A study of Surat Al-Rahman: Explanation and analysis with quotes of interpreters

Abstract

The study of this particular Sura was chosen due to a number of reasons, which we will list in detail in the forward sections and remaining chapters. In addition to the linguistic and artistic characteristics, the most important characteristic of Surat Al-Rahman lies in its structure and internal division. I found out that it was possible to break up this Sura into dramatic divisions that build up with events. Therefore, I innovatively distributed the verses into specific sections leading to the division of this study into four chapters besides the Introduction, Preface and the Epilogue. These four chapters walk hand-in-hand with the chronological order of the verses. Each chapter contains a period from the history of the creation. The first chapter discusses the period of pre-physical creation as known. The second chapter deals with the period of existence of the Universe and in particular the earth, which was prepared to be the dwelling for human beings. This period ends with the end of the world. The third and fourth chapters combined deal with the period of resurrection and judgment. The former deals with the state of the disobedient and the latter deals with the state of paradise and its dwellers. Those two chapters were supposed to be combined into one chapter from the drama point of view because they deal with one period. However, necessity dictated having two chapters due to the portion of the Sura dedicated to this period and the number of verses covered. The other reason is the internal artistic division of this Sura, which was marked with clear distinctions between the two kinds of people, the obedient and the disobedient. This study will try to explore the miraculous and the inimitability of the Qur'an, and in particular Surat Al-Rahman.