Surah An-Nahl (The Bee)

Named "An-Nahl" ("The Bee") after the passage describing the bee, which is inspired to produce honey as a sign of God's design.

Surah An-Nahl is the 16th chapter of the Quran, traditionally classified as Meccan, comprising 128 ayahs. It is often called the Surah of Blessings because it enumerates God's countless favors throughout creation and human life. The chapter surveys the heavens and earth, rainfall and vegetation, livestock, the sea, mountains, day and night, and the stars as ordered signs pointing to a single Creator. Its namesake passage describes the bee, guided to gather from diverse sources and yield honey with healing benefit, presented as a marvel of divine inspiration. The surah contrasts gratitude with denial, addresses objections raised against revelation, and warns against attributing partners to God. It also discusses justice, kindness, honoring covenants, and patience under trial, and it closes with counsel on inviting others to the path of God with wisdom and good speech.

Surah number: 16
Revelation: Meccan
Ayahs: 128
Arabic: النحل

Read Surah An-Nahl online — full Arabic text with the Pickthall English translation.

Main themes

Enumeration of God's favors in creation
The bee and honey as signs of divine design
Affirmation of God's oneness against idolatry
Gratitude, justice, and fulfilling covenants
Guidance on inviting others with wisdom
Patience and trust amid opposition

Why this surah matters

An-Nahl is widely valued for its sweeping catalog of natural signs, which has made it a favored source for reflection on gratitude and God's providence. Its closing counsel to call others to God with wisdom and beautiful exhortation is among the most frequently cited guidance on how believers should share their faith. The verse mentioning honey's benefit is often referenced in discussions of the natural world. The surah's rich imagery and moral instruction give it a prominent place in devotional reading, though it assigns no fixed ritual obligation.

Frequently asked questions

Why is it called "The Bee"?

A passage describes the bee being inspired to gather nectar and produce honey, presented as one of the signs of God's wisdom in creation.

What is the main theme of Surah An-Nahl?

It centers on recounting God's numerous favors in the natural world and human life, calling for gratitude and recognition of His oneness.

Is An-Nahl Meccan or Medinan?

It is traditionally regarded as Meccan, though some scholars consider a few of its final verses to have been revealed later.

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