Ar-Rahman

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said: �When the verse (Say (unto mankind): Cry unto Allah, or cry unto the Beneficent) [17:111] was revealed, the disbelievers of Mecca-Abu Jahl, al-Walid, 'Utbah and Shaybah and their hosts-said: we know no one called the Beneficent except Musaylimah the liar who lives in Yamamah. So he is this Beneficent one, O Muhammad?� And so Allah revealed this: (The Beneficent

Hath made known the Qur'an) to Gabriel and the latter to Muhammad, and Muhammad to his nation. Allah sent Gabriel with the Qur'an to Muhammad (pbuh) and the Prophet taught it to his nation.

(He hath created man) i.e. Adam from the surface of the earth.

(He hath taught him utterance) Allah inspired him with the exposition of everything as well as with the names of every beast on the surface of the earth.

(The sun and the moon are made punctual) their orbits are measured; and it is also said that this means: they are suspended half way between heaven and earth; and it is also said that this means: they both will be taken to task and have a lifespan like the lifespan of human beings.

(The najm and the trees adore) the stars and the trees prostrate to the Beneficent; and it is also said that najm refers to vegetation that has no stalks.

(And the sky He hath uplifted) above everything; such that nothing touches it; (and He hath set the measure) on the earth; He explained fair measure through the scale,

(That ye exceed not the measure) that you do not transgress or be unjust in measure,

(But observe the measure strictly) keep the balance of the scale justly; and it is also said that this means: observe your tongues by saying only the Truth, (nor fall short thereof) do not weigh less for the people such that you take away their rights.

(And the earth hath He appointed) He spread it on the water (for (His) creatures) for all created beings whether dead or alive,

(Wherein) in the earth (are fruit) different kind of fruits (and sheathed palm-trees) which has foreskin or shells, or anything that has not sprouted up.

(Husked grain) all kind of grain (and scented herb) spikes of grain and fruits.

(Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny) and claim that they are not from Allah, O jinn and humans? This is addressed to all human beings except Muhammad (pbuh).

(He created man) i.e. Adam (of clay like the potter's) out of which pottery is made,

(And the jinn) the father of the jinn and satans (did He create of smokeless fire.

Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny) which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny?

(Lord of the two Easts) the East of winter and the East of summer, (and Lord of the two Wests) the West of winter and the West of summer! There are two Easts and two Wests. The East of winter and the East of summer have 180 phases just as the two Wests and the moon have 180 phases. It is also said that the Easts of summer and winter have 177 phases and the Wests of summer and winter as well as the moon have 177 phases. The sun rises throughout the year two days in the same phase and it also sets two days in the same phase.

(Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

He hath loosed the two seas) the sweet and the salty. (They meet) without mixing.

(There is a barrier) from Allah (between them) between the sweet and salty seas. (They encroach not (one upon the other)) nor does any one of them change the taste of the other.

(Which is it, of the favours of your Lord: that you deny?

There cometh forth from both of them) but especially from the salty one (the pearl) big in size (and coral stone) small in size.

(Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

His are the ships displayed) floating (upon the sea, like banners) like mountains, that is when the ships raise their sails.

Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

Everyone that is thereon) on the face of the earth (will pass away) will die; it is also said that this means: everyone upon it will vanish; and it is also said that this means: every act that is done for other than Allah will perish;

(There remaineth but the Countenance of thy Lord) dies not; and it is also said that this means: the righteous works which are performed for the sake of Allah's Countenance will not perish (of Might) Who possesses might and sovereignty (and Glory) and who also possesses forgiveness and beneficence.

Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

All that are in the heavens) among the angels (and the earth) among the believers. The inhabitants of the earth ask Him forgiveness, success, preservation from sin, bestowal of honour and provision (entreat Him. Every day He exerciseth (universal) power) He gives life, He takes life, He raises, He abases, He brings into the world a new born baby, He releases a prisoner; and the things He exercises are beyond count.

Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

We shall dispose of you) We shall record the works that you do in the life of the world and take you to task for them on the Day of Judgement, (O ye two dependents) human beings and the jinn.

Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

O company of jinn and men, if ye have power) if you are able (to penetrate (all)) to break free from (regions) the extremities (of the heavens and the earth) and from the rows of angels; (then penetrate (them)) then break free and flee! (You will never penetrate them) you will not be able to break free (save with (Our) sanction) save with a reason and proof.

Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

There will be sent, against you both) when you emerge from the graves, O humans and jinn, (heat of fire) of smokeless fire (and flash of brass) and smoke which will lead you to the place of assembly, (and ye will not escape) you will not refuse to be led.

Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

And when the heaven splitteth asunder) because of the descent of the angels and awe towards the Lord (and becometh rosy) and become coloured (like red hide) like different kinds of paint; and it is said: like the different colours of roses; and it is also said: red in black

Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

On that day) which is the Day of Judgement; after the end of reckoning (neither man nor jinn will be questioned of his sin) his works; the believer will be known with his blooming, white face; it is also said that this means: the sins of human beings and the jinn will not be asked about.

Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

The guilty will be known by their marks) the idolaters will be known by their dark faces and bluish eyes, (and will be taken by the forelocks and the feet) and cast in the Fire.

Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?)

The angels in-charge of the Fire will say to them: (This is hell which the guilty deny) the idolaters, that is during the life of the world and claimed that it does not exist.

(They go circling round between it) i.e. the Fire (and fierce, boiling water) water as hot as can be.

Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

(But for him who feareth the standing before his Lord) but he who fears standing before his Lord upon being on the verge of committing a transgression and thus desists from it (there are two Gardens) the Garden of Eden and the Firdaws.

(Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

Of spreading branches) and different kinds.

Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny) regarding the Gardens?

(Wherein are two fountains flowing) for the dwellers of Paradise containing goodness, mercy, bestowal of honour, grace and more from Allah.

(Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny) regarding the Gardens?

(Wherein is every kind of fruit in pairs) both with regard to shape and taste.

Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

Reclining upon couches) sitting in comfort upon couches (lined with silk brocade) their outside is made of thick silk brocade while their inside is of soft silk brocade, (the fruit of both Gardens near to hand.

Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny) regarding all the Gardens?

(Therein are those of modest gaze) modest maiden who are content with their husbands and who do not look at other than their own husbands, (whom neither man nor jinn will have touched before them) before their husbands,

(Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

(In beauty) like the jacynth and the coral stone.

Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

Is the reward of goodness aught save goodness?) He says: is the reward of he whom We have blessed with the profession of Allah's divine Oneness anything but the Garden?

(Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

And beside them) besides the gardens mentioned earlier (are two other Gardens) which are less than the first two and which are: the Garden of Comfort (jannat al-na'im) and the Garden of Refuge (jannat al-ma'wa),

(Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny) regarding the two Gardens?

(Dark green with foliage) because of their abundant watering.

(Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny) regarding these two Gardens?

(Wherein) in the Gardens (are two abundant springs) and it is said: springs full of goodness, grace, mercy and bestowal of honour and much more from Allah.

(Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny) regarding he two Gardens?

(Wherein) in the two Gardens (is fruit) different kinds of fruit, (the date-palm) different kinds of palm- trees (and pomegranate) different kinds of pomegranate in both taste and shape.

(Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny) regarding the four Gardens; and it is said: regarding all the Gardens?

(Wherein (are found) the good and beautiful) wives, i.e. good for their husbands.

(Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

Fair ones, close-guarded) for their husbands (in pavilions) of hollowed pearls.

Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

Whom neither man nor jinn will have touched before them) before their husbands

(Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?

Reclining on green cushions) and it is also said: in meadows (and fair carpets) beautifully coloured carpets.

(Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny) which of the blessings of your Lord, O men and jinn-here to the exception of Muhammad (pbuh)-do you reject and claim that it is not from Allah?

(Blessed be the Name of thy Lord) your Lord is the Possessor of grace and Mercy; and it is said: Allah exonerates Himself from having a son or partner, (Mighty) the Possessor of might and sovereignty (and Glorious) and the Possessor of forgiveness and beneficence upon the advent of the Day of Judgement!'