) The verse reminds us that what human beings may have is transitory, even though it may be all the property of one person. On the other hand, what is with God remains for ever: “Whatever you have is certain to come to an end, but that which is with God is everlasting.” (Verse 96) Thus their determination to fulfil their commitments, even though they may be burdensome, is immensely strengthened. Those who persevere in the face of difficulty are promised generous reward: “We will certainly grant those who are patient in adversity their reward according to the best that they ever did” (Verse 96) The promise implies that their failings are overlooked, so that their reward takes into account only the best of their actions. |