Ar-Rahman 55:21
The Beneficent · Juz 27 · Page 532
فَبِأَيِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ٢١
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?
Tafsir · in English
Tazkirul Quran
Brief · Short modern reflections on each passage.
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Commentary on 55:10–25
A large part of this universe is filled with stars which consist entirely of fire. Jinn are also made of this fire. But human beings have been given special treatment by God in that they have been made of earth, or clay, which is an extremely rare thing in this extensive universe. In the whole universe the earth is a unique exception. Here, all the factors that are conducive to the existence, survival and cultural development of man have been provided in the most appropriate proportions and in the most balanced manner. One of these arrangements is the system of ‘two easts’ and ‘two wests’ on the earth. In winter, the places on the horizon where the sun rises and sets are different from those in summer. In this way, there is a range of ‘easts’ and ‘wests.’ This seasonal difference occurs due to the axial tilt of the earth in space. This tilt is a most unique feature, and man receives many natural advantages on account of this. The exceptional treatment of man and the earth in this universe is such a great manifestation of God’s grace and bounty that man is in no way capable of thanking his Creator sufficiently.
Page 532
55:17
رَبُّ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقَيۡنِ وَرَبُّ ٱلۡمَغۡرِبَيۡنِ ١٧
[He is] Lord of the two sunrises and Lord of the two sunsets.1
1 translator’s note
- i.e., the points of sunrise in the east and sunset in the west in both summer and winter. ↩
55:18
فَبِأَيِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ١٨
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?
55:19
مَرَجَ ٱلۡبَحۡرَيۡنِ يَلۡتَقِيَانِ ١٩
He released the two seas,1 meeting [one another];
1 translator’s note
- Two bodies of water or two sea waters of distinct characteristics. ↩
55:20
بَيۡنَهُمَا بَرۡزَخٞ لَّا يَبۡغِيَانِ ٢٠
Between them is a barrier so neither of them transgresses.
55:21
فَبِأَيِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ٢١
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?
55:22
يَخۡرُجُ مِنۡهُمَا ٱللُّؤۡلُؤُ وَٱلۡمَرۡجَانُ ٢٢
From both of them emerge pearl and coral.
55:23
فَبِأَيِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ٢٣
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?
55:24
وَلَهُ ٱلۡجَوَارِ ٱلۡمُنشَـَٔاتُ فِي ٱلۡبَحۡرِ كَٱلۡأَعۡلَٰمِ ٢٤
And to Him belong the ships [with sails] elevated in the sea like mountains.
55:25
فَبِأَيِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ٢٥
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?
55:26
كُلُّ مَنۡ عَلَيۡهَا فَانٖ ٢٦
Everyone upon it [i.e., the earth] will perish,
55:27
وَيَبۡقَىٰ وَجۡهُ رَبِّكَ ذُو ٱلۡجَلَٰلِ وَٱلۡإِكۡرَامِ ٢٧
And there will remain the Face1 of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor.
1 translator’s note
- See footnote to 2:19. ↩
55:28
فَبِأَيِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ٢٨
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?
55:29
يَسۡـَٔلُهُۥ مَن فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ كُلَّ يَوۡمٍ هُوَ فِي شَأۡنٖ ٢٩
Whoever is within the heavens and earth asks Him; every day He is in [i.e., bringing about] a matter.1
1 translator’s note
- For each of His creatures. ↩
55:30
فَبِأَيِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ٣٠
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?
55:31
سَنَفۡرُغُ لَكُمۡ أَيُّهَ ٱلثَّقَلَانِ ٣١
We will attend to you, O prominent beings.1
1 translator’s note
- Specifically two: mankind and jinn. ↩
55:32
فَبِأَيِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ٣٢
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?
55:33
يَٰمَعۡشَرَ ٱلۡجِنِّ وَٱلۡإِنسِ إِنِ ٱسۡتَطَعۡتُمۡ أَن تَنفُذُواْ مِنۡ أَقۡطَارِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنفُذُواْۚ لَا تَنفُذُونَ إِلَّا بِسُلۡطَٰنٖ ٣٣
O company of jinn and mankind, if you are able to pass beyond the regions of the heavens and the earth, then pass. You will not pass except by authority [from Allāh].
55:34
فَبِأَيِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ٣٤
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?
55:35
يُرۡسَلُ عَلَيۡكُمَا شُوَاظٞ مِّن نَّارٖ وَنُحَاسٞ فَلَا تَنتَصِرَانِ ٣٥
There will be sent upon you a flame of fire and smoke,1 and you will not defend yourselves.
1 translator’s note
- Another possible meaning is liquefied brass or copper. ↩
55:36
فَبِأَيِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ٣٦
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?
55:37
فَإِذَا ٱنشَقَّتِ ٱلسَّمَآءُ فَكَانَتۡ وَرۡدَةٗ كَٱلدِّهَانِ ٣٧
And when the heaven is split open and becomes rose-colored like oil1 -
1 translator’s note
- Or "like a tanned skin." ↩
55:38
فَبِأَيِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ٣٨
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny? -
55:39
فَيَوۡمَئِذٖ لَّا يُسۡـَٔلُ عَن ذَنۢبِهِۦٓ إِنسٞ وَلَا جَآنّٞ ٣٩
Then on that Day none will be asked about his sin among men or jinn.1
1 translator’s note
- Once they have been condemned to the Fire. ↩
55:40
فَبِأَيِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ٤٠
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?