Surah An-Nahl Recitation, Translation, and Tafseer - The Holy Quran

16:81

وَ اللّٰهُ جَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِّمَّا خَلَقَ ظِلٰلًا وَّ جَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِّنَ الْجِبَالِ اَكْنَانًا وَّ جَعَلَ لَكُمْ سَرَابِیْلَ تَقِیْكُمُ الْحَرَّ وَ سَرَابِیْلَ تَقِیْكُمْ بَاْسَكُمْؕ-كَذٰلِكَ یُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهٗ عَلَیْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُسْلِمُوْنَ(۸۱)

God has given you of things created, shade, and places of shelter in the mountains, and clothes for protection against the heat, and coats (of mail) for defence during war. He thus bestows His favours on you so that you may be grateful to Him.

It is Allah Who made out of the things He created, some things to give you shade; of the hills He made some for your shelter; He made you garments to protect you from heat, and coats of mail to protect you from your (mutual) violence. Thus does He complete His favours on you, that ye may bow to His Will (in Islam).

16:82

فَاِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَاِنَّمَا عَلَیْكَ الْبَلٰغُ الْمُبِیْنُ(۸۲)

If they still turn away, your duty is to warn them in clear terms.

But if they turn away, thy duty is only to preach the clear Message.

16:83

یَعْرِفُوْنَ نِعْمَتَ اللّٰهِ ثُمَّ یُنْكِرُوْنَهَا وَ اَكْثَرُهُمُ الْكٰفِرُوْنَ۠(۸۳)

They do know the favours of God, and yet they deny them, for most of them are not grateful.

They recognise the favours of Allah; then they deny them; and most of them are (creatures) ungrateful.

16:84

وَ یَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ مِنْ كُلِّ اُمَّةٍ شَهِیْدًا ثُمَّ لَا یُؤْذَنُ لِلَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا وَ لَا هُمْ یُسْتَعْتَبُوْنَ(۸۴)

The day We shall call a witness from every people, the unbelievers will not be allowed to make excuses.

One Day We shall raise from all Peoples a Witness: then will no excuse be accepted from Unbelievers, nor will they receive any favours.

16:85

وَ اِذَا رَاَ الَّذِیْنَ ظَلَمُوا الْعَذَابَ فَلَا یُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمْ وَ لَا هُمْ یُنْظَرُوْنَ(۸۵)

And when the wicked shall face the torment it will not be decreased, nor will they be reprieved.

When the wrong-doers (actually) see the Penalty, then will it in no way be mitigated, nor will they then receive respite.

16:86

وَ اِذَا رَاَ الَّذِیْنَ اَشْرَكُوْا شُرَكَآءَهُمْ قَالُوْا رَبَّنَا هٰۤؤُلَآءِ شُرَكَآؤُنَا الَّذِیْنَ كُنَّا نَدْعُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِكَۚ-فَاَلْقَوْا اِلَیْهِمُ الْقَوْلَ اِنَّكُمْ لَكٰذِبُوْنَۚ(۸۶)

When the idolaters see their partners they will call out: "O our Lord, these are the partners we invoked instead of You;" but they will retort: "You are liars."

When those who gave partners to Allah will see their "partners", they will say: "Our Lord! these are our 'partners,' those whom we used to invoke besides Thee." But they will throw back their word at them (and say): "Indeed ye are liars!"

16:87

وَ اَلْقَوْا اِلَى اللّٰهِ یَوْمَىٕذِ ﹰالسَّلَمَ وَ ضَلَّ عَنْهُمْ مَّا كَانُوْا یَفْتَرُوْنَ(۸۷)

They will offer submission to God that Day, and the lies they fabricated will not be of the least avail.

That Day shall they (openly) show (their) submission to Allah; and all their inventions shall leave them in the lurch.

16:88

اَلَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا وَ صَدُّوْا عَنْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ زِدْنٰهُمْ عَذَابًا فَوْقَ الْعَذَابِ بِمَا كَانُوْا یُفْسِدُوْنَ(۸۸)

For those who deny the truth and obstruct (others) from the way of God, We shall add torment to torment as they were perpetrating corruption.

Those who reject Allah and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah - for them will We add Penalty to Penalty; for that they used to spread mischief.

