67- Surat Almulk/Tafseer
30 Verses Meccan (revealed in Mecca)
A'auzu Bellahi mena alshaiytani alrajeem
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan
Besmi Ellahi Alrhmani Alraheem
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Tabaraka allazi bi-yadihi almulku wa huwa ala kulli shay-in qadeer (1).
Blessed is He in whose Hand is the kingdom, and He is All-powerful over everything.
Allazi khalaqa al-mawta wa al-hayata li-yabluwakum ayyukum ahsanu amalan wa huwa Al-Azeezu Al-Ghafur (2).
The One who created death and life so that He may test you as to which of you is best in deed, and He is the Almighty, the All-Forgiving.
Allazi khalaqa sab'a samawatin tibaqan ma tara fee khalqi Al-Rhmani men tafawutin fa-rjii al-basara hal tara men futur (3).
The One who created seven heavens in layers, you do not see in the creation of the Most Gracious any inconsistency, so Return the vision, Do you see any flaw?.
Thumma erjii al-basara karratayni yanqalib ilayka al-basaru khasi-an wa huwa haseer (4).
Then Return the vision twice, the vision will turn back to you humbled while it is fatigued.
Wa la-qad zayyanna alsamaa aldunia bi-masabeeha wa ja-alnaha rujuman li-shayateeni wa a'tadna lahum azaba alsaeer (5).
And indeed, We have adorned the nearest sky with lamps, and We have made them bombs for the devils, and We have prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze.
Wa li-llazaina kafaru bi-rabbihim azabu jahannama wa be'sa al-maseer (6).
And for those who disbelieve in their Lord is the punishment of Hellfire, and wretched is the fate.
Iza aulqu feeha samiu laha shaheeqan wa hiya tafour (7).
When they are thrown into it, they hear from it an inhaling while it boils up.
Takadu tamayyazu mena al-ghayzi kullama aulqiya feeha fawjun sa-alahum khazanatuha a-lam ya'tikum nazeer (8).
It almost bursts with rage, every time a group is thrown into it, its keepers will ask them Did there not come to you a warner?.
Qalu bala qad ja-ana nazeerun fa-kazzabna wa qulna ma nazzala Allahu men shay-in in antum illa fee dalalin kabeer (9).
They will say yes indeed, a warner had come to us, but we denied, and said Allah has not sent down anything, you are only in great error.
Wa qalu laww kunna nasmau aww na'qilu ma kunna fee as-habi alsaeer (10).
And they will say if only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not have been among the companions of the Blaze.
Fa'tarafu bi-zanbihim fa-suhqan li-as-habi alsaeer (11).
And they will confess their sin, so be the companions of the Blaze away.
Inna allazina yakhshawna Rabbahum bil-ghaybi lahum maghfiratun wa-ajrun kabeer (12).
Indeed, those who fear their Lord unseen will have forgiveness and a great reward.
Wa asirru qawlaqum awi ejharu bihi innahu Aleemun bi-zati alsudur (13).
And conceal your speech or made it aloud, indeed, He is All-Knower of what is in the breasts.
Ala ya'lamu man khalaqa wa huwa Al-Lateefu Al-Khabeer (14).
Does He who created not know, while He is the All-Subtle, the All-Aware.
Huwa allazi ja-ala lakumu al-arda zalulan fa-mshu fee manakibiha wa kulu men rezqkihi wa ilayhi alnushur (15).
He is the One who made the earth submissive for you, so walk among its slopes, and eat of His provision, and to Him is the resurrection.
A-amintum man fee alsamae an yakhsifa bikumu al-arda fa-iza hiya tamour (16).
Do you feel secure that He who is in the heaven would not cause the earth to swallow you, and suddenly it would sway?.
Am amintum man fee alsamae an yoursila alaykum hasiban fasa-ta'lamuna kayfa nazeer (17).
Or Do you feel secure that He who is in the heaven would not send upon you a storm of stones, then you would know how was My warning?.
Wa-laqad kazzaba allazina men qablihim fa-kayfa kana nakeer (18).
And indeed, those before them denied, so how was My reproach.
Awa-lam yaraww ila altayri fawqahum saffatin wa yaqbidna ma youmsikuhunna illa Al-Rahmanu innahu bi-kulli shay-in baseer (19).
Do they not see the birds above them spreading their wings, and they hold?, no one holds them except the Most Gracious, indeed, He is All-Seeing of everything.
Am-man haza allazi huwa jundun lakum yansurukum men duni Al-Rahmani ini al-kafiruna illa fee ghurur (20).
Or Who is it that could be an army for you to help you other than the Most Gracious?, the disbelievers are in nothing but delusion.
