The majority of Commentators consider this an early Meccan Sura, though some consider at least a part of it as dating from Medina. The greater part of it is undoubtedly early Meccan. It is highly poetical and mystical, and the refrain "Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?" is interspersed 31 times among its 78 verses.
It is the sixth of the series of seven dealing with Revelation, the favors of Allah, and the Hereafter: See Introduction to Sura 50.
Here the special theme is indicated by the refrain. The rhyme in most cases is in the Dual grammatical form, and the Argument implies that though things are created in pairs, there is an underlying Unity, through the Creator, in the favors which He bestows, and in the goal to which they are marching.
Summary.-Allah Most Gracious has sent Revelation, one of His greatest favors to man; His creation is in pairs, well balanced; all created things receive His favors, but they will all pass away, and only Allah will endure through the ages. (Verses 1 to 34 and commentary C.232).
Ultimately all evil shall return to its destination, as well as all Good, but ever blessed is the name of Allah, Lord of Glory, Honor, and Bounty. (Verses 35 to 78 and commentary C.233).
C.232-(Verses 1 to 34)-Allah's creatures! Which favors of Allah will ye deny? Most Gracious is Allah, Who reveals Himself in the Koran, in man's Intelligence, and in the nature around man. Balance and Justice, Goodness and Care, are the Laws of His Worlds. Created from clay, man can yet comprehend the Lord of the Easts and the Wests, Him Who sustains all His creatures, Him Who bestows the Jewels of Life and Faith, Him Who abides when all else perisheth, Him Whose Eternity is the Hope of man's Future, the Lord Everlasting of Justice and Glory and Bounty and Honor! Which, then, of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:1 SURA 55. Rahman, or (Allah) Most Gracious. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. (Allah) Most Gracious!
55:2 It is He Who has taught the Koran.
55:3 He has created man:
55:4 He has taught him speech (and intelligence).
55:5 The sun and the moon follow courses (exactly) computed;
55:6 And the herbs and the trees -- both (alike) bow in adoration.
55:7 And the Firmament has He raised high, and He has set up the Balance (of Justice),
55:8 In order that ye may not transgress (due) balance.
55:9 So establish weight with justice and fall not short in the balance.
55:10 It is He Who has spread out the earth for (His) creatures:
55:11 Therein is fruit and date palms, producing spathes (enclosing dates);
55:12 Also corn, with (its) leaves and stalk for fodder, and sweet smelling plants.
55:13 Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:14 He created man from sounding clay like unto pottery,
55:15 And He created Jinns from fire free of smoke:
55:16 Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:17 (He is) Lord of the two Easts and Lord of the two Wests:
55:18 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:19 He has let free the two bodies of flowing water, meeting together:
55:20 Between them is a Barrier which they do not transgress:
55:21 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:22 Out of them come Pearls and Coral:
55:23 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:24 And His are the Ships sailing smoothly through the seas, lofty as mountains:
55:25 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:26 Section 2. All that is on earth will perish:
55:27 But will abide (forever) the Face of thy Lord, -- Full of Majesty, Bounty and Honor.
55:28 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:29 Of Him seeks (its need) every creature in the heavens and on earth: Every day in (new) Splendor doth He (shine)!
55:30 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:31 Soon shall We settle your affairs, O both ye worlds!
55:32 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:33 O ye assembly of Jinns and men! If it be ye can pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, pass ye! Not without authority shall ye be able to pass!
55:34 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
C.233-(Verses 35 to 78)-Let not Evil think that it will escape Justice: Its telltale Mark is on those who follow it, and it must meet its Reward in the final adjustment. But the Good, the Righteous, must reach their Fulfilment in the Gardens of Bliss, where every Delight will be theirs in Beauty and Dignity. How can such Delights be pictured in words? In symbols subjective let each take his choice. For Good can there ever be any Reward other than Good? Beautiful sights and sounds, delicious fruits to nourish the soul, and Companionship where Grace is mingled with Love, may figure forth our Bliss. Blessed be Allah, full of Majesty and Bounty Allah's creatures! What favors of Allah will ye deny?
55:35 On you will be sent (O ye evil ones twain!) a flame of fire (to burn) and a smoke (to choke): No defence will ye have:
55:36 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:37 When the sky is rent asunder, and it becomes red like ointment:
55:38 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:39 On that Day no question will be asked of man or Jinn as to his sin,
55:40 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:41 (For) the sinners will be known by their Marks: And they will be seized by their forelocks and their feet.
55:42 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:43 This is the Hell which the Sinners deny:
55:44 In its midst and in the midst of boiling hot water will they wander round!
55:45 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:46 Section 3. But for such as fear the time when they will stand before (the Judgment Seat of) their Lord, there will be two Gardens --
55:47 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny? --
55:48 Containing all kinds (of trees and delights);
55:49 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny? --
55:50 In them (each) will be two Springs flowing (free);
55:51 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny? --
55:52 In them will be Fruits of every kind, two and two.
55:53 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:54 They will recline on Carpets, whose inner linings will be of rich brocade: The Fruit of the Gardens will be near (and easy of reach).
55:55 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:56 In them will be (Maidens), chaste, restraining their glances, whom no man or Jinn before them has touched; --
55:57 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny? --
55:58 Like unto rubies and coral.
55:59 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:60 Is there any Reward for Good -- other than Good?
55:61 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:62 And besides these two, there are two other Gardens, --
55:63 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny? --
55:64 Dark green in color (from plentiful watering).
55:65 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:66 In them (each) will be two Springs pouring forth water in continuous abundance:
55:67 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:68 In them will be Fruits, and dates and pomegranates:
55:69 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:70 In them will be fair (Companions), good, beautiful; --
55:71 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny? --
55:72 Companions restrained (as to their glances), in (goodly) pavilions; --
55:73 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny? --
55:74 Whom no man or Jinn before them has touched; --
55:75 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny? --
55:76 Reclining on green Cushions and rich Carpets of beauty.
55:77 Then which of the favors of Your Lord will ye deny?
55:78 Blessed be the name of thy Lord, Full of Majesty, Bounty and Honor.
