Surah An Nahl

Quran Chapter 16

In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful.

1The decree of God has come, so don’t rush it. He is Exalted, far beyond what they associate with Him.

2He sends down the angels with the spirit from His command, upon whom He wills of His servants, saying, “Warn that there is no god but Me, so fear Me.”

3He created the heavens and the earth with truth. He is far above what they associate with Him.

4He created man from a drop, and behold, he becomes a clear disputant.

5And the livestock, He created them for you. In them, there is warmth and other benefits. And from them, you eat.

6And there is beauty in them for you when you herd them in the evening and drive them out to graze in the morning.

7They transport your loads to regions you couldn’t reach without considerable hardship. Your Lord is Kind and Merciful.

8And horses, mules, and donkeys for you to ride and as adornment. And He creates what you don’t know.

9Upon God is the direction of the way, though some of them are crooked. If He willed, He could’ve guided you all.

10It is He who sends down rain from the sky, from it you drink, and from it grows vegetation for your livestock to eat.

11He produces crops, olives, date palms, grapes, and all kinds of fruits for you. In this, there is a sign for people who reflect.

12He has subdued for you the night and the day. The sun, the moon, and the stars, are subservient by His command. In that are signs for people who reason.

13Everything He scattered for you on earth is of diverse colors. In this, there is a sign for those who notice.

14It is He who made the sea subservient for you, that you may eat from it tender meat and extract ornaments to wear. You see ships plowing through it, so you may seek His bounty and give thanks.

15He set up mountains on the earth so it wouldn’t shake with you, and rivers and roads, so you may be guided.

16And landmarks; and by the stars, they navigate.

17Can He who creates be like the one who does not create? Will you not reflect?

18If you try to count God’s favors, you can never enumerate them. God is Forgiving and Merciful.

19God knows what you conceal and what you reveal.

20Those they call upon besides God create nothing, but are themselves created.

21They are dead, not alive, and they don’t perceive when they’ll be resurrected.

22Your God is one God. As for those who don’t believe in the Hereafter—their hearts are denying, and they are arrogant.

23God knows what they conceal and what they reveal. He doesn’t love the arrogant.

24When asked, “What did your Lord reveal?” They respond, “Myths of the ancients.”

25On Resurrection Day, they will bear their burdens in full, along with some of the burdens of those they misled without knowledge. Alas, evil is what they bear!

26Those before them also plotted, but God undermined their foundations, and the roof collapsed upon them from above. The punishment came upon them from where they didn’t perceive.

27Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will humiliate them and question, “Where are My ‘partners’ concerning whom you used to dispute?” Those knowledgeable will say, “Today, disgrace and misery are upon the unbelievers.”

28Those whose souls the angels take while they wronged themselves, will offer their submission: “We were not doing any wrong!”. Yet, God has full knowledge of what you used to do.

29So, enter the gates of Hell, to reside therein eternally. Horrible is the residence for the arrogant!

30The righteous will be asked, “What did your Lord reveal?” They will reply, “The best.” For those who do good in this life, there is goodness, and the home of the Hereafter is even better. How wonderful is the residence of the righteous!

31They will enter the Gardens of Eternity, beneath which rivers flow. Therein, they will have all that they wish for. Thus does God reward the righteous.

32When the angels receive the souls of the good-natured, they will say, “Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise due to your deeds.”

33Are they waiting for the angels to come to them, or for your Lord’s command to arrive? This is what those before them did. God didn’t wrong them, but they wronged themselves.

34The consequences of their deeds overtook them, and the very things they used to ridicule engulfed them.

35Those who associate others argue, “If God had willed, we wouldn’t have worshiped anything other than Him, neither us nor our ancestors, nor would we have prohibited anything without His sanction.” Those before them did the same. Are the messengers’ duty anything other than the clear conveyance of the message?

36We sent a messenger to every community, saying, “Worship God and shun false gods.” Among them were those whom God guided, while others deserved misguidance. So, travel through the earth and observe the end of the deniers.

37Despite your concern for their guidance, God doesn’t guide those He allows to go astray, and they will have no helpers.

38They swear their strongest oaths by God that God won’t resurrect the dead. Yet, it’s absolutely a true promise from Him, though most people don’t know.

39This serves to clarify the matters they dispute and make those who disbelieve realize that they were liars.

40When We decree something, We only say to it, “Be,” and it is.

41Those who emigrate for the sake of God after being oppressed, We will establish them in this world in a favorable place. But the reward of the Hereafter is even greater, if only they knew.

42Those who endure patiently and place their trust in their Lord.

43We sent no messengers before you except men whom We inspired. If you don’t know, ask those who possess knowledge.

44To you, We sent down the Message, providing clear instructions and sacred scriptures, so that you may clarify to people what was revealed to them, and that they may reflect.