16:89

وَ یَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ فِیْ كُلِّ اُمَّةٍ شَهِیْدًا عَلَیْهِمْ مِّنْ اَنْفُسِهِمْ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِیْدًا عَلٰى هٰۤؤُلَآءِؕ-وَ نَزَّلْنَا عَلَیْكَ الْكِتٰبَ تِبْیَانًا لِّكُلِّ شَیْءٍ وَّ هُدًى وَّ رَحْمَةً وَّ بُشْرٰى لِلْمُسْلِمِیْنَ۠(۸۹)

Remind them of the Day when We shall call from every people a witness against them, and make you a witness over them, for We have revealed to you the Book as an exposition of everything, and as guidance and grace and happy tidings for those who submit.

One day We shall raise from all Peoples a witness against them, from amongst themselves: and We shall bring thee as a witness against these (thy people): and We have sent down to thee the Book explaining all things, a Guide, a Mercy, and Glad Tidings to Muslims.

16:90

اِنَّ اللّٰهَ یَاْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَ الْاِحْسَانِ وَ اِیْتَآئِ ذِی الْقُرْبٰى وَ یَنْهٰى عَنِ الْفَحْشَآءِ وَ الْمُنْكَرِ وَ الْبَغْیِۚ-یَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُوْنَ(۹۰)

Verily God has enjoined justice, the doing of good, and the giving of gifts to your relatives; and forbidden indecency, impropriety and oppression. He warns you so that you may remember.

Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition.

16:91

وَ اَوْفُوْا بِعَهْدِ اللّٰهِ اِذَا عٰهَدْتُّمْ وَ لَا تَنْقُضُوا الْاَیْمَانَ بَعْدَ تَوْكِیْدِهَا وَ قَدْ جَعَلْتُمُ اللّٰهَ عَلَیْكُمْ كَفِیْلًاؕ-اِنَّ اللّٰهَ یَعْلَمُ مَا تَفْعَلُوْنَ(۹۱)

Fulfil your covenant with God, having made the covenant, and do not break your oaths once you have sworn them, as you have made God a witness over you. Indeed God knows what you do.

Fulfil the Covenant of Allah when ye have entered into it, and break not your oaths after ye have confirmed them; indeed ye have made Allah your surety; for Allah knoweth all that ye do.

16:92

وَ لَا تَكُوْنُوْا كَالَّتِیْ نَقَضَتْ غَزْلَهَا مِنْۢ بَعْدِ قُوَّةٍ اَنْكَاثًاؕ-تَتَّخِذُوْنَ اَیْمَانَكُمْ دَخَلًۢا بَیْنَكُمْ اَنْ تَكُوْنَ اُمَّةٌ هِیَ اَرْبٰى مِنْ اُمَّةٍؕ-اِنَّمَا یَبْلُوْكُمُ اللّٰهُ بِهٖؕ-وَ لَیُبَیِّنَنَّ لَكُمْ یَوْمَ الْقِیٰمَةِ مَا كُنْتُمْ فِیْهِ تَخْتَلِفُوْنَ(۹۲)

And do not be like her who untwists her yarn having spun it into durable thread. Do not use your oaths deceitfully because one party has ascendency over you. God surely tries you in this way: He will make it clear to you on the Day of Resurrection what you were differing about.

And be not like a woman who breaks into untwisted strands the yarn which she has spun, after it has become strong. Nor take your oaths to practise deception between yourselves, lest one party should be more numerous than another: for Allah will test you by this; and on the Day of Judgment He will certainly make clear to you (the truth of) that wherein ye disagree.

16:93

وَ لَوْ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ اُمَّةً وَّاحِدَةً وَّ لٰكِنْ یُّضِلُّ مَنْ یَّشَآءُ وَ یَهْدِیْ مَنْ یَّشَآءُؕ-وَ لَتُسْــٴَـلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُوْنَ(۹۳)

If God had pleased He would surely have made you a single community of belief; but He leads whosoever He wills astray, and guides whosoever He please. But you will surely be questioned about what you used to do.

If Allah so willed, He could make you all one people: But He leaves straying whom He pleases, and He guides whom He pleases: but ye shall certainly be called to account for all your actions.

16:94

وَ لَا تَتَّخِذُوْۤا اَیْمَانَكُمْ دَخَلًۢا بَیْنَكُمْ فَتَزِلَّ قَدَمٌۢ بَعْدَ ثُبُوْتِهَا وَ تَذُوْقُوا السُّوْٓءَ بِمَا صَدَدْتُّمْ عَنْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِۚ-وَ لَكُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِیْمٌ(۹۴)

So do not make your oaths a means of deceiving one another, lest your foot should slip after having found its hold, and you taste of evil for having hindered (others) from the way of God, and suffer a grievous punishment.

