An-Nahl 16:75–128

Allah then gave a parable regarding the believer and the disbeliever, saying: (Allah coineth a similitude: (on the one hand) a (mere) chattel slave) Allah explained the traits of this slave, (who hath control of nothing) he has no power to spend or do any good, and in this respect he is just like the disbeliever from whom no good ever comes, (and (on the other hand) one on whom We have bestowed a fair provision) abundant wealth (from Us, and he spendeth thereof secretly) between him and his Lord (and openly) between him and other people for the sake of Allah; this is the simile of the sincere believer. (Are they equal) in their reward and obedience? (Praise be to Allah!) gratitude is due to Allah and divine Oneness is also Allah's. (But most of them know not) the parable of the Qur'an. It is also said that this verse was revealed about 'Uthman Ibn 'Affan and an Arab man called Abu'l-'Is Ibn Umayyah.

Then Allah gave a simile regarding Himself and the idols, saying: (And Allah coineth a similitude) Allah explains the traits of (two men, one of them dumb, having control of nothing) he cannot talk, this is the idol, (and he is a burden on his owner) his guardian and relatives; (whithersoever he directeth him) or call him (to go) east or west, (he bringeth no good) he does not respond to his caller with any good; this is the parable of the idol. (Is he equal) in terms of bringing benefit and driving away harm, i.e. the idol (with one who enjoineth justice) the Oneness of Allah (and followeth a straight path) i.e. Allah's divine Oneness, meaning Allah?

(And Unto Allah belongeth the Unseen of the heavens and the earth) that which is hidden from the servants, (and the matter of the Hour (of Doom)) in its swiftness (is but as a twinkling of the eye, or it is nearer still. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things) the Resurrection as well as other things.

(And Allah brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers knowing nothing) not knowing different kinds of things; it is also said that this means: not knowing anything, (and gave you hearing) with which you hear goodness (and sight) with which you see goodness (and hearts) with which you perceive goodness (that haply ye might give thanks) so that you give thanks to Allah for his blessings and believe in Him.

(Have you not seen) O people of Mecca, so that you realise Allah's power and divine Oneness (the birds obedient) subservient (in mid-air) flying between the sky and earth? (None holdeth them save Allah) after they fly. (Lo! Herein) in holding in mid-air, (verily, are portents) signs for Allah's divine Oneness (for a people who believe) that they are held in mid-air by Allah.

Then Allah mentioned his blessings so that they thank Him and believe in Him, saying: (And Allah hath given you in your houses) the houses of mud (an abode) and dwelling, (and hath given you (also), of the hides of cattle) of their wool, fur and hair, (houses) i.e. tents and canopies (which ye find light (to carry) on the day of migration) travel (and on the day of pitching camp; and of their wool) the wool of sheep (and their fur) the fur of camels (and their hair) the hair of goats, (caparison) wealth (and comfort) benefit (for a while) until their extinction or wearing out.

(And Allah hath given you, of that which He hath created) from trees, gardens and mountains, (shelter from the sun) from heat; (and hath given you places of refuge) caves and grottos (in the mountains, and hath given you coats to ward off the heat from you) in the summer and cold in the winter, (and coats (of armour) to save you from your own foolhardiness) from the arms of your own enemies. (Thus doth He perfect His favour unto you, in order that ye may surrender (unto Him)) in order that you believe; it is also said that this means: in order that you be safe from injury, according to another reading.

(Then, if they turn away) from faith, (thy duty (O Muhammad) is but plain conveyance (of the message)) from Allah in a language that you understand.

When the Prophet (pbuh) mentioned to them all those blessings, they agreed that all those blessings came from Allah, but then they denied this afterward, and said: no, we have all these blessings through the intercession of our gods. Allah said in response: (They know the favour of Allah) they acknowledge that all these blessings are from Allah (and then deny it) saying: we got them through the intercession of our gods. (Most of them are ingrates) all of them are disbelievers in Allah.

(And (bethink you of) the day when We raise up of every nation) We take from every people (a witness) a prophet who testifies that he conveyed the message to them, (then there is no leave for disbelievers) to speak, (nor are they allowed to make amends) nor are they allowed to return to this worldly life.

(And when those who did wrong) disbelieve (behold the doom, it will not be made light for them) it will not be lifted from them, (nor will they be reprieved) nor will the chastisement of Allah be deferred.

(And when those who ascribed partners to Allah behold those partners of theirs) their gods, (they will say: Our Lord!) O our Lord! (these are our partners) our gods (unto whom we used to cry instead of Thee) they commanded us to worship them. (But they will fling to them the saying) i.e. the idols will answer them and say: (Lo! ye verily are liars!) in what you say: we never commanded you to worship us nor were we aware of your worship.

