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English - Chapter 16 - An-Nahl

Translation by Mohammad Habib Shakir — Permalink

Verse 1 — Surah An-Nahl 16:1

Allah's commandment has come, therefore do not desire to hasten it; glory be to Him, and highly exalted be He above what they associate (with Him)

Verse 2 — Surah An-Nahl 16:2

He sends down the angels with the inspiration by His commandment on whom He pleases of His servants, saying: Give the warning that there is no god but Me, therefore be careful (of your duty) to Me

Verse 3 — Surah An-Nahl 16:3

He created the heavens and the earth with the truth, highly exalted be He above what they associate (with Him)

Verse 4 — Surah An-Nahl 16:4

He created man from a small seed and lo! he is an open contender

Verse 5 — Surah An-Nahl 16:5

And He created the cattle for you; you have in them warm clothing and (many) advantages, and of them do you eat

Verse 6 — Surah An-Nahl 16:6

And there is beauty in them for you when you drive them back (to home), and when you send them forth (to pasture)

Verse 7 — Surah An-Nahl 16:7

And they carry your heavy loads to regions which you could not reach but with distress of the souls; most surely your Lord is Compassionate, Merciful

Verse 8 — Surah An-Nahl 16:8

And (He made) horses and mules and asses that you might ride upon them and as an ornament; and He creates what you do not know

Verse 9 — Surah An-Nahl 16:9

And upon Allah it rests to show the right way, and there are some deviating (ways); and if He please He would certainly guide you all aright

Verse 10 — Surah An-Nahl 16:10

He it is Who sends down water from the cloud for you; it gives drink, and by it (grow) the trees upon which you pasture

Verse 11 — Surah An-Nahl 16:11

He causes to grow for you thereby herbage, and the olives, and the palm trees, and the grapes, and of all the fruits; most surely there is a sign in this for a people who reflect

Verse 12 — Surah An-Nahl 16:12

And He has made subservient for you the night and the day and the sun and the moon, and the stars are made subservient by His commandment; most surely there are signs in this for a people who ponder

Verse 13 — Surah An-Nahl 16:13

And what He has created in the earth of varied hues most surely there is a sign in this for a people who are mindful

Verse 14 — Surah An-Nahl 16:14

And He it is Who has made the sea subservient that you may eat fresh flesh from it and bring forth from it ornaments which you wear, and you see the ships cleaving through it, and that you might seek of His bounty and that you may give thanks

Verse 15 — Surah An-Nahl 16:15

And He has cast great mountains in the earth lest it might be convulsed with you, and rivers and roads that you may go aright

Verse 16 — Surah An-Nahl 16:16

And landmarks; and by the stars they find the right way

Verse 17 — Surah An-Nahl 16:17

Is He then Who creates like him who does not create? Do you not then mind

Verse 18 — Surah An-Nahl 16:18

And if you would count Allah's favors, you will not be able to number them; most surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful

Verse 19 — Surah An-Nahl 16:19

And Allah knows what you conceal and what you do openly

Verse 20 — Surah An-Nahl 16:20

And those whom they call on besides Allah have not created anything while they are themselves created

Verse 21 — Surah An-Nahl 16:21

Dead (are they), not living, and they know not when they shall be raised

Verse 22 — Surah An-Nahl 16:22

Your Allah is one Allah; so (as for) those who do not believe in the hereafter, their hearts are ignorant and they are proud

Verse 23 — Surah An-Nahl 16:23

Truly Allah knows what they hide and what they manifest; surely He does not love the proud

Verse 24 — Surah An-Nahl 16:24

And when it is said to them, what is it that your Lord has revealed? They say: Stories of the ancients

Verse 25 — Surah An-Nahl 16:25

That they may bear their burdens entirely on the day of resurrection and also of the burdens of those whom they lead astray without knowledge; now surely evil is what they bear

Verse 26 — Surah An-Nahl 16:26

Those before them did indeed devise plans, but Allah demolished their building from the foundations, so the roof fell down on them from above them, and the punishment came to them from whence they did not perceive

Verse 27 — Surah An-Nahl 16:27

Then on the resurrection day He will bring them to disgrace and say: Where are the associates you gave Me, for whose sake you became hostile? Those who are given the knowledge will say: Surely the disgrace and the evil are this day upon the unbelievers

Verse 28 — Surah An-Nahl 16:28

Those whom the angels cause to die while they are unjust to themselves. Then would they offer submission: We used not to do any evil. Aye! surely Allah knows what you did

