بَيْنَهُمَا بَرْزَخٌ لَّا يَبْغِيَانِ 20
Translations
Between them is a barrier so neither of them transgresses.
Transliteration
Baynahuma barzakhun la yabghiyan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the barrier (barzakh) that Allah has placed between the two seas (fresh and salt water), preventing them from mixing or transgressing against one another. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret this as both a literal physical phenomenon—where fresh and salt waters meet but remain distinct—and as a divine sign (ayah) demonstrating Allah's perfect wisdom and control over creation. The word 'barzakh' signifies an insurmountable partition that maintains order in creation according to Allah's decree.
Revelation Context
Surah Ar-Rahman is a Medinan surah that comprehensively enumerates Allah's blessings and signs (ayat) throughout creation. This particular ayah appears within a passage (55:19-22) that specifically highlights the marvels of the seas and marine life as evidence of divine creation and sustenance, inviting reflection on Allah's dominion.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly addresses this ayah, Surah Ar-Rahman itself is mentioned in Jami' At-Tirmidhi where the Prophet (peace be upon him) called it 'the bride of the Quran' (Aroos al-Quran), emphasizing the beauty of its presentation of Allah's signs and blessings.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that Allah has established perfect order and wisdom throughout creation, maintaining harmony through invisible yet powerful divine laws. Recognizing these signs encourages believers to reflect on Allah's majesty and submit to His absolute control over all affairs.
Related Ayahs
فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ نَاقَةَ ٱللَّهِ وَسُقْيَـٰهَا
And the messenger of Allāh [i.e., Ṣāliḥ] said to them, "[Do not harm] the she-camel of Allāh or [prevent her from] her drink."
أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا جَعَلْنَا ٱلَّيْلَ لِيَسْكُنُوا۟ فِيهِ وَٱلنَّهَارَ مُبْصِرًا ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Do they not see that We made the night that they may rest therein and the day giving sight? Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.
وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ ءَايَتَيْنِ ۖ فَمَحَوْنَآ ءَايَةَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَجَعَلْنَآ ءَايَةَ ٱلنَّهَارِ مُبْصِرَةً لِّتَبْتَغُوا۟ فَضْلًا مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلِتَعْلَمُوا۟ عَدَدَ ٱلسِّنِينَ وَٱلْحِسَابَ ۚ وَكُلَّ شَىْءٍ فَصَّلْنَـٰهُ تَفْصِيلًا
And We have made the night and day two signs, and We erased the sign of the night and made the sign of the day visible that you may seek bounty from your Lord and may know the number of years and the account [of time]. And everything We have set out in detail.
وَٱلنَّهَارِ إِذَا تَجَلَّىٰ
And [by] the day when it appears