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What do bees eat according to the Glorious Quran?

The sections of this article are:

1-  What does the Glorious Quran say?
2-  The Scientific Proofs.
3-  Conclusion.

1-  What does the Glorious Quran Say?

Before we begin, I just want the reader to know that this article is not intended to demonstrate a Scientific Miracle in the Glorious Quran.  The Glorious Quran has 10s (tens) of STUNNING and Overwhelming Scientific Miracles and Prophecies in It.  But aside from the honey being a medicine part, I don't see in the Noble Verses below a Scientific Miracle.  This article was rather written to refute the silly anti-Islamics' attacks on the Glorious Quran from the area of science, and to demonstrate their:

1. Desperations.
2. Ignorance.
3. Hate towards Islam.
4. Envy against Islam's Overwhelming Divine Truth.

And to also demonstrate that the Glorious Quran is never in conflict with established science.  This is a fact.

With this said, let us now look at what Allah Almighty said in the Holy Quran:

The following questions are important to ask:

1-  Do bees really feed off of fruits and sweet things?  "all manner of fruit (من كل الثمرات)" also means all sweet-tasting things, for bees pursue all natural-sugar-tasting things, which exist heavily in fruits.  Watch this bee eat from the fruit in slow motion, along with other bees eating other fruits.  This video also covers the healing and medical benefits of honey, a "healing for men" (فيه شفاء للناس):

      
       (Click to play clip)

2-  Do bees really feed off of nectar and fruits?

3-  Do bees really live in mountains and in trees?

Also, as to honey being is a "healing for men" (فيه شفاء للناس) medicine in Noble Verse 16:69 above, please visit this article:

2-  The Scientific Proofs:

The following scientific articles will answer the above questions sufficiently, insha'Allah (if Allah Almighty is Willing):

Article#1:

"What Bees Eat

Children are most likely to encounter honey bees that are feeding at flowers or foraging. Bees may fly long distances (up to six miles) in search of food and may be quite far from home when they are seen in your yard or neighborhood.

Worker bees gather both pollen and nectar from flowers to feed to the larvae and other members of the colony. Nectar is the sweet fluid produced by flowers to attract bees and other insects, birds and mammals. Worker bees drink the nectar and store it in a pouch-like structure called the crop. They fly back to the hive and regurgitate the nectar to other "house bees." The house bees mix the nectar with enzymes and deposit it into a cell where it remains exposed to air for a time to allow some of the water to evaporate. The bees help the process along by fanning the open cells with their wings. The cell containing the resulting honey is later capped with beeswax and kept for future use.

Honey bees have lots of little hairs on their body. Even their eyes have hairs. Pollen sticks to the hairs while the bees are visiting the flowers. A furry little bee wiggling around inside the flower picks up a lot of pollen. After getting pollen on their body hairs, the bees move it to a special area on their hind legs called pollen baskets . Foraging bees returning to the hive often have bright yellow or greenish balls of pollen hanging from these pollen baskets.

Pollen is the yellowish or greenish powder-like substance that sometimes comes from flowers. It may be quite sticky. It contains the male contribution to the next generation of plants. Honey bees mix the pollen with some nectar to form a mixture called beebread that is a protein-rich food used to feed the larvae. As the worker bees move from flower to flower, they spread pollen to many different plants, including important foods such as vegetables (squash and cucum bers), fruits (apples, watermelon, plums, sweet cherries, citrus), nuts (almonds), plants grown for seed (sunflower), and animal feed crops such as clover.

There is evidence that Africanized honey bees spend more time collecting pollen than do European honey bees, because they need extra protein to produce more brood. One possible reason for the success of Africanized honey bees in displacing milder-tempered bees is that in every respect, the Africanized honey bees appear to be more efficient and more diligent. They get up earlier, work later, and visit more flowers per foraging flight than do European bees. When the moon is bright, Africanized honey bees will often continue to forage late into the night. This is part of the Africanized honey bee's tendency to favor expansion and frequent division of the colony, as opposed to the European honey bee's tendency to build up large, stable colonies full of honey in order to survive the winter.