Verse 29 — Surah An-Nahl 16:29

Therefore enter the gates of hell, to abide therein; so certainly evil is the dwelling place of the proud

Verse 30 — Surah An-Nahl 16:30

And it is said to those who guard (against evil): What is it that your Lord has revealed? They say, Good. For those who do good in this world is good, and certainly the abode of the hereafter is better; and certainly most excellent is the abode of those who guard (against evil)

Verse 31 — Surah An-Nahl 16:31

The gardens of perpetuity, they shall enter them, rivers flowing beneath them; they shall have in them what they please. Thus does Allah reward those who guard (against evil)

Verse 32 — Surah An-Nahl 16:32

Those whom the angels cause to die in a good state, saying: Peace be on you: enter the garden for what you did

Verse 33 — Surah An-Nahl 16:33

They do not wait aught but that the angels should come to them or that the commandment of your Lord should come to pass. Thus did those before them; and Allah was not unjust to them, but they were unjust to themselves

Verse 34 — Surah An-Nahl 16:34

So the evil (consequences) of what they did shall afflict them and that which they mocked shall encompass them

Verse 35 — Surah An-Nahl 16:35

And they who give associates (to Allah) say: If Allah had pleased, we would not have served anything besides Allah, (neither) we nor our fathers, nor would we have prohibited anything without (order from) Him. Thus did those before them; is then aught incumbent upon the apostles except a plain delivery (of the message)

Verse 36 — Surah An-Nahl 16:36

And certainly We raised in every nation an apostle saying: Serve Allah and shun the Shaitan. So there were some of them whom Allah guided and there were others against whom error was due; therefore travel in the land, then see what was the end of the rejecters

Verse 37 — Surah An-Nahl 16:37

If you desire for their guidance, yet surely Allah does not guide him who leads astray, nor shall they have any helpers

Verse 38 — Surah An-Nahl 16:38

And they swear by Allah with the most energetic of their oaths: Allah will not raise up him who dies. Yea! it is a promise binding on Him, quite true, but most people do not know

Verse 39 — Surah An-Nahl 16:39

So that He might make manifest to them that about which they differ, and that those who disbelieve might know that they were liars

Verse 40 — Surah An-Nahl 16:40

Our word for a thing when We intend it, is only that We say to it, Be, and it is

Verse 41 — Surah An-Nahl 16:41

And those who fly for Allah's sake after they are oppressed, We will most certainly give them a good abode in the world, and the reward of the hereafter is certainly much greater, did they but know

Verse 42 — Surah An-Nahl 16:42

Those who are patient and on their Lord do they rely

Verse 43 — Surah An-Nahl 16:43

And We did not send before you any but men to whom We sent revelation-- so ask the followers of the Reminder if you do not know

Verse 44 — Surah An-Nahl 16:44

With clear arguments and scriptures; and We have revealed to you the Reminder that you may make clear to men what has been revealed to them, and that haply they may reflect

Verse 45 — Surah An-Nahl 16:45

Do they then who plan evil (deeds) feel secure (of this) that Allah will not cause the earth to swallow them or that punishment may not overtake them from whence they do not perceive

Verse 46 — Surah An-Nahl 16:46

Or that He may not seize them in the course of their journeys, then shall they not escape

Verse 47 — Surah An-Nahl 16:47

Or that He may not seize them by causing them to suffer gradual loss, for your Lord is most surely Compassionate, Merciful

Verse 48 — Surah An-Nahl 16:48

Do they not consider every thing that Allah has created? Its (very) shadows return from right and left, making obeisance to Allah while they are in utter abasement

Verse 49 — Surah An-Nahl 16:49

And whatever creature that is in the heavens and that is in the earth makes obeisance to Allah (only), and the angels (too) and they do not show pride

Verse 50 — Surah An-Nahl 16:50

They fear their Lord above them and do what they are commanded

Verse 51 — Surah An-Nahl 16:51

And Allah has said: Take not two gods, He is only one Allah; so of Me alone should you be afraid

Verse 52 — Surah An-Nahl 16:52

And whatever is in the heavens and the earth is His, and to Him should obedience be (rendered) constantly; will you then guard against other than (the punishment of) Allah

Verse 53 — Surah An-Nahl 16:53

And whatever favor is (bestowed) on you it is from Allah; then when evil afflicts you, to Him do you cry for aid

