Understanding Surah Rahman - Part (1)

Surah Rahman is the 55th surah of Quran. Majority of the scholars believe it could be Meccan Surah, i.e it was it revealed during Prophet Mohammed's (SWS) time in Mecca.

It is famous for the Ayah Fabi ayyi Alaa I Rabbi kumaatu kazzibaan ("So which of the favors/Blessings of your Lord would you both (jinn and men) deny?"), which is repeated 31 times in this Surah!. Every time after mentioning His creations, Allah asks this same question.

Why did Allah repeat this Ayah so many times?

At the time of Prophet (SWS), the Mushrikoon (pagans having idolatry as a religion or no religion at all) had become extremely stubborn, hot tempered, they did not want to hear the message of Islam. They also made fun of the Ayats and of Rasoolullah [SWS]. Na ou zubillah. Allah was teaching the Quran to Quraysh patiently.

So, Allah asked the same question many times, so that, may be it would get into their head at least one time.

Even today there are some people who are not easily convinced with reason and logic. The style of this Surah suits for such stubborn people. For it to get inside of their head Allah keeps asking this question over and over again. Allah has stated endless times in the Quran that He has made His signs very clear.

Before we start understanding this Surah, let's understand the definition of Ar Rahman. After all this Surah is named Surah Rahman!

What does Ar Rahman mean: The interpretation could be the One Who is the Most Merciful, the Most Beneficent or the Most Gracious. This attribute of Allah [SWT] indicates that we are taken care by Allah in every way. He cares for us, loves us and protects us. For instance, when we wake up every day our body functioning appropriately is due to the Rahmah of Allah [SWT]. SubhanAllah.

This Surah could be divided into four parts. Lets cover parts 1 & 2 in this blog post.

Part 1: Quran -- A Grand Gift of Allah

Verses 1-4: Allah says..."The Most Merciful (Allah), He has taught (you Mankind) the Qur'an (by His mercy). He created man, [And] He taught him eloquence speech."

Interpretation: It has been stated that the teaching of the Quran is from Allah. Quran is a heavenly gift from Allah to us, which provides guidance to us. Allah has created man as an intelligent being and made Quran easy for us to recite and memorize.

Speech is the distinctive quality which distinguishes man from the animals and other earthly creatures. In fact speech is an express symbol of man's being an intelligent being.

Part 2: Allah’s Creations

Verses 5-6: Allah says..."The sun and the moon run on their fixed courses (exactly) calculated with measured out stages for each. And the stars and trees prostrate."

Interpretation: It has been said that the whole system of the Universe is functioning under Allah's Sovereignty and everything in the earth and heavens is subject to His Command alone. Even the creations besides Humans, like stars and trees prostrate themselves to Allah, SubhanAllah.

Verses 7-9: Allah says..."And the heaven He has raised high, and He has set up the Balance. In order that you may not transgress within the balance. And establish weight in justice and do not make deficient the balance."

Interpretation: Another important truth that has been expressed is that Allah has established the entire system of the Universe precisely and equitably on justice, and the nature of this system requires that those who dwell in it also should adhere to justice within the bounds of their authority and should not disturb the balance so that the people may maintain their affairs in justice.

Interpretation of Verses 10-28: Allah [SWT] describes the Earth, He mentions about the fruits, date palms producing dates, corn (with its leaves and stalk for fodder), sweet scented plants. Allah has made the grain for humans and husk for the animals.

Allah says…"He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the clay of pottery and the Jinn He created from a smokeless flame of fire."

He mentions that He is the Lord of two Easts and two Wests meaning the places/points of sunrise and sunset during early summer and early winter are different.

He mentions about the barrier which does not mix the salt water and fresh(sweet) water even though they run alongside each other. He also mentions about the pearl and the coral coming out of these waters.

Allah mentions that He is the only one who keeps the ships which sail like the mountains in the sea safe.

He says..."Everyone upon the earth will perish, And there will remain the Face of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor."

Interpretation of Verses 29-34: Allah mentions "whosoever is in the heavens and on the earth begs of Him (is in need of Him). He attends the two classes (both men and jinn)". Allah challenges both men and jinn by saying.. "If you have power to pass beyond the zones of the Heavens and the earth, then pass beyond them. But you will never be able to pass them, except with authority from Allah."

He is the ultimate One Who gives honor or disgrace to some, life and death to some on this earth whenever He wills. Whatever is happening, from the earth to the heavens, is happening under His administration and control only.

We Humans have the ability to understand. We are surrounded by Allah's favors. Hence the more we understand the Quran, the more we appreciate Allah’s creation. SubhanAllah.

The remaining parts will be covered in the next blog post. In Sha Allah.

Post Script: Jinn exists but we cannot see them!

Jinns are mentioned in several places in the whole Quran. Few of the Ayahs are as below.

“Say (O’ Muhammad), It has been revealed to me that a group of Jinn listened and said; ‘Indeed we have heard a marvelous Quran. It guides unto righteousness so we have believed in it, and we will never make partners with our Lord’.”~ Surah Al Jinn 72: verse 1:2

“I did not create the Jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” ~ Surah Dhariyat 51: verse 56

“Indeed We created man from dried clay of black smooth mud. And We created the Jinn before that from the smokeless flame of fire” ~ Surah Al-Hijr 15: verse 26:27

For understanding details on verse 19: "He released the two seas, meeting [side by side]"

Check out this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U93QRMcQU5Y