Surat An-Nahl (النحل) (The Bees) was revealed in Mecca. Many scholars call it “The Surat of Blessings (سورة النعم) because its theme is the numeration of the blessing of Allah.  The Surat highlights two facts:

1. Allah is the provider of all blessings.

وَمَا بِكُم مِّن نِّعۡمَةٍ۬ فَمِنَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ

 “And whatever blessing you have, (then) it is from Allah.” (16:53)

1. It is impossible to enumerate the value of even one of the blessings of Allah or describe our appreciation for it in words.

وَإِن تَعُدُّواْ نِعۡمَةَ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُحۡصُوهَآ‌ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَفُورٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬ (١٨)

“And if you would consider a single blessing of Allah, you would never be able to give it its full account. Truly! Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (16:18)

To illustrate that we will never be able to quantify the value and the extent of a single blessing of Allah, let us consider the blessing of the brain. A Japanese study attempted to simulate the activities of the human brain.  The study had to be carried out using the K supercomputer, which is the 4th most powerful supercomputer in the world. It took this supercomputer 40 minutes to perform what 1% of the human brain performs in 1 second.  This should not be surprising because 1 % of our brain has about 2 billion nerve cells that are connected by about 10 trillion synapses (A synapse is a junction between two nerve cells).  So, to simulate what your brain is processing during a 1/2-hour lecture requires 15 of those supercomputers working full time for one year.   Knowing this piece of information, would any of us ever be able to assess the extent of Allah’s blessings just in granting us such a brain!

The Surat -starts with reference to the blessing of sending messengers to guide us to Allah:

يُنَزِّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةَ بِٱلرُّوحِ مِنۡ أَمۡرِهِۦ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦۤ أَنۡ أَنذِرُوٓاْ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۟ فَٱتَّقُونِ

“He sends down the Angels with the Spirit of His Command upon whomever He decides among His slaves to warn mankind that there is no god but I, so always be aware of Me.” (16:2).

 The Surat includes twenty blessings related to life necessities, blessings that people usually forget, blessings taken for granted, and blessings that we are even unaware of.   The following is a list of blessings identified in the Surat (see appendix for details)

1. Blessing of creation of heavens and earth
2. Blessing of creation of man
3. Blessing of creation of domesticated animals
4. Blessing of guidance and free will
5. Blessing of water and the plants’ kingdom
6. Blessing of the day and night and their precious timing
7. Blessing of the colors in vegetation, fruits, birds, and animals
8. Blessing of the sea/oceans and all what is in them.
9. Blessing of having mountains and rivers
10. Blessing of having stars for guidance and beauty
11. Blessing of the Quran to clarify issues of dispute.
12. Blessing of rain
13. Blessing of cattle and milk
14. Blessing of all kinds of fruits
15. Blessing of bees and its role for pollination and production of honey.
16. Blessing of having mates and progeny
17. Blessing of hearing, sight, and intellect
18. Blessing of flying birds
19. Blessing of having shelters
20. Blessing of materials to make protection garments.

Between every group of Ayat that list a set of blessings, there are Ayat that describe the attitudes of people towards these blessings.  Some people take advantage of the blessing but reject Allah who and live their lives according to their own desires instead of Allah’s guidance.   Others acknowledge that these blessings are from Allah and use them according to His commands and guidance.

 

Regarding those who do not appreciate or deny Allah’s blessings, Allah warns them with severe punishment in the Hereafter and in this life.  Allah says:

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُم مَّاذَآ أَنزَلَ رَبُّكُمۡ‌ۙ قَالُوٓاْ أَسَـٰطِيرُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ (٢٤) لِيَحۡمِلُوٓاْ أَوۡزَارَهُمۡ كَامِلَةً۬ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ‌ۙ وَمِنۡ أَوۡزَارِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُضِلُّونَهُم بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٍ‌ۗ أَلَا سَآءَ مَا يَزِرُونَ (٢٥) قَدۡ مَڪَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ فَأَتَى ٱللَّهُ بُنۡيَـٰنَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡقَوَاعِدِ فَخَرَّ عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلسَّقۡفُ مِن فَوۡقِهِمۡ وَأَتَٮٰهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ (٢٦)

And when it is said to them: What has your Lord revealed? They say: (Mere) fables of the men of old. (24) They may bear their own burdens in full on the Day of Resurrection, and also the burdens of those whom they misled without knowledge. Evil indeed is that which they shall bear! (25) Those before them indeed plotted, but Allah struck at the foundation of their building, and then the roof caved on them, from above them, and the torment overtook them from directions they did not perceive. (16:24-26)

The Surat provides examples of the punishment for those who deny the blessings of Allah.

وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلاً۬ قَرۡيَةً۬ ڪَانَتۡ ءَامِنَةً۬ مُّطۡمَٮِٕنَّةً۬ يَأۡتِيهَا رِزۡقُهَا رَغَدً۬ا مِّن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ۬ فَڪَفَرَتۡ بِأَنۡعُمِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَذَٲقَهَا ٱللَّهُ لِبَاسَ ٱلۡجُوعِ وَٱلۡخَوۡفِ بِمَا ڪَانُواْ يَصۡنَعُونَ (١١٢

And Allah puts forward the example of a town that was secure and peaceful and its provision would come to it in abundance from every place, but it denied the blessings of Allah. So, Allah gave it a taste of hunger (famine) and fear because of that which they used to do.  (16:112)

In contrast, Allah gives glad tidings to those who acknowledge Allah’s blessing and utilize them according to His commands:

وَقِيلَ لِلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوۡاْ مَاذَآ أَنزَلَ رَبُّكُمۡ‌ۚ قَالُواْ خَيۡرً۬ا‌ۗ لِّلَّذِينَ أَحۡسَنُواْ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا حَسَنَةٌ۬‌ۚ وَلَدَارُ ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ خَيۡرٌ۬‌ۚ وَلَنِعۡمَ دَارُ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ (٣٠) جَنَّـٰتُ عَدۡنٍ۬ يَدۡخُلُونَہَا تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِہَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ‌ۖ لَهُمۡ فِيہَا مَا يَشَآءُونَ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ يَجۡزِى ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ (٣١) ٱلَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّٮٰهُمُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ طَيِّبِينَ‌ۙ يَقُولُونَ سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ (٣٢)

And (when) it is said to those who have Taqwa “What has Your Lord sent down?” They say: “That which is good.” For those who do good in this world, there is good, and the home of the Hereafter will be better. And excellent indeed will be the home of those who have Taqwa.  (30)  Paradise which they will enter, under which rivers flow, they will have therein all that they wish. Thus, Allah rewards those who have Taqwa.  (31) Those whose lives the angels take while they are in a pious state saying (to them): peace be on you, enter Paradise, because of that (the good) which you used to do (in the world).” (16:30-32)

Probably, the Surat was named after the bees (Al-Nahl) because bees represent special blessings for mankind.  Such blessings include materialistic and health benefits, as well as providing lessons to benefit us.   Allah says:

وَأَوۡحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلنَّحۡلِ أَنِ ٱتَّخِذِى مِنَ ٱلۡجِبَالِ بُيُوتً۬ا وَمِنَ ٱلشَّجَرِ وَمِمَّا يَعۡرِشُونَ (٦٨)  ثُمَّ كُلِى مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ فَٱسۡلُكِى سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلاً۬‌ۚ يَخۡرُجُ مِنۢ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ۬ مُّخۡتَلِفٌ أَلۡوَٲنُهُ ۥ فِيهِ شِفَآءٌ۬ لِّلنَّاسِ‌ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ (٦٩)

And your Lord revealed to the (female) bees: “Take habitations in the mountains and in the trees and in the hives people construct. (68) “Then, eat of all fruits, and follow the ways of your Lord made easy (for you).” There comes out from their bellies, a drink of varying color in which there is healing for mankind. Indeed, in this there is a sign for people who think. (16:68-69)

Note: Interestingly, the Ayat is addressing the female bees, and not the males. We now know that the bees’ kingdom is dependent on females.  They are responsible for labor, construction, and honey secretions, etc.  The sole mission of the male bees is to impregnate the queen. That is why their number in any hive is limited to under 200. This limit is controlled by the queen who manages the fertilization of her eggs.