Verse 54 — Surah An-Nahl 16:54

Yet when He removes the evil from you, lo! a party of you associate others with their Lord

Verse 55 — Surah An-Nahl 16:55

So that they be ungrateful for what We have given them; then enjoy yourselves; for soon will you know

Verse 56 — Surah An-Nahl 16:56

And they set apart for what they do not know a portion of what We have given them. By Allah, you shall most certainly be questioned about that which you forged

Verse 57 — Surah An-Nahl 16:57

And they ascribe daughters to Allah, glory be to Him; and for themselves (they would have) what they desire

Verse 58 — Surah An-Nahl 16:58

And when a daughter is announced to one of them his face becomes black and he is full of wrath

Verse 59 — Surah An-Nahl 16:59

He hides himself from the people because of the evil of that which is announced to him. Shall he keep it with disgrace or bury it (alive) in the dust? Now surely evil is what they judge

Verse 60 — Surah An-Nahl 16:60

For those who do not believe in the hereafter is an evil attribute, and Allah's is the loftiest attribute; and He is the Mighty, the Wise

Verse 61 — Surah An-Nahl 16:61

And if Allah had destroyed men for their iniquity, He would not leave on the earth a single creature, but He respites them till an appointed time; so when their doom will come they shall not be able to delay (it) an hour nor can they bring (it) on (before its time)

Verse 62 — Surah An-Nahl 16:62

And they ascribe to Allah what they (themselves) hate and their tongues relate the lie that they shall have the good; there is no avoiding it that for them is the fire and that they shall be sent before

Verse 63 — Surah An-Nahl 16:63

By Allah, most certainly We sent (apostles) to nations before you, but the Shaitan made their deeds fair-seeming to them, so he is their guardian today, and they shall have a painful punishment

Verse 64 — Surah An-Nahl 16:64

And We have not revealed to you the Book except that you may make clear to them that about which they differ, and (as) a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe

Verse 65 — Surah An-Nahl 16:65

And Allah has sent down water from the cloud and therewith given life to the earth after its death; most surely there is a sign in this for a people who would listen

Verse 66 — Surah An-Nahl 16:66

And most surely there is a lesson for you in the cattle; We give you to drink of what is in their bellies-- from betwixt the feces and the blood-- pure milk, easy and agreeable to swallow for those who drink

Verse 67 — Surah An-Nahl 16:67

And of the fruits of the palms and the grapes-- you obtain from them intoxication and goodly provision; most surely there is a sign in this for a people who ponder

Verse 68 — Surah An-Nahl 16:68

And your Lord revealed to the bee saying: Make hives in the mountains and in the trees and in what they build

Verse 69 — Surah An-Nahl 16:69

Then eat of all the fruits and walk in the ways of your Lord submissively. There comes forth from within it a beverage of many colours, in which there is healing for men; most surely there is a sign in this for a people who reflect

Verse 70 — Surah An-Nahl 16:70

And Allah has created you, then He causes you to die, and of you is he who is brought back to the worst part of life, so that after having knowledge he does not know anything; surely Allah is Knowing, Powerful

Verse 71 — Surah An-Nahl 16:71

And Allah has made some of you excel others in the means of subsistence, so those who are made to excel do not give away their sustenance to those whom their right hands possess so that they should be equal therein; is it then the favor of Allah which they deny

Verse 72 — Surah An-Nahl 16:72

And Allah has made wives for you from among yourselves, and has given you sons and grandchildren from your wives, and has given you of the good things; is it then in the falsehood that they believe while it is in the favor of Allah that they disbelieve

Verse 73 — Surah An-Nahl 16:73

And they serve besides Allah that which does not control for them any sustenance at all from the heavens and the earth, nor have they any power

Verse 74 — Surah An-Nahl 16:74

Therefore do not give likenesses to Allah; surely Allah knows and you do not know

Verse 75 — Surah An-Nahl 16:75

Allah sets forth a parable: (consider) a slave, the property of another, (who) has no power over anything, and one whom We have granted from Ourselves a goodly sustenance so he spends from it secretly and openly; are the two alike? (All) praise is due to Allah! Nay, most of them do not know

Verse 76 — Surah An-Nahl 16:76

And Allah sets forth a parable of two men; one of them is dumb, not able to do anything, and he is a burden to his master; wherever he sends him, he brings no good; can he be held equal with him who enjoins what is just, and he (himself) is on the right path

Verse 77 — Surah An-Nahl 16:77

And Allah's is the unseen of the heavens and the earth; and the matter of the hour is but as the twinkling of an eye or it is higher still; surely Allah has power over all things

