Overview - Surah 67: al-Mulk (The Dominion )
It talks about the greatness of Allah and beautiful universe that He has created. It reminds people that if they consider the laws of universe and travel in the land with open eyes, they will indeed see that this whole kingdom belongs to Allah and He controls everything.
Surah al-Mulk takes its name from the first Ayat, تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ "Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent -" [67:1].
There are 30 Ayat in this Surah.
Overview
| Total Ayat | 30 |
| Total Words * | 333 |
| Root Words * | 133 |
| Makki / Madani | Makki |
| Chronological Order* | 77th (according to Ibn Abbas) |
| Year of Revelation* | |
| Events during/before this Surah*
N/A
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| Events during/after still to occur*
N/A
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| Names of Prophets Mentioned
No Prophets names are mentioned in this Surah
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| Surah Index
God (beyond definition) , God (grants life and death) , Astronomy (stars) (neighbourhood of Earth populated by), Birds, Death, Disbelievers (God’s promise to) , Earth, Earthquake, Heaven (several) , Hell, Jinn, Resurrection, Water, Weather (wind)
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In this Surah, on the one hand, the teachings of Islam have been introduced briefly and on the other, the people living in heedlessness have been aroused from their slumber in a most effective way. A characteristic of the earliest Surahs of the Makkan period is that they present the entire teachings of Islam and the object of the Prophet’s mission, not in detail, but briefly, so that they are assimilated by the people easily. Moreover, they are particularly directed to make the people shun heedlessness, to make them think and to arouse their dormant conscience.
In the first five verses man has been made to realise that the universe in which he lives in, is a most well organised and fortified Kingdom in which he cannot detect any fault, any weakness or flaw, however hard he may try to probe. This Kingdom has been brought from nothing into existence by God Almighty Himself and all the powers of controlling, administering and ruling it are also entirely in God’s hand and His power is infinite. Besides, man has also been told that in this wise system he has not been created without a purpose, but he has been sent here for a test and in this test he can succeed only by his righteous deeds and conduct.
In v. 6-11, dreadful consequences of disbelief which will appear in the Hereafter have been mentioned, and the people are told that God, by sending His Prophets, has warned them of these consequences in this very world, as if to say “Now, if you do not believe in what the Prophets say and correct your attitude and behaviour accordingly, in the Hereafter you will yourself have to admit that you really deserved the punishment that was being meted out to you.”
In v. 12-14, the truth that has been impressed on the minds is that the Creator cannot be unaware of His creation, as if to say: “He is aware of each open and hidden secret of yours, even of the innermost ideas of your hearts. Hence, the right basis of morality is that man should avoid evil, fearing the accountability of the unseen God, whether in the world there is a power to take him to task for this or not, and whether in the world there is a possibility of being harmed by such a power or not. Those who adopt such a conduct in the world alone will deserve forgiveness and a rich reward in the Hereafter.”
In v. 15-23, making allusions, one after the other to those common truths of daily occurrence, which man does not regard as worthy of much attention, he has been invited to consider them seriously. It has been said: “Look: the earth on which you move about with full satisfaction and peace of mind, and from which you obtain your sustenance has been subdued for you by God; otherwise this earth might at any time start shaking suddenly so as to cause your destruction, or a typhoon might occur, which may annihilate you completely. Look at the birds that fly above you; it is only God Who is sustaining them in the air. Look at your own means and resources: if God wills to inflict you with a punishment, none can save you from it; and if God wills to close the doors of sustenance on you, none can open them for you. These things are there to make you aware of the truth, but you see them like animals, which are unable to draw conclusions from observations, and you do not use your sight, hearing and minds which God has bestowed on you as men; that is why you do not see the right way.”
In v. 24-27, it has been said: “You have ultimately to appear before your God in any case. It is not for the Prophet to tell you the exact time and date of the event. His only duty is to warn you beforehand of its inevitable occurrence. Today you do not listen to him and demand that he should cause the event to occur and appear prematurely before you; but when it does occur, and you see it with your own eyes, you will then be astounded. Then, it will be said to you: “This is the very thing you were calling to be hastened.”
In v. 28-29 replies have been given to what the disbelievers of Makkah said against the Prophet and his Companions. They cursed the Prophet and prayed for his and the believers destruction. To this it has been said: “Whether those who call you to the right way are destroyed, or shown mercy by God, how will their fate change your destiny? You should look after yourselves and consider who would save you if you were overtaken by the punishment of God? You regard those who believe in God and put their trust in Him as the misguided. A time will come when it will become evident as to who was misguided in actual truth.”
In conclusion, the people have been asked this question and left to ponder over it: “If the water which has come out from the earth at some place in the desert or hill of Arabia and upon which depends your whole life activity, should sink and vanish underground, who beside God can restore to you this life-giving water?”
