Names
This surah is called An-Nahl. [135] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/281; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 14/93; Tafsir Abi Zahrah, 8/4120.
It was narrated from Ubayy ibn Ka?b (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: I heard a man reciting Surat An-Nahl with a recitation that was different from mine, then I heard another man reciting it with a recitation that was different from that. I took them to the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and said: I heard these two men reciting Surat An-Nahl and I asked them who had taught them, and they said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)? [136] Narrated by At-Tabari in At-Tafsir, 38.
Makki or Madani?
Surat An-Nahl is a Makki surah. [137] See: Abu ?Amr Ad-Dani: Al-Bayan fi ?Addi Ayi Al-Qur?an, p. 175; Tafsir Al-Mawardi, 3/177; Al-Wahidi: Al-Wasit, 3/177.
Objectives
The most important objectives of Surat An-Nahl include:
Establishing proof of the oneness of Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, and the Last Day, and affirming the truthfulness of the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and what he brought. [138] See: At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 8/96.
Refuting the specious arguments of the polytheists, rebuking them for the path they were following, and warning them. [139] See: Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 13/77; At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 8/96.
Highlighting the favours of Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, and the blessings He bestows upon His creation. [140] See: At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 8/96.
Topics?????
The most significant topics addressed in Surat An-Nahl include:
Affirming that the Day of Resurrection is true, and that it will undoubtedly come to pass.
Affirming the oneness of Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, and that He is able to create the heavens and the earth, to create humans and animals, to send down rain from the sky, to subjugate the sun and moon, night and day, and so on.
Various blessings that are bestowed upon humanity, including the benefits that are livestock animals, and other, innumerable, blessings.
Warning by pointing out what befell previous nations who ascribed partners to Allah and rejected His Messengers (peace be upon them) of punishment in this world and what awaits them of punishment in the hereafter; contrasting that with the blessings bestowed upon the pious believers and those who bear with patience the harm caused by the polytheists; mention of those who migrated for the sake of Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted,.
The custom during the Jahiliyyah of hating daughters and burying them alive.
Giving likenesses of the believer and the disbeliever, the one who is grateful and the one who is ungrateful, and the true God and the false gods.
The situation of the polytheists with their idols on the Day of Resurrection.
Mention of some noble characteristics, such as justice, kindness and generosity; prohibition of immorality, evil and wrongdoing; calling people to fulfil covenants and prohibition on breaking covenants, promises and oaths.
Mention of some of the specious arguments that the polytheists came up with about the Qur?an, and refutation of those arguments.
Highlighting some of the etiquette to be observed by the believer when reading reciting the Holy Qur?an.
Some elements of the story of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) as an example to those who are grateful.
Stating that what is lawful and what is prohibited is determined by Allah alone.
The ruling on one who disbelieves after having believed, one who is forced to utter words of disbelief while his heart remains steadfast in faith, and those who were persecuted for their faith, then they migrated, strove in jihad, and remained patient and steadfast.
The most important approaches in calling people to Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, and in interacting with people, such as calling with wisdom and beautiful preaching, debating in the manner that is best, the virtue of patience, and so on.