Verse 78 — Surah An-Nahl 16:78

And Allah has brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers-- you did not know anything-- and He gave you hearing and sight and hearts that you may give thanks

Verse 79 — Surah An-Nahl 16:79

Do they not see the birds, constrained in the middle of the sky? None withholds them but Allah; most surely there are signs in this for a people who believe

Verse 80 — Surah An-Nahl 16:80

And Allah has given you a place to abide in your houses, and He has given you tents of the skins of cattle which you find light to carry on the day of your march and on the day of your halting, and of their wool and their fur and their hair (He has given you) household stuff and a provision for a time

Verse 81 — Surah An-Nahl 16:81

And Allah has made for you of what He has created shelters, and He has given you in the mountains places of retreat, and He has given you garments to preserve you from the heat and coats of mail to preserve you in your fighting; even thus does He complete His favor upon you, that haply you may submit

Verse 82 — Surah An-Nahl 16:82

But if they turn back, then on you devolves only the clear deliverance (of the message)

Verse 83 — Surah An-Nahl 16:83

They recognize the favor of Allah, yet they deny it, and most of them are ungrateful

Verse 84 — Surah An-Nahl 16:84

And on the day when We will raise up a witness out of every nation, then shall no permission be given to those who disbelieve, nor shall they be made to solicit favor

Verse 85 — Surah An-Nahl 16:85

And when those who are unjust shall see the chastisement, it shall not be lightened for them, nor shall they be respited

Verse 86 — Surah An-Nahl 16:86

And when those who associate (others with Allah) shall see their associate-gods, they shall say: Our Lord, these are our associate-gods on whom we called besides Thee. But they will give them back the reply: Most surely you are liars

Verse 87 — Surah An-Nahl 16:87

And they shall tender submission to Allah on that day; and what they used to forge shall depart from them

Verse 88 — Surah An-Nahl 16:88

(As for) those who disbelieve and turn away from Allah's way, We will add chastisement to their chastisement because they made mischief

Verse 89 — Surah An-Nahl 16:89

And on the day when We will raise up in every people a witness against them from among themselves, and bring you as a witness against these-- and We have revealed the Book to you explaining clearly everything, and a guidance and mercy and good news for those who submit

Verse 90 — Surah An-Nahl 16:90

Surely Allah enjoins the doing of justice and the doing of good (to others) and the giving to the kindred, and He forbids indecency and evil and rebellion; He admonishes you that you may be mindful

Verse 91 — Surah An-Nahl 16:91

And fulfill the covenant of Allah when you have made a covenant, and do not break the oaths after making them fast, and you have indeed made Allah a surety for you; surely Allah knows what you do

Verse 92 — Surah An-Nahl 16:92

And be not like her who unravels her yarn, disintegrating it into pieces after she has spun it strongly. You make your oaths to be means of deceit between you because (one) nation is more numerous than (another) nation. Allah only tries you by this; and He will most certainly make clear to you on the resurrection day that about which you differed

Verse 93 — Surah An-Nahl 16:93

And if Allah please He would certainly make you a single nation, but He causes to err whom He pleases and guides whom He pleases; and most certainly you will be questioned as to what you did

Verse 94 — Surah An-Nahl 16:94

And do not make your oaths a means of deceit between you, lest a foot should slip after its stability and you should taste evil because you turned away from Allah's way and grievous punishment be your (lot)

Verse 95 — Surah An-Nahl 16:95

And do not take a small price in exchange for Allah's covenant; surely what is with Allah is better for you, did you but know

Verse 96 — Surah An-Nahl 16:96

What is with you passes away and what is with Allah is enduring; and We will most certainly give to those who are patient their reward for the best of what they did

Verse 97 — Surah An-Nahl 16:97

Whoever does good whether male or female and he is a believer, We will most certainly make him live a happy life, and We will most certainly give them their reward for the best of what they did

Verse 98 — Surah An-Nahl 16:98

So when you recite the Quran, seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Shaitan

Verse 99 — Surah An-Nahl 16:99

Surely he has no authority over those who believe and rely on their Lord

Verse 100 — Surah An-Nahl 16:100

His authority is only over those who befriend him and those who associate others with Him

Verse 101 — Surah An-Nahl 16:101

And when We change (one) communication for (another) communication, and Allah knows best what He reveals, they say: You are only a forger. Nay, most of them do not know

