فَبِأَىِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ 23
Translations
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?
Transliteration
Fa-bi-ayyi alai rabbi-kumā tukadhibān
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is the refrain repeated throughout Surah Ar-Rahman, asking both jinn and humans: 'So which of the favors (blessings) of your Lord do you both deny?' It serves as a powerful rhetorical device challenging the addressees to acknowledge Allah's countless blessings and reject ingratitude. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this refrain appears 31 times in the surah to drive home the absurdity of denying divine favors when evidence of Allah's mercy is overwhelming.
Revelation Context
Surah Ar-Rahman was revealed in Madinah and addresses both humans and jinn, presenting a vivid depiction of Allah's creation, provision, and the signs of His benevolence in nature. The repeated refrain contextualizes the entire surah as an invitation to reflection and gratitude, framing each description of creation as an undeniable blessing deserving acknowledgment rather than denial.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The best of you are those who have the best character and manners,' which relates to responding to blessings with gratitude and humility (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the Hadith Qudsi states: 'If My servants thank Me, I will surely increase them [in blessing]' (Tirmidhi), directly addressing the theme of acknowledging divine favors.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to cultivate mindfulness of Allah's blessings in daily life and recognize that denying or taking for granted these favors is a form of spiritual blindness. Modern readers should pause regularly to enumerate and appreciate both material and spiritual blessings, transforming gratitude from abstract acknowledgment into a lived practice of humility and worship.