Document Type : Original
Authors
1
Associate Professor, Department of Qurʾān and Ḥadīth Studies, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2
PhD Student, Department of Qurʾān and Ḥadīth Studies, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Sūrat an-Naḥl (Arabic: سورَةُ الْنَّحْل) is unique in the entire Qurʾān for its exposition of the diversity of forms and levels (stages) of existence, life, and nature. The contents of this sūrat (Arabic: سُورَة, Romanized: sūrah; pl. سُوَر, suwar) deal with the origin, levels, and nature of life, God’s creation and command for its “flow and diffusion,” (Arabic: جَرَیان وَ سَرَیان, Romanized: Jaryān va Sarayān) the types, quality, truth, and reality-centeredness of life, and the general and specific details related to different kinds of life in water, on earth, and in the air. It highlights marine life, various livestock animals, nutritional, drinkable, wearable, and transportation benefits, as well as birds, bees, and other creatures. It is clear that the purpose of this sūrah in providing such explanations is to remind humans and inspire their resolve to understand these endless levels of life, to pursue spiritual growth and Divine knowledge, and to follow the commands of “justice (Arabic: اَلْعَدْل, Romanized: al-ʿAdl), kindness (Arabic: إحْسان, Romanized: ʾIḥsān), and giving to kinsfolk (Arabic: إِیتَاءِ ذِی الْقُرْبَىٰ, Romanized: ʾĪtāʾ dhī al-Qurbā), and restraining from indecency, wrongdoing, and Baghy (Arabic: اَلْبَغْی, lit.: trespass).” This leads to a “pure” spiritual and moral life (Arabic: اَلْحَیاة الْطَیِبَة, Romanized: Ḥayāt Ṭayyibah), which is manifested in the conduct of the great personalities mentioned in this sūrah (chapter), from “Khalīl” (Abraham, peace be upon him) to the “Seal of the Prophets” (Muḥammad, peace be upon him). This research utilizes content analysis and references library sources to discuss and examine the subject, offering new interpretations of this great and eloquent Qurʾānic text.
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