Verse 102 — Surah An-Nahl 16:102

Say: The Holy spirit has revealed it from your Lord with the truth, that it may establish those who believe and as a guidance and good news for those who submit

Verse 103 — Surah An-Nahl 16:103

And certainly We know that they say: Only a mortal teaches him. The tongue of him whom they reproach is barbarous, and this is clear Arabic tongue

Verse 104 — Surah An-Nahl 16:104

(As for) those who do not believe in Allah's communications, surely Allah will not guide them, and they shall have a painful punishment

Verse 105 — Surah An-Nahl 16:105

Only they forge the lie who do not believe in Allah's communications, and these are the liars

Verse 106 — Surah An-Nahl 16:106

He who disbelieves in Allah after his having believed, not he who is compelled while his heart is at rest on account of faith, but he who opens (his) breast to disbelief-- on these is the wrath of Allah, and they shall have a grievous chastisement

Verse 107 — Surah An-Nahl 16:107

This is because they love this world's life more than the hereafter, and because Allah does not guide the unbelieving people

Verse 108 — Surah An-Nahl 16:108

These are they on whose hearts and their hearing and their eyes Allah has set a seal, and these are the heedless ones

Verse 109 — Surah An-Nahl 16:109

No doubt that in the hereafter they will be the losers

Verse 110 — Surah An-Nahl 16:110

Yet surely your Lord, with respect to those who fly after they are persecuted, then they struggle hard and are patient, most surely your Lord after that is Forgiving, Merciful

Verse 111 — Surah An-Nahl 16:111

(Remember) the day when every soul shall come, pleading for itself and every soul shall be paid in full what it has done, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly

Verse 112 — Surah An-Nahl 16:112

And Allah sets forth a parable: (Consider) a town safe and secure to which its means of subsistence come in abundance from every quarter; but it became ungrateful to Allah's favors, therefore Allah made it to taste the utmost degree of hunger and fear because of what they wrought

Verse 113 — Surah An-Nahl 16:113

And certainly there came to them an Apostle from among them, but they rejected him, so the punishment overtook them while they were unjust

Verse 114 — Surah An-Nahl 16:114

Therefore eat of what Allah has given you, lawful and good (things), and give thanks for Allah's favor if Him do you serve

Verse 115 — Surah An-Nahl 16:115

He has only forbidden you what dies of itself and blood and flesh of swine and that over which any other name than that of Allah has been invoked, but whoever is driven to necessity, not desiring nor exceeding the limit, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful

Verse 116 — Surah An-Nahl 16:116

And, for what your tongues describe, do not utter the lie, (saying) This is lawful and this is unlawful, in order to forge a lie against Allah; surely those who forge the lie against Allah shall not prosper

Verse 117 — Surah An-Nahl 16:117

A little enjoyment and they shall have a painful punishment

Verse 118 — Surah An-Nahl 16:118

And for those who were Jews We prohibited what We have related to you already, and We did them no injustice, but they were unjust to themselves

Verse 119 — Surah An-Nahl 16:119

Yet surely your Lord, with respect to those who do an evil in ignorance, then turn after that and make amends, most surely your Lord after that is Forgiving, Merciful

Verse 120 — Surah An-Nahl 16:120

Surely Ibrahim was an exemplar, obedient to Allah, upright, and he was not of the polytheists

Verse 121 — Surah An-Nahl 16:121

Grateful for His favors; He chose him and guided him on the right path

Verse 122 — Surah An-Nahl 16:122

And We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the good

Verse 123 — Surah An-Nahl 16:123

Then We revealed to you: Follow the faith of Ibrahim, the upright one, and he was not of the polytheists

Verse 124 — Surah An-Nahl 16:124

The Sabbath was ordained only for those who differed about it, and most surely your Lord will judge between them on the resurrection day concerning that about which they differed

Verse 125 — Surah An-Nahl 16:125

Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and have disputations with them in the best manner; surely your Lord best knows those who go astray from His path, and He knows best those who follow the right way

Verse 126 — Surah An-Nahl 16:126

And if you take your turn, then retaliate with the like of that with which you were afflicted; but if you are patient, it will certainly be best for those who are patient

Verse 127 — Surah An-Nahl 16:127

And be patient and your patience is not but by (the assistance of) Allah, and grieve not for them, and do not distress yourself at what they plan

Verse 128 — Surah An-Nahl 16:128

Surely Allah is with those who guard (against evil) and those who do good (to others)