Surah An-Najm (53) — Ayah 55

(Ayah 55) {فَبِاَيِّ اٰلَآءِ رَبِّكَ تَتَمَارٰى: ’’تَمَارٰي يَتَمَارٰي تَمَارِيًا‘‘} (tafa‘ul) to doubt. {’’ اٰلَآءِ ‘‘ ’’إِلًي‘‘} (which was originally {’’إِلَيٌ‘‘}) is the plural, blessings, just as {’’مِعًي‘‘} is the plural of {’’ أَمْعَاءُ ‘‘}, intestines. Here the question is: in the mention of the destruction of these nations, which blessing is being mentioned in which there is no room for doubt? Ustadh Muhammad Abduh writes: “Based on the context, here the blessing refers to the destruction of the oppressor and rebellious nation; it is understood that destroying an oppressor and rebellious nation is also a great favor of Allah upon humanity.” (Ashraf al-Hawashi) Another answer is that warning about the outcome of oppression and rebellion is also a great favor, as in Surah Rahman, after mentioning the punishment of Hell for the criminals, it is said: « فَبِاَيِّ اٰلَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبٰنِ» } [ الرحمٰن : ۴۵ ] “So which of the favors of your Lord will you both deny?”