The Surah revolves around Allah's management of His mulk [dominion].
Manuscripts / Inscriptions
- Intercession to be forgiven. Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: سُورَةٌ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثَلاَثُونَ آيَةً تَشْفَعُ لِصَاحِبِهَا حَتَّى يُغْفَرَ لَهُ "A surah of the Qur'an containing thirty verses will intercede its reader till he will be forgiven. That is: "Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the sovereignty" [Surah Mulk 67]" Sunan Abu Dawud no. 1400
- Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab that Humayd ibn Abd ar-Rahman ibn Awf had told him that Surat al-Ikhlas (Sura 112) was equal to a third of the Qur'an, and that Surat al-Mulk (Sura 67) pleaded for its owner. Muwatta Malik
- Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: "One of the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) pitched a tent on a grave without knowing that it was a grave. Suddenly he heard a person from the grave reciting Surah al-Mulk till he completed it. So he went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: 'Oh Messenger of Allah, I pitched my tent on a grave without realizing that is was a grave. Then suddenly I heard a person from the grave reciting Surah al-Mulk till he completed it.' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'It is the defender, it is the deliverer - it delivers from the punishment of the grave.'" Tirmidhee no. 2890.
- Its recitation before sleep protects a person from the punishement of the grave.
Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) = * | ||
- The Prophet [saw] said: “A Surah from the Qur’aan containing thirty verses will intercede for a man so that he will be forgiven. It is the Surah "Tabaarak Alathi bi yadihi’l-mulk [i.e., Surat al-Mulk].” [Tirmidhi, 2891; Abu Dawood, 1400; Ibn Maajah, 3786]
Tafsir Zone
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Sayyid Qutb Overview (Verses 7 - 12) The surah speaks further about what God has in store for such devils, other than these pelting missiles: "We have prepared for them suffering through the blazing fire." (Verse 5) This means that they will be pelted with missiles in this present life and that they will suffer the blazing fire in the life to come. Perhaps this comes as a follow up to what the surah says about the heavens and prior to what it says about the unbelievers. The relation between devils and unbelievers is obvious. Thus, having mentioned the heavens and their lamps, the surah refers to these lamps' other function, as missiles for pelting devils. Then, as it speaks of what is prepared for these devils in the life to come, the surah mentions what is made ready for the unbelievers who follow those devils: "Suffering in hell awaits those who deny their Lord: an evil destination." (Verse 6) It then carries on to give us an image of hell, full of rage and anger, as it receives the unbelievers: "When they are thrown in it, they will hear it drawing in its breath as it boils up, almost bursting with fry." (Verses 7-8) Hell seems here to be a living creature, one suppressing its fury, but as a result of which draws its breath and boils over. Its anger is so immense that it almost bursts with hate for the unbelievers. Although this may appear to some as an allegorical description of hell, to my mind, it describes a reality. Every creature of God is a living creature, with a life suited to its kind. Every creature knows its Lord and addresses Him with glorifications and praises. They are amazed at man when he denies his Creator and feel anger as a result. This is mentioned in several places in the Qur'an, suggesting that it is an established reality in the universe. For example, the following clear statement occurs in the Qur'an: "The seven heavens extol His limitless glory as does the earth, and all who dwell in them. Indeed every single thing extols His glory and praise, but you cannot understand their praises. He is indeed Forbearing, Much Forgiving." (17: 44) The Qur'an also says: "We graced David with Our favour. We said: `You mountains, sing with him God's praises! And likewise you birds!'" (34: 10) These statements are so clear that they admit no interpretation other than what they literally say. Another Qur'anic statement says: "Then, He applied His design to the sky which was but smoke; and said to it and to the earth: 'Come, both of you, willingly or unwillingly.' They both said: `We do come willingly.— (41: 11) This last statement may be said to be an allegory of how the skies and earth submit to God's law, but there is no need to make such an interpretation. It is further removed than the direct and clear meaning intended. We have the present description of hell, but a similar statement describes the surprise and anger expressed by different creatures at the thought of attributing to God a son: "They say: The Most Merciful has taken to Himself a son!' Indeed you have said a most monstrous falsehood, at which the heavens might be rent into fragments, and the earth be split asunder, and the mountains fall down in ruins! That people should ascribe a son to the Most Merciful, although it is inconceivable that the Most Merciful should take to Himself a son." (19: 88-92) All these statements refer to the truth that the universe believes in its Creator, and that everything extols His glory and praise. They also confirm that all creatures shudder at the thought that man departs from this norm, disbelieving in his Lord. All