Surah An-Nahl, Ayah 121-128 — Word by Word
النحل
The Bee
Explanations are simplified from tafsirs by Ibn Kathir, Mufti Muhammad Shafi, and Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. Spot an inaccuracy? Let us know.
shākiran li-anʿumihi ij'tabāhu wahadāhu ilā ṣirāṭin mus'taqīmin
[He was] grateful for His favors. He [i.e., Allāh] chose him and guided him to a straight path.
waātaynāhu fī l-dun'yā ḥasanatan wa-innahu fī l-ākhirati lamina l-ṣāliḥīna
And We gave him good in this world, and indeed, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.
thumma awḥaynā ilayka ani ittabiʿ millata ib'rāhīma ḥanīfan wamā kāna mina l-mush'rikīna
Then We revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], to follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate with Allāh.
innamā juʿila l-sabtu ʿalā alladhīna ikh'talafū fīhi wa-inna rabbaka layaḥkumu baynahum yawma l-qiyāmati fīmā kānū fīhi yakhtalifūna
The sabbath was only appointed for those who differed over it. And indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.
ud'ʿu ilā sabīli rabbika bil-ḥik'mati wal-mawʿiẓati l-ḥasanati wajādil'hum bi-allatī hiya aḥsanu inna rabbaka huwa aʿlamu biman ḍalla ʿan sabīlihi wahuwa aʿlamu bil-muh'tadīna
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.
wa-in ʿāqabtum faʿāqibū bimith'li mā ʿūqib'tum bihi wala-in ṣabartum lahuwa khayrun lilṣṣābirīna
And if you punish [an enemy, O believers], punish with an equivalent of that with which you were harmed. But if you are patient - it is better for those who are patient.
wa-iṣ'bir wamā ṣabruka illā bil-lahi walā taḥzan ʿalayhim walā taku fī ḍayqin mimmā yamkurūna
And be patient, [O Muḥammad], and your patience is not but through Allāh. And do not grieve over them and do not be in distress over what they conspire.
inna l-laha maʿa alladhīna ittaqaw wa-alladhīna hum muḥ'sinūna
Indeed, Allāh is with those who fear Him and those who are doers of good.