45Can those who devise evil plans really feel secure that God won’t cause the earth to swallow them, or that the punishment won’t come upon them whence they perceive not?

46Or that He won’t catch them amidst their everyday activities, from which they can’t escape?

47Or that He won’t take them in a state of fear? Your Lord is Kind and Merciful.

48Don’t they see everything God created, how their shadows shift from the right and the left, all humbly submitting to God?

49To God prostrates whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth: every living creature, and the angels, and with no pride.

50They fear their Lord above them and do what they’re commanded.

51God said, “Don’t take two gods. He is the One and Only God. Therefore, revere only Me.”

52Everything in the heavens and on earth is His, and unto Him is religion due perpetually. Would you fear anyone other than God?

53Whatever good comes to you, it’s from God. Yet when harm touches you, it’s unto Him that you cry out in distress.

54Yet, when He alleviates your suffering, some of you associate others with their Lord.

55Such ingratitude for what We’ve given them! Enjoy yourselves; soon, you will come to know.

56And they allocate a share of what We’ve provided them to what they don’t know. Certainly, by God, you will be questioned about your fabrications.

57And they attribute to God daughters, exalted is He; while for themselves, what they desire.

58When one of them is given news of a female, his face darkens, he becomes choked with silent grief.

59He hides from people due to the bad news he received. Should he keep her despite the dishonor, or bury her in the dust? What a poor decision they make!

60Those who don’t believe in the Hereafter set a terrible example, while God sets the highest standard. He is the Mighty, the Wise.

61If God were to punish people for their wrongdoings, He wouldn’t leave a living creature on it. However, He defers them to an appointed term. When their time arrives, they can neither delay nor hasten it by an hour.

62They attribute to God what they hate, and their tongues falsely claim that all good things are theirs. No doubt, the Fire is their destiny, and they will be left in it.

63By God, We sent messengers to communities before you, but Satan made their deeds fair-seeming to them. He is their ally today, and a severe punishment awaits them.

64We revealed the Scripture to you, so you may clarify for them what they dispute, and as guidance and mercy for believers.

65God sends down water from the sky, thereby reviving the earth after its demise. In this, there is a sign for those who listen.

66There is a lesson for you in livestock: We give you drink from within them. From what’s in their bellies, between excretions and blood, we produce for you pure milk, pleasant for those who drink it.

67And from the fruits of date palms and grapevines, you obtain sugar and good provision. In this, there is a sign for those who think.

68Your Lord inspired the bee: “Establish your hives in the mountains, the trees, and what they construct.”

69Then, feed on the various fruits, and traverse the paths of your Lord with precision. From within their bodies comes a syrup of varying colors, wherein there is healing for people. In this, there is a sign for those who ponder.

70God created you; then He will cause you to die. Some of you will be reduced to the most feeble age, so they don’t know anything after having known. God is All-Knowing, Most Capable.

71God has favored some of you with more provisions than others. Yet those who are favored wouldn’t hand over their provision to those whom their right hands possess so they become equal to them therein. Do they then deny God’s blessings?

72God created spouses for you from among yourselves, and through them, He blessed you with children and grandchildren. And He provided you with good things of sustenance. Will they believe in falsehoods and show ingratitude for God’s blessings?

73They worship powerless idols instead of God, idols that don’t have the power to provide for them from the heavens and the earth.

74So, don’t set up parallels to God. God knows, and you don’t know.

75God presents an example: A slave, powerless and owned by his master, versus a man whom We’ve provided with a good livelihood, which he spends secretly and openly. Can they be considered equal? Praise be to God, but most of them don’t know.

76God illustrates another example: Two men, one mute, incapable of doing anything useful, is completely dependent on his master; no matter how he directs him, he brings nothing good. Can he be compared to one who promotes justice and follows a straight path?

77To God belongs the unseen realms of the heavens and the earth. The coming of the Hour is as swift as the blink of an eye, or even swifter. God has power over everything.

78God brought you out of your mothers’ wombs, devoid of knowledge. He endowed you with hearing, sight, and intellect, that perhaps you would be grateful.

79Don’t they see the birds suspended in mid-air? None sustains them except God. In this, there are signs for those who believe.

80God provided you with homes for your comfort, and tents made from the hides of animals for your necessities during your travels and periods of rest. He gave you from their wool, fur, and hair, furnishings and goods for a time.

81God has given you shade from what He created, and has provided you with retreats in the mountains. He gave you clothing to protect you from the heat, and armor to protect you from your violence. Thus, He perfects His blessings on you, that you may submit.

82If they turn away, your duty is clear communication.

83They recognize God’s blessings, yet they reject them, for the majority of them are ungrateful.

84On the Day when We summon a witness from every community, those who disbelieved won’t be allowed to present excuses, nor will they be pardoned.

85When the wrongdoers witness the punishment, it won’t be lessened for them, nor will they be granted delay.

