Lesson from Surah al Mulk

Lesson from Surah al Mulk

The Surah takes its name from the very first sentence. al-Mulk

Surah al Mulk Traslation

(67:1) Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion of the Universe, and Who has power over everything; 

(67:2) Who created death and life that He might try you as to which of you is better in deed. He is the Most Mighty, the Most Forgiving; 

(67:3) Who created the seven heavens one upon another. You will see no incongruity in the Merciful One’s creation. Turn your vision again, can you see any flaw?

 (67:4) Then turn your vision again, and then again; in the end your vision will come back to you, worn out and frustrated. 

(67:5) We have adorned the lower heaven with lamps, and have made them a means to drive away the satans. We have prepared for them the chastisement of the Blazing Fire.

 (67:6) The chastisement of Hell awaits those who disbelieve in their Lord. What a wretched destination! (67:7) When they will be cast into it, they will hear it roar as it boils, 

(67:8) as though it will burst with rage. Every time a multitude is cast into it, its keepers will ask them: “Did no warner come to you?” 

(67:9) They will say: “Yes, a warner came to us, but we gave the lie to him and said: ‘Allah has revealed nothing. You are surely in huge error.’

(67:10) They will say: ‘If we had only listened and understood, we would not be among the inmates of the Blazing Fire.’” 

(67:11) Thus will they confess their sins. Damned are these inmates of the Blazing Fire.

 (67:12) Surely forgiveness and a mighty reward await those who fear Allah without seeing Him.

 (67:13) Whether you speak in secrecy or aloud, (it is all the same to Allah). He even knows the secrets that lie hidden in the breasts of people.

 (67:14) Would He not know, He Who has created, when He is All-Subtle, All-Aware?

(67:15) He it is Who made the earth subservient to you. So traverse in its tracks and partake of the sustenance He has provided. To Him will you be resurrected.

 (67:16) Do you feel secure that He Who is in the heaven will not cause the earth to cave in with you, and then suddenly it will begin to rock violently? 

(67:17) Do you feel secure that He Who is in the heaven will not let loose upon you a storm of stones? Then shall you know what My warning is like! 

(67:18) Those who came before them also gave the lie (to the Messengers): then how awesome was My chastisement!

 (67:19) Have they not seen birds above them spreading and closing their wings, with none holding them except the Merciful One? He oversees everything. 

(67:20) Which is your army that will come to your aid against the Merciful Lord? But the unbelievers are in utter delusion. 

(67:21) Who shall provide for you if He withholds His sustenance? Nay; but they persist in rebellion and aversion. 

(67:22) Who is better guided: he who walks grovelling on his face, or he who walks upright on a Straight Path? 

(67:23) Say: “He it is Who has brought you into being, and has given you hearing and sight, and has given you hearts to think and understand. How seldom do you give thanks!” 

(67:24) Say: “Allah it is Who multiplied you in the earth and to Him you will be mustered.” 

(67:25) They say: “If you are truthful, tell us when will this promise (of the Hereafter) be fulfilled?” 

(67:26) Say: “Allah alone knows about that; and I am no more than a plain warner.” 

(67:27) When they will see it near at hand, the faces of all those who had denied it will be distraught, and then they will be told: “This is the doom which you used to ask for.” 

(67:28) Say to them: “Did you ever consider: whether Allah destroys me and those that are with me, or shows mercy to us, who can protect the unbelievers from a grievous chastisement?”

 (67:29) Say to them: “He is Merciful, and it is in Him that we believe, and it is in Him that we put all our trust. Soon will you know who is in manifest error.” 

(67:30) Say to them: “Did you even consider: if all the water that you have (in the wells) were to sink down into the depths of the earth, who will produce for you clear, flowing water?”

Read lessons from Surah Baqara

Theme of Surah al Mulk

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 Holy 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 realize that the universe in which he lives is a most well organized and fortified Kingdom in which he cannot detect any fault, any weakness or flaw, how ever hard he may try to probe.

This Kingdom has been brought from nothing into existence by Allah Almighty Himself and All the powers of controlling, administering and ruling it are also entirely in Allah’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 vv. 6-11, dreadful consequences of disbelief which will appear in the Hereafter have been mentioned, and the people told that Allah, 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 behavior accordingly, in the Hereafter you will yourself have to admit that you really deserved the punishment that was being meted out to you.”

In vv. 12-l4, 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 vv. 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 Allah;

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 Allah Who is sustaining them in the air. Look at your own means and resources: if Allah wills to inflict you with a scourge, none can save you from it; and if Allah 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 Allah has bestowed on you as men; that is why you do not see the right way.”

In vv. 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 vv. 28-29 replies have been given to what the disbelievers of Makkah said against the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) and his Companions. They cursed the Holy 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 Allah, how will their fate change your destiny? You should look after yourselves and consider who would save you if you were overtaken by the scourge 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.

Lesson from Surah Al mulk

Verse 1: “Blessed is He in whose hand is the dominion, and He is over all things competent.”