these creatures feel anger when someone close and dear to them is badly hurt. It is no different from the anger a person is ready to vent at the one who committed such behaviour. He is almost bursting with fury, just like hell is described here: "It boils up, almost bursting with fury." (Verses 7-8) "Thus they shall confess their sins. Far be the inhabitants of the blazing fire [from God's mercy]." (Verse 11) This is a prayer made by God against them. This after they have acknowledged their guilt, at a time and place they denied would ever occur. Prayer by God denotes a judgement. Thus, they are far removed from God's mercy. They cannot hope for forgiveness or exemption from punishment. They dwell in the blazing fire. What a fate!Such torment in the blazing fire that draws its breath as it boils is truly fearsome. God does not treat anyone unfairly. We think — but God knows best — that a person who denies his Lord, when God has instilled the truth of faith and its evidence in his very nature, is one that is devoid of all goodness. Such a person deprives himself of every quality that gives him a position in this universe. He is like the stones that are the fuel of hell. He ends up in the middle of the fire, with no hope of reprieve. The one who denies God during his life on earth sinks further every day into the darkness of disbelief, until he ends up in an ugly shape, derived from hell. It is so ugly an image that it is unlike anything else in this universe. Everything in the universe has a believing soul that extols God's praises. In everything and every creature there is this element of goodness and this tie which pulls it towards the centre of existence, with the exception of those unbelievers who run loose, severing their ties with the rest of the universe, rebelling against all standards and values. Where will they end up in this universe when they have no bond with anything in it? They can only end up in hell, which rages in fury against them. They have deprived themselves of all right, meaning and dignity. Hence, in hell they receive none. It is customary in the Qur'an to portray images of the Day of Judgement in two contrasting scenes. Hence, we now have a scene showing the believers as compared with the unbelievers. In this way, we have the full meaning of the statement at the surah’s outset: "He may put you to a test to show who of you is best in conduct." (Verse 2) Having mentioned the test, the surah completes its account by speaking of the reward: "Those who stand in awe of their Lord although He is beyond the reach of human perception will have forgiveness and a rich reward." (Verse 12) The phrase ' beyond the reach of human perception' expresses the meaning of the Qur'anic word ghayb. In its use in this verse it includes their fear of God whom they have never seen, as well as their fear of Him when they are alone, unseen by any human eye. Both are fine qualities, reflecting a pure feeling and a profound understanding which together qualify a person to receive what the surah expresses in general terms as "forgiveness and a rich reward." To watch God when one is alone, unseen by any other human being is the gauge of a heart's sensitivity and the quality that keeps conscience alive. Anas ibn Malik reports that some of the Prophet's Companions said to him: "Messenger of God! When we are with you we are at a certain standard, but when we depart we are at a different one." He asked: "How do you feel with regard to your Lord?" They answered: "God is our Lord in secret and open situations." He said: "Yours is not a case of hypocrisy." The bond of God is, then, the essential criterion. Once it is firm in one's heart, one is a true believer. |
Ibn Kathir (English)
Sayyid Qutb
Sha'rawi
Al Jalalain
الطبري - جامع البيان
ابن كثير - تفسير القرآن العظيم
القرطبي - الجامع لأحكام
البغوي - معالم التنزيل
ابن أبي حاتم الرازي - تفسير القرآن
ابن عاشور - التحرير والتنوير
ابن القيم - تفسير ابن قيّم
السيوطي - الدر المنثور
الشنقيطي - أضواء البيان
ابن الجوزي - زاد المسير
الآلوسي - روح المعاني
ابن عطية - المحرر الوجيز
الرازي - مفاتيح الغيب
أبو السعود - إرشاد العقل السليم
الزمخشري - الكشاف
البقاعي - نظم الدرر
الهداية إلى بلوغ النهاية — مكي ابن أبي طالب
القاسمي - محاسن التأويل
الماوردي - النكت والعيون
السعدي - تيسير الكريم الرحمن
عبد الرحمن الثعالبي - الجواهر الحسان
السمرقندي - بحر العلوم
أبو إسحاق الثعلبي - الكشف والبيان
الشوكاني - فتح القدير
النيسابوري - التفسير البسيط
أبو حيان - البحر المحيط
البيضاوي - أنوار التنزيل
النسفي - مدارك التنزيل
ابن جُزَيّ - التسهيل لعلوم التنزيل
علي الواحدي النيسابوري - الوجيز
السيوطي - تفسير الجلالين
المختصر في التفسير — مركز تفسير
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- Surah 67. Al-Mulk - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrhhfhBuFuE&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN&index=67
- Surah 67. Al-Mulk Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krA3W-QDzWU&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM&index=67
- Surah 67. Al-Mulk Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo3kWEbC9DE&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe&index=67
- Idris Abkar Surah Al-Mulk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAltrucANkA
- Surah 67. Al-Mulk Muhammad Minshawi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVlP0VozLKc&index=67&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG
- Surah 67. Sahih International Translation with English Transliteration of Arabic Text https://myislam.org/surah-al-mulk/