86When those who associated partners with God see their supposed partners, they will cry, “Our Lord, these are our partners whom we invoked besides You.” But they will throw back at them the words, “You are liars!”

87On that Day, they will surrender to God, and all their invented claims will desert them.

88For those who disbelieve and obstruct others from God’s path, We will add to their punishment because of their misconduct.

89On the Day when We summon a witness from every community against them, We bring you as a witness against these. We revealed to you the Scripture, clarifying all things—a guide, mercy, and good news for those who submit.

90God commands justice, kindness, and giving to relatives. He prohibits immorality, injustice, and oppression. He advises you, so you may be mindful.

91Fulfill your commitments to God, and don’t violate your oaths after their confirmation, having made God your guarantor. God knows all that you do.

92Don’t be like the woman who unravels her finely spun thread, making your oaths a means of deceit among yourselves. God tests you in this manner. On the Day of Resurrection, He will clarify for you everything you disputed.

93If God had willed, He could’ve made you one community, but He misguides whom He wills and guides whom He wills. You’ll be questioned about your actions.

94Don’t make your oaths a means of deception between you, lest your footing slips after being firm, and you suffer distress for hindering others from God’s path, and incur a terrible punishment.

95Don’t trade God’s covenant for a trivial gain; what God prepared for you is far superior, if only you knew.

96What you have will run out, but what God has remains. We will reward those who are patient according to their best deeds.

97Whoever acts righteously, male or female, and is a believer, We will grant them a good life and reward them according to their best deeds.

98When you read the Quran, seek refuge in God from Satan, the outcast.

99He has no authority over those who believe and trust in their Lord.

100His influence extends only to those who take him as an ally and those who associate partners with Him.

101When We replace one verse with another—and God knows best what He reveals—they say, “YYou are just making things up.” Yet, most of them lack knowledge.

102Say, “The Holy Spirit brought it down from your Lord, in truth, to stabilize those who believe, and as guidance and good news for the Submitters.”

103We know they say, “A human is teaching him.” The language of the one they maliciously allude to is foreign, yet this is in clear Arabic.

104Those who don’t believe in God’s revelations—God won’t guide them, and for them is a painful punishment.

105Those who deny God’s revelations are the ones who fabricate falsehoods and are untruthful.

106Anyone who rejects God after having faith—except for one who is coerced while his heart remains firm in faith—but anyone who opens their heart to disbelief, upon them descends God’s wrath, and a grave punishment awaits them.

107That is because they favor the worldly life over the Hereafter. And God doesn’t guide the disbelieving people.

108They are the ones God sealed their hearts, their hearing, and their sight. They are the ones who are heedless.

109No doubt, they will be the losers in the Hereafter.

110However, to those who emigrated after being persecuted, and who strived and showed patience, your Lord, in return, is forgiving and merciful.

111On that Day, every soul will come pleading for itself, and every soul will be fully compensated for what it has done, and they won’t be wronged.

112God presents an example of a secure and peaceful city, its provisions arriving abundantly from every direction. But it showed ingratitude for God’s blessings, so God made it taste the cloak of hunger and fear, as a consequence of their deeds.

113A messenger from themselves had come to them, but they denied him. So, the punishment seized them while they were wrongdoers.

114So, eat from what God provided for you, lawful and good, and be grateful for God’s favor, if you truly worship Him.

115He only forbade you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and what has been consecrated to other than God. But if one is compelled by necessity, without willful disobedience or transgression, God is Forgiving and Merciful.

116Don’t say, falsely, with your tongues: “This is lawful, and this is unlawful,” in order to invent lies about God. Those who fabricate lies against God don’t succeed.

117A brief enjoyment, then they will have a severe punishment.

118We’ve detailed to you the prohibitions imposed on the Jews; We didn’t wrong them, but they used to wrong themselves.

119As for those who commit evil deeds inadvertently, but later repent and reform, your Lord, after that, is Forgiving and Merciful.

120Abraham was an exemplary leader, devoutly obedient to God, a monotheist, and he wasn’t among the polytheists.

121Being appreciative of His blessings, He chose him and guided him to a straight path.

122We granted him goodness in this life, and in the Hereafter, he will be among the righteous.

123Then, We revealed to you: Follow the religious path of Abraham, the devout monotheist, who was not of the polytheists.”

124The Sabbath was only instituted for those in dispute over it. Your Lord will resolve their disputes on Resurrection Day.

125Invite to the path of your Lord through wisdom and kind advice, and engage in discussions in the most courteous manner. Your Lord knows best who strays from His path, and He knows best those who are rightly guided.

126If you retaliate, then retaliate proportionately to the offense committed against you. However, if you endure, it is indeed better for those who are patient.

127Be patient; your patience is solely through God. Don’t grieve over them, and don’t be distressed by their plots.

128God is with the righteous, and those who do good deeds.