16. An-Nahl

(On the Day) the Day of Judgement (when every soul) righteous or sinful (will come pleading) arguing (for itself) for its cause; it is also said: it will come with its satan; and it is also said: it will come with its spirit, (and every soul) righteous or sinful (will be repaid what it did) for what it did whether it is good or evil, (and they will not be wronged) their good deeds will not be decreased nor will their evil deeds increased.

(Allah coineth a similitude: a township) Allah explains the characteristic of the people of Mecca: Abu Jahl, al-Walid and their host (that dwelt secure) its inhabitants were safe from the enemy, fighting, hunger and being taken captives (and well content) its inhabitants were well settled, (its provision coming to it) food and fruits were brought to it (in abundance from every side) of the earth, (but it disbelieved in Allah's favours) its inhabitants disbelieved in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an, (so Allah made it experience the garb of dearth and fear) so Allah punished its inhabitants with hunger, which lasted seven years, and also with the fear of fighting Muhammad, Allah, bless him and give him peace, and his Companions (because of what they used to do) because of what they said and did with Muhammad (pbuh) of hostility.

(So eat of the lawful and good food which Allah hath provided for you) of crops and cattle and wholesome things, (and thank) and remember (the bounty of your Lord if it is Him ye serve) if it is really Him you want to worship through the prohibition of some cattle and crops. If you have done so to worship Allah, then make them lawful, for worshipping Allah entails making lawful that which you have made forbidden.

(He hath forbidden for you only carrion) which He commanded you to immolate (and blood) shed blood (and swine flesh and that which hath been immolated in the name of any other than Allah) and that which is intentionally immolated in other than the name of Allah, or in the name of idols; (but he who is driven thereto) he who is forced to indulge in what is made unlawful by Allah, (neither craving) declaring it lawful (nor transgressing) intentionally eating without being forced to, (lo! then Allah is Forgiving) of eating carrion, (Merciful) since He gave a legal dispensation to eat carrion in case of dire necessity.

(And speak not, concerning that which your own tongues qualify (as clean or unclean), the falsehood: �This) crop and cattle (is lawful) for men, (and this is forbidden�,) for women (so that ye invent a lie against Allah) by means of it. (Lo! those who invent a lie against Allah will not succeed) they will neither be safe nor escape Allah's chastisement.

(A brief enjoyment (will be theirs)) they will abide in this worldly life but for a short period; (and theirs a painful doom) in the Hereafter.

(And unto those who are Jews) those who stirred away from Islam, i.e. the Jews (We have forbidden that which We have already) before this surah, and specifically in surah al-An'am (related unto thee) that which We have named to you. (And We wronged them not) because of what We forbade them of meats and fats, (but they were wont to wrong themselves) they were wont to harm, i.e. He forbade them those things because of their sins.

(Then lo! thy Lord) O Muhammad (for those who do evil in ignorance) intentionally even if they are ignorant of committing it (and afterward repent) after committing such an evil (and amend) their work between themselves and their Lord - (lo! (for them) thy Lord is afterward) after repentance (indeed Forgiving, Merciful) towards them.

(Lo! Abraham was a nation) a leader who was emulated (obedient to Allah, by nature upright) sincerely surrendered to Allah, (and he was not of the idolaters) he did not follow the idolaters in their religion;