The Bee

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following is taken from a transcript of a lecture given by Mawlana Wafi’ Muhammad. 

We all know that Allah (s.w.t.) is The Greatest, and He has Demonstrated His Greatness through His Creation and in our individual bodies.  Today, we will look at just one of the creatures of Allah (s.w.t.) that demonstrates His Greatness.  This creature is the bee, which is also the name of one of the chapters in the Holy Qur’an.  The bee is a startling creature with regards to its organisation and management of its recourses.  They are so well organised that each one has a duty that contributes to the overall sustenance of the hive.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ النّحل

وَأَوۡحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلنَّحۡلِ أَنِ ٱتَّخِذِى مِنَ ٱلۡجِبَالِ بُيُوتً۬ا وَمِنَ ٱلشَّجَرِ وَمِمَّا يَعۡرِشُونَ (٦٨) 

And your Lord Taught the bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in (men’s) habitations; (Surah an-Nahl:68) 

The bees structure and divide their labour to such a remarkable extent that, for example, when they find another source of nectar in another tree, they return to their hive and fly in a particular vector to announce to the others where the alternative source of nectar is.  Each member of the hive has its own duty and responsibility, and one bee does not aspire to take over management responsibilities from the others.  And through their organisation and work they produce one of the best and natural drinks available, which illustrate the greatness of Allah (s.w.t.).  The bees digest nectar and regurgitate it to produce honey.  Such a sweet and sort after drink is produced in such a mind boggling manner. 

Even though, they are such tiny creatures we can take pattern from them with regard to their management structure, unity and specialisation.  Because of their unity, look at what they can produce.  If we are united and work for the greater good what we can achieve.  And this is what Islam came to do; unite mankind to work together on the path of Swirath al-Mustaqim.  This is possibly one reason why Allah (s.w.t.) gave us the story of the bees.  We are to take on the responsibilities of working for this world and the next; and manage our time and resources properly and correctly in order to succeed. 

May Allah (s.w.t.) Enable us to adopt the organisational and unification methods practiced by His creatures and may He Continuously Grant us the ability to reflect and ponder over His Greatness and recognise it in our everyday lives.