#16. Nahl *SURAH*
In the name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful
1. (Inevitable) cometh (to pass) the Command of Allah: seek ye
not then to hasten it: glory to Him and far is He above having
the partners they ascribe unto Him!
2. He doth send down His angels with inspiration of His Command
to such of His servants as He pleaseth (saying): "Warn (Man) that
there is no god but I so do your duty unto Me."
3. He has created the heavens and the earth for just ends: far is
He above having the partners they ascribe to Him!
4. He has created man from a sperm drop; and behold this same
(man) becomes an open disputer!
5. And cattle He has created for you (men): from them ye derive
warmth and numerous benefits and of their (meat) ye eat
6. And ye have a sense of pride and beauty in them as ye drive
them home in the evening and as ye lead them forth to pasture in
the morning
7. And they carry your heavy loads to lands that ye could not
(otherwise) reach except with souls distressed: for your Lord is
indeed Most Kind Most Merciful
8. And (He has created) horses mules and donkeys for you to ride
and use for show; and He has created (other) things of what ye
have no knowledge
9. And unto Allah leads straight the Way but there are ways that
turn aside: if Allah had willed He could have guided all of you
10. It is He Who sends down rain from the sky: from it ye drink
and out of it (grows) the vegetation on which ye feed your cattle
11. With it He produces for you corn olives date-palms grapes and
every kind of fruit: verily in this is a Sign for those who give
thought
12. He has made subject to you the Night and the Day; the Sun and
the Moon and the Stars are in subjection by His Command: verily
in this are Signs for men who are wise
13. And the things on this earth which He has multiplied in
varying colors (and qualities): verily in this is a Sign for men
who celebrate the praises of Allah (in gratitude)
14. It is He Who has made the sea subject that ye may eat thereof
flesh that is fresh and tender and that ye may extract therefrom
ornaments to wear; and thou seest the ships therein that plough
the waves that ye may seek (thus) of the bounty of Allah and that
ye may be grateful
15. And He has set up on the earth mountains standing firm lest
it should shake with you; and rivers and roads; that ye may guide
yourselves
16. And marks and signposts; and by the stars (men) guide
themselves
17. Is then He Who creates like one that creates not? Will ye not
receive admonition?
18. If ye would count up the favors of Allah never would ye be
able to number them: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful
19. And Allah doth know what ye conceal and what ye reveal
20. Those whom they invoke besides Allah create nothing and are
themselves created
21. (They are things) dead lifeless: nor do thy know when they
will be raised up
22. Your Allah is One Allah: as to those who believe not in the
Hereafter their hearts refuse to know and they are arrogant
23. Undoubtedly Allah doth know what they conceal and what they
reveal: verily He loveth not the arrogant
24. When it is said to them "What is it that your Lord has
revealed?" They say "Tales of the ancients!"
25. Let them bear on the Day of Judgment their own burdens in
full and also (something) of the burdens of those without
knowledge whom they misled. Alas how grievous the burdens they
will bear!
26. Those before them did also plot (against Allah's Way): but
Allah took their structures from their foundations and the roof
fell down on them from above; and the Wrath seized them from
directions they did not perceive
27. Then on the Day of Judgment He will cover them with shame and
say: "Where are My `partners' concerning whom ye used to dispute
(with the godly)?" Those endued with knowledge will say: "This
Day indeed are the Unbelievers! covered with Shame and Misery
28. "(Namely) those whose lives the angels take in a state of
wrongdoing to their own souls. Then would they offer submission
(with the pretence) `We did no evil (knowingly).' " (The angels
will reply) "Nay but verily Allah knoweth all that ye did;
29. "So enter the gates of Hell to dwell therein. Thus evil
indeed is the abode of the arrogant."
30. To the righteous (when) it is said "What is it that your Lord
has revealed?" they say "All that is good." To those who do good
there is good in this world and the Home of the Hereafter is even
better. And excellent indeed is the Home of the righteous
31. Gardens of Eternity which they will enter: beneath them flow
(pleasant) rivers: they will have therein all that they wish:
thus doth Allah reward the righteous
32. (Namely) those whose lives the angels take in a state of
purity saying (to them) "Peace be on you; enter ye the Garden
because of the good which ye did (in the world)."
