Ar-Rahmaan – Keeper of the stores of Mercy

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? – How many will you deny?

By: Shahid Alam
IslamiCity* –

This Surah (chapter of the Quran) is entitled Ar-Rahmaan, the word with which it begins. This title, however, deeply relates to the subject matter of the Surah too, for in it, from the beginning to the end, the manifestations and fruits of God’s attribute of mercy and grace have been mentioned. ¹

---

Ar-Rahmaan (Quran Chapter 55)

Faint reflections that they are of the Arabic original, translations can never be a substitute for the sublime Qur’an. I offer this translation in humility, deeply aware of its imperfections; and deeply indebted for the efforts of those who have preceded me in this endeavor: Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Abul Ala’ Maududi, Mohammad M. Pickthall, A. J. Arberry, Muhammad Asad, and M. A. S. Abdel Haleem.

Translated by M. Shahid Alam

All journeys begin in the name of Allaah.
Only He is Rahmaan and Raheem.

He is Rahmaan: He taught the Qur’aan.
He made Insaan: taught him Bayaan

The sun and moon move in exact orbits. 5
The plants and trees grow in adoration.

He raised the sky and set up the Meezaan 
so that you do not tip the Meezaan.
Then weigh your acts with justice: 
do not abandon the Meezaan.

The earth He laid out for your sustenance: 10
for you are fruits, palms with spades, 
grains, and herbs spreading fragrance.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

Insaan He made from ringing potter’s clay:
and Jinns from fire without smoke. 15

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

Rabb of the two risings in the East
and the two settings in the West.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

At His command the two seas come together:
between them a barrier they do not go over. 20

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

Out of their depths come pearls and Marjaan.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

The ships on the sea are like mountains
lofty: their journey He sustains.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 25
How many will you deny?

All things on earth shall perish: evanescent. 
Only the Face of your Rabb abides:
lofty in Jalaal, bestowing Ikraam.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

All things that are in heaven, on earth, 
forever turn to Him. Every day He discloses
new signs of His splendor.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 30 
How many will you deny?

O vast legions of the two: Jinn and Insaan,
attend We will to your affairs: and settle your accounts!

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

O party of Jinns and Insaan, have you the power
to go past the rings of heaven and earth?
If you do, come take your chance. No!
Without Authority you may not advance.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

Against your gambit, We shall erect 35
walls of fire and molten brass: ending your escapade.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

Inflamed, the firmament will strip away
turning red like hide freshly tanned.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

On that day they will face no questions
Concerning their sins: Jinn or Insaan.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 40
How many will you deny?

By their faces will the sinners be spotted:
and seized by their forelocks and their feet.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings: 
How many will you deny?

This is the Hell – none other than this –
which the sinners denied in hubris.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

Now, this is their world: they scurry
about, between boiling water and fire.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 45
How many will you deny?

They that are in awe, trembling
as they enter the Maqaam of their Rabb:
they shall have two gardens

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

with trees offering shade,

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings?
How many will you deny?

two brooks flowing gently, 50

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

fruits in abundance, two of each kind.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings?
How many will you deny?

On couches lined with brocades, they shall rest:
fruits from the two gardens at hand.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 55
How many will you deny?

Companions they shall have, their glances turning,
never touched before by Jinn or Insaan:

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

matchless, like rubies and Marjaan.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

What are the wages of Ihsaan – other than Ihsaan? 60

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

There are two gardens beyond the two:

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

each exceedingly green,

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 65 
How many will you deny?

watered abundantly by two streams, 

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

decked with fruits – dates and Rummaan,

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

overflowing with goodness and beauty, 70

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

dark-eyed companions, sheltered in pavilions,

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

never touched before by Jinn or Insaan.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 75
How many will you deny?

Together, they shall rest on cushions,
green: and carpets finely wrought.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

Blessed is the name of your Rabb: 
lofty in Jalaal, bestowing Ikraam.

