| | Linda “iLHam” Barto rendition of Surah The Bee(an-Nahl)
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| 16:1 | | The command of Allah is on the way! Do not seek to hasten it. Glory to Him! He is exalted above having the partners that (the idolaters) ascribe to Him. |
| 16:2 | | He sends His angels with inspiration of His command to any of His servants as He pleases: “Warn that no god is there except Me, so fear Me.” |
| 16:3 | | He created the skies and Earth for just means. He is exalted above having the partners they ascribe to Him. |
| 16:4 | | He has created humanity from a single cell; look how the same becomes a public disputant. |
| 16:5 | | He has created herds for you. From them, you get warmth [from skins] and numerous other benefits, including what you eat. |
| 16:6 | | You admire their beauty as you drive them home [in the evening] and as you lead them forth [to pasture in the morning]. |
| 16:7 | | They carry your heavy loads to lands that you could not otherwise reach except with great difficulty. Your Lord is indeed the Kindest, Most Merciful. |
| 16:8 | | He has created horses, mules, and donkeys for you to ride and use for shows. He has created things about which you have no knowledge. |
| 16:9 | | Unto Allah leads straight the way, but there are ways that divert. If Allah had willed, He could have guided all of you. |
| 16:10 | | It is He who commands rain from the sky. From it you drink, and because of it exists vegetation on which your cattle feed. |
| 16:11 | | With it He produces for you corn, olives, date palms, grapes, and every other kind of fruit. Truly, in this is a sign for those who ponder. |
| 16:12 | | He has made subject to you the night and the day. The sun and moon and stars are under His command. Truly, in this are signs for those with wisdom. |
| 16:13 | | He has multiplied things on this earth in various hues. Truly, in this is a sign for people who take notice. |
| 16:14 | | He made the sea subject to you so you may eat fresh and tender meat and so you may derive ornaments from it to wear. You see the ships that plow the waves so you may seek the bounty of Allah and perhaps be grateful. |
| 16:15 | | He has firmly tied mountains onto the earth so that the earth will not tremble with you. There are rivers and roads so you may guide yourselves. |
| 16:16 | | There are landmarks and stars by which people guide themselves. |
| 16:17 | | Is He who creates like the one who cannot create? Will you not consider? |
| 16:18 | | If you were to count the blessings of Allah, you would never be able to number them all. Allah is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful. |
| 16:19 | | Allah knows what you hide and what you reveal. |
| 16:20 | | Those whom (the idolaters) invoke besides Allah create nothing; they themselves are created! |
| 16:21 | | Dead and lifeless, they do not know when they will be resurrected. |
| 16:22 | | Your God is One God. As for those who do not believe in the hereafter, their hearts refuse [to know], and they are arrogant. |
| 16:23 | | Undoubtedly, Allah knows what they conceal and what they publicize. Truly, He does not love the arrogant. |
| 16:24 | | When it is said to them, “What has your Lord revealed?” they say, “Tales of the ancients!” |
| 16:25 | | Let them bear, on the Day of Judgment, their own burdens in full and also some of the burdens of those without knowledge, whom they misled. How painful the burdens they will bear! |
| 16:26 | | Those before them also plotted, but Allah ripped their structures from their foundations. The roof fell down on them from above. The wrath seized them from directions they did not perceive. |
| 16:27 | | On the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them. He will say, “Where are My partners for whom you were in opposition?” The knowledgeable will say, “Indeed, this day the unbelievers are covered with shame and misery. |
| 16:28 | | They are those who were injuring their own souls when they were taken by angels. Then they would submit [saying], “We did no evil.” Nonsense! Truly, Allah knows all that you did. |
| 16:29 | | Enter the gates of Hell and dwell therein. Truly awful is the abode of the arrogant.” |
| 16:30 | | [On the Day of Judgment], it will be said to the righteous, “What did your Lord reveal?” They will say, “All that is good.” For those who do good, there is goodness in this world, and the home of the hereafter is even better. Excellent indeed is the home of the righteous. |
| 16:31 | | [It is] Gardens of Eden, which they will enter. Beneath them, rivers will flow. They will have therein all that they wish. Thus does Allah reward the righteous! |
| 16:32 | | [The righteous are] those whose lives are in a state of purity when the angels take them. [The angels] say, “Peace to you; enter Paradise because of what you did.” |
| 16:33 | | Do (the unbelievers) wait until the angels come to them or some command from their Lord comes to them? So did those who went before them, but Allah did not cheat them. They cheated their own souls. |
| 16:34 | | The evil results of their deeds overwhelmed them, and that which they had scoffed surrounded them. |
