Tafsir of Ar-Rahman 55:17

Surah Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful): Verse 17

{رب المشرقين ورب المغربين} (Lord of the two risings and Lord of the two settings)

There are several interpretations regarding the meaning of "the two risings" (المشرقين) and "the two settings" (المغربين):

First Interpretation: It refers to the rising and setting of the Sun and the Moon.

The rationale here is that this statement serves as an affirmation and addition to what preceded. Since Allah Almighty said: {The sun and the moon are [computed] by precise account} (Ar-Rahman: 5), this implies that they both have risings and settings. Furthermore, when Allah mentioned: {He created man, He taught him expression} (Ar-Rahman: 3, 4), it indicated that man was created from something (clay/dust). This verse then clarifies that He is also the Lord of the risings and settings of these celestial bodies.

Second Interpretation: It refers to the rising of winter and the rising of summer.

If one asks: What is the wisdom in specifying these two, given that every day for six months, the sun has a rising and setting that differs from the others? We reply: This refers to the extreme low point of the sun in winter and its extreme high point in summer. Pointing to the two extremes encompasses everything in between. It is similar to someone describing a great king by saying he possesses "the East and the West," implying he possesses everything in between as well.

Third Interpretation: The dual form (Tathniyah) is an indication of two encompassing categories.

As we have explained that everything is ultimately confined to two divisions, it is as if He is saying: "Lord of the rising of the Sun and the rising of something else." Thus, there are two risings that encompass all risings. Alternatively, it could mean: the rising of the Sun and the Moon, and whatever a rational person associates with them (i.e., the risings of other celestial bodies), making the dual form used in the sense of a plural (to cover everything).

{مرج البحرين يلتقيان * بينهما برزخ لا يبغيان * فبأى ءالاء ربكما تكذبان} (He has let loose the two seas meeting; Between them is a barrier [Barzakh] they do not transgress. So which of the favors of your Lord will you both deny?)