Surah al-Rahman - Verses 1-2 بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ...

The Divine Attribute; "the Most Gracious" (al-Rahman) is attested 169 times 114 instances of which are to found in the opening of Chapters ("In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful").

As mentioned above, the blessed Chapter reflects different Divine Blessings, opening with the Divine Attribute; "the Most Gracious" (al-Rahman), a secret of His All-Encompassing Graciousness, since were it not owing to this Attribute of His, such Blessings would not have fallen into the shares of His friends and enemies. The blessed Verses are saying that the Most Gracious Allah taught the Holy Qur’an. Thus, the first and the most significant Blessing is mentioned as teaching the Holy Qur’an.

What an appealing and significant expression. If we reflect correctly, the Glorious Qur'an is the source of all Divine Blessings and the means to attain to any Blessing and benefiting from all material and spiritual Blessings.

It is worthy of note that treating of the Divine Blessing of: "teaching the Qur'an" is mentioned prior to the creation of man and teaching him, but the natural order would be to first make mention of the reverse order, namely creation of man, the Blessing of teaching man speech, and then teaching him the Holy Qur’an. However, the majesty and glory of the Glorious Qur’an necessitates the order in question.

The other point is that the blessed Verse is a response to Arab polytheists who upon hearing the Noble Prophet (S) calling them to prostrate before the Most Gracious Allah asked: "What is Graciousness?" ("And when it is said unto them: 'Prostrate yourselves to the Most Gracious Allah!' They say: 'And what is the Most Gracious? Shall we fall down in prostration to that which you command us?' And it increases in them only aversion." ^5 ).

The Holy Qur’an is saying that the Most Gracious Allah is One Who taught the Qur’an, created man, and taught him speech.