فَبِأَىِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ 38
Translations
So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny? -
Transliteration
Fa-bi-ayyi alaa-i rabbikuma tukadhdhiban
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is part of the refrain that appears 31 times throughout Surah Ar-Rahman, addressing both jinn and mankind: 'So which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?' Ibn Kathir explains this as a powerful rhetorical question emphasizing the countless blessings of Allah that demand gratitude and submission, not denial. Al-Qurtubi notes that the repetition serves as a stern warning against ingratitude and rebellion despite the manifest signs of Allah's mercy and provision.
Revelation Context
Surah Ar-Rahman is a Medinan chapter that celebrates Allah's attributes of mercy (ar-Rahman) and generosity. The context describes the creation of the heavens and earth, the balance in creation, and provisions for all creatures. This particular ayah comes after verses describing the protective role of the sky (verse 37), emphasizing how even the heavens themselves obey Allah's laws while humans and jinn often deny His favors.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, the concept is supported by the general principle in Tirmidhi where the Prophet ﷺ encouraged constant remembrance of Allah's blessings (ni'am). Additionally, Surah Ar-Rahman's emphasis on gratitude aligns with the hadith in Ahmad's Musnad about the importance of recognizing and acknowledging Allah's favors.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites us to pause and reflect on the countless blessings we experience daily—from our bodies to our sustenance—and to consciously acknowledge them as signs of Allah's mercy rather than taking them for granted. The repeated refrain reminds us that denial of these blessings is not merely intellectual disagreement but a grave spiritual danger that demands sincere gratitude and obedience.