| | A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018) rendition of Surah The Bee(an-Nahl)
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| 16:1 | | Inevitably the command of God will come. So do not seek to hasten it. Glory be to Him, and far is He above having the partners they ascribe to Him |
| 16:2 | | He sends down His angels with inspiration by His command, to those of His servants as He pleases saying, “Warn that there is no god but I, so do your duty to Me. |
| 16:3 | | He has created the heavens and the earth. In truth He is far above having the partners they ascribe to Him |
| 16:4 | | He has created the human being from a zygote, and behold, he becomes an open disputer |
| 16:5 | | And livestock has He created for you. From them you derive warmth and numerous other benefits, and of them you eat |
| 16:6 | | And you have a sense of pride in them, as you drive them home in the evening, and as you let them out to pasture in the morning |
| 16:7 | | And they carry your heavy loads to lands that you could not otherwise reach, except with souls distressed, for your Lord is indeed Most Kind, the Merciful Redeemer |
| 16:8 | | And horses, mules, and donkeys are for you to ride and show, and He has created things of which you have no knowledge |
| 16:9 | | And the way leads straight to God, but there are also ways which turn you away. If God had willed, He could have guided all of you |
| 16:10 | | It is He who sends down rain from the sky. From it you drink, and out of it grows the vegetation from which you feed your livestock |
| 16:11 | | With it He produces for you corn, olives, date palms, grapes, and every kind of fruit. Indeed in this is a sign for those who give thought |
| 16:12 | | He has made subject to you the night and the day, the Sun and the Moon, and the stars are subjected to His command, indeed in this are signs for people who are wise |
| 16:13 | | Also the things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying colors, indeed in this is a sign for people who praise God |
| 16:14 | | It is He Who has made the sea subject to you, that you may eat of its flesh which is fresh and tender, and that you may extract from it ornaments to wear, and you see the ships in it that can plow the waves, that you may seek the bounty of God and that you may be grateful |
| 16:15 | | And He has set up on the earth, mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you, also rivers and roads, that you may guide yourselves |
| 16:16 | | And also landmarks. And by the stars you guide yourselves |
| 16:17 | | Then is He Who creates like one who does not create? But will you not remember |
| 16:18 | | If you tried to count the blessings of God, you would never be able to count them, indeed God is Oft-Forgiving, Mercifully Redeeming |
| 16:19 | | And God knows what you conceal and what you reveal |
| 16:20 | | Those that they invoke besides God create nothing and are themselves created |
| 16:21 | | They are dead, lifeless, and they do not know when they will be raised up |
| 16:22 | | Your God is one God. As for those who do not believe in the hereafter, their hearts refuse, and they are arrogant |
| 16:23 | | Undoubtedly, God knows what they conceal and what they reveal, indeed He does not love the arrogant |
| 16:24 | | When it is said to them, “What is it that your Lord has revealed?” They say, “Tales of the ancients. |
| 16:25 | | They will bear, on the Day of Accountability, their burdens in full, as well as the burdens of those without knowledge, whom they misled. Oh, how terrible the burdens are that they will bear |
| 16:26 | | Those before them also plotted, but God took their structures from their foundations, and the roof fell down on them from above, and the punishment seized them from directions they did not perceive |
| 16:27 | | Then, on the Day of Accountability, He will cover them with shame and say, “Where are My partners that you used to confide?” Those endued with knowledge will say, “This day, the unbelievers are indeed covered with shame and misery |
| 16:28 | | “Those whose lives the angels take in a state of doing wrong to their souls.” They will then offer submission and they will say, “We meant no harm.” No, but indeed God knows all that you did |
| 16:29 | | “So enter the gates of hell, to dwell therein forever. Terrible indeed is the abode of the arrogant. |
| 16:30 | | To the righteous it is said, “What is it that your Lord has revealed?” They will say, “All that is good.” To those who do right, there is good in the present, and the home of the hereafter, and that is better and more excellent indeed, the home of the righteous are |
| 16:31 | | Gardens of eternity which they will enter. Beneath them rivers flow. They will have there all that they wish. This is how God rewards the righteous |
| 16:32 | | Those whose lives the angels take in a state of innocence saying, “Peace be on you. Enter the garden, because of that which you did. |
| 16:33 | | Do they wait until the angels come to them, or there comes the command of your Lord, as those who went before them did? But God wronged them not. No, they wronged their own selves |
| 16:34 | | But the harmful results of their deeds overtook them, and the very punishment at which they mocked captured them |
