Overview - Surah 55: ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful )
The Surah clearly indicates that Prophet Muhammad is Allah’s Prophet and Messenger for both human beings as well as Jinns. Allah's many blessings and favors are mentioned in this Surah. Human beings and Jinn are invited to remember these favors and not to deny Allah's blessings.
Sections:
- The various bounties of Allah.
- Everything is finite, but Allah is infinite. Everyone depends on Allah. The warnings to the guilty.
- The rewards for the righteous.
This Surah takes its name after the name of Allah mentioined in the first Ayat, الرَّحْمَـٰنُ "The Most Merciful" (55:1). This is the only Surah of the Qur'an that begins with a name of Allah, in this case, ar-Rahman.
There are 78 Ayat in this Surah.
Overview
| Total Ayat | 78 |
| Total Words * | 351 |
| Root Words * | 110 |
| Unique Root Words * | 12 |
| Makki / Madani | Madani |
| Chronological Order* | 97th (according to Ibn Abbas) |
| Year of Revelation* | |
| Events during/before this Surah*
N/A
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| Events during/after still to occur*
N/A
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| Names of Prophets Mentioned
No Prophets names are mentioned in this Surah
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| Surah Index
Astronomy (celestial mechanics) (solar and lunar orbits), Astronomy (sunrise) , Astronomy (sunset) , Date palms, Earth, Grain, Heaven (several) , Heaven (virgin mates of modest gaze) , Hell, Humankind, Humankind (creation of) (from clay), Hur al-Ayn, Jinn, Jinn (created of fire) , Judgement (Day) (flash of fire followed by smoke), Judgement (Day) (red like burning oil), Judgement (Day) (rent asunder), Pearls, Pomegranates, Qur’an, Ruby, Sea, Ships, Trees, Water (two great bodies of)
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This is the only Surah of the Qur’an in which besides men, the Jinn - who are the other creation of the earth endowed with freedom of will and action - have been directly addressed. Both men and Jinn have been made to realise the wonders of God’s power, His countless blessings, their own helplessness and accountability before Him, and have been warned of the evil consequences of His disobedience and made aware of the best results of His obedience. At several other places in the Qur’an there are clear pointers to show that like the men, the Jinn too are a creation who have been endowed with freedom of will and action and are accountable, who have been granted the freedom of belief and unbelief, of obedience and disobedience, and among them too there are the believers and the unbelievers, the obedient and the rebellious, as among human beings. And among them too there exist such groups as have believed in the Prophets sent by God and in the Divine Books. This Surah clearly points out that the message of the Prophet and the Qur’an is meant both for men and for Jinn and that his Prophethood is not restricted to human beings alone.
Although in the beginning of the Surah the address is directed only to human beings, for to them only belongs the vicegerent of the earth, among them only have the Messengers of God been raised, and in their tongues only have the Divine Books been revealed, yet from verse 13 onwards both the men and the Jinn have been addressed and one and the same invitation has been extended to both.
- The Ayat revolve around the manifestation of the Rahmah [mercy] of Allah.
- The Surah begins with the name of Allah and ends guiding the reader to glorify His name:
الرَّحْمَـٰنُ "The Most Merciful." (55:1)
تَبَارَكَ اسْمُ رَبِّكَ ذِي الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ "Blessed is the name of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor." (55:78)
Manuscripts / Inscriptions
15th century
15th century
10th/16th-11th/17th Century
3rd/9th Century
14th Century
14th Century
809 H (1406)
3rd /4th Century Hijrah
3rd /4th Century Hijrah
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
- There are 55 Ayat in Surah al-Qamar. Surah ar-Rahman is Surah no. 55.
- Surah al-Qamar ends with mentioning that the Believers will be with the King. Surah ar-Rahman begins with who this King is - He is ar-Rahman [the Most Merciful]
فِي مَقْعَدِ صِدْقٍ عِندَ مَلِيكٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍ "In a seat of truth (i.e. Paradise), near the Omnipotent King (Allah, the All-Blessed, the Most High, the Owner of Majesty and Honour) (54:55)
الرَّحْمَـٰنُ "The Most Merciful." (55:1) - Both Surah al-Qamar and ar-Rahman end with the mention of Paradise.