---

Glossary:

Ar-Rahmaan: the Keeper of the stores of Mercy. Bayaan: speech. Jinn: sentient creature, belonging to the Unseen Order. Ihsaan: kindness, goodness. Ikraam: bounty, generosity. Insaan: gender-free Arabic for human being. Jalaal: majesty, power, wrath. Maqaam: station, abode, standing place. Marjaan: small pearls or corals. Meezaan: the balance, order. Rabb: lord, creator, sustainer. Rummaan: pomegranates.

Note:

¹ Syed Abu-Ala’ Maududi’s Chapter Introductions to the Qur’an

M. Shahid Alam is professor of economics at Northeastern University. His political essays are now available in a book, Is There An Islamic Problem (Kuala Lumpur: The Other Press, 2004). He may be reached at m.alam@neu.edu. Visit his webpage at: http://msalam.net.

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Ar-Rahmaan – Keeper of the stores of Mercy

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? – How many will you deny?

By: Shahid Alam
IslamiCity* –

This Surah (chapter of the Quran) is entitled Ar-Rahmaan, the word with which it begins. This title, however, deeply relates to the subject matter of the Surah too, for in it, from the beginning to the end, the manifestations and fruits of God’s attribute of mercy and grace have been mentioned. ¹

---

Ar-Rahmaan (Quran Chapter 55)

Faint reflections that they are of the Arabic original, translations can never be a substitute for the sublime Qur’an. I offer this translation in humility, deeply aware of its imperfections; and deeply indebted for the efforts of those who have preceded me in this endeavor: Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Abul Ala’ Maududi, Mohammad M. Pickthall, A. J. Arberry, Muhammad Asad, and M. A. S. Abdel Haleem.

Translated by M. Shahid Alam

All journeys begin in the name of Allaah.
Only He is Rahmaan and Raheem.

He is Rahmaan: He taught the Qur’aan.
He made Insaan: taught him Bayaan

The sun and moon move in exact orbits. 5
The plants and trees grow in adoration.

He raised the sky and set up the Meezaan 
so that you do not tip the Meezaan.
Then weigh your acts with justice: 
do not abandon the Meezaan.

The earth He laid out for your sustenance: 10
for you are fruits, palms with spades, 
grains, and herbs spreading fragrance.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

Insaan He made from ringing potter’s clay:
and Jinns from fire without smoke. 15

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

Rabb of the two risings in the East
and the two settings in the West.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

At His command the two seas come together:
between them a barrier they do not go over. 20

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

Out of their depths come pearls and Marjaan.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

The ships on the sea are like mountains
lofty: their journey He sustains.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 25
How many will you deny?

All things on earth shall perish: evanescent. 
Only the Face of your Rabb abides:
lofty in Jalaal, bestowing Ikraam.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

All things that are in heaven, on earth, 
forever turn to Him. Every day He discloses
new signs of His splendor.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 30 
How many will you deny?

O vast legions of the two: Jinn and Insaan,
attend We will to your affairs: and settle your accounts!

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

O party of Jinns and Insaan, have you the power
to go past the rings of heaven and earth?
If you do, come take your chance. No!
Without Authority you may not advance.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

Against your gambit, We shall erect 35
walls of fire and molten brass: ending your escapade.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

Inflamed, the firmament will strip away
turning red like hide freshly tanned.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

On that day they will face no questions
Concerning their sins: Jinn or Insaan.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 40
How many will you deny?

By their faces will the sinners be spotted:
and seized by their forelocks and their feet.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings: 
How many will you deny?

This is the Hell – none other than this –
which the sinners denied in hubris.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

Now, this is their world: they scurry
about, between boiling water and fire.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 45
How many will you deny?

They that are in awe, trembling
as they enter the Maqaam of their Rabb:
they shall have two gardens

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

with trees offering shade,

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings?
How many will you deny?

two brooks flowing gently, 50

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

fruits in abundance, two of each kind.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings?
How many will you deny?