Am-man haza allazi yarzuqukum in amsaka rizqahu bal lajju fee autuwwin wa nufur (21).
Or Who is it that could provide for you if He withheld His provision?, but they have persisted in insolence and aversion.
Afa-man yamshi mukibban ala wajhihi ahda am-man yamshi sawiyyan ala siratin mustaqeem (22).
Then Is one who walks falling on his face better guided or one who walks on a straight path?.
Qul huwa allazi ansha-akum wa ja-ala lakumu alsam'a wa al-absara wa al-afidata qaleelan ma tashkurun (23).
Say, He is the One who produced you, and made for you hearing and vision and hearts, little are you grateful.
Qul huwa allazi zara-akum fee al-ardi wa ilayhi tuhsharun (24).
Say He is the One who has multiplied you throughout the earth, and to Him you will be gathered.
Wa-yaquluna mata haza al-wa'du in kuntum sadiqeen (25).
And they say When is this promise, if you are truthful?.
Qul innama al-ilmu inda Allahi wa innama ana nazeerun mubeen (26).
Say the knowledge is only with Allah, and I am only a clear warner.
Fa-lamma ra-awhu zulfatan see-at wujuhu allazina kafaru wa qeela haza allazi kuntum behi tadda-oun (27).
But when they see it approaching, the faces of those who disbelieve will be distressed, and it will be said this is that for which you used to call.
Qul a-ra-aytum in ahlakaniya Allahu wa man ma-iya aww rahimana fa-man youjiru al-kafireena men azabin aleem (28).
Say Have you seen if Allah destroys Me and those who are with Me, or has mercy on us, Who can save the disbelievers from a painful punishment?.
Qul huwa Al-Rahmanu amanna bihi wa alayhi tawakkalna fasa-ta'lamuna man huwa fee dalalin mubeen (29).
Say He is the Most Gracious, We have believed in Him, and upon Him We put our trust, so you will know who it is that is in a clear error.
Qul a-ra-aytum in asbaha ma-ukum ghawran fa man ya'teekum bi-ma-in maeen (30).
Say Have you seen if your water was to become sunken, then Who could bring you a flowing water?.
Simplified interpretation:
Surat Almulk begins with Allah's magnification of Himself, acknowledging His greatness in creating death, life, and the heavens. It also includes a warning of severe punishment awaiting the devils and the disbelievers, emphasizing that they are not safe from Allah's punishment in the worldly life, then Allah affirms that the day of resurrection is inevitable, that its knowledge rests solely with Him, and that there is no escape from the punishment that will befall the disbelievers.
Allah Almighty says in the first two verses (1,2) "Blessed is He in whose Hand is the kingdom, and He is All-powerful over everything, the One who created death and life so that He may test you as to which of you is best in deed, and He is the Almighty, the All-Forgiving", that is, Allah glorifies Himself, assuring that He is the One who manages all matters as He wills, and He is All-powerful to do whatever He wills, as neither impediment nor inability can prevent Him from doing whatever He wills. And Allah has made man's death and life as a test for him because whoever believes in Allah and the day of resurrection will send forth righteous deeds for that day, while the infidels do the opposite, so Allah says Which of you is best in deed, and He is the Almighty who is Severe in His revenge on those who disobeyed Him, but at the same time, He is All-Forgiving who forgives those who repent, believe, and do righteous deeds
Allah Almighty says in the next two verses (3,4) "The One who created seven heavens in layers, you do not see in the creation of the Most Gracious any inconsistency, so Return the vision, Do you see any flaw?, then Return the vision twice, the vision will turn back to you humbled while it is fatigued", that is, Allah affirms that He is the One who created seven heavens in layers in which there is no difference, no defect, and no disharmony, and Allah commands man to contemplate the heavens saying Do you see any flaw?, then He ordered him to look again and again to see if there any fault, and Allah affirms that his sight will return humbled and fatigued because of the repetition while he does not see any deficiency.
Allah Almighty says in the next verse (5) "And indeed, We have adorned the nearest sky with lamps, and We have made them bombs for the devils, and We have prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze", that is, in addition to the perfection of the creation of the Heavens, Allah has adorned the lowest heaven with stars, which He made missiles for the devils in the worldly life and Allah prepared for them the punishment of Blaze (Alsaeer) in the Hereafter, and Alsaeer is one of the names of Hellfire. At the time of revelation of the Holy Quran, the devils were prevented from the news of the sky, and whoever among them tries to eavesdrop will find a shooting star lying in wait for him, and they said in Aya (8) of Surat Aljinn {And we have sought the sky, but we found it filled with stern guards and flames}.