33. Do the (ungodly) wait until the angels come to them or there
comes the Command of thy Lord (for their doom)? So did those who
went before them. But Allah wronged them not: nay they wronged
their own souls
34. But the evil results of their deeds overtook them and that
very (Wrath) at which they had scoffed hemmed them in
35. The worshippers of false gods say: "If Allah had so willed we
should not have worshipped aught but Him neither we nor our
fathers nor should we have prescribed prohibitions other than
His." So did those who went before them. But what is the mission
of apostles but to preach the Clear Message?
36. For We assuredly sent amongst every People an apostle (with
the Command) "Serve Allah and eschew Evil": of the people were
some whom Allah guided and some on whom Error became inevitably
(established). So travel through the earth and see what was the
end of those who denied (the Truth)
37. If thou art anxious for their guidance yet Allah guideth not
such as He leaves to stray and there is none to help them
38. They swear their strongest oaths by Allah that Allah will not
raise up those who die: Nay but it is a promise (binding) on Him
in truth: but most! among mankind realize it not
39. (They must be raised up) in order that He may manifest to
them the truth of that wherein they differ and that the rejecters
of Truth may realize that they had indeed (surrendered to)
Falsehood
40. For to anything which We have willed We but say the Word "Be"
and it is
41. To those who leave their homes in the cause of Allah after
suffering oppression We will assuredly give a goodly home in this
world: but truly the reward of the Hereafter will be greater if
they only realize (this)!
42. (They are) those who persevere in patience and put their
trust on their Lord
43. And before thee also the apostles We sent were but men to
whom We granted inspiration: if ye realize this not ask of those
who possess the Message
44. (We sent them) with Clear Signs and Books of dark prophecies;
and We have sent down unto thee (also) the Message; that thou
mayest explain clearly to men what is sent for them and that they
may give thought
45. Do then those who devise evil (plots) feel secure that Allah
will not cause the earth to swallow them up or that the Wrath
will not seize them from directions they little perceive?
46. Or that He may not call them to account in the midst of their
goings to and fro without a chance of their frustrating Him?
47. Or that He may not call them to account by a process of slow
wastage for thy Lord is indeed full of kindness and mercy
48. Do they not look at Allah's creation (even) among (inanimate)
things how their (very) shadows turn round from the right and the
left prostrating themselves to Allah and that in the humblest
manner?
49. And to Allah doth obeisance all that is in the heavens and on
earth whether moving (living) creatures or the angels: for none
are arrogant (before their Lord)
50. They all revere their Lord high above them and they do all
that they are commanded
51. Allah has said: "Take not (for worship) two gods: for He is
just One Allah: then fear Me (and Me alone)."
52. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and on earth and to
Him is duty due always: then will ye fear other than Allah?
53. And ye have no good thing but is from Allah: and moreover
when ye are touched by distress unto Him ye cry with groans;
54. Yet when He removes the distress from you behold! some of you
turn to other gods to join with their Lord
55. (As if) to show their ingratitude for the favors We have
bestowed on them Then enjoy (your brief day); but soon will ye
know (your folly)!
56. And they (even assign to things they do not know a portion
out of that which we have bestowed for their sustenance! By Allah
ye shall certainly be called to account for your false inventions
57. And they assign daughters for Allah! Glory be to Him! and for
themselves (sons the issue) the desire!
58. When news is brought to one of them of (the birth of) a
female (child) his face darkens and he is filled with inward
grief!
59. With shame does he hide himself from his people because of
the bad news he has had! Shall he retain it on (sufferance and)
contempt or bury it in the dust? Ah! what an evil (choice) they
decide on!
60. To those who believe not in the Hereafter applies the
similitude of evil: to Allah applies the highest similitude: for
He is the Exalted in Power Full of Wisdom
61. It Allah were to punish men for their wrongdoing He would not
leave on the (earth) a single living creature: but He gives them
respite for a stated term: when their term expires they would not
be able to delay (the punishment) for a single hour just as they
would not be able to anticipate it (for a single hour)
62. They attribute to Allah what they hate (for themselves) and
their tongues assert the falsehood that all good things are for
themselves: without doubt for them is the fire and they will be
the first to be hastened on into it!
