The Bee
In the name of Allah, the
Beneficent, the Merciful.
[16:1]
The commandment of Allah will come to pass, so
seek not ye to hasten it. Glorified and Exalted be He above all that they
associate (with Him).
[16:2]
He sendeth down the angels with the Spirit of
His command unto whom He will of His bondmen, (saying): Warn mankind that there
is no God save Me, so keep your duty unto Me.
[16:3]
He hath created the heavens and the earth with
truth. High be He Exalted above all that they associate (with Him).
[16:4]
He hath created man from a drop of fluid, yet
behold! he is an open opponent.
[16:5]
And the cattle hath He created, whence ye have
warm clothing and uses, and whereof ye eat;
[16:6]
And wherein is beauty for you, when ye bring
them home, and when ye take them out to pasture.
[16:7]
And they bear your loads for you unto a land ye
could not reach save with great trouble to yourselves. Lo! your Lord is Full of
Pity, Merciful.
[16:8]
And horses and mules and asses (hath He created)
that ye may ride them, and for ornament. And He createth that which ye know
not.
[16:9]
And Allah’s is the direction of the way, and
some (roads) go not straight. And had He willed He would have led you all aright.
[16:10]
He it is Who sendeth down water from the sky,
whence ye have drink, and whence are trees on which ye send your beasts to
pasture.
[16:11]
Therewith He causeth crops to grow for you, and
the olive and the date-palm and grapes and all kinds of fruit. Lo! herein is
indeed a portent for people who reflect.
[16:12]
And He hath constrained the night and the day
and the sun and the moon to be of service unto you, and the stars are made
subservient by His command. Lo! herein indeed are portents for people who have
sense.
[16:13]
And whatsoever He hath created for you in the
earth of divers hues, lo! therein is indeed a portent for people who take heed.
[16:14]
And He it is Who hath constrained the sea to be
of service that ye eat fresh meat from thence, and bring forth from thence
ornaments which ye wear. And thou seest the ships ploughing it that ye
(mankind) may seek of His bounty and that haply ye may give thanks.
[16:15]
And He hath cast into the earth firm hills that
it quake not with you, and streams and roads that ye may find a way.
[16:16]
And landmarks (too), and by the star they find a
way.
[16:17]
Is He then Who createth as him who createth not
? Will ye not then remember ?
[16:18]
And if ye would count the favour of Allah ye
cannot reckon it. Lo! Allah is indeed Forgiving, Merciful.
[16:19]
And Allah knoweth that which ye keep hidden and
that which ye proclaim.
[16:20]
Those unto whom they cry beside Allah created
naught, but are themselves created.
[16:21]
(They are) dead, not living. And they know not
when they will be raised.
[16:22]
Your God is One God. But as for those who
believe not in the Hereafter their hearts refuse to know, for they are proud.
[16:23]
Assuredly Allah knoweth that which they keep hidden
and that which they proclaim. Lo! He loveth not the proud.
[16:24]
And when it is said unto them: What hath your
Lord revealed ? they say: (Mere) fables of the men of old,
[16:25]
That they may bear their burdens undiminished on
the Day of Resurrection, with somewhat of the burdens of those whom they
mislead without knowledge. Ah! evil is that which they bear!
[16:26]
Those before them plotted, so Allah struck at
the foundations of their building, and then the roof fell down upon them from
above them, and the doom came on them whence they knew not;
[16:27]
Then on the Day of Resurrection He will disgrace
them and will say: Where are My partners, for whose sake ye opposed (My
guidance) ? Those who have been given knowledge will say: Disgrace this day and
evil are upon the disbelievers,
[16:28]
Whom the angels cause to die while they are
wronging themselves. Then will they make full submission (saying): We used not
to do any wrong. Nay! Surely Allah is Knower of what ye used to do.
[16:29]
So enter the gates of hell, to dwell therein for
ever. Woeful indeed will be the lodging of the arrogant.
[16:30]
And it is said unto those who ward off (evil):
What hath your Lord revealed ? They say: Good. For those who do good in this
world there is a good (reward) and the home of the Hereafter will be better.
Pleasant indeed will be the home of those who ward off (evil) -
[16:31]
Gardens of
[16:32]
Those whom the angels cause to die (when they
are) good. They say: Peace be unto you! Enter the Garden because of what ye
used to do.
[16:33]
Await they aught say that the angels should come
unto them or thy Lord’s command should come to pass ? Even so did those before
them. Allah wronged them not, but they did wrong themselves,
[16:34]
So that the evils of what they did smote them,
and that which they used to mock surrounded them.
[16:35]
And the idolaters say: Had Allah willed, we had
not worshipped aught beside Him, we and our fathers, nor had we forbidden aught
without (command from) Him. Even so did those before them. Are the messengers
charged with aught save plain conveyance (of the message) ?
