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An-Nahl (The Bee)
Name
The name, An-Nahl, of this Surah has been taken from v. 68. This is merely
to distinguish it from other Surahs.
Period of Revelation
The following internal evidence shows that this Surah was revealed during
the last Makkan stage of Prophethood:
- V. 41 clearly shows that persecution had forced some Muslims to emigrate
to Habash before the revelation of this Surah.
- It is evident from v. 106 that at that time the persecution of the
Muslims was at its height. Therefore a problem had arisen in regard
to the utterance of a blasphemous word, without actual disbelief, under
unbearable conditions. The problem was that if one did so how he should
be treated.
- VV. 112-114 clearly refer to the end of seven year famine that had
struck Makkah some years after the appointment of the Holy Prophet as
Allah's Messenger.
- There is a reference to V 116 of this Surah in VI: 145, and v. 118
of this Surah contains a reference to VI: 146. This is a proof that
both these Surahs (VI and XVI) were sent down in the same period.
The general style of the Surah also supports the view that this was
revealed during the last stage at Makkah.
Central Theme
All the topics of the Surah revolve round different aspects of the Message,
ie., refutation of shirk, proof of Tauhid, and warning of the consequences
of the rejection of and opposition and antagonism to the Message.
Topics of Discussion
The very first verse gives direct and strict warning to those who were
rejecting the Message outright, as if to say, "Allah's decision has already
been made concerning your rejection of the Message. Why are you then clamoring
for hastening it? Why don't you make use of the respite that is being
given to you!" And this was exactly what the disbelievers of Makkah needed
at the time of the revelation of this Surah. For they challenged the Holy
Prophet over and over again: "Why don't you bring that scourge with which
you have been threatening us! For we have not only rejected your Message
but have been openly opposing it for a long time." Such a challenge had
become a by-word with them, which they frequently repeated as a clear
proof that Muhammad (Allah's peace be upon him) was not a true Prophet.
Immediately after this warning they have been admonished to give up shirk,
for this false creed was the main obstacle in the way of the Message.
Then the following topics come over and over again, one after the other:
- Very convincing proofs of Tauhid and refutation of shirk have been
based on the plain signs in the universe and in man's own self.
- The objections of the disbelievers have been answered, their arguments
refuted, their doubts removed and their false pretexts exposed.
- Warnings have given of the consequences of persistence in false ways
and antagonism to the Message.
- The moral changes which the Message of the Holy Prophet aims to bring
practically in human life have been presented briefly in an appealing
manner. The mushriks have been told that belief in Allah, which they
also professed, demanded that it should not be confined merely to lip
service, but this creed should take a definite shape in moral and practical
life.
- The Holy Prophet and his companions have been comforted and told about
the attitude they should adopt in the face of antagonism and persecution
by the disbelievers.
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