Honey bees rely on their sense of vision to locate flowers. Bees see colors in the spectrum ranging from ultraviolet to orange, but do not see red, (Red flowers are visited by birds such as hummingbirds.) The flower advertises itself to the bees with colorful petals, many of which have shiny patches of ultraviolet that humans can't see except with special equipment. These ultraviolet patches are called bee guides or nectar guides. Like airport runway lights, these ultraviolet regions guide the bees to the nectar.

Shape of the flower is also important. Some flowers have flat areas for ease of landing by bees and others have elaborate modifications to ensure pollen sticks to any bee that visits.

During those hard times when there are few foraging opportunities, bees sometimes raid other, weaker colonies looking for honey to steal. The robber bees cannot enter a different hive unnoticed. Guard bees at the hive entrance usually try to fight off invaders in stinging duels. Africanized honey bees have a noticeable tendency to raid other colonies, especially during periods of drought or famine.

Honey bees are attracted to sweets, especially liquid sweets in the form of open cans of soft drinks. This is why they sometimes gather around eating areas at open air events, like fairs and carnivals, and crawl around on straws and can or bottle tops. While bees are generally not very aggressive while foraging for food or water, they can sting when disturbed, which makes them quite unwelcome at such events.

In addition to food, honey bees gather water for use in cooling the inside of the nest on hot days. They also use water to dilute the honey when they feed it to the larvae. Occasionally, honey bees collect the sticky resin and gum of trees and work into a substance called propolis. They used the propolis to plug unwanted openings in the hive so that mice and pests such as wax moths or ants can't get inside. The bees also spread a thin coating of propolis on the interior of the hive to protect against disease. When working a hive, the beekeeper uses a hive tool to pull apart the frames that may be stuck together with propolis."  (Source)

As we clearly see here:

1-  Bees feed off of nectar and pollen.

2-  Bees do feed off of sweets, which obviously includes all fruits.  "all manner of fruit (من كل الثمرات)" also means all sweet-tasting things, for bees pursue all natural-sugar-tasting things, which exist heavily in fruits.  Watch this bee eat from the fruit in slow motion, along with other bees eating other fruits.  This video also covers the healing and medical benefits of honey, a "healing for men" (فيه شفاء للناس):

      
       (Click to play clip)

3-  Pollen is the male part of the next-generation of plants.  Also, "all manner of fruit (من كل الثمرات)" does include pollen.  While the scientific terms of today do not exist in the Glorious Quran, but the references to them are still there.

Article #2:

Honey bees collect nectar from fruit flowers:

"The nectar sources from large cultivated fields of blooming apples, cherries, canola, melons, sun flowers, clover etc. are of benefit to a bee keeper who is willing to travel with his hives throughout the season."  (Source)

"Sugar concentration plays a greater role in bee attraction than the proportions of the various sugars in the nectar. Weather conditions aside, different plants naturally produce nectar in different quantities and concentrations. For example, apple nectar is more attractive to bees than pear nectar because it has a higher sugar concentration. Different plants compete for bee visits and to obtain maximum bee visitation to fruit flowers, competing flora (for example, weeds) should be controlled whenever possible."  (Source)

The Glorious Quran's "all manner of fruit (من كل الثمرات)" does include the fruit nectar.

Article #3:

More on Pollen and Fruit Propagation:

1. "Pollen, a powdery dust-like substance, is produced by various flowering plants. Pollen is one of the purest and richest natural foods, containing all of the nutritional requirements of a honey bee: sugar, carbohydrates, protein, enzymes, vitamins and minerals. Nectar is a sweet fluid found in flowers. Honey bees collect nectar and convert it to honey."  (Source)
     
     
2. "Wild and managed non-honey bee species have long supplemented honeybee pollination in fruit orchards, but their efforts have mostly been attributed to the honey bee. In light of the recent decline of honeybee populations, pollen bees will serve an even more integral role in fruit tree pollination and a number of Pennsylvania fruit growers have relied exclusively on pollen bees for pollination for over 5 years with no noticeable loss in fruit quality or yield. For those fruit growers relying mostly on wild pollen bees for pollination, additional precautions need to be taken due to recent findings on pesticide exposure. The old definition of petal fall being defined as when the honey bee hives are out of the orchard, no longer applies. We are extensively revising the pollinator section of the tree fruit production guide for the next edition coming out this winter to include this recent information.