63. By Allah We (also) sent (our apostles) to peoples before
thee; but Satan made (to the wicked) their own acts seem
alluring: he is also their patron today but they shall have a
most grievous Penalty
64. And We sent down the Book to thee for the express purpose
that thou shouldst make clear to them those things in which they
differ and that it should be a guide and a mercy to those who
believe
65. And Allah sends down rain from the skies and gives therewith
life to the earth after its death: verily in this is a Sign for
those who listen
66. And verily in cattle (too) will ye 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
67. And from the fruit of the date-palm and the vine ye get out
wholesome drink and food: behold in this also is a Sign for those
who are wise
68. And thy Lord taught the Bee to build its cells in hills on
trees and in (men's) habitations;
69. Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth) and find with
skill the spacious paths of its Lord: there issues from within
their bodies a drink of varying colors wherein is healing for
men: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought
70. It is Allah 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 know nothing after having known (much): for Allah is
All-Knowing All- Powerful
71. Allah has bestowed His gifts of sustenance more freely on
some of you than on others; those more favored are not going to
throw back their gifts to those whom their right hands possess so
as to be equal in that respect. Will they then deny the favors of
Allah?
72. And Allah has made for you mates (and companions) of your own
nature. And made for you out of them sons and daughters and
grandchildren and provided for you sustenance of the best: will
they then believe in vain things and be ungrateful for Allah's
favors?
73. And worship others than Allah such as have no power of
providing them for sustenance with anything in heavens or earth
and cannot possibly have such power?
74. Invent not similitudes for Allah: for Allah knoweth and ye
know not
75. Allah sets forth the Parable (of two men: one) a slave under
the dominion of another; he has no power of any sort; and (the
other) a man on whom We have bestowed goodly favors from
ourselves and he spends thereof (freely) privately and publicly:
are the two equal? (By no means); praise be to Allah. But most of
them understand not
76. Allah sets forth (another) Parable of two men: one of them
dumb with no power of any sort; a wearisome burden is he to his
master; whichever way he directs him he brings no good: is such a
man equal with one who commands justice and is on a straight way?
77. To Allah belongeth the mystery of the heavens and the earth.
And the decision of the Hour (of Judgment) is as the twinkling of
an eye or even quicker: for Allah hath power over all things
78. It is He Who brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers
when ye knew nothing; and He gave you hearing and sight and
intelligence and affections: that ye may give thanks (to Allah)
79. Do they not look at the birds held poised in the midst of
(the air and) the sky? Nothing holds them up but (the power of)
Allah. Verily in this are Signs for those who believe
80. It is Allah who made your habitations homes of rest and quiet
for you; and made for you out of the skins of animals (tents for)
dwellings which ye find so light (and handy) when ye travel and
when ye stop (in your travels); and out of their wool and their
soft fibers (between wool and hair) and their hair rich stuff and
articles of convenience (to serve you) for a time
81. It is Allah who made out of the things He created some things
to give you shade; of the hills He made some for your shelter; He
made you garments to protect you from heat and coats of mail to
protect you from your (mutual) violence. Thus does He complete
his favors on you that ye may bow to His will (in Islam)
82. But if they turn away thy duty is only to preach the clear
message
83. They recognize the favors of Allah; then they deny them; and
most of them are (creatures) ungrateful
84. One day We shall raise from all peoples a witness: then will
no excuse be accepted from Unbelievers nor will they receive any
favors
85. When the wrongdoers (actually) see the Penalty then will it
in no way be mitigated nor will they then receive respite
86. When those who gave partners to Allah will see their
"partners" they will say: "Our Lord! these are our `partners'
those whom we used to invoke besides thee." But they will throw
back their word at them (and say): "Indeed ye are liars!"
87. That day shall they (openly) show (their) submission to
Allah; and all their inventions shall leave them in the lurch
88. Those who reject Allah and hinder (men) from the path of
Allah for them will We add Penalty to Penalty; for that they used
to spread mischief
89. One day We shall raise from all peoples a witness against
them from amongst themselves: and We shall bring thee as a
witness against these (thy people): and We have sent down to thee
the Book explaining all things a guide a Mercy and glad tidings
to Muslims
90. Allah commands justice the doing of good and liberality to
kith and kin and He forbids all shameful deeds and injustice and
rebellion: He instructs you that ye may receive admonition
91. Fulfil the covenant of Allah when ye have entered into it and
break not your oaths after ye have confirmed them; indeed ye have
made Allah your surety; for Allah knoweth all that ye do
92. And be not like a woman who breaks into untwisted strands
they yarn which she has spun after it has become strong. Nor take
your oaths to practice deception between yourselves lest one
party should be more numerous than another: for Allah will test
you by this; and on the Day of Judgment He will certainly make
clear to you (the truth of) that wherein ye disagree
93. If Allah so willed He could make you all one people: but He
leaves straying whom He pleases and He guides whom He pleases:
