Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford

of Allah for a little price …” (TMQ, 16:95); “Whatever is in your presence is
depleted, and whatever is in the Providence of Allah is enduring ...” (TMQ,
16:96).
Other ayahs follow to warn against ingratitude; Allah (SWT) says what can be
translated as, “And Allah has struck a similitude: a town that was secure (and)
well composed, its provision coming up to it opulently from every place, then it
disbelieved (i.e., they were unthankful) in the amenities of Allah; so Allah made
it taste the garment of hunger and fear for the things they were working out (i.e.,
doing)” (TMQ, 16:112).
It would have been more appropriate had those people acted as Allah (SWT)
commanded. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “So eat of what Allah has
provided you, lawfully good, and thank (Him) for the favor of Allah, in case it be
Him only that you do worship” (TMQ, 16:114).
Ibrahim’s (Abraham) (AS) gratefulness to Allah (SWT)
The surah concludes with the story of a man, who was grateful to Allah, he is Prophet
Ibrahim (AS). What attracts one’s attention is that the surah describes him with one of
his traits that serves the surah’s objective; Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as,
“Thankful for His amenities …” (TMQ, 16:121).
The surah indicates that being grateful to Allah (SWT) guarantees His guidance.
Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “… He selected him and He guided him
to a straight Path” (TMQ, 16:121).
The reason behind the title
Now we arrive to the reason behind the title of the surah. Why is the surah not
entitled “the Surah of Blessings”, since it is inundated with blessings Why “An-
Nahl” (the bees) in particular Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And
your Lord revealed to the bees, (saying), “Take to yourselves, of the mountains,
homes, and of the trees, and of whatever they trellis. Thereafter eat of all (kinds
of) products, (and) so insert (yourselves) (Or: follow) through the ways of your
Lord, tractable (to you).” (Literally: made subservient) There comes out
(Literally: goes out) of their bellies a drink of different colors, wherein is a cure
for mankind ...” (TMQ, 16:68-69).
Firstly, the organization of the bees’ kingdom, and the way they secrete honey are per
se great blessings of Allah (SWT) and among His miracles on earth. Secondly, the
ayahs mentioned above start with “…And your Lord revealed to the bees …”
which points out that bees follow the divine inspiration, obey Allah (SWT), and
accurately abide by what they have been instructed to fulfill: “…Take to yourselves
… eat … so insert (yourselves) (Or: follow) through ...”.
Bees, therefore, constitute an exemplary model that employs the blessings of Allah
(SWT). They obeyed Allah (SWT), carried out His orders, and as a result, Allah
blessed them with bellies that generate curative and useful honey for all those that
inhabit earth.