Surah an-Nahl (The Bee ) 16 : 39

Overview (Verses 38 - 44)

The Truth of Resurrection

The unbelievers make yet another argument to justify their rejection of the divine message. “They most solemnly swear by God that God never raises the dead to life. Yes indeed! That is a promise to which He has bound Himself, even though most people do not know it. [Thus] He will make clear to them the reality of matters over which they differ, and the unbelievers will know that they were liars. Whenever We will anything to be, We need only say, ‘Be’— and it is.” (Verses 38-40)

The question of resurrection has been the main point of contention among many communities ever since God sent His messengers to mankind, commanding them to do what is good and forbidding them what is evil, warning them always that they are accountable for their deeds before God on the Day of Judgement.

Yet these people from the Quraysh were ready to solemnly swear that God will not raise anyone to life after death. In other words, they acknowledge God’s existence but deny that the dead will be brought back to life by Him. They consider such resurrection to be impossible after bodies have decomposed, organs separated and molecules are scattered everywhere. They overlook the miraculous nature of life in the first place. They are oblivious to the nature of God’s power and the fact that it cannot be compared with that of human beings or their abilities. They do not realize that to bring anything into existence does not trouble God in any way, and does not place any burden whatsoever on His power. It is sufficient for Him to decide to bring something into existence for that thing to exist.

Human beings are also oblivious of God’s purpose behind resurrection. The fact is that nothing reaches its fullness in this life. People differ on truth and falsehood, right and error, good and evil, etc. Their differences and disputes cannot be settled or reach the right conclusion in this life on earth. It is a matter of God’s will that some of them live long, and that they are not held to account for their deeds during this life. Thus, reward and punishment are administered in the hereafter when everything reaches its fullness.

The sūrah replies to the unbelievers’ assertion that the dead will not be resurrected. It dispels people’s doubts with an emphatic assertion: “Yes indeed! That is a promise to which He has bound Himself” (Verse 38) When God makes a promise, then that promise is fulfilled without fail. “Even though most people do not know it.” (Verse 38) People are rarely aware of the true nature of a promise made by God.

The whole thing has a definite purpose: “He will make clear to them the reality of matters over which they differ, and the unbelievers will know that they were liars.” (Verse 39) They lie when they allege that their methods are based on true guidance, when they accuse God’s messengers of lying, and when they deny the life to come and entertain concepts and beliefs that are false and lack basis. Besides, resurrection is so easy: “Whenever We will anything to be, We need only say, ‘Be’—and it is.” (Verse 40) Resurrection is one such easy thing. It will take place once God wills it to.

In contrast to those who persist in denying the truth, the sūrah provides a glimpse of the true believers who are prepared to abandon their homes and migrate in order to lend support to God’s cause. Their only motivation is their faith in God and in the hereafter.

As for those who forsake their homes for the sake of God after having suffered injustice, We shall most certainly give them a fine abode in this life; yet better still is their reward in the life to come, if they but knew it. [Such reward is granted to] those who, having been patient in adversity, place their trust in their Lord. (Verses 41-42)

These are the people who migrate, leaving their homes, abandoning all property and belongings, sacrificing an easy life with their own peoples and communities. They seek only God’s reward. When they experience tyranny and injustice, they leave their homeland in order to live a life of obedience to God. Hence, God promises them in return for the loss of their homes something that they will like: “We shall most certainly give them a fine abode in this life.” (Verse 41) They will be well compensated for their loss: “yet better still is their reward in the life to come,” but people are rarely aware of the fact. Such people have important qualities which deserve God’s reward. Hence when they persevere in the face of hardship, and they are ‘patient in adversity,” their reward is assured. This is because they “place their trust in their Lord.” (Verse 42) They associate no partner with Him in belief, reliance and trust. The sūrah reiterates the task of God’s messengers. This comes in the context of highlighting the mission of the last Messenger and the revelations bestowed on him from on high. This forms a prelude to warnings threatening the unbelievers with severe punishment.

The messengers We sent before you were but men whom We inspired. So, if you have not realized this, ask those who are endowed with knowledge. [We sent such messengers] with clear proofs and divine books, and We have now bestowed on you the reminder so that you may elucidate to mankind all that has been bestowed on them, and that they may take thought. (Verses 43-44) Those messengers We sent in former times were men too. We did not send angels or any other type of creation. They were men chosen for a task: “whom We inspired,” just like We inspire you. Their task, like yours, was simply to deliver their message. “So... ask those who are endowed with knowledge”, i.e. the people and nations to whom messengers were sent in earlier times. Ask them, “if you have not realized this [fact]”, to make sure whether those messengers were men or angels or belonged to some other type of creation. We certainly sent human messengers “with clear proofs”, and We gave divine books, and, “We have now bestowed on you the reminder that you may elucidate to mankind all that has been bestowed on them.” (Verse 44) This applies to those who received earlier revelations but who then differed among themselves concerning the messages contained in their divine books. The Qur’ān provides a clear judgement in their disputes. This also applies to the Prophet’s contemporaries, the first community to be addressed by the Qur’ān. The Prophet was there to explain it to them and to provide practical guidance on how it should be implemented in their lives. “And that they may take thought,” on the signs God has placed in the universe confirming the message of truth, and reflect on the Qur’ānic revelations. Indeed the Qur’ān always calls on people to reflect and use their reason.