Sūrah al-Naḥl

Overview

Sūrah al-Naḥl is a Makkan sūrah with 128 āyāt. The word naḥl means ‘bees’ in Arabic, and the sūrah is so named due to it mentioning the marvellous insect as a sign of Allah in His creation (16:68). In this light, Sūrah al-Naḥl is full of mentions of the favours and bounties which Allah has bestowed upon us. Perhaps no other sūrah in the Qur’an does so to the same extent as Sūrah al-Naḥl, with almost ten āyāt opening with “wa Allāhu…” followed by a manifestation of His grace. After an awe-striking introduction, the sūrah immediately transitions onto the aforementioned theme: Allah created the heavens and the earth, He created man from a sperm drop, He created animals which we rear and benefit from in countless ways, He sent down rain and allowed the earth to sprout forth with a variety of fruits and vegetation; He gave us night and day; sun and moon; the stars and the oceans; the mountains, valleys, and rivers… “If you should count the favours of Allah, you would not enumerate them!” (16:3-18).

This is the style of the sūrah. It exemplifies some of Allah’s favours upon us then edifies or admonishes accordingly in quick succession. Pagan practices are rebuked (16:35, 51-62), the Day of Judgement is heavily discussed along with the bliss of the good and the damnation of the wicked (16:27-32, 84-88), Allah’s ability to smite the criminals is repeatedly mentioned to terrifying effect (16:45-47, 61), and many moral injunctions are commanded (16:90-100, 125-127). The critical role of the Prophet ﷺ as a guide and ethical epicentre is also cited throughout (16:43-44, 64, 89). Prophet Ibrāhīm, the qur’anic figure of unadulterated tawḥīd, is lauded at the sūrah’s conclusion for his devotion and gratitude (16:120-122). That the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is the final manifestation and perfecting conclusion of the pure way of Ibrāhīm is made evidently clear: “We then revealed to you to follow the millah of Ibrāhīm as a ḥanīf; he was never among the polytheists” (16:123). In beautiful and ever optimistic fashion, especially given the tumultuous state of the ummah at the time of revelation, Allah concludes the sūrah by saying: “Indeed, Allah is with those who exercise taqwā and those who are characterised by iḥsān” (16:128).

Context

Allah had revealed a number of sūrahs before Sūrah al-Naḥl. Among those was Sūrah al-Qamar, which begins: “The Hour has drawn near and the moon has split asunder” (54:1). Upon hearing this, many of the idolaters felt genuine fear. They said to one another, “This man (the Prophet ﷺ) claims the Resurrection is close, so let us cease from some of the things we do until we see what will unfold.” When they saw no punishment had befallen them, they said, “We see nothing.” Allah revealed: “The command of Allah has come, so do not hasten Him! Hallowed and exalted be He above what they associate” (16:1). Interestingly, there are at least a couple of references to emigration and Allah bestowing his mercy upon those who suffered and consequently emigrated (16: 41-42, 110). These passages—and potentially others in the sūrah—are likely revealed following the Hijrah. It is said that the āyah: “Those who emigrated for Allah after they were oppressed, we shall surely give them a good lodging in this worldly life; and of course the reward of the Hereafter is greater, if only they knew” (16:41) was revealed with regards to Bilāl, Ṣuhayb, Khabbāb, ʿAmmār, and Abū Jandal. They were tortured and persecuted severely in Makkah, and were given a goodly settlement in Madinah.

Themes

Sūrah al-Naḥl is rich with spiritually and intellectually enlightening content. The virtues of taʿaqqul (rationalising), tafakkur (reflecting), tadhakkur (contemplating and introspecting), shukr (gratitude), and samʿ (hearing, but with the heart as opposed to the ear) are all invoked in the sūrah. Those endowed with these qualities and who choose to exercise them without prejudice cannot but reach the truth. Whosoever looks properly, will witness that: “Whatever is with you of bounty—it is from Allah.” (16:53)

Unique Features

• Sūrah al-Naḥl is also known as Sūrah al-Niʿam, i.e. the sūrah where Allah reminds us of His countless blessings over us.
• Allah says: “If you should count the favours of Allah, you would not enumerate them.” This passage is repeated twice in two different āyāt, each with a different—rather telling—conclusion. In Sūrah Ibrāhīm, the end of the āyah is: “Indeed, man is most unjust, an ingrate” (14:34). In Sūrah al-Naḥl, it is: “Indeed Allah is most forgiving, merciful” (16:18).
• This sūrah has the third sajdah in the Qur’an. (16:49-50)
• The command to recite the istiʿādhah prior to reciting the Qur’an is found in this sūrah. (16:98)

Lessons

• It is said that, given a choice between unperishable never-ending marble or temporary gold, the wise one would favour the marble. What of one who favours temporary marble over eternal gold? Allah says: “What you have will end, and what is with Allah is ever-lasting.” (16:96)
• We follow the commands of Allah to seek His pleasure and to be admitted into His bliss. Yet a good, serene, tranquil stay in this worldly life is also realised via following His guidance: “Whoever acts righteously, male or female, while being a believer—We will surely grant them a good life.” (16:97)
• An oath is a stringent, heavy word. Allah strikes a stunning parable: “Be not like her who unravels her thread—after she had made it strong—to thin filaments, making your oaths a deceit between you that a nation be greater than another nation.” (16:92)
• “Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good counsel, and argue with them by that which is better. Indeed, it is your Lord who knows best who has strayed from His way, and it is He who knows best the guided.” (16:125)

Virtues and Valuable Information

• ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb recited Sūrah al-Naḥl on the pulpit as the jumuʿah sermon, until he reached the āyah of prostration, he prostrated, and the congregation prostrated.
• al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī recited the āyah: “Indeed, Allah commands justice, beneficence, and giving to kith and kin; and forbids obscenity, abomination, and oppression—He admonishes you so that you may remember” (16:90) then said: “Verily Allah has gathered for you all good and evil in a single āyah. By Allah, justice and beneficence leave nothing of Allah’s obedience but that they encompass it; and obscenity, abomination, and oppression leave nothing of Allah’s disobedience but that they encompass it.”