but ye shall certainly be called to account for all your actions
94. And take not your oaths to practice deception between
yourselves with the result that someone's foot may slip after it
was firmly planted; and ye may have to taste the evil
(consequences) of having hindered (men) from the path of Allah
and a mighty Wrath descend on you
95. Nor sell the covenant of Allah for a miserable price: for
with Allah is (a prize) far better for you if ye only knew
96. What is with you must vanish: what is with Allah will endure.
And We will certainly bestow on those who patiently persevere
their reward according to the best of their actions
97. Whoever works righteousness man or woman and has faith verily
to him will We give a new life a life that is good and pure and
We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of
their actions
98. When thou dost read the Qur'an seek Allah's protection from
Satan the rejected one
99. No authority has he over those who believe and put their
trust in their Lord
100. His authority is over those only who take him as patron and
who join partners with Allah
101. When We substitute one revelation for another and Allah
knows best what He reveals (in stages) they say "Thou art but a
forger": but most of them understand not
102. Say the Holy Spirit has brought the revelation from thy Lord
in truth in order to strengthen those who believe and as a guide
and Glad Tidings to Muslims
103. We know indeed that they say "It is a man that teaches him."
The tongue of him they wickedly point to is notable foreign while
this is Arabic pure and clear
104. Those who believe not in the Signs of Allah Allah will not
guide them and theirs will be a grievous Penalty
105. It is those who believe not in the Signs of Allah that forge
falsehood: it is they who lie!
106. Anyone who after accepting faith in Allah utters unbelief
except under compulsion his heart remaining firm in faith but
such as open their breast to unbelief on them is Wrath from Allah
and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty
107. This because they love the life of this world better than
the Hereafter and Allah will not guide those who reject faith
108. Those are they whose hearts ears and eyes Allah has sealed
up and they take no heed
109. Without doubt in the hereafter they will perish
110. But verily thy Lord to those who leave their homes after
trials and persecutions and who thereafter strive and fight for
the faith and patiently persevere thy Lord after all this is
Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful
111. One day every soul will come up struggling for itself and
every soul will be recompensed (fully) for all its actions and
none will be unjustly dealt with
112. Allah sets forth a parable: a city enjoying security and
quiet abundantly supplied with sustenance from every place: yet
was it ungrateful for the favors of Allah: so Allah made it taste
of hunger and terror (in extremes) (closing in on it) like a
garment (from every side) because of the (evil) which (its
people) wrought
113. And there came to them an Apostle from among themselves but
they falsely rejected him; so the wrath seized them even in the
midst of their iniquities
114. So eat of the sustenance which Allah has provided for you
lawful and good; and be grateful for the favors of Allah if it is
He whom ye serve
115. He has only forbidden you dead meat and blood and the flesh
of swine and any (food) over which the name of other than Allah
has been invoked. But if one is forced by necessity without
willful disobedience nor transgressing due limits then Allah is
Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful
116. But say not for any false thing that your tongues may put
forth "This is lawful and this is forbidden" so as to ascribe
false things to Allah. For those who ascribe false things to
Allah will never prosper
117. (In such falsehood) is but a paltry profit; but they will
have a most grievous Penalty
118. To the Jews We prohibited such things as We have mentioned
to thee before: We did them no wrong but they were used to doing
wrong to themselves
119. But verily thy Lord to those who do wrong in ignorance but
who thereafter repent and make amends thy Lord after all this is
Oft- Forgiving Most Merciful
120. Abraham was indeed a model devoutly obedient to Allah (and)
true in faith and he joined not gods with Allah:
121. He showed his gratitude for the favors of Allah Who chose
him and guided him to a straight way
122. And We gave him good in this world and he will be in the
Hereafter in the ranks of the righteous
123. So We have taught thee the inspired (message) "Follow the
ways of Abraham: the true in faith and he joined not gods with
Allah."
124. The Sabbath was only made (strict) to those who disagreed
(as to its observance); but Allah will judge between them on the
Day of Judgment as to their differences
125. Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and
beautiful preaching and argue with them in ways that are best and
most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best who have strayed from
His Path and who receive guidance
126. And if ye do catch them out catch them out no worse than
they catch you out: but if ye show patience that is indeed the
best (course) for those who are patient
127. And do thou be patient for thy patience is but from Allah;
nor grieve over them: and distress not thyself because of their
plots
128. For Allah is with those who restrain themselves and those
who do good
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