16. Sura al-Nahl
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَأَوْحَى رَبُّكَ
إِلَى النَّحْلِ
أَنِ اتَّخِذِي
مِنَ الْجِبَالِ
بُيُوتًا وَمِنَ
الشَّجَرِ...
16: 68. And thy Lord taught the Bee to build its cells in hills, on trees,
C2097. Auha: wahyan ordinarily means inspiration, the Message put into the mind or heart by Allah.
Here the Bee's instinct is referred to Allah's teaching, which it undoubtedly is. In 99:5, it is applied to the earth; we shall discuss the precise meaning when we come to that passage.
The honey-comb, itself, with its hexagonal cells, geometrically perfect, is a wonderful structure, and is well called buyut, homes. And the way the bee finds out inaccessible places, in the hills, in the trees, and even among the habitations of men, is one of the marvels of Allah's working in His Creation.
... وَمِمَّا يَعْرِشُونَ ﴿٦٨﴾
and in (men's) habitations;
ثُمَّ
كُلِي مِن
كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ ...
16: 69. Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth),
C2098. The bee assimilates the juice of various kinds of flowers and fruit, and forms within its body the honey which it stores in its cells of wax.
The different kinds of food from which it makes its honey give different colours to the honey, e.g., it is dark-brown, light-brown, yellow, white, and so on. The taste and flavour also varies, as in the case of heather honey, the honey formed from scented flowers, and so on. As food it is sweet and wholesome, and it is used in medicine.
Note that while the instinctive individual acts are described in the singular number, the produce of "their bodies"is described in the plural, as the result of their collective effort.
... فَاسْلُكِي سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلاً...
and find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord:
C2099. Zululan: two meanings are possible;
- ways easy and spacious, referring to the unerring way in which bees find their way from long distances to their combs; and
- the idea of humility and obedience in them.
From both we can derive a metaphorical and spiritual meaning.
... يَخْرُجُ مِن بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهُ فِيهِ شِفَاء لِلنَّاسِ...
there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colors, wherein is healing for men:
... إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لآيَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ﴿٦٩﴾
verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought.
16: 68
Asad And thy Sustainer has inspired the bee: “ Prepare for yourself dwellings in mountains and in trees, and in what may build
Pickthall And thy Lord inspired the bee, saying: Choose thou habitations in the hills and in the trees and in that which they thatch;
Transliteration Wa auha_ rabbuka ilan nahli an-ittakhizi minal jiba_li buyu_taw wa minasy syajari wa mimma_ ya'risyu_n(a).
16: 69
Asad and then eat of all manner of fruit, and follow humbly the paths ordained for you by your Sustainer.” [And lo!] there issues from within these a fluid of many hues, wherein there is health for man. In all this, behold, there is a message indeed for people who think!
Pickthall Then eat of all fruits, and follow the ways of thy Lord, made smooth (for thee). There cometh forth from their bellies a drink diverse of hues, wherein is healing for mankind. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for people who reflect.
Transliteration Summa kuli min kullis samara_ti fa-sluki subula rabbiki zulula_(n), yakhruju mim butu_niha_ syara_bum mukhtalifun alwa_nuh(u_), fihi syifa_'ul lin na_s(i), inna fi za_lika la a_yatal liqaumiy yatafakkaru_n(a).