Allah Almighty says in the next six verses (6-11) "And for those who disbelieve in their Lord is the punishment of Hellfire, and wretched is the fate, when they are thrown into it, they hear from it an inhaling while it boils up, it almost bursts with rage, every time a group is thrown into it, its keepers will ask them Did there not come to you a warner?, they will say yes indeed, a warner had come to us, but we denied, and said Allah has not sent down anything, you are only in great error, and they will say if only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not have been among the companions of the Blaze, and they will confess their sin, so be the companions of the Blaze away", that is, Allah describes the condition of the companions of Hellfire on the day of resurrection, saying that He has prepared for those who disbelieved in Him and denied His Messengers the punishment of Hellfire, and wretched is their destination in Hellfire. When they will be thrown into it, they will hear its inhaling while it boils up and it almost separated from each other out of its anger at them.
Allah does not punish anyone until the argument be established against him through a sent Messenger, where He says in (15) of Surat Alisraa {And We are not to punish until We have sent a Messenger}, so every time a group is thrown into Hellfire, its keepers will ask them "Did there not come to you a warner?". They will confess that a Messenger had come to them but they denied him and said that Allah has not sent down anything and that they said to their Messengers "You are only in great error", and they will say if we had minds with which we benefit, or we hear the truth that Allah has revealed, we would not have been among the companions of the Blaze (Alsaeer), and Alsaeer is one of the names of Hellfire, then they will confess their sin, so be the companions of the Blaze away from Allah's mercy.
Allah Almighty says in the next three verses (12-14) "Indeed, those who fear their Lord unseen will have forgiveness and a great reward, and conceal your speech or made it aloud, indeed, He is All-Knower of what is in the breasts, Does He who created not know, while He is the All-Subtle, the All-Aware", that is, the righteous who avoid sins, fear and obey Allah unseen, so they refrain from wrongdoing when only Allah sees them, will be forgiven and Allah has prepared a great reward for them on the day of resurrection. Then Allah affirms that whether mankind conceal their words or not, He is All-Knower of everything, as nothing is hidden from Him, not even the secrets that the breasts conceal. How could His creation be hidden from Him when He is All-Subtle in what He decrees; For when He decrees a matter, He places reasons for it and facilitates it, the All-Aware whose ability and knowledge encompass everything.
Allah Almighty says in the next verse (15) "He is the One who made the earth submissive for you, so walk among its slopes, and eat of His provision, and to Him is the resurrection", that is, Allah has subjected the earth for mankind and made it full of benefits, so He commanded them to walk in its ways in order to strive for sustenance, and to eat of Allah's provision, then Allah affirms that He will resurrect them from the graves on the day of resurrection.
Allah Almighty says in the next three verses (16-18) "Do you feel secure that He who is in the heaven would not cause the earth to swallow you, and suddenly it would sway?, or Do you feel secure that He who is in the heaven would not send upon you a storm of stones, then you would know how was My warning?, and indeed, those before them denied, so how was My reproach", that is, Allah threatens the polytheists saying Do you feel secure that Allah would not cause the earth to swallow when it begins to shake as He did with Qarun as mentioned in Aya (81) of Surat Alqasas {And We caused the earth to swallow him and his home}, or Do you feel secure that Allah would not send upon you a storm of stones, as He did with the companions of the elephant as mentioned in Surat Alfil, and the people of the Prophet Lot as mentioned in Aya (82) of Surat Hud, therefore, Allah says to them they would know how was His warning if they denied like those before them, and How was Allah's reproach for their denial?, unquestionably, Allah punished them with a severe and painful punishment.
Allah Almighty says in the next verse (19) "Do they not see the birds above them spreading their wings, and they hold?, no one holds them except the Most Gracious, indeed, He is All-Seeing of everything", that is, Allah shows the greatness of His ability in the creation of birds. The interpretations of "Saffatin wa yaqbedna" have varied, as some said that the birds sometimes spread their wings then sometimes fold them, some said that the birds spread their wings in the air when they fly and fold them when they strike their sides with them, some said that they fold their wings after spreading them when they stop flying, and some said that sometimes they spread their wings in the air, and sometimes they fold one wing and spread the other. In fact, small birds, that rely on flapping, strike their wings downwards and upwards to provide the necessary thrust and lift for their flight, then they fold their wings but continue to fly with the force of their acquired thrust, and there are birds that spend most of their lives flying in the air without landing, where they fly, eat, and sleep in the air for months on end like Swifts, and there are birds that spend entire days flying and the studies have shown that they sleep while flying like the Frigatebirds.
