Essence of the Holy Qur’an — Page 35
35 Chapter 16 An-Na h l / 0 (Revealed before Hijrah) Date of Revelation and Context This S u rah was revealed at Mecca. Ibn ‘Abb a s makes an exception of vv. 96, 97 and 98, which according to him were revealed at Medina. Professor Noldeke, however, thinks that the S u rah was revealed at Mecca with the exception of vv. 44, 112, 120, 121 and 126. It is prefaced with no abbreviated letters. As the subject-matter of a S u rah is an amplification and expansion of the abbreviated letters placed at its head and is governed by them, the subject- matter of a S u rah which has no abbreviated letters constitutes, in fact, a continuation of the subject-matter of the preceding S u rah which has abbreviated letters in its beginning; and is subject to, and governed by, those abbreviated letters. Thus the subject-matter of this S u rah should be considered as a continuation of the subject-matter of the preceding S u rah (Al- H ijr) and should be taken as governed by the letters Alif L a m R a , placed in the beginning of that S u rah ; only the method of approach and treatment of the subject is different. Subject-Matter Quite appropriately the S u rah has been given the title of An-Na h l (lit. the Bee), because by a reference to the natural instinct of the bee which has been termed Wa h i in the Qur’ a n (16:69) attention is drawn to the fact that the entire universe depends for its smooth and successful working on Wa h i , whether manifest or hidden, direct or indirect. This subject constitutes the pivot or basic theme of the S u rah. Moreover, the subject of Jih a d has been introduced here as an important subject. As Jih a d was to become the target of attacks from all quarters, it is hinted that, like honey, which is protected by the bee from undue interference by its God-given sting, the Qur’ a n which is a storehouse of spiritual honey shall be protected by the use of force which Muslims will have to employ to protect it. Believers are then told that if they wish their kith and kin to accept the Qur’ a n they should see that their own hearts are cleansed because without purity of heart it is impossible to know God. God does not compel anyone to accept the truth, because by using force the very purpose of religion is defeated. Next, the S u rah enters into a discussion of the Life after death and it is stated that even in this world nations are resurrected and given a new life, and it is with their Hijrah (Emigration) that their resurrection begins. Accordingly, the Holy Prophet also would have to leave his native place and emigrate to Medina because it was essential for the spiritual development of his followers that they should be separated from disbelievers and be educated and trained in the