Surah Ar-Rahman — Verse 71

Word Meanings:

• Ālā’ (آلَاء): The countless favors, blessings, and bounties of Allah.
• Rabbi-kumā (رَبِّكُمَا): Your Lord — addressed to both mankind and jinn.
• Tukadhdhibān (تُكَذِّبَانِ): You both deny or reject.

Explanation of the Verse:

Allah, in His infinite mercy and justice, addresses both humans and jinn together in this verse, asking them a profound and piercing question: "So which of the favors of your Lord do you both deny?" This rhetorical question is repeated throughout Surah Ar-Rahman as a powerful reminder that every blessing we enjoy — from the air we breathe to the sun that gives us light, from the food we eat to the very life we live — is a gift from Allah alone. The question is not seeking information, for Allah knows all; rather, it is a gentle yet firm call to reflection and gratitude. It challenges us to point out even a single blessing that we can truly claim to have earned or created ourselves. The answer, of course, is that we cannot deny any of them — for every breath, every heartbeat, every moment of peace and every joy we experience is from His boundless grace. This verse serves as a beautiful reminder that ingratitude and denial of Allah’s blessings are not only unjust but also illogical, for His favors surround us from every direction, visible and hidden, known and unknown.

A Da’wah Reflection:

Dear reader, pause for a moment and look around you. The eyes with which you read these words, the mind that comprehends them, the heart that beats within your chest — all are gifts from your Lord. When you wake up each morning to a new day, when you taste the sweetness of water on a hot day, when you feel the embrace of a loved one — these are not coincidences; they are the ālā’ of Allah. The question posed in this verse is not meant to scold but to awaken. It invites you to count your blessings, and you will find they are more numerous than the sands of the earth. Islam teaches us that gratitude is the key to increase — the more you thank Allah, the more He gives you. So let this verse be a turning point in your life: begin each day with a heart full of thanks, and you will discover a peace and contentment that no worldly treasure can provide. The Lord who asks you this question is the same Lord who loves to give, who opens His hands of mercy every night and day, waiting for you to turn to Him. Do not let His blessings go unrecognized — acknowledge them, thank Him for them, and let that gratitude draw you closer to the One who created you and sustains you every single moment.