Translation of the meanings of surah An-Nahl (2)

(61) (61) And if Allāh were to impose blame on the people for their wrongdoing, He would not have left upon it [i.e., the earth] any creature, but He defers them for a specified term. And when their term has come, they will not remain behind an hour, nor will they precede [it].

(62) (62) And they attribute to Allāh that which they dislike [i.e., daughters], and their tongues assert the lie that they will have the best [from Him]. Assuredly, they will have the Fire, and they will be [therein] neglected.[706]

[706]- Another meaning is "...and they will be made to precede [all others thereto]."

(63) (63) By Allāh, We did certainly send [messengers] to nations before you, but Satan made their deeds attractive to them. And he is their [i.e., the disbelievers] ally today [as well], and they will have a painful punishment.

(64) (64) And We have not revealed to you the Book, [O Muḥammad], except for you to make clear to them that wherein they have differed and as guidance and mercy for a people who believe.

(65) (65) And Allāh has sent down rain from the sky and given life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who listen.

(66) (66) And indeed, for you in grazing livestock is a lesson. We give you drink from what is in their bellies - between excretion and blood - pure milk, palatable to drinkers.

(67) (67) And from the fruits of the palm trees and grapevines you take intoxicant and good provision.[707] Indeed in that is a sign for a people who reason.

[707]- This verse was revealed before the prohibition of intoxicants. It alludes to the fact that there are both evil and good possibilities in certain things.

(68) (68) And your Lord inspired to the bee, "Take for yourself among the mountains, houses [i.e., hives], and among the trees and [in] that which they construct.

(69) (69) Then eat from all the fruits[708] and follow the ways of your Lord laid down [for you]." There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought.

[708]- i.e., delicious substances found by the bee.

(70) (70) And Allāh created you; then He will take you in death. And among you is he who is reversed to the most decrepit [old] age so that he will not know, after [having had] knowledge, a thing. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing and Competent.

(71) (71) And Allāh has favored some of you over others in provision. But those who were favored [i.e., given more] would not hand over their provision to those whom their right hands possess [i.e., slaves] so they would be equal to them therein.[709] Then is it the favor of Allāh they reject?

[709]- The argument presented in this verse is that if they cannot consider their own possessions equal to themselves, then how can they consider Allāh's creations as being equal to Him?

(72) (72) And Allāh has made for you from yourselves mates and has made for you from your mates sons and grandchildren and has provided for you from the good things. Then in falsehood do they believe and in the favor of Allāh they disbelieve?

(73) (73) And they worship besides Allāh that which does not possess for them [the power of] provision from the heavens and the earth at all, and [in fact], they are unable.

(74) (74) So do not assert similarities to Allāh.[710] Indeed, Allāh knows and you do not know.

[710]- As there is nothing comparable to Him.

(75) (75) Allāh presents an example: a slave [who is] owned and unable to do a thing and he to whom We have provided from Us good provision, so he spends from it secretly and publicly. Can they be equal? Praise to Allāh! But most of them do not know.

(76) (76) And Allāh presents an example of two men, one of them dumb and unable to do a thing, while he is a burden to his guardian. Wherever he directs him, he brings no good. Is he equal to one who commands justice, while he is on a straight path?

(77) (77) And to Allāh belongs the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth. And the command for the Hour is not but as a glance of the eye or even nearer. Indeed, Allāh is over all things competent.

(78) (78) And Allāh has extracted you from the wombs of your mothers not knowing a thing, and He made for you hearing and vision and hearts [i.e., intellect] that perhaps you would be grateful.

(79) (79) Do they not see the birds controlled in the atmosphere of the sky? None holds them up except Allāh. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.

(80) (80) And Allāh has made for you from your homes a place of rest and made for you from the hides of the animals tents which you find light on your day of travel and your day of encampment; and from their wool, fur and hair is furnishing and enjoyment [i.e., provision] for a time.

(81) (81) And Allāh has made for you, from that which He has created, shadows [i.e., shade] and has made for you from the mountains, shelters and has made for you garments which protect you from the heat and garments [i.e., coats of mail] which protect you from your [enemy in] battle. Thus does He complete His favor upon you that you might submit [to Him].

(82) (82) But if they turn away, [O Muḥammad] - then only upon you is [responsibility for] clear notification.

(83) (83) They recognize the favor of Allāh; then they deny it. And most of them are disbelievers.

(84) (84) And [mention] the Day when We will resurrect from every nation a witness [i.e., their prophet]. Then it will not be permitted to the disbelievers [to apologize or make excuses], nor will they be asked to appease [Allāh].

(85) (85) And when those who wronged see the punishment, it will not be lightened for them, nor will they be reprieved.

(86) (86) And when those who associated others with Allāh see their "partners," they will say, "Our Lord, these are our partners [to You] whom we used to invoke [in worship] besides You." But they will throw at them the statement, "Indeed, you are liars."

(87) (87) And they will impart to Allāh that Day [their] submission, and lost from them is what they used to invent.

(88) (88) Those who disbelieved and averted [others] from the way of Allāh - We will increase them in punishment over [their] punishment for what corruption they were causing.

(89) (89) And [mention] the Day when We will resurrect among every nation a witness over them from themselves [i.e., their prophet]. And We will bring you, [O Muḥammad], as a witness over these [i.e., your nation]. And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims.[711]

[711]- Those who have submitted themselves to Allāh.

(90) (90) Indeed, Allāh orders justice and good conduct and giving [help] to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.

(91) (91) And fulfill the covenant of Allāh when you have taken it, [O believers], and do not break oaths after their confirmation while you have made Allāh, over you, a security [i.e., witness]. Indeed, Allāh knows what you do.

