16. An-Nahl

And from his chain of transmitters on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said: 'When the words of Allah (The reckoning draws near for mankind�) [21:1] and (The hour drew near�) [54:1], people waited whatever time Allah willed them to wait, but nothing happened. So they said: �O Muhammad! When will the torment which you promised us happen?� As a response, Allah revealed: (The commandment of Allah will come to pass) the chastisement of Allah has come. The Prophet (pbuh) was sitting at that point and he suddenly stood, having no doubt in his mind that the chastisement had come. But immediately after that, Allah said: (so seek not ye to hasten it) i.e. the chastisement, at which the Prophet (pbuh) sat down. (Glorified) Allah exonerated Himself from having a son or partner (and Exalted be He) He is too elevated and absolves Himself (above all that they associate (with Him)) of idols.

(He sendeth down the angels) i.e. Gabriel and the angels with him (with the Spirit of His command) with prophethood and scripture by His command (unto whom He will of His bondmen) He means Muhammad and other prophets, ((saying): Warn mankind) warn mankind by means of the Qur'an and recite it until they say (that there is no god save Me, so keep your duty unto Me) so obey me and profess my divine Oneness.

(He hath created the heavens and the earth with truth) for the Truth; it is also said that this means: for evanescence and extinction. (High be He exalted) He exonerates Himself (above all that they associate (with Him)) of idols.

(He hath created man) the reference here is to Ubayy Ibn Khalaf al-Jumahi (from a drop of) stinking (fluid, yet behold! he is an open opponent) openly arguing in favour of falsehood, saying: Who will revive these bones when they rot away?

(And the cattle) i.e. the camels (hath He created, whence ye have warm clothing) made of their skin (and uses) you drink their milk and use them as a means of transport, (and whereof ye eat) and you eat their meat.

(And wherein is beauty for you) a beautiful scene, (when ye bring them home) back from pasture, (and when ye take them out to pasture).

(And they bear your loads) your luggage and provision (for you unto a land) i.e. Mecca (ye could not reach save with great trouble to yourselves) except with great toil. (Lo! your Lord is Full of Pity) towards him who believes, (Merciful) by deferring your chastisement.

(And horses and mules and asses (hath He created) that ye may ride them) in the way of Allah, (and for ornament) they are good to look at. (And He createth that which ye know not) He says: He created things that you do not know, since He has not named them to you.

(And Allah's is the direction of the way) He is the guide whether it is in the sea or on the land, (and some (roads) go not straight) they are crooked and one cannot find one's way through them. (And had He willed He would have led you all aright) in your way whether you are in the sea or on the land; it is also said that (And Allah's is the direction of the way) means: it is Allah Who guides to monotheism, and some of the religions are crooked and unjust such as Judaism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism. And if Allah had willed, He would have guided you all to His religion.