On couches lined with brocades, they shall rest:
fruits from the two gardens at hand.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 55
How many will you deny?

Companions they shall have, their glances turning,
never touched before by Jinn or Insaan:

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

matchless, like rubies and Marjaan.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

What are the wages of Ihsaan – other than Ihsaan? 60

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

There are two gardens beyond the two:

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

each exceedingly green,

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 65 
How many will you deny?

watered abundantly by two streams, 

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

decked with fruits – dates and Rummaan,

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

overflowing with goodness and beauty, 70

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

dark-eyed companions, sheltered in pavilions,

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

never touched before by Jinn or Insaan.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 75
How many will you deny?

Together, they shall rest on cushions,
green: and carpets finely wrought.

Do you deny your Rabb’s blessings? 
How many will you deny?

Blessed is the name of your Rabb: 
lofty in Jalaal, bestowing Ikraam.

---

Glossary:

Ar-Rahmaan: the Keeper of the stores of Mercy. Bayaan: speech. Jinn: sentient creature, belonging to the Unseen Order. Ihsaan: kindness, goodness. Ikraam: bounty, generosity. Insaan: gender-free Arabic for human being. Jalaal: majesty, power, wrath. Maqaam: station, abode, standing place. Marjaan: small pearls or corals. Meezaan: the balance, order. Rabb: lord, creator, sustainer. Rummaan: pomegranates.

Note:

¹ Syed Abu-Ala’ Maududi’s Chapter Introductions to the Qur’an

M. Shahid Alam is professor of economics at Northeastern University. His political essays are now available in a book, Is There An Islamic Problem (Kuala Lumpur: The Other Press, 2004). He may be reached at m.alam@neu.edu. Visit his webpage at: http://msalam.net.

 

The man who committed 99 murders

Allah is extremely happy when a servant repents just as a desert traveler may be happy when he finds his lost camel ..

The following is based on a hadith from Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 56, Number 676.

There was a man who had heartlessly murdered ninety-nine people. Then, he felt remorse.

He went to a learned man and told him about his past, explaining that he wished to repent, reform, and become a better person. “I wonder if Allah will pardon me?” he asked.

For all his learning, the scholar was a man who had not been able to digest what he had learned. “You will not be pardoned;’ he said. “Then I may as well kill you, too,” said the other. And kill him he did.

He then found another worthy individual and told him that he had killed a hundred people. “I wonder,” he said, “whether Allah will pardon me if I repent?” Being a truly wise man, he replied, “Of course you will be pardoned; repent at once. I have just one piece of advice for you: avoid the company of wicked people and mix with good people, for bad company leads one into sin:”

The man expressed repentance and regret, weeping as he sincerely implored his Lord to pardon him. Then, turning his back on bad company, he set off to find a neighborhood where righteous people lived.

On the way, his appointed hour arrived, and he died. The angels of punishment and of mercy both came to take away his soul. The angels of punishment said that as a sinful person he rightfully belonged to them, but the angels of mercy also claimed him, saying, “He repented and had resolved to become a good man. He was on his way to a place where righteous people live, but his appointed hour had come.” A great debate ensued, and Gabriel was sent as an arbitrator to settle this affair.

After hearing both sides he gave this verdict: “Measure the ground. If the spot where he died is closer to the good people, then he belongs to the angels of mercy, but if it is nearer to the wicked people, he will be given to the angels of punishment.” 

They measured the ground. Because the man had just set out, he was still closer to the wicked. But because he was sincere in his repentance, the Lord moved the spot where he lay and brought it to just outside the city of the good people.

That penitent servant was handed over to the angels of merry.

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Repentance is the most noble and beloved form of obedience in the eyes of Allah. He loves those who repent. Repentance has a status that no other form of worship has. This is why Allah is extremely happy when a servant repents just as a desert traveler may be happy when he finds his lost camel.

“Except those who repent, have faith and do good deeds, for such people Allah will change their sins for good deeds. Certainly Allah is most forgiving and merciful.” (Qur’an 25:70)