Sura al-Rahman: Difference between revisions

'''Sūra al-Raḥmān''' (Arabic:{{ia|سورة الرحمن}}) known as '''the bride of the Qur'an''' is the 55th sura of the [[Qur'an]] which is located in the twenty seventh [[juz']]. The name of this sura is one of the names of [[God]], which is the first word of this sura. There are disagreements about whether this sura is [[Makki]] or [[Madani]]. The sixty forth verse of this sura is the shortest [[verse]] in the Qur'an, "{{ia|مُدهامَّتان}}" (Densely shaded with dark green trees).

A large number of God's blessings in this world and in the [[hereafter]] are mentioned in this sura of the Qur'an. Also the [[resurrection]] and its features as well as evaluation of deeds. In this [[sura]], after mentioning each blessing God asks His servants the question "{{ia|فبای آلاء ربکما تکذبان}}" (Then, O Jinns and men, which of your Lord's bounties will you both deny?) which is repeated thirty one times in this sura. Based on a narration from [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]], it is [[recommended]] to recite the phrase "{{ia|لا بشیء من آلائک رب اکذب}}" (Oh God, I will not deny any of your bounties.) after reciting this verse of the Qur'an.

According to narrations if someone recites Sura al-Rahman, God will grant him/her the chance of being grateful to the blessings, he/she is given, and if he/she pass away in that night or day, he/she will be considered as a [[martyr]].

===Names and Designation===

===Place and Order of Revelation===

This sura of the Qur'an was the 97th sura revealed to the [[Prophet (s)]]. It is the 55th sura of the Qur'an which is located in the 27th [[juz']]. There are disagreements about whether this sura is [[Makki]] or [[Madani]]. [[Muhammad Hadi Ma'rifat]], a researcher in Qur'anic sciences believe that al-Rahman is most probably a Madani sura.

This sura has 78 verses, 352 words and 1648 letters. Al-Rahman is regarded one of the [[Mufassalat]] suras which have relatively short and numerous verses; its size is about half of a [[hizb]]. The sixty forth verse of this sura is the shortest verse in Qur'an, "Mudhammatan" (Densely shaded with dark green trees).

# The gifts in this world: blessings mentioned here includes teaching the [[Qur'an]], creation of human and [[jinn]], creation of plants and trees, creation of skies, presence of rules, creation of earth and its characteristics, creation of fruits, flowers and scented herbs, two meeting salt and fresh seas and God's blessings in the seas. (verses 1 to 30).

# The [[resurrection]] Day: Mentioning the dissolution of this world and occurrence of the resurrection, features of the resurrection, assessment of deeds and punishment [of sinners]. (verses 30 and 31)

# The gifts in the hereafter: After mentioning [[Divine Reward and Punishment|punishment]] of [[disbeliever]]s in the [[hell]] then blessings for believers are mentioned including the gardens, streams, fruits and beautiful and loyal damsels. (verses 31 to 78).

A number of [[exegete]]s believe this sura was revealed in order to raise awareness of disbelievers of [[Quraysh]] about the word al-Rahman (the All-Beneficent), as when the 60th verse of [[Sura al-Furqan]] was revealed in which it ordered humans to [[Sajda|prostate]] to the All-Beneficent, and they said what is and who is Rahman? Then God revealed Sura al-Rahman to [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]]. Also based on a narration from [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]], some believe this sura was revealed about [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]].

According to a narration from [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]] the term "al-bahrayn ({{ia|الْبَحْرَيْنِ}})" in the verse "{{ia|مَرَجَ الْبَحْرَيْنِ يَلْتَقِيَانِ بَيْنَهُمَا بَرْزَخٌ لَّا يَبْغِيَانِ}}" (He has made the two oceans appearently meeting together, yet between them is a barrier which they cannot cross) is about [['Ali b. Abi Talib (a)]] and Lady [[Fatima (a)]] and the terms "Lu'lu' ({{ia|اللُّؤْلُؤُ}})" and "Marjan ({{ia|الْمَرْجَانُ}})" in the verse "{{ia|يَخْرُجُ مِنْهُمَا اللُّؤْلُؤُ وَالْمَرْجَانُ}}" (He produces pearls and coral, from both of them) is attributed to [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]] and [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]]. Such exegeses are stated in Shiite exegesis books including ''[[Majma' al-Bayan]]'' by [[al-Tabrisi]] and Sunni exegesis books including ''Dur al-Manthur'' by [[al-Suyuti]].

In previous verses, God promised those who fear standing before their God, they will be rewarded with two heaven with countless blessings. In this verse, it is stated that [[reward]]s for goodness by God is due to goodness of those who feared standing before God, and then the reaction to goodness is goodness as well. Based on a narration from [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]], this verse is about disbelievers and [[believer]]s who have done good deeds and those who have done evil deeds. If someone does someone else a favor, he should compensate, and the way to it is that the compensation should be even greater that the action itself. Because if the reaction is at the same level of the action, then the action is better, because it started the good deed first. Therefore, the reaction should be greater that the action in order to gain the same value comparing to each other.