This verse reminds us of the power and majesty of Allah. It emphasizes that all power and control belongs to Allah and that He is the ultimate authority. This verse teaches us to recognize Allah’s greatness and to submit to His will.

Verse 2: ” [He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.”

This verse reminds us of the purpose of our existence, which is to worship Allah and to strive towards righteousness. It emphasizes that we should use our time and resources wisely in order to achieve this goal. This verse teaches us that our actions and deeds will be judged by Allah and that we should strive to do our best in everything we do.

Verse 3: ” [He] who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency. So return [your] vision [to the sky]; do you see any breaks?”

This verse encourages us to reflect on the creation of Allah and to ponder over the signs of His existence and power. It reminds us that everything around us is a testament to Allah’s greatness. This verse teaches us to appreciate the beauty and complexity of Allah’s creation and to recognize His hand in everything around us.

Verse 4: “Then return [your] vision twice again. [Your] vision will return to you humbled while it is fatigued.”

This verse further emphasizes the importance of reflection. It encourages us to reflect on the world around us and to recognize our own limitations. This verse teaches us to be humble and to recognize our own shortcomings in the face of Allah’s greatness.

Verse 5: “And We have certainly beautified the nearest heaven with stars and have made [from] them what is thrown at the devils and have prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze.”

This verse reminds us of the consequences of disbelief and disobedience. It warns us that those who reject Allah and His message will face severe punishment in the Hereafter. This verse teaches us to take heed of the warning and to strive towards righteousness and obedience to Allah.

Verse 6: “And for those who disbelieved in their Lord is the punishment of Hell, and wretched is the destination.”

This verse further emphasizes the warning of punishment for those who reject Allah and His message. It reminds us that there are consequences for our actions and that we should strive to avoid the punishment of Hell. This verse teaches us to fear Allah and to take our actions seriously.

Verse 7: “When they are thrown into it, they hear from it a [dreadful] inhaling while it boils up.”

This verse describes the punishment of Hell and the suffering of those who are thrown into it. It reminds us of the severity of the punishment and the importance of avoiding it. This verse teaches us to take our actions seriously and to strive towards righteousness and obedience to Allah.

Verse 8:”And it almost bursts with rage. Every time a company is thrown into it, its keepers ask them, “Did there not come to you a warner?””

This verse further emphasizes the severity of the punishment of Hell. It describes the anger and fury of the punishment and the questioning of those who are thrown into it, asking if they had received warning. This verse teaches us to take heed of the warnings and to strive towards righteousness and obedience to Allah.

Verse 9: “They will say,” Yes, a warner had come to us, but we denied and said, ‘Allah has not sent down anything. You are not but in great error.’”

This verse describes the response of those who denied the message of Allah and rejected the warnings. It reminds us of the importance of accepting the message of Allah and the consequences of rejecting it. This verse teaches us to recognize the truth when it is presented to us and to avoid denial and rejection.

Verse 10: “And they will say, “If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze.”

This verse further emphasizes the regret of those who rejected the message of Allah and the warnings. It reminds us of the importance of listening and reasoning, and the consequences of not doing so. This verse teaches us to be open-minded and to seek knowledge and understanding.

Verse 11: “And they will admit their sin, so [it is] alienation for the companions of the Blaze.”

This verse describes the admission of sin by those who rejected the message of Allah and the warnings. It reminds us of the importance of acknowledging our mistakes and seeking forgiveness from Allah. This verse teaches us to take responsibility for our actions and to seek forgiveness and repentance.

Verse 12: “Indeed, those who fear their Lord unseen will have forgiveness and great reward.”

This verse reminds us of the mercy and forgiveness of Allah. It emphasizes that those who fear Allah and strive towards righteousness, even when no one is watching, will be rewarded by Allah. This verse teaches us to be sincere in our worship and to strive towards righteousness, even when no one is watching.

Verse 13: “And conceal your speech or publicize it; indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.”

This verse emphasizes that Allah knows what is in our hearts and minds, whether we speak it aloud or keep it hidden. It reminds us to be mindful of our thoughts and intentions, and to strive towards sincerity in our worship and actions. This verse teaches us to be honest and sincere in our dealings with Allah and with others.

Verse 14: “Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the Acquainted?”

This verse reminds us of the knowledge and wisdom of Allah. It emphasizes that Allah, as the Creator, is aware of all things and has a greater understanding than we do. This verse teaches us to trust in Allah’s wisdom and to seek knowledge and understanding.

Verse 15: He it is Who made the earth subservient to you. So traverse in its tracks and partake of the sustenance He has provided. To Him will you be resurrected.

This verse reminds us of the blessings and provisions that Allah has given us. It emphasizes that we should be grateful for the earth and its resources, and that we should use them wisely. This verse teaches us to be mindful of our blessings and to use them in a way that pleases Allah.

Verse 16:”Do you feel secure that He Who is in the heaven will not cause the earth to cave in with you, and then suddenly it will begin to rock violently? 