[16:36]
And verily We have raised in every nation a
messenger, (proclaiming): Serve Allah and shun false gods. Then some of them
(there were) whom Allah guided, and some of them (there were) upon whom error
had just hold. Do but travel in the land and see the nature of the consequence
for the deniers!
[16:37]
Even if thou (O Muhammad) desirest their right
guidance, still Allah assuredly will not guide him who misleadeth. Such have no
helpers.
[16:38]
And they swear by Allah their most binding oaths
(that) Allah will not raise up him who dieth. Nay, but it is a promise
(binding) upon Him in truth, but most of mankind know not,
[16:39]
That He may explain unto them that wherein they
differ, and that those who disbelieved may know that they were liars.
[16:40]
And Our word unto a thing, when We intend it, is
only that We say unto it: Be! and it is.
[16:41]
And those who became fugitives for the cause of
Allah after they had been oppressed, We verily shall give them goodly lodging
in the world, and surely the reward of the Hereafter is greater, if they but
knew;
[16:42]
Such as are steadfast and put their trust in
Allah.
[16:43]
And We sent not (as Our messengers) before thee
other than men whom We inspired - Ask the followers of the Remembrance if ye
know not! -
[16:44]
With clear proofs and writings; and We have
revealed unto thee the Remembrance that thou mayst explain to mankind that
which hath been revealed for them, and that haply they may reflect.
[16:45]
Are they who plan ill-deeds then secure that
Allah will not cause the earth to swallow them, or that the doom will not come
on them whence they know not ?
[16:46]
Or that He will not seize them in their going to
and fro so that there be no escape for them ?
[16:47]
Or that He will not seize them with a gradual
wasting ? Lo! thy Lord is indeed Full of Pity, Merciful.
[16:48]
Have they not observed all things that Allah
hath created, how their shadows incline to the right and to the left, making
prostration unto Allah, and they are lowly ?
[16:49]
And unto Allah maketh prostration whatsoever is
in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth of living creatures, and the
angels (also) and they are not proud.
[16:50]
They fear their Lord above them, and do what
they are bidden.
[16:51]
Allah hath said: Choose not two gods. There is
only One God. So of Me, Me only, be in awe.
[16:52]
Unto Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens
and the earth, and religion is His for ever. Will ye then fear any other than
Allah ?
[16:53]
And whatever of comfort ye enjoy, it is from
Allah. Then, when misfortune reacheth you, unto Him ye cry for help.
[16:54]
And afterward, when He hath rid you of the
misfortune, behold! a set of you attribute partners to their Lord,
[16:55]
So as to deny that which We have given them.
Then enjoy life (while ye may), for ye will come to know.
[16:56]
And they assign a portion of that which We have
given them unto what they know not. By Allah! but ye will indeed be asked
concerning (all) that ye used to invent.
[16:57]
And they assign unto Allah daughters - Be He
Glorified! - and unto themselves what they desire;
[16:58]
When if one of them receiveth tidings of the
birth of a female, his face remaineth darkened, and he is wroth inwardly.
[16:59]
He hideth himself from the folk because of the
evil of that whereof he hath had tidings, (asking himself): Shall he keep it in
contempt, or bury it beneath the dust. Verily evil is their judgment.
[16:60]
For those who believe not in the Hereafter is an
evil similitude, and Allah’s is the Sublime Similitude. He is the Mighty, the
Wise.
[16:61]
If Allah were to take mankind to task for their
wrong-doing, he would not leave hereon a living creature, but He reprieveth
them to an appointed term, and when their term cometh they cannot put (it) off
an hour nor (yet) advance (it).
[16:62]
And they assign unto Allah that which they
(themselves) dislike, and their tongues expound the lie that the better portion
will be theirs. Assuredly theirs will be the Fire, and they will be abandoned.
[16:63]
By Allah, We verily sent messengers unto the
nations before thee, but the devil made their deeds fairseeming unto them. So
he is their patron this day, and theirs will be a painful doom.
[16:64]
And We have revealed the Scripture unto thee only
that thou mayst explain unto them that wherein they differ, and (as) a guidance
and a mercy for a people who believe.
[16:65]
Allah sendeth down water from the sky and
therewith reviveth the earth after her death. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for
a folk who hear.
[16:66]
And lo! in the cattle there is a lesson for you.
We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, from betwixt the refuse
and the blood, pure milk palatable to the drinkers.
[16:67]
And of the fruits of the date-palm, and grapes,
whence ye derive strong drink and (also) good nourishment. Lo! therein is
indeed a portent for people who have sense.
[16:68]
And thy Lord inspired the bee, saying: Choose
thou habitations in the hills and in the trees and in that which they thatch;
[16:69]
Then eat of all fruits, and follow the ways of
thy Lord, made smooth (for thee). There cometh forth from their bellies a drink
divers of hues, wherein is healing for mankind. Lo! herein is indeed a portent
for people who reflect.
