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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Mercy of Qur'an and the Advent of Zaman - Commentary On Four Suras Sura 2 : Surat Ur-rahman (the Beneficent) Introduction This sura is attributed to the early Meccan period. There is a tradition related to the Prophet, salla-llahu alayhi wa alihi wa sallam, in which he says: "For everything there is a bride, and the bride of the Qur'an is surat ur-Rahman." It is the only sura which begins with a divine name.

It contains aspects and contrasting parts of creation in pairs: visible man and invisible jinn; heaven and earth; land and sea; happiness and wretchedness. All are signs and effects emanating from the one Cause. In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. 1 The Beneficent God, 2 Taught the Qur'an. 3 He created man, 4 Taught him the clear evidence. Ar-Rahman (the Merciful) is one of the key attri­butes of Allah. Every attribute is an aya a sign indicating the oneness of Allah.

Everything in creation is permeated with and connected to Him. In order for the rahma (mercy) of the Rahman to be understood, appreciated and experienced, knowledge has been given to man. One cannot understand something unless it is experienced. The most valuable knowledge in life's journey is the knowledge of the Qur'an. Man's link to God is through the Qur'an, through the Book, through the knowledge that will enable him to see the all-encompassing mercy.

The meaning of the hadith (tradition) that Muhammad, salla-llahu alayhi wa alihi wa sallam (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), was created before the creation of Adam, is that the light of the path existed before Adam. After the Qur'an, man, bani Adam was created. So knowledge - the light of Islam, the light of the Qur'an - existed before khalaqa-i- insan (He created man). The Creator contains the knowledge of what He will create.

The highest creation is the Muhammadi being, the perfect being. The knowl­edge of this final product, the ultimate being, the khalifa (deputy) of Allah, was with the one and only Knower, with the Alim. The light of Muhammad was there when Adam was still between water and clay. The purpose of creation was to create the per­fect man, the last of the prophets, the one after whom nothing new could be added. Every aspect of the Creation has the label of the Creator on it. Creation is in His name.

By His decree His rahma is manifested as the knowledge of the Qur'an.