(And they proffer unto Allah submission on that day) both the worshipper and that which he worshipped in this worldly life will surrender to Allah, Exalted is He, (and all that they used to invent hath failed them) their lies about Allah will go in vain; it is also said that this means: the idols which they falsely worshipped will be occupied with themselves.

(For those who disbelieve) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an, (and debar (men) from the way of Allah) from the religion and obedience of Allah, (We add doom) the doom of snakes, scorpions, hunger, thirst, biting cold and other things (to doom) to the doom of hell (because they wrought corruption) because of what they said and did of transgressions and idolatry.

(And (bethink you of) the day when We raise in every nation) when We take from every group (a witness) a prophet (against them) testifying that he conveyed the message to them (of their own folk) a human being like them, (and We bring thee) O Muhammad (as a witness against these) against your people; it is also said that this means: a witness for your nation that they had accepted the message. (And We reveal the Scripture unto thee) and We send Gabriel to you with the Qur'an (as an exposition of all things) of the lawful and unlawful, the commands and prohibitions, (and a guidance) from error (and a mercy) preventing from chastisement (and good tidings for those who have surrendered (to Allah)) that they will have Paradise.

(Lo! Allah enjoineth justice) Allah's divine Oneness (and kindness) through fulfilling the obligations; it is also said that this means: kindness to people, (and giving to kinsfolk) i.e. keeping ties with one's kinsfolk, (and forbideth lewdness) all transgressions (and abomination) that which is not known in the Shari'ah or Sunnah (and wickedness) overbearing and oppression. (He exhorteth you) He forbids you from engaging in lewdness, abomination and wickedness (in order that ye may take heed) in order that you take admonition from the parable of the Qur'an.

(Fulfil the covenant of Allah when ye have covenanted). This verse was revealed about the tribes of Kindah and Murad; it is also said that this means: honour your pledges when you swear by Allah, (and break not your oaths) i.e. the pledges that you pledge between yourselves (after the asseveration of them) after ascertaining and confirming them, (and after ye have made Allah surety over you) i.e. a Witness over you; it is also said that this means: a Guardian over you. Meaning: both parties made their pledge and said: Allah is witness that we will honour our pledge. (Lo! Allah knoweth what ye do) whether you break or honour your pledges.

(And be not) in terms of breaking pledges (like unto her) i.e. Ra'itah, the fool (who unravelleth the thread, after she has made it strong, to thin filaments, making your oaths) your pledges (a deceit) and treachery (between you because of a nation) a group (being more numerous than (another) nation) another group. (Allah only trieth you thereby) He tests you with your numerousness; and it is also said: He tests you with the breaking of pledges, (and He verily will explain to you on the Day of Resurrection that wherein ye differed) in the matter of religion.

(Had Allah willed He could have made you (all) one nation) He could have made you followers of one religion: the religion of Islam, (but He sendeth whom He will astray) from His religion; he who is not deserving of it (and guideth whom He will) to His religion; he who is deserving of it, (and ye will indeed be asked) on the Day of Judgement (of what ye used to do) of good or evil in your states of disbelief or faith; it is also said that this means: of what you used to do in terms of honouring or breaking your pledges.

(Make not your oaths) your pledges (a deceit) cheating, plotting and trickery (between you, lest a foot should slip) lest you should slip from Allah's obedience as a person's foot slips (after being firmly planted and ye should taste evil) hell (forasmuch as ye debarred (men) from the way of Allah) from Allah's religion and obedience, (and yours should be an awful doom) in the Hereafter.

(And purchase not a small gain at the price of Allah's covenant) i.e. swearing by Allah falsely to obtain a small worldly gain. (Lo! that which Allah hath) of reward (is better for you) than what you have of wealth, (if ye did but know) the reward of Allah; it is also said that this means: if you believe in the reward of Allah.

(That which ye have) of wealth (is wasted away, and that which Allah hath) of reward (remaineth. And verily We shall pay those who are steadfast) in refraining from making a false pledge and acknowledge the Truth (a recompense) their reward in the Hereafter (in proportion to the best of what they used to do) because of their beneficence in this worldly life.

(Whosoever doeth right) sincerely between him and his Lord and acknowledges the Truth, (whether male or female, and is a believer) and, in addition, a sincere one, (him verily We shall quicken with good life) spent in obedience; it is also said that this means: a good life spent in contentment; and it is also said that this means: a good life spent in Paradise, (and We shall pay them a recompense) their reward in the Hereafter (in proportion to the best of what they used to do) because of their beneficence in this worldly life. This verse was revealed about 'Abdan Ibn al-Ashu' and Imra' al-Qays al-Kindi regarding a dispute over a plot of land.