| 16:35 | | The worshipers of false gods say, “If Allah had willed, we would not have worshiped anything but Him. That goes for ourselves and our forefathers. Also, we would not have made up any rules in addition to His.” Those who went before them said the same thing. What is the mission of the messengers, however, except to preach the plain truth? |
| 16:36 | | We certainly sent a messenger to every people: “Serve Allah, and avoid evil.” Of the people, some were guided by Allah, and some were in inevitable trespass. Travel across the earth and see what became of those who rejected [the message]. |
| 16:37 | | You may be concerned about their guidance. Realize that Allah does not guide those He leaves astray. No one is there to help them. |
| 16:38 | | They swear their most solemn oath by Allah that Allah will not raise the dead. Nonsense! That is a truthful promise from Him. Most people do not realize it. |
| 16:39 | | He will make known to them the truth of the matters about which they argued. Those who rejected the truth will realize that they were in error. |
| 16:40 | | To anything We have willed, We only say the word, “Be!” and it is. |
| 16:41 | | Some people will leave their homes in the cause of Allah. After their suffering, We will surely give them a good home in this world. The reward of the hereafter will be even better. If they only knew! |
| 16:42 | | [They are] those who are patient and put their faith in their Lord. |
| 16:43 | | Before you [Prophet Muhammed], We also sent other messengers who were only men to whom We granted inspiration. If you don’t realize this, ask those who possess the message [of the Bible]. |
| 16:44 | | We gave obvious signs and Scriptures. We have sent to you the message so that you may explain clearly to humanity what has been sent for them so they may ponder. |
| 16:45 | | Do those who devise evil feel secure that Allah will not cause the earth to swallow them, or that the wrath will not seize them from directions that they cannot perceive? |
| 16:46 | | Or [do they think] that He may not seize them in the midst of their goings to and fro, without a chance of their escape? |
| 16:47 | | Or [do they think] that He may not seize them by a gradual decline? Indeed your Lord is Kindest, Most Merciful. |
| 16:48 | | Do they not look at how Allah has created everything –how their shadows incline, to the right and to the left, humbly prostrating themselves to Allah? |
| 16:49 | | Everything of Heaven and Earth obeys Allah –whether moving creatures or angels; none are arrogant. |
| 16:50 | | They all revere their Lord who is high above them, and they do all that they are commanded. |
| 16:51 | | Allah has said, “Do not believe in two gods. He is One God. Fear only Me.” |
| 16:52 | | To Him belongs whatever is of Heaven and Earth. Obedience is always due to Him. Will you fear anyone besides Allah? |
| 16:53 | | Whatever blessings you have come from Allah. When you have problems, you cry to Him for help. |
| 16:54 | | But when He removes your problems, some of you associate partners with their Lord. |
| 16:55 | | It’s like they are trying to show ingratitude for the blessings We have given them. Enjoy yourselves! Soon you will understand. |
| 16:56 | | They give credit to unknown things for some of their sustenance given by Us. Consider Allah! You will certainly be held accountable for your make-believe. |
| 16:57 | | (The pagans) imagine daughters for Allah! Glory to Him! For themselves, they would have what they want. |
| 16:58 | | When news is brought to one of them of a girl baby, his face darkens. He is filled with grief. |
| 16:59 | | With shame, he hides from his people because of the bad news he has received. Will he keep her despite contempt, or will he bury her in the sand? Oh, what an evil predicament! |
| 16:60 | | The attribute of evil applies to those who do not believe in the hereafter. The highest attribute applies to Allah. He is the Victorious, the Perfectly Wise. |
| 16:61 | | If Allah were to punish people for their sins, He would not leave on the earth a single living creature, but He gives respite for an appointed term. When their term expires, they will not be able to delay the punishment for a single hour, just as they would not be able to advance it. |
| 16:62 | | They attribute to Allah what they hate, and their tongues assert the lie that the best things are for themselves. Without doubt, for them is the fire, and they will be abandoned. |
| 16:63 | | By Allah, We certainly sent Our prophets to people before (Prophet Muhammed), but Satan made their own acts seem alluring. He is also their buddy today, but they shall have a wretched penalty. |
| 16:64 | | We bestowed the Book to you [Prophet Muhammed] only for the express purpose that you should clarify to them those things about which they differ, and that it should be a guide and a mercy to those who believe. |
| 16:65 | | Allah bestows rain from the skies and gives with it life to the earth after its death. Truly, in this is a sign for those who listen. |
| 16:66 | | Truly, in cattle you will find a lesson. We give you drink from what is in their bellies, from between bowels and blood. There is milk, pure and appetizing for those who drink it. |
| 16:67 | | From the fruit of the date palm and the grapevine, you receive wholesome drink and food. Indeed, in this also is a sign for those who use reasoning skills. |
| 16:68 | | Your Lord inspired the bee to build its nests in hillsides, in trees, and in buildings. |