And some birds have the skill of hovering due to the exceptional speed of their wing flapping, making them appear to be standing in the air like Hummingbird, and Lesser kestrel, and I witnessed this myself, when a small bird came and stood before me in the air. Although I was busy doing something, I stopped and looked at it saying Subhana Allah: Glory to be Allah, it stood perfectly still in the air without moving forwards, backwards, downwards or upwards, then I went back to what I was doing because it had remained standing for some time, and I kept looking at it from time to time until it resumed its flight. So I realized that "Wa yaqbedna" means that the birds hold back from flying while they are in the sky, for the word "Saffatin'' refers to their state in the sky as they spread their wings in all circumstances, whether flying or not, while "Yaqbedna" came in the form of verb, because the birds sometimes stop flying, but not all the time. The ability of the birds to stand in the sky without falling on the ground demonstrates Allah's miraculous creation of birds, as no one holds them except the Most Gracious; For this occurs by the arrangement of the Most Gracious through the capabilities He gave them to do so. And Allah is All-seeing of what is appropriate for each of His creatures.
Allah Almighty says in the next two verses (20,21) "Or Who is it that could be an army for you to help you other than the Most Gracious?, the disbelievers are in nothing but delusion, or Who is it that could provide for you if He withheld His provision?, but they have persisted in insolence and aversion", that is, Allah addresses the disbelievers again saying as a denunciation Who is it that could be an army for you to help you other than the Most Gracious?, assuredly, they have neither helper nor protector besides Allah, but they are in delusion as they are misguided in believing there will be reckoning or punishment. And Allah denounces their disbelief saying once again Who is it that could provide for you if He withheld His provision?, also there is no one to feed them, give them water, and provide them with sustenance if Allah withholds the provision He provides them with, but instead of thanking Allah for His blessings, they have increased in pride and distanced themselves from the path of truth.
Allah Almighty says in the next verse (22) "Then Is one who walks falling on his face better guided or one who walks on a straight path?", that is, Allah likens the disbeliever to someone who walks on his face because he is confused and misguided, so Is this person more guided than the one who follows a straight path, does righteous deeds, and avoids sins?.
Allah Almighty says in the next two verses (23,24) "Say, He is the One who produced you, and made for you hearing and vision and hearts, little are you grateful, Say He is the One who has multiplied you throughout the earth, and to Him you will be gathered", that is, Allah commanded His Messenger Muhammad (PBUH) to remind the disbelievers of Allah's blessings upon them as He is the One who created them, and endowed them with hearing, sight, and hearts, but little do they give thanks to their Lord for what He has bestowed upon them, and they did not appraised Him as He deserves. Allah also commanded His Messenger (PBUH) to say that He is the one who multiplied them on earth, differing in races, languages and colors, and to Him they will be resurrected from the graves for reckoning on the day of resurrection.
Allah Almighty says in the next two verses (25,26) "And they say When is this promise, if you are truthful?, Say the knowledge is only with Allah, and I am only a clear warner", that is, the disbelievers do not believe in the resurrection and reckoning, and they ruled out the day of resurrection, so they used to ask the prophet (PBUH) about the Hour and its arrival as mentioned in Surat Alnazi'at, and s occurrence When is this promise, if you are truthful?, therefore, Allah commanded His Messenger (PBUH) to assure them that Allah alone knows the time of the resurrection, and that He is only a clear warner, so He only has to inform and warn them of Allah's punishment if they disobey Him.
Allah Almighty says in the next verse (27) "But when they see it approaching, the faces of those who disbelieve will be distressed, and it will be said this is that for which you used to call", that is, Allah assures the deniers of the day of resurrection that it is inevitable, and they will realize that what they used to deny of the resurrection and the reckoning had become true before their eyes, so their faces will be distressed, and it will be said to them, as a kind of reprimand, This is that for which you used to call.
Allah Almighty says in the last three verses (28-30) "Say Have you seen if Allah destroys Me and those who are with Me, or has mercy on us, Who can save the disbelievers from a painful punishment?, Say He is the Most Gracious, We have believed in Him, and upon Him We put our trust, so you will know who it is that is in a clear error, Say Have you seen if your water was to become sunken, then Who could bring you a flowing water?", that is, Allah commanded His Messenger Muhammad (PBUH) to say to the disbelievers that whether Allah punishes Him and the believers or has mercy on them, there is no escape from the painful punishment that will befall the disbelievers, to say to them that Allah is the Most gracious, that they believe in Him and rely upon Him alone in all of their affairs, so you will know on the day of resurrection who among us is in a clear error, and to say to them that only Allah is able to provide them with water, and if their water disappears and sinks into the earth, no one else will bring them a flowing water.