Name
The name, An-Nahl, of this Surah has been taken from v. 68. This is merely to
distinguish it from other Surahs.
Period of Revelation
The following internal evidence shows that this Surah was revealed during the
last Makkan stage of Prophethood:
- V. 41 clearly shows that persecution had forced some Muslims to emigrate
to Habash before the revelation of this Surah.
- It is evident from v. 106 that at that time the persecution of the Muslims
was at its height. Therefore a problem had arisen in regard to the utterance
of a blasphemous word, without actual disbelief, under unbearable conditions.
The problem was that if one did so how he should be treated.
- VV. 112-114 clearly refer to the end of seven year famine that had struck
Makkah some years after the appointment of the Holy Prophet as Allah's
Messenger.
- There is a reference to V 116 of this Surah in VI: 145, and v. 118 of this
Surah contains a reference to VI: 146. This is a proof that both these Surahs
(VI and XVI) were sent down in the same period.
The general style of the Surah also supports the view that this was revealed
during the last stage at Makkah.
Central Theme
All the topics of the Surah revolve round different aspects of the Message,
ie., refutation of shirk, proof of Tauhid, and warning of the
consequences of the rejection of and opposition and antagonism to the Message.
Topics of Discussion
The very first verse gives direct and strict warning to those who were
rejecting the Message outright, as if to say, "Allah's decision has already been
made concerning your rejection of the Message. Why are you then clamoring for
hastening it? Why don't you make use of the respite that is being given to you!"
And this was exactly what the disbelievers of Makkah needed at the time of the
revelation of this Surah. For they challenged the Holy Prophet over and over
again: "Why don't you bring that scourge with which you have been threatening
us! For we have not only rejected your Message but have been openly opposing it
for a long time." Such a challenge had become a by-word with them, which they
frequently repeated as a clear proof that Muhammad (Allah's peace be upon him)
was not a true Prophet.
Immediately after this warning they have been admonished to give up
shirk, for this false creed was the main obstacle in the way of the
Message. Then the following topics come over and over again, one after the
other:
- Very convincing proofs of Tauhid and refutation of shirk
have been based on the plain signs in the universe and in man's own self.
- The objections of the disbelievers have been answered, their arguments
refuted, their doubts removed and their false pretexts exposed.
- Warnings have given of the consequences of persistence in false ways and
antagonism to the Message.
- The moral changes which the Message of the Holy Prophet aims to bring
practically in human life have been presented briefly in an appealing manner.
The mushriks have been told that belief in Allah, which they also
professed, demanded that it should not be confined merely to lip service, but
this creed should take a definite shape in moral and practical life.
- The Holy Prophet and his companions have been comforted and told about the
attitude they should adopt in the face of antagonism and persecution by the
disbelievers.