| 16:69 | | He inspired it to eat of all fruiting plants and follow the spacious paths of your Lord. From within their bodies comes a drink [honey] of varying colors, wherein is healing for people. Truly, in this is a sign for those who ponder. |
| 16:70 | | Allah creates you and takes your souls at death. Of you there are some who are sent back to a feeble age so that they know nothing after having known. Indeed, Allah is the All-knowing, the Most Capable. |
| 16:71 | | Allah has given His gifts of sustenance more freely on some of you than on others. Those most blessed are not about to share their gifts with those possessed by their right hands in order to be fair. Will they then deny the favors of Allah? |
| 16:72 | | Allah has made for you mates like yourselves. From them, He made for you children and grandchildren. He provided the best sustenance for you. Will they then believe in vain things and deny Allah’s blessings? |
| 16:73 | | Will they worship, besides Allah, those who have no power to provide for them sustenance of anything from the skies or earth and can never have such power? |
| 16:74 | | Do not invent stories for Allah. Allah knows, and you do not know. |
| 16:75 | | Allah presents the parable of a possessed slave who has no power of any kind and another man whom We have well blessed and who invests privately and publicly. Are they equal [in monetary worth, prestige, and authority]? Praise to Allah! Most people, however, do not understand. |
| 16:76 | | Allah presents the parable of two men. One will not communicate and is not responsible. He is a wearisome burden to his master. No matter which way (the master) directs (his slave), it is of no use. Is such a man equal with one who endorses justice and is on the Straight Way? |
| 16:77 | | To Allah belongs the mystery of Heaven and Earth. The advent of the hour [of judgment] is as the twinkling of an eye or even quicker. Indeed, Allah, over everything, is All Powerful. |
| 16:78 | | Allah brought you from the wombs of your mothers when you knew nothing. He gave you hearing and sight and affection so you may give thanks. |
| 16:79 | | Do they not look at the birds held poised in the midst of the sky? Nothing holds them up but Allah. Truly, in this are signs for those who believe. |
| 16:80 | | Allah made your homes to be places of rest. He made for you, from skins of animals, tents that you find convenient when you travel and when you camp. Out of their wool, fur, and hair [He made], rich furnishings and provisions for a time. |
| 16:81 | | Allah made for you, out of the things He created, shade. He made for you, from the mountains, shelter [ie, caves in which to dwell]. He made for you garments to protect you from heat, and heavy coats [of armor] to protect you from your violence. Thus does He complete His favors on you so you may submit [to His will]. |
| 16:82 | | If they turn away, however, your duty is only to preach the lucid message. |
| 16:83 | | They recognize the blessings of Allah, and then they deny them. Most people are ungrateful. |
| 16:84 | | One day We will raise from each people a witness, and then there will be no excuse acceptable from the unbelievers, and they will not be given the opportunity to repent. |
| 16:85 | | When the sinners see the penalty, then it will in no way be mitigated, and they will receive no respite. |
| 16:86 | | When those who added partners to Allah see their partners, they will say, “O Lord, these are our partners whom we used to invoke besides You.” (The idols) will respond to them, “Truly, you are liars!” |
| 16:87 | | That day they will show submission to Allah, and all their inventions will be annulled. |
| 16:88 | | As for the unbelievers who hindered from the path of Allah, We will increase punishment on top of punishment because they had spread corruption. |
| 16:89 | | One day We will raise from each people a witness from among themselves. We will bring (Prophet Muhammed) as a witness over (his contemporaries). We bestowed upon you a Book explaining everything –a guide, a mercy, and good news for those who submit to Allah. |
| 16:90 | | Indeed, Allah commands justice, goodness, and generosity to neighbors and relatives. He forbids immorality, evil, and oppression. He admonishes you so that you may heed. |
| 16:91 | | Fulfill the Covenant of Allah once you have entered into it [by submitting your whole self to Him]. Also, keep promises you have made because now you have made Allah your warranty. Allah knows all that you do. |
| 16:92 | | Do not be like a woman who unravels yarn after she has tightly knitted it together. Do not use oaths in order to deceive one another because one group of you is more powerful than another. Allah will test you by this. On the Day of Resurrection, He will certainly clarify to you those things about which you disagree. |
| 16:93 | | If Allah had so willed, He could have made you a united people, but He leaves astray whom He pleases, and He guides whom He pleases. You will certainly be called to account for all your actions. |
| 16:94 | | Do not make oaths in order to practice deception among yourselves, or someone may slip after his/her feet were firmly planted. You would have to taste the bitterness of having been a hindrance from the path of Allah. A mighty wrath will descend upon you. |
