Surah AR-RAHMAN

Chapter 55 Ar-Rahman - The Most Compassionate

This Meccan chapter is a call to humans and jinn to acknowledge Allah's infinite blessings, hence the recurring question: "Then which of your Lord's favours will you both (humans and jinn) deny?" which is repeated 31 times. SubhanAllah.

1. God's Favours

Allah Subhanahu wa ta`ala —the Most Compassionate—taught the Qur'an, created humanity and taught them speech. He created the universe with precision. He provided sustenance for all beings on earth. He created humankind from clay and jinn from a smokeless flame of fire. He is the Lord of the two easts and two wests—the points of sunrise and sunset during the summer and winter. He merges two bodies of fresh and salt water, yet between them is a barrier they never cross—this refers to estuaries where salt and fresh waters meet, forming brackish water. Although the waters mix, each retains its distinctive qualities.

2. God is Eternal, and All Creation Stands in Need of Him

Every being on earth is bound to perish. Only Allah Subhanahu wa ta`ala will remain forever. Death is listed as one of God's favours since it puts an end to tyrants, relieves the suffering of the oppressed, equalizes all people, and enforces justice on the Day of Judgment. All His creation in the heavens and the earth depends on Him.

Before we dive into the next section, it is beneficial to know the following:

On the Day of Judgment, people will be divided into three groups:

The Foremost: The righteous who are always ahead of others in faith and goodness.

The People of the Right: Average believers who will receive their records of deeds in their right hands.

The People of the Left: Disbelievers who will receive their records in their left hands.

3. Punishment of the People of the Left

Allah Subhanahu wa ta`ala warns the disbelievers about the Day of Judgment, when the wicked will be recognized by their appearance. He describes the punishment in Hell, where flames of fire and molten copper will torment them. On that day, neither humans nor jinn will need to be asked about their sins. Since their sins are already known to Allah and recorded perfectly, questioning will serve only as a form of punishment.

4. Rewards of the Foremost Believers

Allah Subhanahu wa ta`ala lists the favours for the foremost believers, promising them two gardens with lush branches. Each garden will have two flowing springs and two types of every fruit. The fruits will hang within reach, making them easily accessible from reclined furnishings. And the list goes on.

5. Rewards of the People of the Right

Allah Subhanahu wa ta`ala lists the favours for average believers, promising them two dark green gardens beneath those of the foremost believers. In each garden will be gushing springs, along with fruits, palm trees, and pomegranates. And the list goes on.

Note -

With all these favours/warnings/rewards, Allah Subhanahu wa ta`ala is constantly questioning rhetorically "Then which of your Lord's favours will you both (humans and jinn) deny?" 

Interesting Facts -

1. As mentioned earlier, "Then which of your Lord's favours will you both deny?" is repeated 31 times in this chapter:

8 times after reminders of Allah's favours.

7 times while discussing the punishment of the deniers of judgment (the number of Hell’s gates).

8 times while describing Paradise, which has eight gates.

2. The warning about punishment in Hell is listed as a favour, just like the promise of the reward in Paradise. Think of this as road signs: one sign directs you to food, hotels, and gas stations, while another warns of an accident or hazard ahead. Both benefit people.

3. The next chapter, Al-Waqiah (The Inevitable Event), mirrors this chapter in classifying people into three groups on Judgment Day and emphasizing how God's blessings are often taken for granted.

Reflection -

Allah's Generosity: This chapter highlights Allah's countless blessings, and we must be grateful for them. The Qur'an, mentioned as the first blessing in the chapter, is undoubtedly the greatest gift to humankind.

Stay on the Path of Sirat-ul-Mustaqeen: Do good and resist being misled by Shaitan, who constantly seeks to misguide us. We should prepare for the Day of Judgment through righteous actions.

Appreciate Creation: In Qur’an, Allah Subhanahu wa ta`ala has vividly describes the beauty of his creation—the sun, moon, stars, earth, seas, humans, and jinn. In this chapter, Allah Subhanahu wa ta`ala reminds us of these creation. Reflecting on these creations strengthens our connection with the Creator in a meaningful way.