- Both Surah ar-Rahman and al-Waqiah end with similar Ayat
تَبَارَكَ اسْمُ رَبِّكَ ذِي الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ "Blessed is the name of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor." (55:78)
فَسَبِّحْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الْعَظِيمِ "So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great." (56:96)
- حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ وَاقِدٍ أَبُو مُسْلِمٍ السَّعْدِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا الْوَلِيدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ زُهَيْرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْمُنْكَدِرِ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، رضى الله عنه قَالَ خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى أَصْحَابِهِ فَقَرَأَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُورَةَ الرَّحْمَنِ مِنْ أَوَّلِهَا إِلَى آخِرِهَا فَسَكَتُوا فَقَالَ " لَقَدْ قَرَأْتُهَا عَلَى الْجِنِّ لَيْلَةَ الْجِنِّ فَكَانُوا أَحْسَنَ مَرْدُودًا مِنْكُمْ كُنْتُ كُلَّمَا أَتَيْتُ عَلَى قَوْلِهِِ : ( فبأَىِّ آلاَءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ) قَالُوا لاَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ نِعَمِكَ رَبَّنَا نُكَذِّبُ فَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ غَرِيبٌ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ حَدِيثِ الْوَلِيدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ زُهَيْرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّ
Muhammad bin Al Munkadir narrated that, "Jabir [may Allah be pleased with him] said: “The Messenger of Allah came out to his Companions, and recited Surat Ar-Rahman from its beginning to its end for them, and they were silent. So he said: ‘I recited it to the Jinns on the ‘Night of the Jinns,’ and they had a better response to it than you did. Each time I came to Allah’s saying: ‘Which of your Lords favor do you deny.’ They said: “We do not deny any of Your favors our Lord! And Yours is praise.” Tirmidhee no. 3291
- This Surah address both Mankind and Jinn together - فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ "So which of the favors of your Lord would you [both] deny?" (55:16)
- The following Ayat has been repeated 30 times in this Surah, فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ "So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?" (55:16)
- (55:33) is the longest Ayat of this Surah with 16 words,
يَا مَعْشَرَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنسِ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتُمْ أَن تَنفُذُوا مِنْ أَقْطَارِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ فَانفُذُوا ۚ لَا تَنفُذُونَ إِلَّا بِسُلْطَانٍ "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 Allah]" (55:33)
Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) = 12* | ||
| # | Root Word | Frequency in Surah | Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | ر ب ب | 36 | 980 |
| 2. | ك ذ ب | 32 | 282 |
| 3. | أ ل و | 31 | 37 |
| 4. | ج ن ن | 8 | 201 |
| 5. | أ ن س | 6 | 97 |
| 6. | س م و | 5 | 381 |
| 7. | ب ي ن | 4 | 523 |
| 8. | و ز ن | 4 | 23 |
| 9. | م ر ج | 4 | 6 |
| 10. | ح س ن | 4 | 194 |
| Root Word | Frequency in Surah |
Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|
| ر ب ب | 36 | 980 |
| ك ذ ب | 32 | 282 |
| أ ل و | 31 | 37 |
| ج ن ن | 8 | 201 |
| أ ن س | 6 | 97 |
| س م و | 5 | 381 |
| ب ي ن | 4 | 523 |
| و ز ن | 4 | 23 |
| م ر ج | 4 | 6 |
| ح س ن | 4 | 194 |
Tafsir Zone
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Sayyid Qutb Overview (Verses 48 - 78) The Four Gardens For the first time in the Qur'an so far two gardens are mentioned, and there are probably more within the great garden of heaven. Their mention here, in particular, may be to stress their importance. In the next surah, The Inevitable Event, we learn that the dwellers of heaven form two large groups: the ones to the fore who will be brought nearest to God, and the people to the right. Each will experience great bliss. Here also we feel that these two gardens are designated for a group with a high position. It may be the group described in the next surah as being closest to God. We see another two gardens which are less refined than the first two and we feel that they belong to a group that comes next to the ones already mentioned. This group may be the people to the right. Whatever the case may be, let us look at this first grouping of two gardens, feeling their bliss. They are "With shading branches." (Verse 48) The Arabic word used for branches, afnan, conveys in particular newly springing branches that spread an air of freshness. These gardens have "a pair of flowing springs." (Verse 50) Thus, they are never short