| 16:35 | | The worshippers of false gods say, “If God had so willed, we would not have worshipped anything but Him, neither we nor our parents, nor would we have created prohibitions other than His,” as did those who went before them say. But what is the mission of messengers except to convey the message clearly |
| 16:36 | | For We surely sent among every people a messenger who said, “Serve God, and avoid harm.” Of the people were some whom God guided, and some on whom error became inevitable. So travel through the earth and see what the end of those who rejected the message was |
| 16:37 | | You anticipate their guidance, but God does not guide those He leaves to stray, and there are none to help them |
| 16:38 | | They swear their strongest oaths by God, that God will not raise up those who die. No, but it is a promise binding on Him in truth, but most among humanity realize it not |
| 16:39 | | In order that He may show them the truth of that which they differ, and that the rejecters of truth may realize that they only have falsehood |
| 16:40 | | Because anything We wish, We need only say the word: “Be”. And it is |
| 16:41 | | To those who leave their homes in the cause of God after suffering oppression, We will surely give an excellent home in the present, but truly the reward of the hereafter will be greater, if they only knew |
| 16:42 | | They are those who persevere in patience and put their trust in their Lord |
| 16:43 | | And before you, the messengers We sent were also merely human beings, but We granted them inspiration. If you do not understand this, ask those who have the message |
| 16:44 | | We sent them with clear signs, and We have sent down to you the message, so that you may explain clearly to humanity what is sent to them, and that they may give it thought |
| 16:45 | | Then do those who devise harmful plans feel secure that God will not cause the earth to swallow them, or that the punishment will not seize them from directions they hardly expect |
| 16:46 | | Or that He will not call them to account in the middle of their goings back and forth, without a chance of them stopping Him |
| 16:47 | | Or that He may not call them to account by a process of slow wastage? For your Lord is indeed full of kindness and mercy |
| 16:48 | | Do they not look at God's creations, how their shadows move from the right and the left, prostrating themselves to God in the humblest manner |
| 16:49 | | And to God submits all that is in the heavens and on earth, whether animate objects or the angels, for none are arrogant |
| 16:50 | | They all revere their Lord high above themselves, and they do all that they are asked |
| 16:51 | | God has said, “Take not two gods, for He is only one God, and be conscious of Me. |
| 16:52 | | To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and on earth, and to Him is duty always due. Will you then fear other than God |
| 16:53 | | And you have nothing good but what is from God, and when you are touched by distress, you cry to Him |
| 16:54 | | Yet, when He removes the distress from you behold, some of you turn to other gods to join with their Lord |
| 16:55 | | Showing their ingratitude for the favors We have bestowed on them. So enjoy, but soon will you come to know |
| 16:56 | | And they assign to things they do not know, a portion out of that which We have bestowed for their sustenance. By God, you will certainly be called to account for your false claims |
| 16:57 | | And they assign daughters to God. Glory belongs to Him, but their desires are selfish |
| 16:58 | | When news is brought to one of them of a female, his face darkens, and he is filled with inward grief |
| 16:59 | | With shame, he hides himself from his people, because of the news he has received. Shall he keep her despite all this, or bury her in the ground? What an evil decision they make |
| 16:60 | | Those who do not believe in the hereafter are an example of wrong. But to God applies the highest example, for He is the Exalted in Power, Full of Wisdom |
| 16:61 | | And if God were to punish humanity for their wrongdoing, He would not leave a single living creature, but He gives them respite for a stated term. When their term expires, they will not be able to delay it for a single hour or to anticipate it |
| 16:62 | | They attribute to God what they hate, and their tongues assert the lie that all good is for them. Without doubt for them is the fire, and they will be the first to be pushed into it |
| 16:63 | | By God, We certainly sent Our messengers to peoples before you, but Satan made their acts seem fine. He is also their patron today, but they will have a most terrible penalty |
| 16:64 | | And We sent down the Book to you for the express purpose that you should make clear to them those things in which they differ, and that it should be a guide and a mercy to those who believe |
| 16:65 | | And God sends down rain from the skies, and gives with it life to the earth after its death, indeed in this is a sign for those who listen |
| 16:66 | | And indeed in livestock will you find an instructive sign. From what is within their bodies between excretions and blood, We produce for your drink, milk pure and agreeable to those who drink it |
| 16:67 | | And from the fruit of the date palm and the vine, you get out wholesome drink and food. Behold, in this also is a sign for those who are wise |
| 16:68 | | And your Lord inspired the bee to build their homes in hills, on trees, and in human habitations |