The Ayat mentions that bees received revelations form Allah (وَأَوۡحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلنَّحۡلِ) “And your Lord revealed to the bees “.  This points out that bees follow the divine inspiration, obey Allah, and follow His instructions.   Therefore, Bees are good model for a successful community.

The Ayat says: There comes out from their bellies, a drink of varying color wherein is healing for mankind” (يَخۡرُجُ مِنۢ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ۬ مُّخۡتَلِفٌ أَلۡوَٲنُهُ ۥ فِيهِ شِفَآءٌ۬ لِّلنَّاسِ‌ۗ) “.  This means that the honey comes automatically. The lesson learned here is that by them following Allah’s revelation, the honey that is pure and curative comes out.  Likewise, if a nation follows Allah’s guidance, automatic benefits must come out of them.

 

May be, this gives us a simple metric to assess if Muslims in any society are really following Allah’s commands. The metric is to identify the fruits that they have produced for their society.  The state of Missouri captured this view with the motto on the car license plates: “Show Me”.  So, if you want to convince anyone that Islam is the religion that cures the ills of the society, brings happiness and peace to everyone, then “Show Me” what it did to your community and the rest of the society.  Unfortunately, turning back 1400 years to prove Muslims’ great contributions to mankind is not convincing answer.  A convincing answer to “Show Me” is: “Here are all the blessings that our community has created for society”.

The word (شِفَآءٌ۬) “cure” occurs only twice in the Quran, once describing the Quran itself and once describing honey.  Certainly, pure honey (not faked or diluted) provides cures for our bodies. Likewise, pure and unadulterated commands of Allah will provide cures for our souls, hearts and minds.

As part of the blessings of Allah is revealing to us Ayat that summarizes in few words all the good morals (مكارم الأخلاق) as in the following two Ayat:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأۡمُرُ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ وَٱلۡإِحۡسَـٰنِ وَإِيتَآىِٕ ذِى ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَيَنۡهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلۡفَحۡشَآءِ وَٱلۡمُنڪَرِ وَٱلۡبَغۡىِ‌ۚ يَعِظُكُمۡ لَعَلَّڪُمۡ تَذَكَّرُونَ (٩٠) وَأَوۡفُواْ بِعَهۡدِ ٱللَّهِ إِذَا عَـٰهَدتُّمۡ وَلَا تَنقُضُواْ ٱلۡأَيۡمَـٰنَ بَعۡدَ تَوۡڪِيدِهَا وَقَدۡ جَعَلۡتُمُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ كَفِيلاً‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ مَا تَفۡعَلُونَ (٩١)

Indeed, Allah commands justice and Al-Ihsan [perfection], and supporting the kins, and forbids all obscenity and shameful deeds and aggression. He admonishes you, that you may take heed. (90) Fulfil the covenant of Allah when you pledge, and do not break your oaths after asserting them, and after you have made Allah a witness over you. Surely, Allah knows all that you do. (16:90-91)

 Note that these Ayat starts with a direct command from Allah in the form (إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأۡمُرُ) “Indeed, Allah commands” to avoid any ambiguity about the seriousness of the commands that follow and their obligatory nature.  These Ayat include 4 obligations and 4 prohibitions. The four obligations are:

1. Justice (ٱلۡعَدۡلِ), i.e., you give everyone his/her rights. The word justice (العدل) is related to mathematical term (المعادلة) referring to the equation whose right-hand side equals the left-hand side.  So, justice is to treat people including yourself as equal and to give everyone his/her rights.  Relationships, businesses, and societies are built on justice.  Peace and harmony will never prevail without justice.  The Prophet (PBUH) said:

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ : الظُّلْمُ ظُلُمَاتٌ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ  [البخاري ]

“Injustice is darkness over darkness on the Day of Judgment.”

 Also, the Prophet (PBUH) also said to Muaz ibn Gabal (مُعَاذ) when he appointed him as governor of Yemen:

عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بَعَثَ مُعَاذًا إِلَى الْيَمَنِ فَقَالَ: اتَّقِ دَعْوَةَ الْمَظْلُومِ، فَإِنَّهَا لَيْسَ بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْنَ اللَّهِ حِجَابٌ  [متفق عليه]

“O Moaz, fear the supplication of the oppressed, because there is no barrier between it and Allah.”