of water. This, however, does not complete the aspects of luxury that await these people. There is still more to consider: "In both [gardens] will be mates of modest gaze, whom neither man nor jinn will have touched before." (Verse 56) Their modest gaze reflects their chastity. They do not look to anyone other than their spouses. Besides, they instil a sense of luxury and brightness, appearing "like rubies and corals." (Verse 58) All this comes as the reward for a person who stands in this life in fear of his Lord's presence and worships Him as if he sees Him. He feels that God sees him and he works to attain the superior grade of excellence that the Prophet described as "to worship God as if you see Him. If you do not, then know that He sees you." As such they deserve more from the Lord of Grace for their excellence: "Shall the reward of good be anything but good?" (Verse 60) In this presentation of these two lofty gardens and what they contain, every aspect of blessing and comfort is followed by the familiar comment: "Which, then, of your Lord's blessings do you both deny?" (Verse 61) The surah then describes what the other group, also with two gardens, will have: "Besides these two there are two other gardens." (Verse 62) The description shows them to be in some way less than the first two: "Both of the deepest green." (Verse 64) Their green colour is very dark, almost black. They have "two gushing springs." (Verse 66) Their water gushes forth, which is again different from, or less than, the flowing water of the springs in the first two gardens. Here we have "fruits, date palms and pomegranate trees, (Verse 68) while we had there "every kind of fruit in pairs." (Verse 52) Moreover, "there will be in [these gardens] all things most excellent and beautiful." (Verse 70) Further aspects are added in the next verse: "[They will have] dark-eyed and modest companions, sheltered in pavilions." (Verse 72) The pavilions, or decorated tents, add connotations of bedouin luxury, gratifying those used to desert life. The mates they have here are sheltered', while the ones in the other two gardens are 'of modest gaze'. However both groups of mates share in the same qualities of chastity and faithful devotion: "Neither man nor jinn will have touched them before." (Verse 74) We see the dwellers of these two gardens enjoying their luxuries: "They will recline on green cushions and fine carpets." (Verse 76) The fine quality of the carpets in these gardens is given a special description in Arabic, ‘abqari, which is an adjective used of the (Abgar Valley; in olden times the Arabs believed this to be the dwelling place of the jinn. Hence they attributed every marvellous thing to this valley, describing it as ‘abqari, as the carpets are here described. When compared with what the first two gardens contain, these are clearly more modest. Yet the familiar comment is added after every aspect of blessing mentioned here: "Which, then, of your Lord's blessings do you both deny?" (Verse 77) The surah concludes with a final note of glorification of the Lord whose face, full of majesty, will remain after all creation has perished. This is the most apt conclusion to a surah that bears the name of the Lord of Grace: "Blessed is the name of your Lord, full of majesty, granting grace." (Verse 78)
Overview (Verses 48 - 78) The Four Gardens For the first time in the Qur'an so far two gardens are mentioned, and there are probably more within the great garden of heaven. Their mention here, in particular, may be to stress their importance. In the next surah, The Inevitable Event, we learn that the dwellers of heaven form two large groups: the ones to the fore who will be brought nearest to God, and the people to the right. Each will experience great bliss. Here also we feel that these two gardens are designated for a group with a high position. It may be the group described in the next surah as being closest to God. We see another two gardens which are less refined than the first two and we feel that they belong to a group that comes next to the ones already mentioned. This group may be the people to the right. Whatever the case may be, let us look at this first grouping of two gardens, feeling their bliss. They are "With shading branches." (Verse 48) The Arabic word used for branches, afnan, conveys in particular newly springing branches that spread an air of freshness. These gardens have "a pair of flowing springs." (Verse 50) Thus, they are never short of water. This, however, does not complete the aspects of luxury that await these people. There is still more to consider: "In both [gardens] will be mates of modest gaze, whom