سُوْرَةُ الرَّحْمٰنِ

Surah Ar-Rahmaan (55) — Ayah 17

The Beneficent · Medinan · Juz 27 · Page 532

رَبُّ ٱلْمَشْرِقَيْنِ وَرَبُّ ٱلْمَغْرِبَيْنِ ﴿17﴾
(He is) the Lord of the two easts (places of sunrise during early summer and early winter) and the Lord of the two wests (places of sunset during early summer and early winter).
رَبُّ rabbu Lord
ٱلْمَشْرِقَيْنِ l-mashriqayni (of) the two Easts
وَرَبُّ warabbu and Lord
ٱلْمَغْرِبَيْنِ l-maghribayni (of) the two Wests

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 17) {رَبُّ الْمَشْرِقَيْنِ وَ رَبُّ الْمَغْرِبَيْنِ:} The sun does not always rise from the exact middle of the eastern direction; rather, in summer its rising point shifts towards the north, and in winter towards the south, and every day the place where the sun rises is different. In this way, throughout the year, there are 365 rising points of the sun, and the same is the case with its settings. Accordingly, Allah Almighty has described His attribute as {’’ رَبُّ الْمَشَارِقِ ‘‘} in Surah As-Saffat (5) and as {’’ بِرَبِّ الْمَشٰرِقِ وَ الْمَغٰرِبِ ‘‘} in Surah Al-Ma'arij (40). Here, considering the two extreme points of winter and summer, He has said {’’ رَبُّ الْمَشْرِقَيْنِ وَ رَبُّ الْمَغْرِبَيْنِ ‘‘}. See also Surah As-Saffat (5).

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

17. 1. There is an east of summer and an east of winter, and likewise for the west. That is why both have been mentioned in the dual form. The variation of east and west according to the seasons also contains many benefits for humans and jinn, and for this reason, it has also been considered a blessing.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

17. He is the Lord of the two Easts and the Lord of the two Wests [14].

[14] Here, the mention of two Easts and two Wests is made because, in this surah, pairs of things are continuously mentioned, whereas in Surah Ma'arij, verse 40, it is stated that He is the Lord of many Easts and Wests. By the two Easts is meant: one is the place where the sun rises on the longest day of summer, and the other is the place from where the sun rises on the shortest day of the year. And between these two points, all are Easts. Every day, the sunrise point has a new angle, and the same is the case with the Wests. It is from this change that seasons are produced, and in different seasons, different crops and fruits are produced. Behind these Easts and Wests is a great, astonishing, and complex system due to which these changes occur, and their mention has already been made at several places before.