| 16:69 | | Then to eat of all the produce, and find, with skill, the spacious paths of it’s Lord. There issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colors, wherein is that which promotes health for humanity, indeed in this is a sign for those who give thought |
| 16:70 | | It is God who creates you and takes your souls at death. And of you, there are some who are sent back to a feeble age, so that they do not know after having known much, for God is All Knowing, All Powerful |
| 16:71 | | God has bestowed His gifts of sustenance more freely on some of you than on others. Those more favored are not going to give their gifts to those whom their right hands possess, so as to be equal in that respect. Will they then deny the favors of God |
| 16:72 | | And God has made for you mates of your own nature, and made for you, out of them, children and grandchildren, and provided for you sustenance of the best. Will they then believe in vain things, and be ungrateful for God's favors |
| 16:73 | | And worship others with God, those who have no power of providing for them with sustenance, anything in the heavens or on the earth, and who cannot possibly have such power |
| 16:74 | | Invent not a similitude for God, for God knows and you know not |
| 16:75 | | God sets forth the parable of a servant under the control of another, He has no power of any sort, and a person on whom We have bestowed excellent favors from Ourselves, and he gives of it, privately and publicly. Are the two equal? Praise God, but most of them do not understand |
| 16:76 | | God sets forth a parable of two people. One of them having no voice, with no power of any sort, a wearisome burden is he to his overseer. Whichever way he directs him, he brings no good. Is such a person equal with one who commands justice, and is on a straight way |
| 16:77 | | To God belongs the mystery of the heavens and the earth, and His decision on the Hour is as the twinkling of an eye, or even quicker, for God has power over all things |
| 16:78 | | It is He Who brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers when you knew nothing, and He gave you hearing, sight, intelligence, and affection. That you may give thanks |
| 16:79 | | Do they not look at the birds held in the sky? Nothing holds them up but God, indeed in this are signs for those who believe |
| 16:80 | | It is God Who made your houses homes of rest and quiet for you, and made for you, out of the skin of animals, dwellings which you find light on the day you travel and the day of encampment, and out of their wool, and their soft-fibers, and their hair, comforts and articles of convenience for a time |
| 16:81 | | It is God Who made out of the things He created, things to give you shade, of the hills He made some for your shelter, He made you garments to protect you from heat, and armor to protect you from violence. Thus, He completes His favors on you that you may bow to His will |
| 16:82 | | But if they turn away, your duty is only to proclaim the clear message |
| 16:83 | | They recognize the favors of God. Then they ignore them, and most of them are ungrateful |
| 16:84 | | One day We will raise from all peoples a witness. Then will no excuse be accepted from unbelievers, nor will they receive any favors |
| 16:85 | | When the wrongdoers see the penalty, there will neither be a way to mitigate, nor will they receive respite |
| 16:86 | | When those who gave partners to God see their partners they will say, “Our Lord, these are our partners, those whom we used to invoke besides You.” But they will throw back their word at them and say, “Indeed you are liars. |
| 16:87 | | That day will they show submission to God, and all their creations will leave them |
| 16:88 | | Those who reject God and hinder people from the path of God, on them will We heap penalty upon penalty, because they used to spread corruption |
| 16:89 | | One day We will raise from all peoples a witness against them from among themselves, and We will bring you as a witness against them, and We have sent down to you the Book explaining all things, a guide, a mercy, and good news to the Muslims |
| 16:90 | | God commands justice, the doing of good, and generosity to friends and family, and He forbids shameful deeds, injustice, and rebellion. He instructs you, that you may receive advice |
| 16:91 | | Fulfill the covenant of God when you have entered into it, and do not break your promises after you have confirmed them. Indeed you have made God your hope, for God knows all that you do |
| 16:92 | | And be not like a woman who breaks into untwisted strands the yarn which she has spun, after it has become strong, nor take promises to practice deception between yourselves, lest one group should be more numerous than another, for God will challenge you by this, and on the Day of Accountability He will certainly make clear to you that which you disagree |
| 16:93 | | If God had willed, He could make you all one people again, but He leaves straying whom He pleases, and He guides whom He pleases, but you will certainly be called to account for all your actions |
| 16:94 | | And do not make promises to practice deception between yourselves with the result that someone’s foot may slip after it was firmly planted, or you will taste the wrong of having hindered the people from the path of God, and a mighty punishment will descend on you |
