فَبِأَىِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ 36
Translations
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?
Transliteration
Fabiayi aalai rabbikuma tukadhibaan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is the refrain repeated throughout Surah Ar-Rahman, asking the jinn and mankind: 'Which of the favors of your Lord will you both deny?' According to classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, this rhetorical question emphasizes the countless blessings of Allah and calls attention to the ingratitude of those who reject His signs despite being surrounded by undeniable proofs of His mercy and power. The dual form ('rabbikuma' - 'your Lord') addresses both the jinn and humans, holding both accountable for acknowledging divine favor.
Revelation Context
Surah Ar-Rahman is a Medinan chapter that systematically enumerates Allah's blessings and mercies to creation. This refrain appears approximately 31 times throughout the surah, serving as a powerful literary and rhetorical device to drive home the message that denial of Allah's favors is illogical and inexcusable given the overwhelming evidence of His benevolence in creation.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly addresses this specific ayah, the principle is reflected in the hadith: 'The best charity is water' (Sunan Ibn Majah), which echoes the surah's emphasis on basic divine blessings. Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Bukhari about gratitude ('Whoever is not grateful to people, is not grateful to Allah') reinforces the ayah's implicit call to recognize and acknowledge blessings.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to engage in constant reflection (muraqabah) on the countless blessings they experience daily—from sustenance to health to guidance—and to recognize that denying or taking for granted these favors is both logically indefensible and spiritually destructive. Modern readers should cultivate gratitude (shukr) as a foundational spiritual practice, understanding that acknowledging Allah's blessings is an act of worship and a path to increased favor.