(And when thou recitest the Qur'an) so if you want, O Muhammad, to recite the Qur'an at the beginning of the prayer or at any other time, (seek refuge in Allah) say: I seek refuge in Allah (from Satan the outcast) the accursed, the one stoned with a shooting star, the debarred from Allah's mercy.

(Lo! he hath no power) a way or overpowering (over those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (and put trust in their Lord) and not in anyone else and further consign all their matters to Allah.

(His power) way and overpowering (is only over those who make a friend of him) those who obey him, (and those who ascribe partners unto Him (Allah)).

(And when We put a revelation) when We send Gabriel with an abrogating verse (in place of (another) revelation) in place of another abrogated verse, (and Allah knoweth best what He revealeth) and Allah knows the probity of that with which He commands His servants, (they say) the disbelievers of Mecca say: (Lo! thou art but inventing) from yourself, O Muhammad. (Most of them know not) that Allah commands His servants with that which is good for them.

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (The holy Spirit) the holy Gabriel (hath revealed it) i.e. the Qur'an (from thy Lord) O Muhammad (with truth) with the abrogating and the abrogated, (that it may confirm (the faith of)) that it may gladden and set at rest the hearts of (those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an, (and as guidance) from error (and good tidings for those who have surrendered (to Allah)) that they will have Paradise.

(And We know well) O Muhammad (that they) i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca (say: Only a man) Jabr and Yasar (teacheth him) the Qur'an. (The speech of him at whom they falsely hint) incline and ascribe this to (is outlandish) Hebraic, (and this is clear Arabic speech) He says: the Qur'an is in the usage of the Arabic language.

(Lo! those who disbelieve the revelations of Allah) i.e. Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an, (Allah guideth them not) to His religion, i.e. He does not guide those who do not deserve to be guided; it is also said that this means: He does not guide them to the right proof nor save them from the Fire (and theirs will be a painful doom) a severe chastisement.

(Only they invent falsehood) about Allah those (who believe not Allah's revelations) i.e. Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an, (and (only) they are the liars) about Allah.

(Whoso disbelieveth in Allah after his belief) in Him, deserves Allah's wrath (save him who is forced thereto) except the person who is coerced into disbelief (and whose heart is still content with Faith). This verse was revealed about 'Ammar Ibn Yasir (but whoso findeth ease in disbelief) whosoever utters words of disbelief willingly: (On them is wrath from Allah. Theirs will be an awful doom) the most awful torment in this worldly life. This verse was revealed about 'Abdullah Ibn Sa'd Ibn Abi Sarh.

(That) torment (is because they have chosen the life of the world) they preferred this worldly life (rather than the Hereafter) and chose disbelief instead of faith, (and because Allah guideth not) to His religion nor save them from His torment (the disbelieving folk) who do not deserve it.

(Such are they whose hearts and ears and eyes Allah hath sealed. And such are the heedless) of the Hereafter and further shun it; it is also said that this means: they are heedless of Allah's divine Oneness, and deniers of it.

(Assuredly) truly, O Muhammad (in the Hereafter they are the losers). This verse was revealed about those disbelievers who mocked Muhammad and the Qur'an.

(Then lo! thy Lord) O Muhammad (for those who do evil in ignorance) intentionally even if they are ignorant of committing it (and afterward repent) after committing such an evil (and amend) their work between themselves and their Lord-(lo! (for them) thy Lord is afterward) after repentance (indeed Forgiving, Merciful) towards them.

(On the Day) the Day of Judgement (when every soul) righteous or sinful (will come pleading) arguing (for itself) for its cause; it is also said: it will come with its satan; and it is also said: it will come with its spirit, (and every soul) righteous or sinful (will be repaid what it did) for what it did whether it is good or evil, (and they will not be wronged) their good deeds will not be decreased nor will their evil deeds increased.

(Allah coineth a similitude: a township) Allah explains the characteristic of the people of Mecca: Abu Jahl, al-Walid and their host (that dwelt secure) its inhabitants were safe from the enemy, fighting, hunger and being taken captives (and well content) its inhabitants were well settled, (its provision coming to it) food and fruits were brought to it (in abundance from every side) of the earth, (but it disbelieved in Allah's favours) its inhabitants disbelieved in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an, (so Allah made it experience the garb of dearth and fear) so Allah punished its inhabitants with hunger, which lasted seven years, and also with the fear of fighting Muhammad, Allah, bless him and give him peace, and his Companions (because of what they used to do) because of what they said and did with Muhammad (pbuh) of hostility.