 

2. Ihsan (ٱلۡإِحۡسَـٰنِ) is a moral character that goes beyond justice. While justice is to have the scale balanced between your right and the rights of others.  Ihsan is to ensure that the scale is tipped for the benefit of the other person.  The door of Ihsan is far wider than the door of justice because it has no limit.  Ihsan is to face injustice with forgiveness and boycott with reaching out.

3. Financially supporting the relatives (إِيتَآىِٕ ذِى ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ). If every financially able person supports his relatives, social harmony will prevail, and the number of needy persons will be greatly reduced.
4. Fulfill the Covenant of Allah whenever you make one (أَوْفُوا بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ إِذَا عَاهَدْتُمْ). The first of these covenants is the one that all of us made with Allah when He first created us as revealed in Ayat 172 in Surah Al-Araf:

وَإِذْ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنْ بَنِي آدَمَ مِنْ ظُهُورِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَأَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ أَلَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ قَالُوا بَلَى شَهِدْنَا أَنْ تَقُولُوا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّا كُنَّا عَنْ هَذَا غَافِلِينَ  ( سورة الأعراف : 172 )

“(Recall) when your Lord brought the descendants of the children of Adam (meaning you and I) from their lions and made them testify about themselves (by asking them): “Am I not your Lord?”  They said: Yes, indeed, we bear witness.” (Al-AAraf 7:172)

This covenant that we made with Allah is to worship none but Him and to fully obey Him.  Allah demands that we fulfill our promises and agreements.  Trust is the glue that holds society together and lack of trust destroys all relationships for businesses and for families.

The four prohibitions that Allah commands are:

1. All forms of obscenity (ٱلۡفَحۡشَآءِ) and these include all actions that are considered repulsive by any righteous society would reject.
2. Shameful deeds (ٱلۡمُنڪَرِ) are all deeds that violate Allah’s commands and are rejected by any righteous community.
3. Transgression against the right of others (وَٱلۡبَغۡىِ‌) and this includes anything that is done to take others’ rights by force, deceits, trickery. Or any other method.
4. Not breaking one’s oaths after asserting them (وَلَا تَنقُضُوا الْأَيْمَانَ بَعْدَ تَوْكِيدِهَا).

Note: Scholars suggested that there are differences between an oath (يمين) and covenant (العهد).    the difference is that there is expiation for violating an oath (يمين) but violating the covenant (العهد) takes the person from the fold of Islam and thus there is no expiation from it, other than repenting and declaring Shahadah again: Anas ibn Malik (أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ) said that the Prophet (PBUH) Said:

لا إِيمَانَ لِمَنْ لا أَمَانَةَ لَهُ، وَلا دِينَ لِمَنْ لا عَهْدَ لَهُ  [أخرجه أحمد]

“There is no belief for the one who does not honor his oath and there is no religion for the one who does not honor his covenant”.

Good morals should be the hallmark of the character of any Muslim.  The Prophet (PBUH) summarized the exclusive purpose of his mission by saying:

عن أبي هريرة، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ” إنما بعثت لأتمم صالح الأخلاق “

“I have only been sent to perfect good manners.” [Al-Bukhari, Ahmad]

 

This point is clearly illustrated by the Prophet (PBUH) during the farewell pilgrimage (حجة الوداع).  He asked the people to define who is the Muslim and who is the believer, and then gave the answer. The Prophet (PBUH) said:

عَنْ فَضَالَةُ بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ , قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ: «أَلَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِالْمُؤْمِنِ , مَنْ أَمِنَهُ النَّاسُ عَلَى أَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ , وَالْمُسْلِمُ مَنْ سَلِمَ النَّاسُ مِنْ لِسَانِهِ وَيَدِهِ وَالْمُهَاجِرُ مَنْ هَجَرَ الْخَطَايَا وَالذُّنُوبَ»)إسناده صحيح(

“Should I inform you about the believer, the believer is the one who the people trust with their lives and wealth, and the Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand people are safe, and a Muhajir (emigrant) is the one who abandons all forms of sins and transgressions.” (Ahmad, Al-Hakim, Ibn Hiban)