| 16:95 | | Nor sell the covenant of God for a miserable price, for with God are goods far better for you, if you only knew |
| 16:96 | | What is with you will vanish. What is with God will endure, and We will certainly bestow on those who patiently persevere, their reward according to the best of their actions |
| 16:97 | | Whoever works righteousness, male or female, and has faith, indeed to them will We give a new life, a life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on them their reward according to the best of their actions |
| 16:98 | | When you read the Quran, seek God's protection from Satan the rejected enemy |
| 16:99 | | No authority has he over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord |
| 16:100 | | His authority is only over those who take him as patron and who join partners with God |
| 16:101 | | When We substitute one revelation with another, and God knows best what He reveals, they say, “You are only a forger.” But most of them understand not |
| 16:102 | | Say, the Holy Spirit has brought the revelation from your Lord in truth, in order to strengthen those who believe, and as a guide and good news to Muslims |
| 16:103 | | Indeed We know that they say, “It is a human being who teaches him.” The tongue of him they point to as notably foreign, while this is Arabic, refined and clear |
| 16:104 | | Those who do not believe in the signs of God, God will not guide them, and theirs will be a terrible penalty |
| 16:105 | | It is those who do not believe in the signs of God that misrepresent and deceive. It is they who lie |
| 16:106 | | Anyone who after accepting faith in God, speaks unbelief, except under compulsion while their heart remaining firm in faith, yes those who open their breast to unbelief, on them is punishment from God, and theirs will be a dreadful penalty |
| 16:107 | | This is because they love the life of the present better than the hereafter, and God will not guide those who do not believe |
| 16:108 | | Those are they whose hearts, ears, and eyes God has sealed up, and they are heedless |
| 16:109 | | Without doubt, they will perish in the hereafter |
| 16:110 | | But indeed your Lord, to those who leave their homes after trials and persecutions, and who thereafter strive and fight for the faith and patiently persevere, to them your Lord after all this is Oft-Forgiving, Mercifully Redeeming |
| 16:111 | | One day every soul will come up struggling for itself, every soul will be rewarded for all of its actions, and none will be dealt with unjustly |
| 16:112 | | God sets forth a parable, a city enjoying security and quiet, abundantly supplied with sustenance from every place. Yet it was ungrateful for the favors of God, so God made it taste the garb of hunger and fear, because of the wrong they did |
| 16:113 | | And there came to them a messenger from among themselves, but they rejected him, so the punishment seized them in the middle of their wrongdoings |
| 16:114 | | So eat of the sustenance which God has provided for you, permissible and good, and be grateful for the favors of God, if it is He Whom you serve |
| 16:115 | | He has only forbidden you animals found dead, blood, the flesh of swine, and that over which a name other than God has been invoked, but if one is forced by necessity, with neither outright rejection, nor transgressing due limits, then God is Oft-Forgiving, Mercifully Redeeming |
| 16:116 | | But do not say, for it would be a lie that you would have your tongues assert, “This is permissible, and this is forbidden,” So as to ascribe false things to God. For those who ascribe false things to God, will never prosper |
| 16:117 | | They would get a little profit, but a most terrible penalty |
| 16:118 | | To the Jews We prohibited such things as We have mentioned to you before, We did them no harm, but they did harm to themselves |
| 16:119 | | But indeed your Lord is to those who do wrong in ignorance, but who thereafter repent and make amends, your Lord is after all this, Oft-Forgiving, Mercifully Redeeming |
| 16:120 | | Abraham is indeed a model, devoutly obedient to God, intelligent in faith, and he did not join gods with God |
| 16:121 | | He showed his gratitude for the favors of God, He chose him, and guided him to a straight way |
| 16:122 | | And We gave him good in the present, and he will be in the hereafter, in the ranks of the righteous |
| 16:123 | | We have taught you by inspiration, “Follow the ways of Abraham, the intelligent in faith, and he did not join gods with God. |
| 16:124 | | The Sabbath was only made for those who disagreed, but God will judge between them on the Day of Accountability as to their differences |
| 16:125 | | Invite all to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful teaching, and converse with them in ways that are best and most gracious, for your Lord knows best who have strayed from His path, and who have received guidance |
| 16:126 | | And if you retaliate, then retaliate no worse than with what you were afflicted, but if you show patience, that is indeed best for those who are patient |
| 16:127 | | And be patient, for your patience is from God, nor grieve over them, and do not distress yourself because of their plots |
| 16:128 | | For God is with those who restrain themselves and who do right. 128 (End of Part 14 |
