Overview - Surah 16: an-Nahl (The Bee )

The Surah speaks about Allah's creative power. Everything in the universe points to Allah. There is coherence and balance in Allah's creation.

Sections:

1. The whole creation points to Allah.
2. The truth is that there is only One God.
3. The reward of the righteous and the disgrace of the wicked.
4. Allah's message has come. Man is a creature of Allah, but he argues a lot.
5. Mushrikin's argument and the answer
6. Prophets were human beings. The mission of the last Prophet. Warnings to non-believers.
7. Prohibition against shirk. Arabs used to call angels the daughters of Allah but they themselves did not like to have daughters.
8. Allah gives time to people to repent and turn to him.
9. Consider the bounties of Allah. Some more signs mentioned.
10. The comparison between the faithful and the unfaithful.
11. Warnings about the Last Hour. Allah's favors to humankind.
12. Prophet Muhammad is a witness over all witnesses.
13. Justice, benevolence, care of the kith and kin are Allah's commands. He forbids shameful deeds, evil and aggression.
14. Qur'an is sent by Allah; even the Prophet cannot make any changes in it.
15. Every soul will be paid in full what it has earned. Halal and Haram are the authority of Allah.
16. The ideal faith of Prophet Ibrahim. The best way of giving da'wah.

The surah takes its name from Ayat no. 68, “And your Lord inspired to the bee, "Take for yourself among the mountains, houses, and among the trees and [in] that which they construct.” It is also refered to as the surah of blessings as it contains many of the blessings of Allah upon mankind.

There are 128 Ayat in this Surah.

The Surah speaks about Allah's creative power. Everything in the universe points to Allah. There is coherence and balance in Allah's creation.

Sections:

1. The whole creation points to Allah.
2. The truth is that there is only One God.
3. The reward of the righteous and the disgrace of the wicked.
4. Allah's message has come. Man is a creature of Allah, but he argues a lot.
5. Mushrikin's argument and the answer
6. Prophets were human beings. The mission of the last Prophet. Warnings to non-believers.
7. Prohibition against shirk. Arabs used to call angels the daughters of Allah but they themselves did not like to have daughters.
8. Allah gives time to people to repent and turn to him.
9. Consider the bounties of Allah. Some more signs mentioned.
10. The comparison between the faithful and the unfaithful.
11. Warnings about the Last Hour. Allah's favors to humankind.
12. Prophet Muhammad is a witness over all witnesses.
13. Justice, benevolence, care of the kith and kin are Allah's commands. He forbids shameful deeds, evil and aggression.
14. Qur'an is sent by Allah; even the Prophet cannot make any changes in it.
15. Every soul will be paid in full what it has earned. Halal and Haram are the authority of Allah.
16. The ideal faith of Prophet Ibrahim. The best way of giving da'wah.

The surah takes its name from Ayat no. 68, “And your Lord inspired to the bee, "Take for yourself among the mountains, houses, and among the trees and [in] that which they construct.” It is also refered to as the surah of blessings as it contains many of the blessings of Allah upon mankind.

There are 128 Ayat in this Surah.

Theme 1: The countless blessings of God (the root word N-AYN-M (blessings) occur the most in this Surah compared to any other Surah - see section "Important key words")

All the topics of the Surah revolve around different aspects of the Message i.e. refutation of polytheism (Shirk), proof of Monotheism (Tawhid) and warning of the consequences of the rejection, opposition or antagonism to the Message. With a quiet, soft beat, it nonetheless tackles several main topics within its broad framework. It makes use of several sound effects and  emphatic connotations to heighten its impact. Like all surahs revealed in Makkah, it discusses the main topics of faith, such as God’s oneness, revelation and resurrection. But it also refers to a number of secondary topics, such as the essential unity between Abraham’s faith and the faith preached by Muhammad (peace be upon them both).

It outlines the true nature of God’s will, an mentions the human will with regard to accepting or denying the true faith, following divine guidance or going astray. It explains the mission of God’s messengers and His law that applies to those who deny them and their messages. It discusses the question of who may forbid things or leave them lawful, and the false concepts of pagan ideologies in this regard. It speaks of leaving one’s community to migrate for God’s sake, the persecution Muslims may suffer at the hands of unbelievers, the rejection of faith after having accepted it and what punishment any of these situations may incur. It then adds some discussion on human dealings, such as maintaining justice, ensuring kindly treatment, giving money for good purposes and the fulfilment of promises and pledges, as well as other practices that observe the principles of faith. Thus we see how the surah weaves together its interrelated subject matter.