This verse serves as a reminder of the power and authority of Allah. It questions the false sense of security that humans may feel, thinking that they are immune to the consequences of their actions. The lesson here is that no one should be complacent or arrogant, assuming that they are beyond the reach of Allah’s punishment or that calamity cannot befall them. It urges us to be mindful of our actions and to recognize that Allah has control over all things. It reminds us that we should never take our safety and stability for granted, as Allah can cause sudden and drastic changes if He wills.

Verse 17: Do you feel secure that He Who is in the heaven will not let loose upon you a storm of stones? Then shall you know what My warning is like! 

This verse reminds us of the power and might of Allah (SWT). He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and everything within them. We should never become too complacent in our lives and forget that Allah (SWT) has the power to punish us if we become disobedient. This verse is a warning to us to stay on the straight path and avoid sin, lest we face the consequences of our actions.

Verse 18:”And certainly did those before them deny, so how [terrible] was My reproach.”

This verse highlights the fate of those who deny the truth and refuse to follow the path of righteousness. Allah (SWT) reminds us that many people before us have been destroyed because of their disobedience and disbelief. We should take heed of their fate and strive to always follow the path of righteousness.

Verse 19:”Do they not see the birds above them with wings outspread and [sometimes] folded in? None holds them [aloft] except the Most Merciful. Indeed He is, of all things, Seeing.”

This verse reminds us of the power and mercy of Allah (SWT). He is the One who sustains and provides for all of His creation, including the birds in the sky. We should take this as a reminder to always be grateful to Allah (SWT) for the blessings He has bestowed upon us and to always trust in His mercy and provision.

Verse 20:”Or who is it that will be an army for you to aid you other than the Most Merciful? The disbelievers are not but in delusion.”

This verse reminds us that Allah (SWT) is the only One who can truly help us and provide us with support. We should put our trust in Him and not rely on anyone else, as ultimately, it is only Allah (SWT) who has the power to help us. Those who reject Allah (SWT) and refuse to believe in Him are misguided and deluded.

Verse 21:”Or who is it that will provide for you if He withholds His provision? But they have persisted in insolence and aversion.”

This verse is a reminder that all of our provision and sustenance comes from Allah (SWT) and that we should never become arrogant or ungrateful. We should always be mindful of the blessings we have been given and strive to use them for good. Those who persist in arrogance and disobedience are only harming themselves and will eventually face the consequences of their actions.

Verse 22:”Then is one who walks fallen on his face better guided or one who walks upright on a straight path?”

This verse reminds us of the importance of staying on the straight path and avoiding sin. Those who walk in humility and submission to Allah (SWT) are better guided than those who persist in disobedience and arrogance.

Verse 23:”Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “He is the One Who brought you into being and gave you hearing, sight, and intellect. ˹Yet˺ you hardly give any thanks.”

This verse highlights the power and authority of Allah, who has made the earth suitable for human beings. It reminds us to be grateful for the provisions provided by Allah and to recognize that we will eventually return to Him.

Verse 24:” ˹Also˺ say, “He is the One Who has dispersed you ˹all˺ over the earth, and to Him you will ˹all˺ be gathered.”

This verse serves as a reminder that despite the stability and security we may feel, we should never be complacent or arrogant. We should always remember that Allah has power over all things and can change our circumstances at any moment.

Verse 25:” Still˺ they ask ˹the believers˺, “When will this threat come to pass, if what you say is true?”

This verse highlights the consequences of disobedience and ingratitude towards Allah. It serves as a warning that if we do not recognize His authority and follow His guidance, we may face severe consequences.

Verse 26:” Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “That knowledge is with Allah alone, and I am only sent with a clear warning.”

Verse 27:” Then when they see the torment drawing near, the faces of the disbelievers will become gloomy, and it will be said ˹to them˺, “This is what you claimed would never come.”

This verse reminds us of the consequences faced by previous nations who denied the truth and rejected the messengers sent by Allah. It serves as a lesson to take heed and not repeat their mistakes.

Verse 28: Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Consider this: whether Allah causes me and those with me to die or shows us mercy, who will save the disbelievers from a painful punishment?

This verse emphasizes the reliance on Allah alone. It reminds us that no one can provide true assistance and support except Allah. Those who reject Him are deluded and misguided.

Verse 29:” Say, “He is the Most Compassionate—in Him ˹alone˺ we believe, and in Him ˹alone˺ we trust. You will soon know who is clearly astray.”

This verse emphasizes the belief and trust in Allah as the Most Compassionate. The lesson here is that our faith and reliance should be solely placed in Allah. It reminds us that Allah’s mercy and compassion are unparalleled, and He is the only true source of guidance and support. It also indicates that those who reject or oppose this belief will eventually realize their error and understand their own misguidance.

Verse 30:”Say, “Consider this: if your water were to sink ˹into the earth˺, then who ˹else˺ could bring you flowing water?”

This verse emphasizes the belief and trust in Allah as the Most Compassionate. The lesson here is that our faith and reliance should be solely placed in Allah. It reminds us that Allah’s mercy and compassion are unparalleled, and He is the only true source of guidance and support. It also indicates that those who reject or oppose this belief will eventually realize their error and understand their own misguidance.

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