| 16:95 | | Do not sell the Covenant of Allah for a miserable price. With Allah is something far better for you. If you only knew! |
| 16:96 | | What is of you must perish; what is of Allah will endure. On those who patiently persevere, We will certainly grant their reward in response to the best of their deeds. |
| 16:97 | | To any man or woman who performs righteously and has faith, We will give New Life –a life that is good and pure. On such people, We will grant their reward in response to the best of their deeds. |
| 16:98 | | When you read the Qur’an, seek Allah’s protection from Satan, the rejected one. |
| 16:99 | | He has no authority over those who believe and put their trust in the Lord. |
| 16:100 | | His authority is only over those who ally with him and with those who assign partners [with Allah]. |
| 16:101 | | When We substitute one verse for another –and Allah knows best what He bestows— they say, “You [Muhammed] are only an inventor.” Most of them do not understand. |
| 16:102 | | Say, “The Holy Spirit has brought the revelation from your Lord in truth. It will serve to strengthen those who believe. It is a guide and glad tidings to Muslims.” |
| 16:103 | | We certainly know that they say, “Only a man teaches him.” The one to whom they refer has a foreign tongue, while this is in lucid Arabic. |
| 16:104 | | Those who do not believe in the signs of Allah will not be guided by Allah. They will have a horrible penalty. |
| 16:105 | | Those who do not believe in the signs of Allah forge deception. They are the ones who lie. |
| 16:106 | | If a person accepts faith in Allah and then, afterward, states unbelief, he/she may do so under coercion but really remain firm in faith in his/her heart. If he/she disbelieves in his/her heart, then the wrath of Allah will be upon that person. A horrible penalty will come upon such people. |
| 16:107 | | That is because they love the life of this world better than the hereafter. Allah will not guide those who reject faith. |
| 16:108 | | They are the ones whose hearts, ears, and eyes have been sealed by Allah. They take no heed. |
| 16:109 | | Undoubtedly, they will be the losers in the hereafter. |
| 16:110 | | Some people will have to leave their homes after having endured struggles. Afterward, they will fight for the faith and patiently persevere. Truly, your Lord, after all this, is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. |
| 16:111 | | One day, every soul will be struggling for itself. Every soul will be repaid for all its actions. No one will be treated unjustly. |
| 16:112 | | Allah presents a parable: A city enjoyed safety and security. It was abundantly supplied with sustenance from every place. Yet, it was ungrateful for the blessings of Allah. Allah gave it the cloak of hunger and fear because of what they did. |
| 16:113 | | A messenger from among them certainly came to them. They rejected him. Wrath seized them in the midst of their sins. |
| 16:114 | | Partake of the lawful and good sustenance that Allah has provided for you. Be grateful for the blessings of Allah if you truly serve Him. |
| 16:115 | | He has forbidden for you only carrion, blood, and pork, and anything over which a name other than Allah has been said. Someone may be forced by necessity [to eat forbidden foods]. If he/she eats without any desire to disobey and without indulging, then Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. |
| 16:116 | | Do not make up things, with your own tongues, that something is lawful and something else is forbidden. To do so is to attribute false things to Allah. People who attribute false things to Allah will never prosper. |
| 16:117 | | They may get a little profit, but such people will have a horrible punishment. |
| 16:118 | | To the Jews, We prohibited such things about which We told you before. We did them no wrong, but they did wrong to themselves. |
| 16:119 | | For those who sin in ignorance but afterward repent and make amends, your Lord is then Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. |
| 16:120 | | Abraham was indeed a model devoutly obedient to Allah, sincere in faith, and not assigning gods with Allah. |
| 16:121 | | He was grateful for the blessings of Allah who chose him and guided him to the Straight Way. |
| 16:122 | | We gave him goodness in this world, and he will truly be among the righteous in the hereafter. |
| 16:123 | | We have inspired you to follow the ways of Abraham, the true in faith; he never assigned gods with Allah. |
| 16:124 | | The Sabbath was designed for those in disagreement. Allah will certainly judge among them on the Day of Resurrection concerning their differences. |
| 16:125 | | Invite all to the way of your Lord by using wisdom and beautiful witnessing. Make your persuasion in ways most gracious. Your Lord knows who has strayed from His path and who has received guidance. |
| 16:126 | | If you expose them [by pointing out their faults], expose them no worse than they have embarrassed you [in denigrating your religion]. Instead, show patience; that is indeed the way of tolerance. |
| 16:127 | | And do be tolerant, for patience is a virtue from Allah. And do not grieve over (the unbelievers), nor be distressed over their plots. |
| 16:128 | | Allah is with those who restrain themselves and act appropriately. |