Theme 1: The countless blessings of God (the root word N-AYN-M (blessings) occur the most in this Surah compared to any other Surah - see section "Important key words")

All the topics of the Surah revolve around different aspects of the Message i.e. refutation of polytheism (Shirk), proof of Monotheism (Tawhid) and warning of the consequences of the rejection, opposition or antagonism to the Message. With a quiet, soft beat, it nonetheless tackles several main topics within its broad framework. It makes use of several sound effects and  emphatic connotations to heighten its impact. Like all surahs revealed in Makkah, it discusses the main topics of faith, such as God’s oneness, revelation and resurrection. But it also refers to a number of secondary topics, such as the essential unity between Abraham’s faith and the faith preached by Muhammad (peace be upon them both).

It outlines the true nature of God’s will, an mentions the human will with regard to accepting or denying the true faith, following divine guidance or going astray. It explains the mission of God’s messengers and His law that applies to those who deny them and their messages. It discusses the question of who may forbid things or leave them lawful, and the false concepts of pagan ideologies in this regard. It speaks of leaving one’s community to migrate for God’s sake, the persecution Muslims may suffer at the hands of unbelievers, the rejection of faith after having accepted it and what punishment any of these situations may incur. It then adds some discussion on human dealings, such as maintaining justice, ensuring kindly treatment, giving money for good purposes and the fulfilment of promises and pledges, as well as other practices that observe the principles of faith. Thus we see how the surah weaves together its interrelated subject matter.

The Surah begins with the command to have Taqwah [God-consciousness] and the Surah ends mentioning the result of those who have Taqwah, and that is that Allah with them.

• يُنَزِّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةَ بِالرُّوحِ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ أَنْ أَنذِرُوا أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاتَّقُونِ "He sends down the angels, with the inspiration of His command, upon whom He wills of His servants, [telling them], "Warn that there is no deity except Me; so fear Me." (16:2)
   
• إِنَّ اللَّـهَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوا وَّالَّذِينَ هُم مُّحْسِنُونَ "Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him and those who are doers of good." (16:128) 

The Surah begins with the command to have Taqwah [God-consciousness] and the Surah ends mentioning the result of those who have Taqwah, and that is that Allah with them.

• يُنَزِّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةَ بِالرُّوحِ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ أَنْ أَنذِرُوا أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاتَّقُونِ "He sends down the angels, with the inspiration of His command, upon whom He wills of His servants, [telling them], "Warn that there is no deity except Me; so fear Me." (16:2)
   
• إِنَّ اللَّـهَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوا وَّالَّذِينَ هُم مُّحْسِنُونَ "Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him and those who are doers of good." (16:128) 

The last Ayat of Surah al-Hijr is “And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (death). “ and the beginning of an-Nahl is “The command of Allah is coming......” – explained as Day of Qiyamah is coming.

At the end of Surah an-Nahl is “Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him and those who are Muhsineen.” And this is demonstrated in the very beginning of the next surah which is about the Isra wal Mi’raj – where at the height of the troubles, pain and loss [of his beloved wife and uncle] the Prophet is taken on a miraculous journey to speak to God Himself.

The last Ayat of Surah al-Hijr is “And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (death). “ and the beginning of an-Nahl is “The command of Allah is coming......” – explained as Day of Qiyamah is coming.

At the end of Surah an-Nahl is “Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him and those who are Muhsineen.” And this is demonstrated in the very beginning of the next surah which is about the Isra wal Mi’raj – where at the height of the troubles, pain and loss [of his beloved wife and uncle] the Prophet is taken on a miraculous journey to speak to God Himself.

• Words derived from N-AYN-M (blessings) occur 13 times in Surah an-Nahl, the highest frequency compared to any other Surah.

• Words derived from N-AYN-M (blessings) occur 13 times in Surah an-Nahl, the highest frequency compared to any other Surah.

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.

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.

• Surah Ibrahim, Hijr and an-Nahl – are revealed at a time of great trials upon the Prophet and the Muslims – which all then lead to the point of Isra wal-Mi’raj – where the Loved meets The Beloved….
• If one attempted to count the blessings of God, one could never complete this task (16:18)
• The innumerable blessings of Allah upon his creation in this world and the after-life, with the most important of them being the blessing of Revelation.
• Proof of Tawhid and refutation of shirk [polytheism].
• Allah mentions how Ibrahim was grateful for the blessings upon Him and the cosnequence of this was him being chosen and guided.
• The mountains have been set on the earth to stabilize its balance.
• Allah orders Adl and Ihsan - i.e. justice and to do that which is best.
• Allah has sent the Rasools to warn against the unbeliever's excuse: "If Allah wanted we would have not worshipped anyone else."
• Allah's promise to provide a good abode for those who migrate for His sake.
• If Allah were to punish people for their wrong doings, He would not have left even an animal around them.
• As water gives life to dead land so The Qur'an does to the human soul.
• Allah has provided signs in the lives of the bees, birds and animals.
• Allah commands to do justice, be good to others, and give to near relatives; and He forbids indecency, wickedness, and rebellion.
• Seek Allah's protection against Shaitan before starting to recite The Qur'an.
• Halal (lawful) and Haram (unlawful) are only from Allah.
• Ibrahim was a nation in himself.
• Call towards the Way of Allah with wisdom; advise and reason in a courteous manner.

