When I reflected on the verse from Surah Ar-Rahman —
‎فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ
“Then which of your Lord’s favors will you deny?”

I began thinking about the countless blessings Allah ﷻ gives us that we so often brush aside. One of them is something as simple as the pomegranate. I have a personal connection to this beautiful fruit, as do so many of us.

As you open a pomegranate, you’re immediately reminded of Allah’s ﷻ beauty, precision, and intention. Each seed is perfectly formed, carefully placed. In this piece, I scattered the seeds to emphasize the idea that every single seed represents a favor from Allah, none of which should be denied.

This ayah reminds us not to overlook the blessings, whether small or grand, seen or unseen. Every detail is mercy. Every gift is intentional.

Original medium: Silk Screen Printmaking

Inspired by the ayah:

‎بَلْ أَحْيَآءٌۭ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَشْعُرُونَ ‎وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ لِمَن يُقْتَلُ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَمْوَٰتٌۢ ۚ

“And do not say of those who are slain in the way of Allah, ‘They are dead.’ Rather, they are alive, but you do not perceive it.” (2:154)

The poppies of Palestine, like the shuhadāʾ, do not die. They remain alive, nourished by our Lord, blooming in our hearts and in the seeds of resilience they have sown. The martyr’s rule begins the moment his blood is spilled.

This ayah is written repeatedly throughout the artwork and the words “بَلْ أَحْيَآءٌۭ” (“Nay, they are alive”) are deliberately emphasized on the top.

Original Medium: Digital Art