The Surat ends with commands emphasizing Justice, patience and Ihsan, Allah says:

وَإِنۡ عَاقَبۡتُمۡ فَعَاقِبُواْ بِمِثۡلِ مَا عُوقِبۡتُم بِهِۦ‌ۖ وَلَٮِٕن صَبَرۡتُمۡ لَهُوَ خَيۡرٌ۬ لِّلصَّـٰبِرِينَ (١٢٦) وَٱصۡبِرۡ وَمَا صَبۡرُكَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ‌ۚ وَلَا تَحۡزَنۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا تَكُ فِى ضَيۡقٍ۬ مِّمَّا يَمۡڪُرُونَ (١٢٧) إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَواْ وَّٱلَّذِينَ هُم مُّحۡسِنُونَ (١٢٨)

And if you punish (others) in retaliation, harm them to the measure you were harmed. But if you opt for patience, it is definitely much better for those who are patient. (126) And be patient.  Your patience is bestowed by none but Allah.  And do not grieve over them (polytheists and pagans), and do not be distressed because of what they plot. (127) Truly, Allah is with those who have Taqwa and those who always practice Ihsan. (15:126-128)

 

Appendix:  Ayat listing the Blessings

 

1.Blessings of creation of heavens and earth He has created the heavens and the earth with truth. High is He the Exalted above all they associate as partners with Him.	خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۚ تَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُونَ
2.      Blessing of creation of man: He has created man from a mixed drop, then he (man) becomes an open adversary. (4)	خَلَقَ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ مِن نُّطۡفَةٍ۬ فَإِذَا هُوَ خَصِيمٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬
3. Blessings of creation of animals: “And the cattle-He created them for you; in them is warm (clothing) and (various) uses and of them you eat; and wherein is beauty for you, when you bring them home in the evening, and as you lead them forth to pasture in the morning. And they carry your loads to a land that you could not reach except with great trouble to yourselves. Truly, your Lord is full of Kindness, Most Merciful. “And horses and mules and donkeys for you to ride, and as an adornment; and He creates what you do not know (in reference to all modern means of transportation in present world)	وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمَ خَلَقَهَا‌ۗ لَڪُمۡ فِيهَا دِفۡءٌ۬ وَمَنَـٰفِعُ وَمِنۡهَا تَأۡڪُلُونَ (٥) وَلَكُمۡ فِيهَا جَمَالٌ حِينَ تُرِيحُونَ وَحِينَ تَسۡرَحُونَ (٦) وَتَحۡمِلُ أَثۡقَالَڪُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَلَدٍ۬ لَّمۡ تَكُونُواْ بَـٰلِغِيهِ إِلَّا بِشِقِّ ٱلۡأَنفُسِ‌ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكُمۡ لَرَءُوفٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬ (٧) وَٱلۡخَيۡلَ وَٱلۡبِغَالَ وَٱلۡحَمِيرَ لِتَرۡڪَبُوهَا وَزِينَةً۬‌ۚ وَيَخۡلُقُ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ (٨)
4. Blessings of guidance and free will And it is for Allah to set the straight path, but there are different ways that deviate. And had He willed, He would have guided you all.	وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ قَصۡدُ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمِنۡهَا جَآٮِٕرٌ۬‌ۚ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ لَهَدَٮٰڪُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ (٩)
5. Blessings of water and plantation He it is Who sends down water (rain) from the sky; from it you drink and from it (grows) the trees that you mark for (your herds) to graze.  With it He causes to grow for you the crops, the olives, the palms, the vineyards, and every kind of fruit. Verily! In this is indeed a manifest sign for people who think.  (While we could survive with only one kind of plant, but for surely, we will get sick of it, but Allah created variety to make us happy)	هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬‌ۖ لَّكُم مِّنۡهُ شَرَابٌ۬ وَمِنۡهُ شَجَرٌ۬ فِيهِ تُسِيمُونَ (١٠) يُنۢبِتُ لَكُم بِهِ ٱلزَّرۡعَ وَٱلزَّيۡتُونَ وَٱلنَّخِيلَ وَٱلۡأَعۡنَـٰبَ وَمِن ڪُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ‌ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَتَفَڪَّرُونَ (١١)
6. Blessings of the day and night And He has subjected to you the night and the day, the sun, and the moon; and the stars are subjected by His Command. Surely, in this are clear signs for people who understand.   (To appreciate the presence of day and night, you need to live in countries where they have times when it is night all the time or day all the time)	وَسَخَّرَ لَڪُمُ ٱلَّيۡلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ وَٱلشَّمۡسَ وَٱلۡقَمَرَ‌ۖ وَٱلنُّجُومُ مُسَخَّرَٲتُۢ بِأَمۡرِهِۦۤ‌ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَعۡقِلُونَ (١٢)
7. Blessings of the colors And whatsoever He has created for you on the earth of varying colors [vegetation, fruits, birds and animals). Verily! In this is a clear sign for people who constantly remember. (Can you imagine what would happen if Allah only created one color for us, say everything looks gray or say red)	وَمَا ذَرَأَ لَڪُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مُخۡتَلِفًا أَلۡوَٲنُهُ ۥۤ‌ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَذَّڪَّرُونَ (١٣)
8. Blessings of the Sea And He it is Who has subjected the sea (to you), that you eat thereof fresh tender meat (fish) and bring out of it ornaments to wear. And you see the ships sailing through it, that you may seek (thus) His Bounty (by transporting the goods from place to place) and that you may be grateful. (14)	وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ ٱلۡبَحۡرَ لِتَأۡڪُلُواْ مِنۡهُ لَحۡمً۬ا طَرِيًّ۬ا وَتَسۡتَخۡرِجُواْ مِنۡهُ حِلۡيَةً۬ تَلۡبَسُونَهَا وَتَرَى ٱلۡفُلۡكَ مَوَاخِرَ فِيهِ وَلِتَبۡتَغُواْ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّڪُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ
9. Blessings of protecting the earth with mountains And He has affixed into the earth anchoring mountains, so it does not shake with you, and rivers and roads, that you may guide yourselves. (Think of the blessing of Allah who made the earth stable for us that we sit comfortably on it while it is moving at a speed of 1070 miles per hour around its axis and at a speed of 67,000 miles per hour around the sun.)	وَأَلۡقَىٰ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَوَٲسِىَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِڪُمۡ وَأَنۡہَـٰرً۬ا وَسُبُلاً۬ لَّعَلَّڪُمۡ تَہۡتَدُونَ (١٥)
10. Blessings of stars And landmarks (during the day) and the stars (during the night), so you are guided (as you travel). (16)	وَعَلَـٰمَـٰتٍ۬‌ۚ وَبِٱلنَّجۡمِ هُمۡ يَہۡتَدُونَ (١٦)

