Creation of Insects

The Quran refers to insects, particularly bees and ants, as exemplars of industry and communication. In Surah An-Nahl [16:68-69], the process of bees receiving inspiration to take houses in mountains, trees, and what humans erect, and then producing varied colors of honey with healing properties for people, is described. This highlights not only the creation but also the purposeful behavior in creatures like bees. The story of Solomon overhearing a talking ant in Surah An-Naml [27:18] gives a sense of awareness and intelligence attributed to insects, illustrating that they too are part of Allah’s intentional creation.

وَأَوْحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلنَّحْلِ أَنِ ٱتَّخِذِى مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًۭا وَمِنَ ٱلشَّجَرِ وَمِمَّا يَعْرِشُونَ

And your Lord inspired the bee: “Set up hives in the mountains, and in the trees, and in what they construct.”

The Holy Quran · An-Nahl (The Bee) · 16:68

ثُمَّ كُلِى مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ فَٱسْلُكِى سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلًۭا ۚ يَخْرُجُ مِنۢ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌۭ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ فِيهِ شِفَآءٌۭ لِّلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

Then eat of all the fruits, and go along the pathways of your Lord, with precision. From their bellies emerges a fluid of diverse colors, containing healing for the people. Surely in this is a sign for people who reflect.

The Holy Quran · An-Nahl (The Bee) · 16:69

حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَتَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ وَادِ ٱلنَّمْلِ قَالَتْ نَمْلَةٌۭ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّمْلُ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ مَسَٰكِنَكُمْ لَا يَحْطِمَنَّكُمْ سُلَيْمَٰنُ وَجُنُودُهُۥ وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

Until, when they came upon the Valley of Ants, an ant said, “O ants! Go into your nests, lest Solomon and his troops crush you without noticing.”

The Holy Quran · An-Naml (The Ant) · 27:18