(And verily there had come unto them a messenger) Muhammad (pbuh) (from among them) a Qurayshite Arab like themselves, (but they had denied him) they denied the revelation he brought to them, (and So the torment seized them) Allah's torment in the form of hunger, killing and being taken captive seized them (while they were wrong-doers) disbelievers.

(So eat of the lawful and good food which Allah hath provided for you) of crops and cattle and wholesome things, (and thank) and remember (the bounty of your Lord if it is Him ye serve) if it is really Him you want to worship through the prohibition of some cattle and crops. If you have done so to worship Allah, then make them lawful, for worshipping Allah entails making lawful that which you have made forbidden.

(He hath forbidden for you only carrion) which He commanded you to immolate (and blood) shed blood (and swine flesh and that which hath been immolated in the name of any other than Allah) and that which is intentionally immolated in other than the name of Allah, or in the name of idols; (but he who is driven thereto) he who is forced to indulge in what is made unlawful by Allah, (neither craving) declaring it lawful (nor transgressing) intentionally eating without being forced to, (lo! then Allah is Forgiving) of eating carrion, (Merciful) since He gave a legal dispensation to eat carrion in case of dire necessity.

(And speak not, concerning that which your own tongues qualify (as clean or unclean), the falsehood: �This) crop and cattle (is lawful) for men, (and this is forbidden�,) for women (so that ye invent a lie against Allah) by means of it. (Lo! those who invent a lie against Allah will not succeed) they will neither be safe nor escape Allah's chastisement.

(A brief enjoyment (will be theirs)) they will abide in this worldly life but for a short period; (and theirs a painful doom) in the Hereafter.

(And unto those who are Jews) those who stirred away from Islam, i.e. the Jews (We have forbidden that which We have already) before this surah, and specifically in surah al-An'am (related unto thee) that which We have named to you. (And We wronged them not) because of what We forbade them of meats and fats, (but they were wont to wrong themselves) they were wont to harm, i.e. He forbade them those things because of their sins.

(Then lo! thy Lord) O Muhammad (for those who do evil in ignorance) intentionally even if they are ignorant of committing it (and afterward repent) after committing such an evil (and amend) their work between themselves and their Lord - (lo! (for them) thy Lord is afterward) after repentance (indeed Forgiving, Merciful) towards them.

(Lo! Abraham was a nation) a leader who was emulated (obedient to Allah, by nature upright) sincerely surrendered to Allah, (and he was not of the idolaters) he did not follow the idolaters in their religion;

(Thankful for His bounties) thankful to Allah for the bounties He had bestowed upon him; (He chose him) He selected him for prophethood and Islam (and He guided him unto a straight path) He made him firm on an established path with which He is pleased, i.e. Islam.

(And We gave him good in the world) We gave him a righteous progeny; it is also said that this means: good praise; it is also said that this means: We gave him good mention and praise among people, (and in the Hereafter he is among the righteous) with his forefathers among the messengers in Paradise.

(And afterward We inspired thee (O Muhammad)) We commanded you ((saying): Follow the religion of Abraham) adhere to the religion of Abraham, (as one by nature upright) surrendered to Allah. (He was not of the idolaters) he did not follow the religion of the idolaters.

(The Sabbath was appointed) was made sacrosanct (only for those who differed concerning it) concerning the day of Friday, (and lo! thy Lord will judge between them) between the Jews and Christians (on the Day of Resurrection concerning that wherein they used to differ) concerning that which they used to oppose in religion.

(Call unto the way of thy Lord) the religion of your Lord (with wisdom) with the Qur'an (and fair exhortation) exhort them with the exhortations of the Qur'an, (and reason with them in the better way) with the Qur'an; it is also said that this means: by means of �there is no god but Allah�. (Lo! thy Lord is best aware of him who strayeth from His way) from His religion, (and He is Best Aware of those who go aright) to His religion.

(If ye punish) mutilate, (then punish) mutilate (with the like of that wherewith ye were afflicted) with the like of that which your dead were mutilated. (But if ye endure patiently) and abstain from mutilation, (verily it is better for the patient) in the Hereafter.

(Endure thou patiently) their harm, O Muhammad. (Thine endurance is only by (the help of) Allah) by Allah's given success. (Grieve not for them) grieve not for the destruction of those who derided you, (and be not in distress because of that which they devise) because of what they say about you and do to you.

(Lo! Allah is with those who keep their duty unto Him) those who ward off disbelief, idolatry and indecencies (and those who are doers of good) in their speech and action and further profess Allah's divine Oneness'.