[16:70]
And Allah createth you, then causeth you to die,
and among you is he who is brought back to the most abject stage of life, so
that he knoweth nothing after (having had) knowledge. Lo! Allah is Knower,
Powerful.
[16:71]
And Allah hath favoured some of you above others
in provision. Now those who are more favoured will by no means hand over their
provision to those (slaves) whom their right hands possess, so that they may be
equal with them in respect thereof. Is it then the grace of Allah that they
deny ?
[16:72]
And Allah hath given you wives of your own kind,
and hath given you, from your wives, sons and grandsons, and hath made
provision of good things for you. Is it then in vanity that they believe and in
the grace of Allah that they disbelieve ?
[16:73]
And they worship beside Allah that which owneth
no provision whatsoever for them from the heavens or the earth, nor have they
(whom they worship) any power.
[16:74]
So coin not similitudes for Allah. Lo! Allah
knoweth; ye know not.
[16:75]
Allah coineth a similitude: (on the one hand) a
(mere) chattel slave, who hath control of nothing, and (on the other hand) one
on whom we have bestowed a fair provision from Us, and he spendeth thereof
secretly and openly. Are they equal ? Praise be to Allah! But most of them know
not.
[16:76]
And Allah coineth a similitude: Two men, one of
them dumb, having control of nothing, and he is a burden on his owner;
whithersoever he directeth him to go, he bringeth no good. Is he equal with one
who enjoineth justice and followeth a straight path (of conduct) ?
[16:77]
And unto Allah belongeth the Unseen of the
heavens and the earth, and the matter of the Hour (of Doom) is but as a
twinkling of the eye, or it is nearer still. Lo! Allah is Able to do all
things.
[16:78]
And Allah brought you forth from the wombs of
your mothers knowing nothing, and gave you hearing and sight and hearts that
haply ye might give thanks.
[16:79]
Have they not seen the birds obedient in mid-air
? None holdeth them save Allah. Lo! herein, verily, are portents for a people
who believe.
[16:80]
And Allah hath given you in your houses an
abode, and hath given you (also), of the hides of cattle, houses which ye find
light (to carry) on the day of migration and on the day of pitching camp; and
of their wool and their fur and their hair, caparison and comfort for a while.
[16:81]
And Allah hath given you, of that which He hath
created, shelter from the sun; and hath given you places of refuge in the
mountains, and hath given you coats to ward off the heat from you, and coats
(of armour) to save you from your own foolhardiness. Thus doth He perfect His
favour unto you, in order that ye may surrender (unto Him).
[16:82]
Then, if they turn away, thy duty (O Muhammad)
is but plain conveyance (of the message).
[16:83]
They know the favour of Allah and then deny it.
Most of them are ingrates.
[16:84]
And (bethink you of) the day when we raise up of
every nation a witness, then there is no leave for disbelievers, nor are they
allowed to make amends.
[16:85]
And when those who did wrong behold the doom, it
will not be made light for them, nor will they be reprieved.
[16:86]
And when those who ascribed partners to Allah
behold those partners of theirs, they will say: Our Lord! these are our
partners unto whom we used to cry instead of Thee. But they will fling to them
the saying: Lo! ye verily are liars!
[16:87]
And they proffer unto Allah submission on that
day, and all that they used to invent hath failed them.
[16:88]
For those who disbelieve and debar (men) from
the way of Allah, We add doom to doom because they wrought corruption,
[16:89]
And (bethink you of) the day when We raise in
every nation a witness against them of their own folk, and We bring thee
(Muhammad) as a witness against these. And We reveal the Scripture unto thee as
an exposition of all things, and a guidance and a mercy and good tidings for
those who have surrendered (to Allah).
[16:90]
Lo! Allah enjoineth justice and kindness, and
giving to kinsfolk, and forbiddeth lewdness and abomination and wickedness. He
exhorteth you in order that ye may take heed.
[16:91]
Fulfil the covenant of Allah when ye have
covenanted, and break not your oaths after the asseveration of them, and after
ye have made Allah surety over you. Lo! Allah knoweth what ye do.
[16:92]
And be not like unto her who unravelleth the
thread, after she hath made it strong, to thin filaments, making your oaths a
deceit between you because of a nation being more numerous than (another)
nation. Allah only trieth you thereby, and He verily will explain to you on the
Day of Resurrection that wherein ye differed.
[16:93]
Had Allah willed He could have made you (all)
one nation, but He sendeth whom He will astray and guideth whom He will, and ye
will indeed be asked of what ye used to do.
[16:94]
Make not your oaths a deceit between you, lest a
foot should slip after being firmly planted and ye should taste evil forasmuch
as ye debarred (men) from the way of Allah, and yours should be an awful doom.
