n-h-l

Description

The Arabic root نحل (n-h-l) carries the core meaning of giving freely or bestowing graciously without expectation of return, as well as designating the bee (an-nahl). In the Quran, this root appears in references to the bee in Surah An-Nahl (The Bee), where the bee symbolizes divine inspiration and natural provision, and in contexts describing the dower (mahr) given graciously to wives as a free gift rather than an obligation or exchange. The semantic connection between these uses reflects the concept of generous, pure giving that benefits the recipient, whether from nature's bounty or human relationships ordained by God.