 

11. Blessing of the Quran And We have not sent down the Book to you except that you make clear to them those things that they dispute and (as) guidance and a mercy for people who believe.	وَمَآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ إِلَّا لِتُبَيِّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى ٱخۡتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ‌ۙ وَهُدً۬ى وَرَحۡمَةً۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يُؤۡمِنُونَ (٦٤)
12. Blessing of rain And Allah sends down water (rain) from the sky, then He revives the earth therewith after its death. Verily, this is a clear sign for people who listen (to the revelation). (65)	وَٱللَّهُ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَحۡيَا بِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِہَآ‌ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَسۡمَعُونَ (٦٥)
13. Blessings of cattle and milk And surely, in the cattle, there is a lesson for you. We give you a drink of that which is in their bellies, from between filth and blood, pure milk, pleasing and palatable to the drinkers.	وَإِنَّ لَكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ لَعِبۡرَةً۬‌ۖ نُّسۡقِيكُم مِّمَّا فِى بُطُونِهِۦ مِنۢ بَيۡنِ فَرۡثٍ۬ وَدَمٍ۬ لَّبَنًا خَالِصً۬ا سَآٮِٕغً۬ا لِّلشَّـٰرِبِينَ (٦٦)
14. Blessings of Fruits And from the fruits of palms and vineyards, you derive intoxicating drink and a goodly provision. In all of this, there is indeed a clear sign for people who have wisdom.	وَمِن ثَمَرَٲتِ ٱلنَّخِيلِ وَٱلۡأَعۡنَـٰبِ تَتَّخِذُونَ مِنۡهُ سَڪَرً۬ا وَرِزۡقًا حَسَنًا‌ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَعۡقِلُونَ (٦٧)
15. Blessing of bees (pollination) and honey And your Lord revealed to the bees: “Take habitations in the mountains and in the trees and in the hives people construct. “Then, eat of all fruits, and follow the ways of your Lord made easy (for you).” There comes out from their bellies, a drink of varying color in which there is healing for mankind. Indeed, in this there is a sign for people who think. (69)	وَأَوۡحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلنَّحۡلِ أَنِ ٱتَّخِذِى مِنَ ٱلۡجِبَالِ بُيُوتً۬ا وَمِنَ ٱلشَّجَرِ وَمِمَّا يَعۡرِشُونَ (٦٨) ثُمَّ كُلِى مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ فَٱسۡلُكِى سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلاً۬‌ۚ يَخۡرُجُ مِنۢ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ۬ مُّخۡتَلِفٌ أَلۡوَٲنُهُ ۥ فِيهِ شِفَآءٌ۬ لِّلنَّاسِ‌ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ (٦٩)