(92) (92) And do not be like she who untwisted her spun thread after it was strong [by] taking your oaths as [means of] deceit between you because one community is more plentiful [in number or wealth] than another community.[712] Allāh only tries you thereby. And He will surely make clear to you on the Day of Resurrection that over which you used to differ.

[712]- i.e., do not swear falsely or break a treaty or contract merely for a worldly advantage.

(93) (93) And if Allāh had willed, He could have made you [of] one religion, but He sends astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills.[713] And you will surely be questioned about what you used to do.

[713]- According to His knowledge of each soul's preference.

(94) (94) And do not take your oaths as [means of] deceit between you, lest a foot slip after it was [once] firm, and you would taste evil [in this world] for what [people] you diverted from the way of Allāh,[714] and you would have [in the Hereafter] a great punishment.

[714]- Referring to those who would be dissuaded from Islām as a result of a Muslim's deceit and treachery.

(95) (95) And do not exchange the covenant of Allāh for a small price. Indeed, what is with Allāh is best for you, if only you could know.

(96) (96) Whatever you have will end, but what Allāh has is lasting. And We will surely give those who were patient their reward according to the best of what they used to do.

(97) (97) Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.

(98) (98) So when you recite the Qur’ān, [first] seek refuge in Allāh from Satan, the expelled [from His mercy].

(99) (99) Indeed, there is for him no authority over those who have believed and rely upon their Lord.

(100) (100) His authority is only over those who take him as an ally and those who through him associate others with Allāh.

(101) (101) And when We substitute a verse in place of a verse - and Allāh is most knowing of what He sends down - they say, "You, [O Muḥammad], are but an inventor [of lies]." But most of them do not know.

(102) (102) Say, [O Muḥammad], "The Pure Spirit [i.e., Gabriel] has brought it down from your Lord in truth to make firm those who believe and as guidance and good tidings to the Muslims."

(103) (103) And We certainly know that they say, "It is only a human being who teaches him [i.e., the Prophet (ﷺ)]." The tongue of the one they refer to is foreign,[715] and this [recitation, i.e., Qur’ān] is [in] a clear Arabic language.

[715]- Having seen the Prophet (ﷺ) speaking with a foreign man on occasion, the Quraysh accused him of repeating the man's words.

(104) (104) Indeed, those who do not believe in the verses of Allāh - Allāh will not guide them, and for them is a painful punishment.

(105) (105) They only invent falsehood who do not believe in the verses of Allāh, and it is those who are the liars.

(106) (106) Whoever disbelieves in [i.e., denies] Allāh after his belief...[716] except for one who is forced [to renounce his religion] while his heart is secure in faith. But those who [willingly] open their breasts to disbelief, upon them is wrath from Allāh, and for them is a great punishment;

[716]- Based upon the conclusion of this verse, the omitted phrase concerning the apostate is understood to be "...has earned the wrath of Allāh..."

(107) (107) That is because they preferred the worldly life over the Hereafter and that Allāh does not guide the disbelieving people.

(108) (108) Those are the ones over whose hearts and hearing and vision Allāh has sealed, and it is those who are the heedless.

(109) (109) Assuredly, it is they, in the Hereafter, who will be the losers.

(110) (110) Then, indeed your Lord, to those who emigrated after they had been compelled [to say words of disbelief] and thereafter fought [for the cause of Allāh] and were patient - indeed, your Lord, after that, is Forgiving and Merciful

(111) (111) On the Day when every soul will come disputing [i.e., pleading] for itself, and every soul will be fully compensated for what it did, and they will not be wronged [i.e., treated unjustly].

(112) (112) And Allāh presents an example: a city [i.e., Makkah] which was safe and secure, its provision coming to it in abundance from every location, but it denied the favors of Allāh. So Allāh made it taste the envelopment of hunger and fear for what they had been doing.

(113) (113) And there had certainly come to them a Messenger from among themselves, but they denied him; so punishment overtook them while they were wrongdoers.

(114) (114) Then eat of what Allāh has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And be grateful for the favor of Allāh, if it is [indeed] Him that you worship.

(115) (115) He has only forbidden to you dead animals,[717] blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allāh. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit] - then indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.

[717]- Those not slaughtered or hunted expressly for food.

(116) (116) And do not say about what your tongues assert of untruth, "This is lawful and this is unlawful," to invent falsehood about Allāh. Indeed, those who invent falsehood about Allāh will not succeed.

(117) (117) [It is but] a brief enjoyment, and they will have a painful punishment.

(118) (118) And to those who are Jews We have prohibited that which We related to you before.[718] And We did not wrong them [thereby], but they were wronging themselves.

[718]- See 6:146.

(119) (119) Then, indeed your Lord, to those who have done wrong out of ignorance and then repent after that and correct themselves - indeed, your Lord, thereafter, is Forgiving and Merciful.

(120) (120) Indeed, Abraham was a [comprehensive] leader,[719] devoutly obedient to Allāh, inclining toward truth, and he was not of those who associate others with Allāh.

[719]- i.e., embodying all the excellent qualities which make one an example to be followed.

(121) (121) [He was] grateful for His favors. He [i.e., Allāh] chose him and guided him to a straight path.

(122) (122) And We gave him good in this world, and indeed, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.

(123) (123) Then We revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], to follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate with Allāh.

(124) (124) The sabbath was only appointed for those who differed over it. And indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.

(125) (125) Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.

(126) (126) And if you punish [an enemy, O believers], punish with an equivalent of that with which you were harmed.[720] But if you are patient - it is better for those who are patient.

[720]- Not exceeding it.

(127) (127) And be patient, [O Muḥammad], and your patience is not but through Allāh. And do not grieve over them and do not be in distress over what they conspire.

(128) (128) Indeed, Allāh is with those who fear Him and those who are doers of good.