   Worldwide, honeybees (Apis mellifera) have been the most economical and reliable option for pollinating most crops and the most important pollinator for apples in North America."  (Source)
     
     

3. "Perennial plants can be propagated either by sexual or vegetative means. Sexual reproduction begins when a male germ cell (pollen) from one flower fertilises a female germ cell (ovule, incipient seed) of the same species, initiating the development of a fruit containing seeds. Each seed, when germinated, can grow to become a new specimen tree. However, the new tree inherits characteristics of both its parents, and it will not grow 'true' to the variety of either parent from which it came. That is, it will be a fresh individual with an unpredictable combination of characteristics of its own. Although this is desirable in terms of producing novel combinations from the richness of the gene pool of the two parent plants (such sexual recombination is the source of new cultivars), only rarely will the resulting new fruit tree be directly useful or attractive to the tastes of humankind. Most new plants will have characteristics that lie somewhere between those of the two parents."  (Source)
     
     
4.   
     

   From http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/A/Angiosperm.html: Sexual Reproduction in Angiosperms Angiosperms are the flowering plants (today the most abundant and diverse plants on earth). Most are terrestrial and all lack locomotion. This poses several problems. Gametes are delicate single cells. For two plants to cross fertilize, there must be a mechanism for the two gametes to reach each other safely. There must also be a mechanism to disperse their offspring far enough away from the parent so that they do not have to compete with the parent for light, water, and soil minerals. The functions of the flower solve both of these problems.      The Flower and Its Pollination In angiosperms, meiosis in the sporophyte generation produces two kinds of spores. microspores which develop in the microsporangium and which will germinate and develop into the male gametophyte generation and megaspores which develop in the megasporangium and which will develop into the female gametophyte generation. Link to a discussion of the alternation of gametophyte and sporophyte generations   Both types of sporangia are formed in flowers. In most angiosperms, the flowers are perfect: each has both microsporangia and megasporangia. Some angiosperms are imperfect, having either microsporangia or megasporangia but not both. Monoecious plants have both types of imperfect flower on the same plant. Dioecious plants have imperfect flowers on separate plants; that is, some plants are male, some female. Examples include willows, poplars, and the date palm. Flowers develop from flower buds. Each bud contains 4 concentric whorls of tissue. From the outer to the inner, these develop into a whorl of sepals (collectively called the calyx) a whorl of petals (collectively called the corolla) stamens in which the microsporangia form carpels in which the megasporangia form. Link to a discussion of the genetic control of flower formation.   Stamens Each stamen consists of a lobed anther, containing the microsporangia and supported by a thin filament Meiosis of the diploid microspore mother cells in the anther produces four haploid microspores. Each of these develops into a pollen grain consisting of a larger vegetative cell (also called the tube cell) inside of which is a a smaller germ cell (also called the generative cell). At some point, depending on the species, the germ cell divides by mitosis to produce 2 sperm cells. Carpels Carpels consist of a stigma, usually mounted at the tip of a style with an ovary at the base. Often the entire whorl of carpels is fused into a single pistil. The megasporangia, called ovules, develop within the ovary. Meiosis of the megaspore mother cell in each ovule produces 4 haploid cells: a large megaspore and 3 small cells that disintegrate. Development of the megaspore Link to a view of the entire process. The nucleus of the megaspore undergoes 3 successive mitotic divisions. The 8 nuclei that result are distributed and partitioned off by cell walls to form the embryo sac. This is the mature female gametophyte generation. The egg cell will start the new sporophyte generation if it is fertilized. It is flanked by 2 synergid cells. In several (perhaps all) angiosperms, they secrete an attractant that guides the pollen tube through the micropyle into the embryo sac. The large central cell, which in most angiosperms contains 2 polar nuclei, will after its fertilization develop into the endosperm of the seed. 3 antipodal cells.       