Verses 4-16 of Surah 16, An-Nahl speak about the creation of human beings, cattle, other animals, vegetables and fruit, planets and their motions and other things. These creations are mentioned so that the people who reflect, think and remember can find signs to believe in the Creator as the One and Only God and believe in the message of the Holy Quran as the guidance for life.
In these verses, some Signs have been mentioned in succession in order to focus people's attention on the Creation of man himself and of the Earth and the heavens. They will thus find that everything supports the truth of the doctrines taught by the Holy Prophet. A critical study of all these Signs shows that these must have been designed and created by an All-Wise Being, and One Being alone, and there could not have been any partner or associate to help Him. Let us consider this theme from the point of view of Man, the central figure in the Creation. This wonderful being, who is able to speak with his tongue and is capable of arguing his case with it, has been created from an insignificant sperm - drop. Then many animals have been created to satisfy the necessities of his life. They provide food, clothing and conveyance for him and help satisfy his aesthetic taste as well. Then there is a remarkable system of rain water from the sky to produce corn crops, fruits and verdure, etc., on the earth to fulfill man's needs. Then there is the creation of regular days and nights and seasons, which are closely connected with all kinds of production of the earth, and also with Man's general well being. Then there are oceans, which help fulfill many of his physical and aesthetic demands and provide water ways for traffic. Likewise mountains have been created to provide man with many benefits. Then there are landmarks on the earth and stars in the heavens to guide travelers and navigators to the destinations. In short, there are innumerable Signs in the Earth and the heavens which are closely interconnected and are also indispensable to man's welfare, nay, to his very existence. All these are clear proofs that only One Being has designed the whole universe and created it in accordance with that design. It is He Who is all the time creating new things to fit in that scheme, and working this wonderful universe that spreads from the Earth to boundless heavens. Who can then claim, except a foolish or obdurate person, that all this has come into existence by a mere accident? Or, who can say that these different aspects, which are working under a perfect system and are intimately connected with one another and are well balanced, have been created by different gods and are under the control of different guardians?
016.003 He has created the heavens and the earth for just ends: Far is He above
having the partners they ascribe to Him!
016.004 He has created man from a sperm-drop; and behold this same (man)
becomes an open disputer!
016.005 And cattle He has created for you (men): from them ye derive warmth, and
numerous benefits, and of their (meat) ye eat.
016.006 And ye have a sense of pride and beauty in them as ye drive them home in
the evening, and as ye lead them forth to pasture in the morning.
016.007 And they carry your heavy loads to lands that ye could not (otherwise) reach
except with souls distressed: for your Lord is indeed Most Kind, Most Merciful,
016.008 And (He has created) horses, mules, and donkeys, for you to ride and use for
show; and He has created (other) things of which ye have no knowledge.
016.009 And unto God leads straight the Way, but there are ways that turn aside: if
God had willed, He could have guided all of you.
016.010 It is He who sends down rain from the sky: from it ye drink, and out of it
(grows) the vegetation on which ye feed your cattle.
016.011 With it He produces for you corn, olives, date-palms, grapes and every kind
of fruit: verily in this is a sign for those who give thought.
016.012 He has made subject to you the Night and the Day; the sun and the moon;
and the stars are in subjection by His Command: verily in this are Signs for men who
are wise.
016.013 And the things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying colours (and
qualities): verily in this is a sign for men who celebrate the praises of God (in
gratitude).
016.014 It is He Who has made the sea subject, that ye may eat thereof flesh that is
fresh and tender, and that ye may extract therefrom ornaments to wear; and thou seest
the ships therein that plough the waves, that ye may seek (thus) of the bounty of God
and that ye may be grateful.
016.015 And He has set up on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake
with you; and rivers and roads; that ye may guide yourselves;
016.016 And marks and sign-posts; and by the stars (men) guide themselves.
016.017 Is then He Who creates like one that creates not? Will ye not receive
admonition?
016.018 If ye would count up the favours of God, never would ye be able to number
them: for God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
