Surah Ar Rahman Notes (1-10)

Source: Ibn Kathir

Which was revealed in Makkah

The Introduction to Surat Ar-Rahman

Imam Ahmad recorded that Zirr said that a man said ﴿to Ibn Mas`ud﴾: "How is this recited: "Ma'in Ghayri Yasin or Asin'' He asked him, "Are you that proficient in reciting the whole Qur'an'' He replied, "I recite the Mufassal section in one Rak`ah.'' So he said, "Woe to you! Do you recite the Qur'an in haste, as if it is poetry I know that the Prophet used to recite two Surahs from the beginning of the Mufassal section (in one Rak`ah).'' And Ibn Mas`ud considered Surat Ar-Rahman to be the beginning of the Mufassal section. 

Abu `Isa At-Tirmidhi recorded that Jabir said, "The Messenger of Allah went to his Companions and recited Surat Ar-Rahman from beginning to end for them, but they did not say anything. The Prophet said,

(I recited it to the Jinns, on the night of the Jinns and their response was better than yours! Whenever I recited Allah's statement: (Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both deny)( They said, "None of Your favors do we deny, our Lord! All praise is due to you.'') At-Tirmidhi recorded it and he said, "This Hadith is Gharib.'' 

Al-Hafiz Abu Bakr Al-Bazzar also collected this Hadith. Abu Ja`far Ibn Jarir recorded that `Abdullah bin `Umar said that the Messenger of Allah recited Surat Ar-Rahman, or it was recited before him, and he said,

(Why do I hear the Jinn giving a better response to their Lord than you) They said, "Why is that, O Allah's Messenger'' He said, (Whenever I recited the statement of Allah the Exalted, (Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both deny)( The Jinn responded by saying, "None of the favors of our Lord do we deny.'')'' Al-Hafiz Al-Bazzar also collected this Hadith.

Ar-Rahman revealed and taught the Qur'an

(1) The Most Beneficent (Allah)!

(2) Has taught (you mankind) the Quran (by His Mercy).

(3) He created man.

(4) He taught him eloquent speech.

Allah informs of His favors and His mercy for His creatures, for He revealed the Qur'an to His servants, He made memorizing and understanding of it easy for those on whom He has bestowed His mercy,

(Ar-Rahman! He has taught the Qur'an. He created man. He taught him Al-Bayan.) Al-Hasan said: "Eloquent speech.'' This refers to Allah teaching the Qur'an, that is, teaching the servants how to recite it by making it easy for them to speak and pronounce letters with the various parts of the mouth, such as the alveolar bridge, the tongue, and the lips.

(5) The sun and the moon run on their fixed courses (exactly) calculated with measured out stages for each (for reckoning, etc.). 

Allah said,

(The sun and the moon (run) on fixed courses.) They move in their orbit in perfect succession, according to precise calculation that is never delayed nor disturbed,

(It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. They all float, each in an orbit.)(36:40),

((He is the) Cleaver of the daybreak. He has appointed the night for resting, and the sun and the moon for calculating. Such is the measuring of the Almighty, the All-Knowing.) (6:96),

(6) And the herbs (or stars) and the trees both prostrate. 

(And the Najm and the trees prostrating.) Ibn Jarir commented, "Scholars of Tafsir disagreed over the meaning of Allah's statement, `And the Najm.' They agreed, however, that the trees mentioned here are those that stand on trunks.''`Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "An-Najm refers to the plants that lay on the ground.'' Similar was said by Sa`id bin Jubayr, As-Suddi and Sufyan Ath-Thawri. This is what Ibn Jarir preferred, may Allah have mercy upon him. Mujahid said, "An-Najm (the star); the one that is in the sky.'' Al-Hasan and Qatadah said similarly. 

(7) And the heaven He has raised high, and He has set up the Balance.

(And the heaven He has raised high, and He has set up the balance.) meaning the justice, as He said in another Ayah,

(Indeed, We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs, and sent down with them the Book and the balance that mankind may keep up equity.)(57:25)  

(8) In order that you may not transgress (due) balance.

(In order that you may not transgress the balance.) meaning, He created the heavens and earth in justice and truth so that everything is founded on, and observing, justice and truth. 

(9) And observe the weight with equity and do not make the balance deficient.

Allah's statement,

(And observe the weight with equity and do not make the balance deficient.) meaning, do not cheat in the weights and measures, but rather observe justice and fairness,

(And weigh with the true and straight balance.)(26:182) 

(10) And the earth He has put for the creatures.

(And the earth He has put down (laid) for Al-Ana'm.) Allah raised the heavens and put down, or laid, the earth and balanced it with firm mountains, so that it would be stable for its residents that live on it, i.e. the various types and kinds of creatures, different in species, shape, color and language. Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Qatadah and Ibn Zayd said that Al-An'am means the creatures.