• Surah Ibrahim, Hijr and an-Nahl – are revealed at a time of great trials upon the Prophet and the Muslims – which all then lead to the point of Isra wal-Mi’raj – where the Loved meets The Beloved….
• If one attempted to count the blessings of God, one could never complete this task (16:18)
• The innumerable blessings of Allah upon his creation in this world and the after-life, with the most important of them being the blessing of Revelation.
• Proof of Tawhid and refutation of shirk [polytheism].
• Allah mentions how Ibrahim was grateful for the blessings upon Him and the cosnequence of this was him being chosen and guided.
• The mountains have been set on the earth to stabilize its balance.
• Allah orders Adl and Ihsan - i.e. justice and to do that which is best.
• Allah has sent the Rasools to warn against the unbeliever's excuse: "If Allah wanted we would have not worshipped anyone else."
• Allah's promise to provide a good abode for those who migrate for His sake.
• If Allah were to punish people for their wrong doings, He would not have left even an animal around them.
• As water gives life to dead land so The Qur'an does to the human soul.
• Allah has provided signs in the lives of the bees, birds and animals.
• Allah commands to do justice, be good to others, and give to near relatives; and He forbids indecency, wickedness, and rebellion.
• Seek Allah's protection against Shaitan before starting to recite The Qur'an.
• Halal (lawful) and Haram (unlawful) are only from Allah.
• Ibrahim was a nation in himself.
• Call towards the Way of Allah with wisdom; advise and reason in a courteous manner.

Surah an-Nahl is Surah no. 16 - Bees have a different number of chromosomes. Females, workers and queens have 32, 16 are contributed by the queen's eggs and 16 come from the drones sperm. Since drones hatch from unfertilized eggs, they only have the 16 chromosomes that were in the egg. Drones are haploid because they only have one set of chromosomes.

Bees are flying insects known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. There are nearly 20,000 known species of bees. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, in every habitat on the planet that contains insect-pollinated flowering plants.

Some species including honey bees, bumblebees, and stingless bees live socially in colonies. Bees feed on nectar and pollen, the former primarily as an energy source and the latter primarily for protein and other nutrients. Most pollen is used as food for larvae.

Bees range in size from tiny stingless bee species whose workers are less than 2 millimetres (0.08 in) long, to Megachile pluto, the largest species of leafcutter bee, whose females can attain a length of 39 millimetres (1.54 in). The most common bees in the Northern Hemisphere are the Halictidae, or sweat bees, but they are small and often mistaken for wasps or flies. Vertebrate predators of bees include birds such as bee-eaters; insect predators include beewolves and dragonflies.

Surah an-Nahl is Surah no. 16 - Bees have a different number of chromosomes. Females, workers and queens have 32, 16 are contributed by the queen's eggs and 16 come from the drones sperm. Since drones hatch from unfertilized eggs, they only have the 16 chromosomes that were in the egg. Drones are haploid because they only have one set of chromosomes.

Bees are flying insects known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. There are nearly 20,000 known species of bees. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, in every habitat on the planet that contains insect-pollinated flowering plants.

Some species including honey bees, bumblebees, and stingless bees live socially in colonies. Bees feed on nectar and pollen, the former primarily as an energy source and the latter primarily for protein and other nutrients. Most pollen is used as food for larvae.

Bees range in size from tiny stingless bee species whose workers are less than 2 millimetres (0.08 in) long, to Megachile pluto, the largest species of leafcutter bee, whose females can attain a length of 39 millimetres (1.54 in). The most common bees in the Northern Hemisphere are the Halictidae, or sweat bees, but they are small and often mistaken for wasps or flies. Vertebrate predators of bees include birds such as bee-eaters; insect predators include beewolves and dragonflies.

• Surah 16. An-Nahl - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRrWD9oi2is&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN&index=16
• Surah 16. An-Nahl  Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HiTdVCiykI&index=16&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM
• Surah 16. An-Nahl Muhammad Al Luhaydan  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydkO-mO00js&index=16&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe​
• Idris Akbar Surah Nahl  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlO10FIBfD0​
• Surah 16. An-Nahl muhammad Minshawi  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJHb47mXbi0&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG&index=16​
• Dr Israr Ahmed Tafsir Surah Al-Nahl (1-110)1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnKwICo-VZo&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263&index=61​
• Surah Al-Nahl (1-110)2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsXtdUaXQ1g&index=62&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263​
• Surah Al-Nahl (111) to Surah Bani-Isra'il (1-100)1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5gRAw0W05k&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263&index=63​
•  Surah Al-Nahl (111) to Surah Bani-Isra'il (1-100)2  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU1Jzagl4OI&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263&index=64