And take not your oaths, to practise deception between yourselves, with the result that someone's foot may slip after it was firmly planted, and ye may have to taste the evil (consequences) of having hindered (men) from the Path of Allah, and a Mighty Wrath descend on you.

16:95

وَ لَا تَشْتَرُوْا بِعَهْدِ اللّٰهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِیْلًاؕ-اِنَّمَا عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ هُوَ خَیْرٌ لَّكُمْ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُوْنَ(۹۵)

And do not trade God´s covenant for a paltry price. Remember, what is with God is better for you, if only you knew!

Nor sell the covenant of Allah for a miserable price: for with Allah is (a prize) far better for you, if ye only knew.

16:96

مَا عِنْدَكُمْ یَنْفَدُ وَ مَا عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ بَاقٍؕ-وَ لَنَجْزِیَنَّ الَّذِیْنَ صَبَرُوْۤا اَجْرَهُمْ بِاَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوْا یَعْمَلُوْنَ(۹۶)

For what you possess will pass, but what is with God will abide. We shall certainly award those who persevere a recompense in keeping with their deeds.

What is with you must vanish: what is with Allah will endure. And We will certainly bestow, on those who patiently persevere, their reward according to the best of their actions.

16:97

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّنْ ذَكَرٍ اَوْ اُنْثٰى وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْیِیَنَّهٗ حَیٰوةً طَیِّبَةًۚ-وَ لَنَجْزِیَنَّهُمْ اَجْرَهُمْ بِاَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوْا یَعْمَلُوْنَ(۹۷)

We shall invest whosoever works for good, whether man or woman, with a pleasant life, and reward them in accordance with the best of what they have done.

Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.

16:98

فَاِذَا قَرَاْتَ الْقُرْاٰنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّیْطٰنِ الرَّجِیْمِ(۹۸)

So, when you recite the Qur´an seek refuge in God from Satan the execrable.

When thou dost read the Qur'an, seek Allah's protection from Satan the rejected one.

16:99

اِنَّهٗ لَیْسَ لَهٗ سُلْطٰنٌ عَلَى الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَ عَلٰى رَبِّهِمْ یَتَوَكَّلُوْنَ(۹۹)

He does not have power over those who believe and place their trust in their Lord.

No authority has he over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord.

16:100

اِنَّمَا سُلْطٰنُهٗ عَلَى الَّذِیْنَ یَتَوَلَّوْنَهٗ وَ الَّذِیْنَ هُمْ بِهٖ مُشْرِكُوْنَ۠(۱۰۰)

His power is only over those who take him as their patron, and those who ascribe equals (to God).

His authority is over those only, who take him as patron and who join partners with Allah.

16:101

وَ اِذَا بَدَّلْنَاۤ اٰیَةً مَّكَانَ اٰیَةٍۙ-وَّ اللّٰهُ اَعْلَمُ بِمَا یُنَزِّلُ قَالُوْۤا اِنَّمَاۤ اَنْتَ مُفْتَرٍؕ-بَلْ اَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا یَعْلَمُوْنَ(۱۰۱)

When We replace a message with another -- and God knows best what He reveals -- they say: "You have made it up;" yet most of them do not know.

When We substitute one revelation for another,- and Allah knows best what He reveals (in stages),- they say, "Thou art but a forger": but most of them understand not.

16:102

قُلْ نَزَّلَهٗ رُوْحُ الْقُدُسِ مِنْ رَّبِّكَ بِالْحَقِّ لِیُثَبِّتَ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَ هُدًى وَّ بُشْرٰى لِلْمُسْلِمِیْنَ(۱۰۲)

You say: "It has been sent by divine grace from your Lord with truth to strengthen those who believe, and as guidance and good news for those who have submitted (to God)."

Say, the Holy Spirit has brought the revelation from thy Lord in Truth, in order to strengthen those who believe, and as a Guide and Glad Tidings to Muslims.

16:103

وَ لَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ اَنَّهُمْ یَقُوْلُوْنَ اِنَّمَا یُعَلِّمُهٗ بَشَرٌؕ-لِسَانُ الَّذِیْ یُلْحِدُوْنَ اِلَیْهِ اَعْجَمِیٌّ وَّ هٰذَا لِسَانٌ عَرَبِیٌّ مُّبِیْنٌ(۱۰۳)

Yet We know what they say: "It is only a man who instructs him." The speech of the man they imply is obscure while this is clear Arabic.

We know indeed that they say, "It is a man that teaches him." The tongue of him they wickedly point to is notably foreign, while this is Arabic, pure and clear.

