Surah Ar Rahman Notes (22-32)

Source: Ibn Kathir

(22) Out of them both come out pearl and coral.

(Out of them both come out pearls and Al-Marjan. ) pearls are well-known. As for Marjan they say it means small pearls. 

Mujahid, Qatadah, Abu Ruzayn, Ad-Dahhak said it, and it has also been reported from `Ali. It was also said that it means large, precious pearls, this was mentioned by Ibn Jarir from some of the Salaf. 

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded from Ibn `Abbas who said, "When it rains, the oysters in the sea open their mouths. What falls in them, the drops, turns into pearls.'' Its chain of narrators is Sahih. Since this type of adornment is a favor from Allah to the people of earth, He reminded them of it,

(23) Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny? 

(24) And His are the ships going and coming in the seas, like mountains.

(And His are Al-Jawar Al-Munsha'at), meaning the ships that float,

(in the seas), Mujahid said, "Whatever ship hoists a sail, it is from Munsha'at, if it does not hoist a sail, it is not from the Munsha'at.'' Qatadah said, "Al-Munsha'at means created.'' Others said that it is Al-Munshi'at meaning, "launched.''

(like A`lam.) This means, they are like mountains with their great size, and it also refers to the trade and commercial services they make possible, transporting cargo from one area to another and from one province to another. Ships provide various benefits for people, including transporting different types of goods they need.

(25) Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny? 

Allah is the Ever-Living, Free of all Need

(26) Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish.

Allah states that all the residents of the earth will perish and die. The residents of the heavens will die, except whomever Allah wills. Only Allah's Honorable Face will remain, because of our Lord, the Exalted, the Blessed, is the Ever-Living Who never dies. Qatadah said, "First, Allah mentioned His creatures and then He said that all of this will perish.'' And in the reported supplication: `O You the Ever-Living Who sustains all that exists! O You Who created the heavens and the earth without precedence. O You, Who Owns the glory and the honor, none has the right to be worshipped except You. We seek refuge with Your mercy. Grant Us success in all of our matters. Please, do not abandon us to rely on ourselves even for an instant nor on any of Your creation.'' Ash-Sha`bi said, "When you have recited,

(Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish.) do not stop, continue reading,

(27) And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will abide forever.

(And the Face of your Lord Dhul-Jalal wal-Ikram will remain forever.)'' This Ayah is similar to Allah's statement,

(Everything will perish save His Face.)(28:88) 

In this Ayah, Allah describes His Noble Face as being Dhul-Jalal wal-Ikram, indicating that He is Worthy of being revered, and thus, never defied; and obeyed, and thus, never disobeyed,

(And keep yourself patiently with those who call on their Lord morning and afternoon, seeking His Face.)(18:28), 

And as He said about those giving charity:

(We feed you seeking Allah's Face only.)(76:9) 

Ibn `Abbas commented on the meaning of Dhul-Jalal wal-Ikram, by saying, "Owner of greatness and pride.'' After Allah stated that all of the inhabitants of the earth will die and end up in the Hereafter when He, Dhul-Jalal wal-Ikram, will judge them by His fair judgment

(28) Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?

(29) Whosoever is in the heavens and on earth begs of Him (its needs from Him). Every day He has a matter to bring forth (such as giving honor to some, a disgrace to some, life to some, death to some, etc.)! 

(Whosoever is in the heavens and on the earth begs of Him. Every day He is (engaged) in some affair.) In this Ayah, Allah affirms that He is Rich, Free of all wants for anyone else and that all creatures stand in need of Him, in all conditions and situations. They all seek His help willingly or unwillingly. Everyday, He is engaged in some affair. Al-A`mash reported from Mujahid, from `Ubayd bin `Umayr,

(Every day He is (engaged) in some affair.) He said, "Of His affairs is that He answers the supplicant, or gives to the one requesting, or removing adversity, or cures the one seeking to be cured.''

(30) Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny? 

A Warning for Humans and Jinn

(31) We shall attend to you, O you two classes (jinns and men)!

Ibn Jurayj said that the Ayah,

(We shall attend to you,) means, `We shall judge you,' while Al-Bukhari said that it means, "We shall recompense you. Surely, nothing will busy Allah from attending to anything else.'' This type of speech pattern is common in the Arabic language. For example, one would say, "I will attend to you,'' even when one is not busy with anything else. Allah's saying;

(O you Thaqalan!) refers to the humans and the Jinns, as in the Hadith;

(Everyone will be able to hear it, except the Thaqalayn.) 

In another narration that explains it, the Prophet said,

(...except mankind and the Jinns.)

(32) Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?