Surah An-Nahl (16) — Ayah 69

69. Then suck the nectar from every kind of fruit and follow the ways your Lord has made easy for you [67]. From the bellies of these bees comes a drink of varying colors [68] (honey), in which there is healing for people. Surely in this is a sign for those who reflect.

[67]
Order and Discipline in Honeycombs and Bees:

There is one bee among the bees who is their leader or queen, called "yasub" in Arabic. All the other bees are obedient to her; the bees go out in search of sustenance by her command, and if she accompanies them, all of them fully protect her. There is such order and discipline among them that seeing it, a person is left astonished as to how such a small creature possesses so much intelligence and understanding. The bees, flying in search of livelihood, reach far-off places and sit on fruits, flowers, and sweet things of various colors, sucking their nectar. Then, this very nectar is brought back and stored in the cells of their hive, and they are so intelligent that they never forget the way back to their home. Even if there are many hives along the way, they will reach only their own hive or home. In other words, the discipline of these bees, their constant coming and going, preparing a special kind of home, and then regularly storing honey in it—all these paths Allah has made so smooth for the bee that it never needs to think or ponder. In this verse, Allah Almighty said: ﴿فَاسْلُكِيْ سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلًا﴾ And the meaning of "dhulul" is for something to abandon its rebellious nature and willingly submit to obedience, to become compliant and subjugated, or to become tame and subdued. And if "dhululan" is considered as an attribute of the paths, then it would mean that however distant or winding these paths may be for the bee, Allah has made all these paths soft and easy for it. And if this word is considered as an attribute of the bee, then it would mean: "Follow, with pleasure and willingness, the ways that Allah has prescribed for you." And some explain its meaning as: "When reaching the cells of the hive, fold your wings to reach them, and after placing the honey, come out of the hive in the same way with your wings folded."

[68]
Healing and Other Characteristics in Honey:

Honey comes in many colors: yellow, whitish, reddish, or blackish. And there are various reasons for these colors. However, there are some common properties in every type of honey. The most important property is that it is declared as a cure for many diseases, except if the patient himself is suffering from a bad temperament, as is evident from the following hadiths:
1. Abu Sa'id Khudri ؓ says that a man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said, "My brother's stomach is upset." The Prophet ﷺ said, "Give him honey to drink." He came again and said, "O Messenger of Allah! His stomach has become even worse after drinking honey." The Prophet ﷺ said, "Allah's word is true and your brother's stomach has lied. Go and give him honey again." He came a third time and said, "I gave him honey, but he had even more bowel movements." The Prophet ﷺ again said, "Allah has spoken the truth and your brother's stomach has lied." He gave him honey again, and he was cured. [بخاري، كتاب الطب۔ باب الدواء بالعسل]
2. Also, Abdullah bin Abbas ؓ says that the Prophet ﷺ said, "There is healing in three things: in drinking honey, in cupping, and in cauterization with fire, but I forbid my ummah from cauterization." [بخاری، کتاب الطب، باب الشفاء فی ثلاثۃ]

The Astonishing Works of Allah Almighty:

Another important property of honey is that whatever things are kept in honey remain preserved and intact in it for a long time, and if medicines are added, their effect—even their fragrance—remains for a long time. This is why physicians, after grinding and sifting medicines, mix them with honey instead of sugar to prepare electuaries, etc., from which triple benefits are obtained: first, it serves as a sweetener; second, it preserves the effect of the medicines for a long time; and third, honey itself is a cure for most diseases and, in this respect, increases the effectiveness of medicines many times over. It is astonishing that the honeybee itself is a venomous creature; if it stings a person, his skin becomes swollen and severely inflamed. Through this means, it knows well how to protect its hive. Those who are skilled in the art of removing hives wrap their bodies well with clothes and apply various medicines to their bodies before touching the hive, and when it is time to disturb (cut) the hive, they first smoke from below so that the bees fly away. Even so, the bees together attack that person, but since Allah has given man so much intelligence that he succeeds in taming all animals, he removes the hive and obtains honey. Thus, the honey that comes out from such a venomous creature is declared a cure for most human diseases and also serves as a sweet and delicious food for him. The mention of the above drinks is not merely to inform man of how many delicious and beneficial things Allah has created for him, but the real purpose of mentioning them is that man should reflect that the fruits, cattle, or living beings that Allah has created—all their benefits are reaped by man alone. Then, he should also ponder over the miraculous powers of Allah, that these cattle or bees, etc., provide these things to man in such astonishing ways, and in them, there is a vast field for man's reflection. Then, he should also consider whether anyone other than Allah can create these things or instill natural instruction in their instincts. And if the answer to these questions is in the negative, then what need is there to associate partners with Him or to accept others as partners?