Pollination When a pollen grain reaches the stigma, it germinates into a pollen tube. If it hasn't done so already, the germ cell divides by mitosis forming 2 sperm cells. These, along with the tube nucleus, migrate down the pollen tube as it grows through the style, the micropyle, and into the ovule chamber. In Arabidopsis the pollen tube follows a gradient of increasing concentration of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA; the same molecule that serves as an important neurotransmitter in the human brain — Link). Two other chemicals that have been found in other species to guide pollen tubes to their destination are a gradient of nitric oxide (NO) [Link]; a gradient of a small defensin-like peptide. The pollen tube with its contents makes up the mature male gametophyte generation. Double fertilization The pollen tube enters the ovule through the micropyle and ruptures. One sperm cell fuses with the egg forming the diploid zygote. The other sperm cell fuses with the polar nuclei forming the endosperm nucleus. Most angiosperms have two polar nuclei so the endosperm is triploid (3n). The tube nucleus disintegrates. Self-incompatibility Most angiosperms have mechanisms by which they avoid self-fertilization. Link to a discussion of these. Seeds After double fertilization, each ovule develops into a seed, which consists of a plumule, made up of two embryonic leaves, which will become the first true leaves of the seedling, and a terminal (apical) bud. The terminal bud contains the meristem at which later growth of the stem takes place. One or two cotyledons which store food that will be used by the germinating seedling. Angiosperms that produce seeds with two cotyledons are called dicots. Examples: beans, squashes, Arabidopsis Angiosperms whose seeds contain only a single cotyledon are monocots. Examples: corn and other grasses. The hypocotyl and radicle, which will grow into the part of the stem below the first node ("hypocotyl" = below the cotyledons) and primary root respectively. The development of each of the parts of the plant embryo depends on gradients of the plant hormone, auxin. In addition to the embryo plant (derived from the zygote), each seed is covered with protective seed coats derived from the walls of the ovule. The food in the cotyledons is derived from the endosperm which, in turn, received it from the parent sporophyte. In many angiosperms (e.g., beans), when the seeds are mature, the endosperm has been totally consumed and its food transferred to the cotyledons. In others (some dicots and all monocots), the endosperm persists in the mature seed. The seed is thus a dormant embryo sporophyte with stored food and protective coats. Its two functions are dispersal of the species to new locations (aided in angiosperms by the fruit) survival of the species during unfavorable climatic periods (e.g., winter). "Annual" plants (e.g., beans, cereal grains, many weeds) can survive freezing only as seeds. When the parents die in the fall, the seeds remain alive — though dormant— over the winter. When conditions are once more favorable, germination occurs and a new generation of plants develops.   Fruits Fruits are a development of the ovary wall and sometimes other flower parts as well. As seeds mature, they release the hormone auxin, which stimulates the wall of the ovary to develop into the fruit. In fact, commercial fruit growers may stimulate fruit development in unpollinated flowers by applying synthetic auxin to the flower. Fruits promote the dispersal of their content of seeds in a variety of ways. Wind. The maple "key" and dandelion parachute are examples. Water. Many aquatic angiosperms and shore dwellers (e.g., the coconut palm) have floating fruits that are carried by water currents to new locations. Hitchhikers. The cocklebur and sticktights achieve dispersal of their seeds by sticking to the coat (or clothing) of a passing animal. Edible fruits. Nuts and berries entice animals to eat them. Buried and forgotten (nuts) or passing through their g.i. tract unharmed (berries), the seeds may end up some distance away from the parent plant. Mechanical. Some fruits, as they dry, open explosively expelling their seeds. The pods of many legumes (e.g., wisteria) do this.

  
And again, "all manner of fruit (من كل الثمرات)" does include pollen.  While the scientific terms of today do not exist in the Glorious Quran, but the references to them are still there.

Article #4:

"Do bees go after human food like flies do?

