Background Information of Surah An-Nahl
Context and Revelation: Surah An-Nahl explores how Allah interacts with humanity, reveals Himself, and manifests His message through creation. Surah An-Nahl, consisting of 128 verses, was revealed in Mecca.
Key Themes and Messages
Divine Creation as Evidence:
Testament to Allah’s Power: The Surah points to the natural world—day and night, the sun, the moon, seas, and mountains—as services rendered to humans, all testifying to Allah’s omnipotence and generosity.
Purpose of Creation: These elements of nature are signs (Ayat) meant to guide the wise towards gratitude and recognition of Allah’s sovereignty.
Divine Grace and Human Responsibility:
Reflection on Blessings: Emphasizes the importance of contemplating the many gifts from Allah as a path leading directly to Him.
Consequences of Disbelief: Warns of severe punishment awaiting those who deny Allah and engage in sinful conspiracies against His divine order.
Prophetic Guidance:
Universal Messengership: Asserts that Allah sent prophets to every community, guiding them towards righteousness. Those who reject this guidance face dire consequences.
Role of Prophets in Testimony: Prophets will bear witness against those who rejected the truth, reinforcing the accountability of each individual on the Day of Judgment.
Natural Submission and Human Arrogance:
Universal Praise: All creation, except often ungrateful humans, naturally submits and praises Allah.
Idolatry Condemned: Critiques the human tendency to worship other deities, ignoring the clear signs of Allah’s sole divinity.
Blessings of Nature and Society:
Sustenance from Nature: Highlights blessings like rain, animals as food sources, and bees producing honey as examples of Allah’s provision.
Social Harmony: Points to the beneficial relationships within families and communities that reflect divine wisdom and foster a humane civilization.
Moral and Ethical Living:
Call to Righteousness: Encourages living a just life filled with good deeds, emphasizing that Allah will judge humans based on their actions.
Reception of Divine Message:
Staged Revelation: Discusses how Allah’s message, like the Quran, may come in stages but provides strength, guidance, and glad tidings to the believers.
Acceptance of Law and Enjoyment within Limits: Encourages enjoying Allah’s lawful bounties with gratitude while obeying His laws and maintaining purity and righteousness, drawing parallels to the virtues exemplified by Prophet Abraham.
Topical Analysis of Rukus
Ruku 1: Verses 1-9
Allah is talking about the coming of the Day of Judgment and that there is no god but Him.
God is talking about the animals He has given to man as blessings.
Ruku 2: Verses 10-21
Allah gives examples of the blessings He has given us and invites us to think about it and find Himself.
Ruku 3: Verses 22-25
Allah speaks about the arrogant people who do not believe in the Hereafter and lead others astray from the right path.
Ruku 4: Verses 26-34
The questions that will be asked in the hereafter to those who associate partners with Allah, the excuses they will make when they see the torment and the response they will hear are revealed.
It is explained how their souls will be taken by the angels.
The rewards awaiting believers in this world and in the hereafter, how their souls will be taken by angels and the words they will hear are revealed.
Ruku 5: Verses 35-40
The excuses that those who deny Allah make in this world are mentioned and Allah responds to these excuses.
Ruku 6: Verses 41-50
Allah is talking about those who had to migrate for their religion.
The duties of the prophets are clarified.
Allah calls out to those who are hostile to Islam, and the common aspect of everything created is explained.
Ruku 7: Verses 51-60
Allah reminds us that there is no god but Him and that everything belongs to Him.
The ingratitude of the unbelievers towards Allah is mentioned.
Those who dedicate God’s gifts to other gods and those who believe that the angels are God’s daughters are addressed.
God talks about those who are ashamed of having a daughter.
Ruku 8: Verses 61-65
Allah explains why He delays the account of the people to the day of judgement, the falsehood that the pagans made themselves believe in, and what happened to the ancient nations to whom prophets were sent.
Allah explains the reason for the descent of the Qur’an and talks about a miracle that those who seek the truth should ponder over.
Ruku 9: Verses 66-70
Allah speaks of the blessings and miracles He bestowed upon mankind.
Allah is talking about the orders He gave to the honey bee.
Ruku 10: Verses 71-76
By giving examples that pagans can understand from their lives, Allah directs them to think about the deities they have acquired.
Ruku 11: Verses 77-83
Allah tells us how the Doomsday will be.
By talking about the blessings God has given to people, He invites people to reflect on them and be grateful to Him.
Ruku 12: Verses 84-89
Allah explains that on the Day of Judgment He will bring a witness from every nation.
The situations that the pagans will fall into on that day and the conversations between them and the deities they associate as partners with Allah are revealed.
Ruku 13: Verses 90-100
Allah explains some of the commands He gave to mankind.
Allah is talking about promises and oaths made by people who say that God is their witness.
Things that await men and women who do righteous deeds are announced.
The power of Satan over people is revealed.
Ruku 14: Verses 101-110
Allah is speaking about the infidels who argue that the Qur’an is not divine, and those who have erased their faith from their hearts for the sake of worldly things.
Ruku 15: Verses 111-119
Allah describes the state of the people in the Day of Judgement and the justice system there.
Allah speaks of a country that was ungrateful to His blessings.
Allah explains the blessings that are permissible.
He talks about people who determine halal (permissible) and haram (forbidden) without any evidence.
God speaks of those who sin unknowingly or out of ignorance.
Ruku 16: Verses 120-128
Allah is talking about Abraham (pbuh).
He talks about the jewish holiday on Saturday.
Allah teaches His Prophet (pbuh) how he should call people to faith and tells him what to do in response to the treatment he receives.
Allah teaches us how a muslim should respond to the evil he has suffered.