16:104

اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ لَا یُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاٰیٰتِ اللّٰهِۙ-لَا یَهْدِیْهِمُ اللّٰهُ وَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ اَلِیْمٌ(۱۰۴)

Those who do not believe in the words of God are verily not guided by God. For them is severe punishment.

Those who believe not in the Signs of Allah,- Allah will not guide them, and theirs will be a grievous Penalty.

16:105

اِنَّمَا یَفْتَرِی الْكَذِبَ الَّذِیْنَ لَا یُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاٰیٰتِ اللّٰهِۚ-وَ اُولٰٓىٕكَ هُمُ الْكٰذِبُوْنَ(۱۰۵)

They alone invent lies who do not believe in the words of God, and they are liars.

It is those who believe not in the Signs of Allah, that forge falsehood: it is they who lie!

16:106

مَنْ كَفَرَ بِاللّٰهِ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ اِیْمَانِهٖۤ اِلَّا مَنْ اُكْرِهَ وَ قَلْبُهٗ مُطْمَىٕنٌّۢ بِالْاِیْمَانِ وَ لٰكِنْ مَّنْ شَرَحَ بِالْكُفْرِ صَدْرًا فَعَلَیْهِمْ غَضَبٌ مِّنَ اللّٰهِۚ-وَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِیْمٌ(۱۰۶)

Whosoever denies having once believed -- unless he is forced to do so while his heart enjoys the peace of faith -- and opens his mind to disbelief will suffer the wrath of God. Their punishment will be great,

Any one who, after accepting faith in Allah, utters Unbelief,- except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith - but such as open their breast to Unbelief, on them is Wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty.

16:107

ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّهُمُ اسْتَحَبُّوا الْحَیٰوةَ الدُّنْیَا عَلَى الْاٰخِرَةِۙ-وَ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا یَهْدِی الْقَوْمَ الْكٰفِرِیْنَ(۱۰۷)

For they loved the life of this world more than the life to come; and God does not guide those who do not believe.

This because they love the life of this world better than the Hereafter: and Allah will not guide those who reject Faith.

16:108

اُولٰٓىٕكَ الَّذِیْنَ طَبَعَ اللّٰهُ عَلٰى قُلُوْبِهِمْ وَ سَمْعِهِمْ وَ اَبْصَارِهِمْۚ-وَ اُولٰٓىٕكَ هُمُ الْغٰفِلُوْنَ(۱۰۸)

They are the ones whose hearts and ears and eyes have been sealed by God; and these are the heedless.

Those are they whose hearts, ears, and eyes Allah has sealed up, and they take no heed.

16:109

لَا جَرَمَ اَنَّهُمْ فِی الْاٰخِرَةِ هُمُ الْخٰسِرُوْنَ(۱۰۹)

They will surely be losers in the life to come,

Without doubt, in the Hereafter they will perish.

16:110

ثُمَّ اِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِیْنَ هَاجَرُوْا مِنْۢ بَعْدِ مَا فُتِنُوْا ثُمَّ جٰهَدُوْا وَ صَبَرُوْۤاۙ-اِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُوْرٌ رَّحِیْمٌ۠(۱۱۰)

But (to) those who were victimised and left their homes and then fought and endured patiently, your Lord will surely be forgiving and kind.

But verily thy Lord,- to those who leave their homes after trials and persecutions,- and who thereafter strive and fight for the faith and patiently persevere,- Thy Lord, after all this is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

16:111

یَوْمَ تَاْتِیْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ تُجَادِلُ عَنْ نَّفْسِهَا وَ تُوَفّٰى كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتْ وَ هُمْ لَا یُظْلَمُوْنَ(۱۱۱)

On the day when every soul will come pleading for itself, and every soul will be recompensed for what it had done, no one will be wronged.

One Day every soul will come up struggling for itself, and every soul will be recompensed (fully) for all its actions, and none will be unjustly dealt with.

16:112

وَ ضَرَبَ اللّٰهُ مَثَلًا قَرْیَةً كَانَتْ اٰمِنَةً مُّطْمَىٕنَّةً یَّاْتِیْهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا مِّنْ كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِاَنْعُمِ اللّٰهِ فَاَذَاقَهَا اللّٰهُ لِبَاسَ الْجُوْ عِ وَ الْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوْا یَصْنَعُوْنَ(۱۱۲)

God presents the example of a town which enjoyed peace and security, its provisions coming from everywhere in abundance, but it denied the favours of God; so God acquainted it with intimate hunger and fear (as punishment) for what they had done.

