فَبِأَىِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ 77
Translations
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?
Transliteration
Fa-bi-ayyi alai rabbi-kuma tuka-dhibaan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah, part of the refrain repeated throughout Surah Ar-Rahman, poses a rhetorical question to the jinn and mankind: 'Then which of the favors of your Lord do you both deny?' According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this serves as a powerful rhetorical device challenging the audience to acknowledge the countless blessings (alai) bestowed by Allah, while simultaneously condemning those who deny or reject them. The repetition of this refrain emphasizes the magnitude of divine favors and the ingratitude of those who turn away from truth.
Revelation Context
Surah Ar-Rahman is a Medinan surah that enumerates the signs and blessings of Allah in creation and the afterlife. This particular ayah is part of the recurring refrain that appears 31 times throughout the surah, serving as a rhythmic and thematic anchor that punctuates the descriptions of Allah's creation, the garden, and the punishment, reminding the listener of their accountability before these manifest proofs.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best charity is water' (Tirmidhi), relating to the theme of blessings. Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet emphasized gratitude for Allah's blessings, noting that contentment and thankfulness are among the greatest of provisions.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to pause and reflect upon the countless blessings they experience daily—from sustenance to health to guidance—encouraging gratitude and mindfulness rather than heedlessness. It serves as a personal reminder that denying or taking for granted Allah's favors is a form of spiritual blindness that separates one from divine mercy and truth.