[16:95]
And purchase not a small gain at the price of
Allah’s covenant. Lo! that which Allah hath is better for you, if ye did but
know.
[16:96]
That which ye have wasteth away, and that which
Allah hath remaineth. And verily We shall pay those who are steadfast a
recompense in proportion to the best of what they used to do.
[16:97]
Whosoever doeth right, whether male or female,
and is a believer, him verily we shall quicken with good life, and We shall pay
them a recompense in proportion to the best of what they used to do.
[16:98]
And when thou recitest the Qur’an, seek refuge
in Allah from Satan the outcast.
[16:99]
Lo! he hath no power over those who believe and
put trust in their Lord.
[16:100]
His power is only over those who make a friend
of him, and those who ascribe partners unto Him (Allah).
[16:101]
And when We put a revelation in place of
(another) revelation, - and Allah knoweth best what He revealeth - they say:
Lo! thou art but inventing. Most of them know not.
[16:102]
Say: The holy Spirit hath delivered it from thy
Lord with truth, that it may confirm (the faith of) those who believe, and as
guidance and good tidings for those who have surrendered (to Allah).
[16:103]
And We know well that they say: Only a man
teacheth him. The speech of him at whom they falsely hint is outlandish, and
this is clear Arabic speech.
[16:104]
Lo! those who disbelieve the revelations of
Allah, Allah guideth them not and theirs will be a painful doom.
[16:105]
Only they invent falsehood who believe not
Allah’s revelations, and (only) they are the liars.
[16:106]
Whoso disbelieveth in Allah after his belief -
save him who is forced thereto and whose heart is still content with the Faith
- but whoso findeth ease in disbelief: On them is wrath from Allah. Theirs will
be an awful doom.
[16:107]
That is because they have chosen the life of the
world rather than the Hereafter, and because Allah guideth not the disbelieving
folk.
[16:108]
Such are they whose hearts and ears and eyes
Allah hath sealed. And such are the heedless.
[16:109]
Assuredly in the Hereafter they are the losers.
[16:110]
Then lo! thy Lord - for those who became
fugitives after they had been persecuted, and then fought and were steadfast -
lo! thy Lord afterward is (for them) indeed Forgiving, Merciful.
[16:111]
On the Day when every soul will come pleading
for itself, and every soul will be repaid what it did, and they will not be
wronged.
[16:112]
Allah coineth a similitude: a township that
dwelt secure and well content, its provision coming to it in abundance from
every side, but it disbelieved in Allah’s favours, so Allah made it experience
the garb of dearth and fear because of what they used to do.
[16:113]
And verily there had come unto them a messenger
from among them, but they had denied him, and so the torment seized them while
they were wrong-doers.
[16:114]
So eat of the lawful and good food which Allah
hath provided for you, and thank the bounty of your Lord if it is Him ye serve.
[16:115]
He hath forbidden for you only carrion and blood
and swineflesh and that which hath been immolated in the name of any other than
Allah; but he who is driven thereto, neither craving nor transgressing, lo!
then Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
[16:116]
And speak not, concerning that which your own
tongues qualify (as clean or unclean), the falsehood: "This is lawful, and
this is forbidden," so that ye invent a lie against Allah. Lo! those who
invent a lie against Allah will not succeed.
[16:117]
A brief enjoyment (will be theirs); and theirs a
painful doom.
[16:118]
And unto those who are Jews We have forbidden
that which We have already related unto thee. And We wronged them not, but they
were wont to wrong themselves.
[16:119]
Then lo! thy Lord - for those who do evil in
ignorance and afterward repent and amend - lo! (for them) thy Lord is afterward
indeed Forgiving, Merciful.
[16:120]
Lo! Abraham was a nation obedient to Allah, by
nature upright, and he was not of the idolaters;
[16:121]
Thankful for His bounties; He chose him and He
guided him unto a straight path.
[16:122]
And We gave him good in the world, and in the
Hereafter he is among the righteous.
[16:123]
And afterward We inspired thee (Muhammad,
saying): Follow the religion of Abraham, as one by nature upright. He was not
of the idolaters.
[16:124]
The Sabbath was appointed only for those who
differed concerning it, and lo! thy Lord will judge between them on the Day of
Resurrection concerning that wherein they used to differ.
[16:125]
Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and
fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way. Lo! thy Lord is Best
Aware of him who strayeth from His way, and He is Best Aware of those who go
aright.
[16:126]
If ye punish, then punish with the like of that
wherewith ye were afflicted. But if ye endure patiently, verily it is better
for the patient.
[16:127]
Endure thou patiently (O Muhammad). Thine
endurance is only by (the help of) Allah. Grieve not for them, and be not in
distress because of that which they devise.
[16:128]
Lo! Allah is with those who keep their duty unto
Him and those who are doers of good.