neither man nor jinn will have touched before." (Verse 56) Their modest gaze reflects their chastity. They do not look to anyone other than their spouses. Besides, they instil a sense of luxury and brightness, appearing "like rubies and corals." (Verse 58) All this comes as the reward for a person who stands in this life in fear of his Lord's presence and worships Him as if he sees Him. He feels that God sees him and he works to attain the superior grade of excellence that the Prophet described as "to worship God as if you see Him. If you do not, then know that He sees you." As such they deserve more from the Lord of Grace for their excellence: "Shall the reward of good be anything but good?" (Verse 60) In this presentation of these two lofty gardens and what they contain, every aspect of blessing and comfort is followed by the familiar comment: "Which, then, of your Lord's blessings do you both deny?" (Verse 61) The surah then describes what the other group, also with two gardens, will have: "Besides these two there are two other gardens." (Verse 62) The description shows them to be in some way less than the first two: "Both of the deepest green." (Verse 64) Their green colour is very dark, almost black. They have "two gushing springs." (Verse 66) Their water gushes forth, which is again different from, or less than, the flowing water of the springs in the first two gardens. Here we have "fruits, date palms and pomegranate trees, (Verse 68) while we had there "every kind of fruit in pairs." (Verse 52) Moreover, "there will be in [these gardens] all things most excellent and beautiful." (Verse 70) Further aspects are added in the next verse: "[They will have] dark-eyed and modest companions, sheltered in pavilions." (Verse 72) The pavilions, or decorated tents, add connotations of bedouin luxury, gratifying those used to desert life. The mates they have here are sheltered', while the ones in the other two gardens are 'of modest gaze'. However both groups of mates share in the same qualities of chastity and faithful devotion: "Neither man nor jinn will have touched them before." (Verse 74) We see the dwellers of these two gardens enjoying their luxuries: "They will recline on green cushions and fine carpets." (Verse 76) The fine quality of the carpets in these gardens is given a special description in Arabic, ‘abqari, which is an adjective used of the (Abgar Valley; in olden times the Arabs believed this to be the dwelling place of the jinn. Hence they attributed every marvellous thing to this valley, describing it as ‘abqari, as the carpets are here described. When compared with what the first two gardens contain, these are clearly more modest. Yet the familiar comment is added after every aspect of blessing mentioned here: "Which, then, of your Lord's blessings do you both deny?" (Verse 77) The surah concludes with a final note of glorification of the Lord whose face, full of majesty, will remain after all creation has perished. This is the most apt conclusion to a surah that bears the name of the Lord of Grace: "Blessed is the name of your Lord, full of majesty, granting grace." (Verse 78)
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Ibn Kathir (English)
Sayyid Qutb
Sha'rawi
Al Jalalain
الطبري - جامع البيان
ابن كثير - تفسير القرآن العظيم
القرطبي - الجامع لأحكام
البغوي - معالم التنزيل
ابن أبي حاتم الرازي - تفسير القرآن
ابن عاشور - التحرير والتنوير
ابن القيم - تفسير ابن قيّم
السيوطي - الدر المنثور
الشنقيطي - أضواء البيان
ابن الجوزي - زاد المسير
الآلوسي - روح المعاني
ابن عطية - المحرر الوجيز
الرازي - مفاتيح الغيب
أبو السعود - إرشاد العقل السليم
الزمخشري - الكشاف
البقاعي - نظم الدرر
الهداية إلى بلوغ النهاية — مكي ابن أبي طالب
القاسمي - محاسن التأويل
الماوردي - النكت والعيون
السعدي - تيسير الكريم الرحمن
عبد الرحمن الثعالبي - الجواهر الحسان
السمرقندي - بحر العلوم
أبو إسحاق الثعلبي - الكشف والبيان
الشوكاني - فتح القدير
النيسابوري - التفسير البسيط
أبو حيان - البحر المحيط
البيضاوي - أنوار التنزيل
النسفي - مدارك التنزيل
ابن جُزَيّ - التسهيل لعلوم التنزيل
علي الواحدي النيسابوري - الوجيز
السيوطي - تفسير الجلالين
المختصر في التفسير — مركز تفسير