Allah sets forth a Parable: a city enjoying security and quiet, abundantly supplied with sustenance from every place: Yet was it ungrateful for the favours of Allah: so Allah made it taste of hunger and terror (in extremes) (closing in on it) like a garment (from every side), because of the (evil) which (its people) wrought.

16:113

وَ لَقَدْ جَآءَهُمْ رَسُوْلٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَكَذَّبُوْهُ فَاَخَذَهُمُ الْعَذَابُ وَ هُمْ ظٰلِمُوْنَ(۱۱۳)

An apostle came to them who was one of them, but they called him a liar. Then they were seized by torment for they were sinners.

And there came to them a Messenger from among themselves, but they falsely rejected him; so the Wrath seized them even in the midst of their iniquities.

16:114

فَكُلُوْا مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللّٰهُ حَلٰلًا طَیِّبًا۪-وَّ اشْكُرُوْا نِعْمَتَ اللّٰهِ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ اِیَّاهُ تَعْبُدُوْنَ(۱۱۴)

Eat the good and lawful of things that God has given you, and be grateful for the bounty of God, if you really worship Him.

So eat of the sustenance which Allah has provided for you, lawful and good; and be grateful for the favours of Allah, if it is He Whom ye serve.

16:115

اِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَیْكُمُ الْمَیْتَةَ وَ الدَّمَ وَ لَحْمَ الْخِنْزِیْرِ وَ مَاۤ اُهِلَّ لِغَیْرِ اللّٰهِ بِهٖۚ-فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَیْرَ بَاغٍ وَّ لَا عَادٍ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِیْمٌ(۱۱۵)

He has forbidden carrion and blood and the flesh of the swine, and what has been killed in the name of any other but God; but if one is driven by necessity (to eat it) without craving or reverting to it, then God is forgiving and kind.

He has only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and any (food) over which the name of other than Allah has been invoked. But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- then Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

16:116

وَ لَا تَقُوْلُوْا لِمَا تَصِفُ اَلْسِنَتُكُمُ الْكَذِبَ هٰذَا حَلٰلٌ وَّ هٰذَا حَرَامٌ لِّتَفْتَرُوْا عَلَى اللّٰهِ الْكَذِبَؕ-اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ یَفْتَرُوْنَ عَلَى اللّٰهِ الْكَذِبَ لَا یُفْلِحُوْنَؕ(۱۱۶)

Do not utter the lies your tongues make up: "This is lawful, and this is forbidden," in order to impute lies to God; for they who impute lies to God will not find fulfilment.

But say not - for any false thing that your tongues may put forth,- "This is lawful, and this is forbidden," so as to ascribe false things to Allah. For those who ascribe false things to Allah, will never prosper.

16:117

مَتَاعٌ قَلِیْلٌ۪-وَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ اَلِیْمٌ(۱۱۷)

For them there is some enjoyment, but the punishment is painful.

(In such falsehood) is but a paltry profit; but they will have a most grievous Penalty.

16:118

وَ عَلَى الَّذِیْنَ هَادُوْا حَرَّمْنَا مَا قَصَصْنَا عَلَیْكَ مِنْ قَبْلُۚ-وَ مَا ظَلَمْنٰهُمْ وَ لٰكِنْ كَانُوْۤا اَنْفُسَهُمْ یَظْلِمُوْنَ(۱۱۸)

We have already told you what We have forbidden the Jews. We did not wrong them, they wronged themselves.

To the Jews We prohibited such things as We have mentioned to thee before: We did them no wrong, but they were used to doing wrong to themselves.

16:119

ثُمَّ اِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِیْنَ عَمِلُوا السُّوْٓءَ بِجَهَالَةٍ ثُمَّ تَابُوْا مِنْۢ بَعْدِ ذٰلِكَ وَ اَصْلَحُوْۤاۙ-اِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُوْرٌ رَّحِیْمٌ۠(۱۱۹)

To those who do wrong out of ignorance, then repent and correct themselves, your Lord is indeed forgiving and kind.

But verily thy Lord,- to those who do wrong in ignorance, but who thereafter repent and make amends,- thy Lord, after all this, is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

16:120

اِنَّ اِبْرٰهِیْمَ كَانَ اُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِّلّٰهِ حَنِیْفًاؕ-وَ لَمْ یَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِیْنَۙ(۱۲۰)

Abraham was certainly a model of faith, obedient to God and upright, and not one of idolaters,

Abraham was indeed a model, devoutly obedient to Allah, (and) true in Faith, and he joined not gods with Allah: