فَبِأَىِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ 49
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 the refrain repeated throughout Surah Ar-Rahman, asking both jinn and mankind: 'So which of the favors of your Lord do you both deny?' According to classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir, this rhetorical question emphasizes the ingratitude of creation toward Allah's countless blessings and serves as a powerful reminder of divine bounty. The repetition (31 times in the surah) underscores the magnitude of Allah's favors and the severity of denial and ingratitude as sins.
Revelation Context
Surah Ar-Rahman is a Medinan surah focused on enumerating Allah's blessings to both creation and humanity. This refrain punctuates the surah's structure, appearing after descriptions of celestial bodies, earth, vegetation, and provisions. It serves as a continuous call to reflection and gratitude, reminding the listener that denying Allah's favors—whether explicitly through disbelief or implicitly through ingratitude—is a grave matter.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Tirmidhi). This relates thematically to recognizing and being grateful for the blessings given through family and sustenance. Additionally, the hadith 'Whoever does not thank people has not thanked Allah' (Tirmidhi) emphasizes gratitude as essential to faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to pause and consciously acknowledge Allah's infinite blessings in daily life, transforming gratitude from an abstract concept into a lived practice. By regularly reflecting on this question, Muslims can combat spiritual heedlessness and cultivate a heart of humility and thankfulness toward their Creator.