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Overview (Verses 48 - 78) The Four Gardens For the first time in the Qur'an so far two gardens are mentioned, and there are probably more within the great garden of heaven. Their mention here, in particular, may be to stress their importance. In the next surah, The Inevitable Event, we learn that the dwellers of heaven form two large groups: the ones to the fore who will be brought nearest to God, and the people to the right. Each will experience great bliss. Here also we feel that these two gardens are designated for a group with a high position. It may be the group described in the next surah as being closest to God. We see another two gardens which are less refined than the first two and we feel that they belong to a group that comes next to the ones already mentioned. This group may be the people to the right. Whatever the case may be, let us look at this first grouping of two gardens, feeling their bliss. They are "With shading branches." (Verse 48) The Arabic word used for branches, afnan, conveys in particular newly springing branches that spread an air of freshness. These gardens have "a pair of flowing springs." (Verse 50) Thus, they are never short of water. This, however, does not complete the aspects of luxury that await these people. There is still more to consider: "In both [gardens] will be mates of modest gaze, whom neither man nor jinn will have touched before." (Verse 56) Their modest gaze reflects their chastity. They do not look to anyone other than their spouses. Besides, they instil a sense of luxury and brightness, appearing "like rubies and corals." (Verse 58) All this comes as the reward for a person who stands in this life in fear of his Lord's presence and worships Him as if he sees Him. He feels that God sees him and he works to attain the superior grade of excellence that the Prophet described as "to worship God as if you see Him. If you do not, then know that He sees you." As such they deserve more from the Lord of Grace for their excellence: "Shall the reward of good be anything but good?" (Verse 60) In this presentation of these two lofty gardens and what they contain, every aspect of blessing and comfort is followed by the familiar comment: "Which, then, of your Lord's blessings do you both deny?" (Verse 61) The surah then describes what the other group, also with two gardens, will have: "Besides these two there are two other gardens." (Verse 62) The description shows them to be in some way less than the first two: "Both of the deepest green." (Verse 64) Their green colour is very dark, almost black. They have "two gushing springs." (Verse 66) Their water gushes forth, which is again different from, or less than, the flowing water of the springs in the first two gardens. Here we have "fruits, date palms and pomegranate trees, (Verse 68) while we had there "every kind of fruit in pairs." (Verse 52) Moreover, "there will be in [these gardens] all things most excellent and beautiful." (Verse 70) Further aspects are added in the next verse: "[They will have] dark-eyed and modest companions, sheltered in pavilions." (Verse 72) The pavilions, or decorated tents, add connotations of bedouin luxury, gratifying those used to desert life. The mates they have here are sheltered', while the ones in the other two gardens are 'of modest gaze'. However both groups of mates share in the same qualities of chastity and faithful devotion: "Neither man nor jinn will have touched them before." (Verse 74) We see the dwellers of these two gardens enjoying their luxuries: "They will recline on green cushions and fine carpets." (Verse 76) The fine quality of the carpets in these gardens is given a special description in Arabic, ‘abqari, which is an adjective used of the (Abgar Valley; in olden times the Arabs believed this to be the dwelling place of the jinn. Hence they attributed every marvellous thing to this valley, describing it as ‘abqari, as the carpets are here described. When compared with what the first two gardens contain, these are clearly more modest. Yet the familiar comment is added after every aspect of blessing mentioned here: "Which, then, of your Lord's blessings do you both deny?" (Verse 77) The surah concludes with a final note of glorification of the Lord whose face, full of majesty, will remain after all creation has perished. This is the most apt conclusion to a surah that bears the name of the Lord of Grace: "Blessed is the name of your Lord, full of majesty, granting grace." (Verse 78)
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- Surah 55. Ar-Rahman - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqJ3k0YTBs8&index=55&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN
- Surah 55. Ar-Rahman Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g3KMzGZ_EI&index=55&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM
- Surah 55. Ar-Rahman Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3q29pvDkl4
- Idris Akbar Surah Ar-Rahman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vua7KTHLF_M
- Surah 55. Ar-Rahman Muhammad Minshawi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otW1VxWD5EE&index=55&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG
