An-Nahl 16:76 · The Bee · Arabic, translation, recitation

Other English translations

Abdel Haleem (Oxford)+

"God presents another illustration: two men, one of them dumb, unable to do anything, a burden to his carer- whatever task he directs him to, he achieves nothing good- can he be considered equal to one who commands justice and is on the straight path?"

Pickthall (classic)+

"And Allah coineth a similitude: Two men, one of them dumb, having control of nothing, and he is a burden on his owner; whithersoever he directeth him to go, he bringeth no good. Is he equal with one who enjoineth justice and followeth a straight path (of conduct)?"

Yusuf Ali (classic)+

"Allah sets forth (another) Parable of two men: one of them dumb, with no power of any sort; a wearisome burden is he to his master; whichever way be directs him, he brings no good: is such a man equal with one who commands Justice, and is on a Straight Way?"

Tafsīr · classical commentary

Ibn Kathir

Abridged English, public domain

Another Example

Mujahid said, "This also refers to idols and the True God, may He be exalted." Meaning that the idol is dumb and cannot speak or say anything, good or otherwise. It cannot do anything at all, no words, no action, it is dependent and is a burden on its master.

أَيْنَمَا يُوَجِّههُّ

(whichever way he directs him,) meaning, wherever he sends him

لاَ يَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ

(he brings no good.) meaning, he does not succeed in what he wants.

هَلْ يَسْتَوِى

(Is such a man equal) meaning, a man who has these attributes

وَمَن يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ

(to one who commands justice) meaning fairness, one whose words are true and whose deeds are righteous.

وَهُوَ عَلَى صِرَطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ

(and is himself on the straight path) Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said: "This is also an example of the disbeliever and the believer", as in the previous Ayah.

Tafsir Saʿdi

English translation, public domain

Во второй притче говорится о человеке, который лишен способности слышать, разговаривать и вершить какие-либо дела. Его господин помогает ему, потому что он не способен позаботиться о себе самостоятельно. Разве можно сравнить этого несчастного, который преисполнен пороков и недостатков, с тем, кто велит поступать справедливо и следует прямым путем, кто говорит справедливые слова и совершает правильные поступки? И если их невозможно сравнить, то как можно приравнивать божества, которым поклоняются наряду с Аллахом, которые не способны самостоятельно обеспечить себя всем необходимым и которые существуют только благодаря заботе Аллаха, к Всевышнему Господу, Который говорит одну только истину и совершает только достохвальные деяния?