 

16.  The blessing of progeny And Allah has made for you mates from yourselves and has made for you from your mates children and grandchildren, and has bestowed on you good provision. Do they then believe in false deities and deny the Favor of Allah.

وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنۡ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَزۡوَٲجً۬ا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنۡ أَزۡوَٲجِڪُم بَنِينَ وَحَفَدَةً۬ وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ‌ۚ أَفَبِٱلۡبَـٰطِلِ يُؤۡمِنُونَ وَبِنِعۡمَتِ ٱللَّهِ هُمۡ يَكۡفُرُونَ (٧٢)

 

17.  The blessing of hearing, sight and intellect “And Allah brought you out of your mothers’ bellies not knowing anything and He has made for you hearing, sight and intellect, so that you may thank (Him)” (16:78).	وَٱللَّهُ أَخۡرَجَكُم مِّنۢ بُطُونِ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡأَبۡصَـٰرَ وَٱلۡأَفۡـِٔدَةَ‌ۙ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ (٧٨)
18. The blessing of birds “Have they not looked at the birds made to master flying in the air of the sky? None holds them except Allah. Indeed, in that there are sure signs for a people who believe”	أَلَمۡ يَرَوۡاْ إِلَى ٱلطَّيۡرِ مُسَخَّرَٲتٍ۬ فِى جَوِّ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَا يُمۡسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ‌ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يُؤۡمِنُونَ (٧٩)
19. The blessings of shelter And it is Allah who made you able to make houses for your residence, and to make for yourselves tents out of the hides of the cattle that you find light to carry when you travel and when you camp, and of the cattle’s’ wool, fur, and hair are furnishings and utility of convenience for a preordained time.	وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنۢ بُيُوتِڪُمۡ سَكَنً۬ا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّن جُلُودِ ٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ بُيُوتً۬ا تَسۡتَخِفُّونَهَا يَوۡمَ ظَعۡنِكُمۡ وَيَوۡمَ إِقَامَتِڪُمۡ‌ۙ وَمِنۡ أَصۡوَافِهَا وَأَوۡبَارِهَا وَأَشۡعَارِهَآ أَثَـٰثً۬ا وَمَتَـٰعًا إِلَىٰ حِينٍ۬ (٨٠)
20. Blessing of protecting garments And Allah has made for you shades out of that which He has created and has made for you places of refuge in the mountains and has made for you garments to protect you from the heat (and cold), and armored garments that protect you in your battles. So it is that He perfects His blessings upon you that you may submit to Him alone in worship. (16:81)	وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّمَّا خَلَقَ ظِلَـٰلاً۬ وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡجِبَالِ أَڪۡنَـٰنً۬ا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمۡ سَرَٲبِيلَ تَقِيڪُمُ ٱلۡحَرَّ وَسَرَٲبِيلَ تَقِيكُم بَأۡسَڪُمۡ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ يُتِمُّ نِعۡمَتَهُ ۥ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُسۡلِمُونَ (٨١)