Honey bees are attracted to sugar. They really come after sweet stuff during a drought or the very hottest day of summer when flowers are scarce. Dr. Pepper is a favorite. I know more than one guy at work stung on the lip because a bee went into his soda can. If you leave your windows down sometimes bees will get all inside after soda cans or spilt soda. I have put out thick sugar water for bees before in summer and bee keepers often feed bees.

Surely most of you have read of tracking bees to the hive. In elementary school we read about it. They put syrup in a small box and the bees begin to arrive. They powdered one's behind with flour and timed how long it took him to return from a trip to the hive for more syrup. With this they calculated distance to hive and followed the flight path to the bee tree."  (Source)

Article #5:

"Junk-food honey bees

Someone forwarded a link to this New York Times story yesterday, and it got me thinking about the junk that honey bees eat. Every fall, people report problems with honey bees being attracted to trash cans, soda cans, and all variety of sweet things. I’ve always believed this phenomenon was due to the combined effect of a declining natural supply of nectar and possibly an enhanced craving for carbohydrates prior to winter (stoking the fires for a long, cold winter)."  (Source)

Article #6:

The following was an addition from brother Dawud on this this website's blog; may Allah Almighty always be pleased with him:

"Honey bees typically search for flowers containing nectar and pollen for food. However, they are very opportunistic, and will seek syrups, sugar, fruit juices, and other sweet substances within easy access when flowers are not available."  (Source)

Again, the Glorious Quran's "all manner of fruit (من كل الثمرات)" does include the fruit nectar as well as all fruits that bees feed off of.

Article #7:

"When bees decide to move to a new home and begin a new colony, "scouts" head out to find a location. These bees are able to travel many miles form the original hive but still find the way back to the colony. Wild bees usually prefer rock crevices, hollow trees and other small, enclosed areas for hives. Once the scouts have found a suitable location, they return to the colony and lead the other bees there. The bees, including the queen, fill their stomachs with honey for the long journey to the site of the new nest. Food that is not digested is regurgitated and used as building materials for the new hive."  (Source)

"Bee Facts:
Bees can flap their wings as fast as 11,000 times per second.
They flap their wings to do a lot of things, but one reason is to heat and cool the hive at all times. The worker bees keep the hive at a steady temperature all year round with their wing flaps. They would like it to be 92-93 degrees -- which is pretty warm.
Honey bees fly in a radius of about 3-5 miles from their homes to forage for flowers and food."  (Source)

As we clearly see here from all of the above articles:

1-  Bees build their hives in trees and in rocks, and anywhere on land that they may feel safest in.

2-  Bees travel for miles to search for flower's nectar and also for food.

3-  Conclusion:

The Glorious Quran is in perfect harmony with the established science about the bees.  Also honey, as I linked above, was proven to be a healing medicine by science today, and Allah Almighty mentioned this fact about honey 1,400 years ago, a "healing for men" (فيه شفاء للناس).  Again, here are some of honey's medical benefits:

1-  It's a natural remedy.

2-  It's an antibiotic. It is call Apitherapy Raw Honey, which includes replenishing energy, enhancing physical stamina, and improving the immune system.

3-  It has anti-microbial properties. It forms a hydrogen peroxide effect in wounds and destroys bacteria.

4-  In the wound, honey also allows for skin cells to re-grow naturally, and it prevents raised scarring.

5-  Honey has Acidic PH which is inhospitable for bacteria.

6-  It also has an Asmonic effect, which draws out fluid from the bacteria.

7-  Honey also heals burn injuries.

Please visit: Honey was proven to be a healing medicine for humans as was mentioned in the Noble Quran.

Indeed, all Praise and Glory are due to Allah Almighty alone for making the Noble Quran be the Perfect and Everlasting Miracle, for us humans, out of all of His Divine Miracles!  And may Allah Almighty send His Peace, Mercy and Blessings upon our Beloved and Blessed Prophet, Teacher and Role Model, Muhammad.  Ameen.

The Overwhelming Scientific Miracles in the Glorious Quran.

The amazing Prophecies of the Glorious Quran and Islam.

Ask me any question section.

Honey was proven to be a healing medicine for humans as was mentioned in the Noble Quran.

Islam and the Noble Quran - Questions and Answers.

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