Virtues of Surah al-Mulk:
- The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would not sleep until he had recited Sūrah al-Sajdah and Sūrah al-Mulk (Tirmidhī).
- The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “A Sūrah from the Qur’ān containing 30 verses will intercede for a man until he is forgiven. It is Sūrah al-Mulk” (Tirmidhī).
- ‘Abdullāh b. Masʿūd (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) narrated that whoever recites Sūrah al-Mulk every night, Allah will protect him from the punishment of the grave. He said: “At the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, we used to call it ‘al-māni‘ah’ [the protector]. Indeed there is a Sūrah in the Book of Allah [i.e. this Sūrah]; whoever recites it every night has done very well.” (Nasā’ī in ʿAmal al-Yawm wal-Laylah)
The Majesty and Sovereignty of Allah
تَبَارَكَ الَّذِيْ بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِْيرٌ
“Blessed is the One in whose Hand is the Kingdom (of the whole universe), and He is All-Powerful over every thing.” (67:1)
Sūrah al-Mulk begins by proclaiming the greatness of Allah and the majesty of His power, emphasising that every blessing and abundance in existence is established by Him. Allah is exalted above all else, the Owner and Controller of the heavens and the earth, in this world and the Hereafter, possessing ultimate authority and absolute power over everything.
When this reality takes root in the heart, it shapes a believer’s direction and ultimate purpose: affirming complete devotion to Allah alone.
The Test of Life
الَّذِيْ خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيْزُ الْغَفُوْرُ
“He is the One who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds. And He is the All-Mighty, the Most-Forgiving.” (67:2)
- This world is a place of trial, where every outward act and inward intention is observed. The wise ones recognise that this life is a preparation for the Hereafter, and they diligently strive to act with sincerity and excellence, hoping for Paradise and Allah’s pleasure.
- Allah tests us through the quality of our deeds, not merely their quantity. The Companions of the Prophet ﷺ would ask him, “Which deeds are best?”
- “And He is the All-Mighty, the Most-Forgiving”: Allah is indeed Mighty, Powerful, and unassailable, yet He is also immensely Forgiving and Merciful toward those who repent and turn to Him after disobedience. His greatness does not prevent Him from forgiving.
Reflect: Are you making the best use of your life? Are you spending your time doing the ‘best’ deeds you can, or are you simply settling for just ‘getting by’?
Reflecting on the Perfection of Creation
الَّذِيْ خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ طِبَاقًا ۖ مَّا تَرَىٰ فِيْ خَلْقِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ مِنْ تَفَاوُتٍ ۖ فَارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِنْ فُطُوْرٍ ثُمَّ ارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ يَنْقَلِبْ إِلَيْكَ الْبَصَرُ خَاسِئًا وَهُوَ حَسِيْرٌ
“(He is the One) who created seven heavens, one above the other. You will never see any imperfection in the creation of the Most Compassionate. So look again: do you see any flaws? Then look again and again — your sight will return frustrated and weary.” (67:3-4)
- The creation of seven heavens, each layered above the other, perfectly matched in attributes and flawless in precision testify to the greatness of the Most Merciful.
- If Allah has perfected His creation with such care, then His law, revealed for His servants, is even more precise and complete. How unfortunate is the one who deviates from it!
Act: Go outside today and spend time looking at the sky and thinking about Allah ﷻ!
The Torment of Hell
وَلِلَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا بِرَبِّهِمْ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيْرُ إِذَآ أُلْقُوْا فِيْهَا سَمِعُوْا لَهَا شَهِيْقًا وَهِيَ تَفُوْرُ
“Those who disbelieve in their Lord will suffer the punishment of Hell. What an evil destination. When they are tossed into it, they will hear its roaring as it boils over.” (67:6-7)
- The phrase “when they are tossed into it” paints a terrifying picture: being hurled into Hell like dry wood tossed into a raging fire.
- For the arrogant disbelievers, every sense will becomes a doorway to torment: their skin will feel the blistering flames, their tongues will taste the bitterness of scalding liquids, and their ears will be assaulted by the deafening roar of the fire as it seethes and burns.
Act: Close your eyes and think about Hell-fire tonight before you go to sleep. Then think of everything you need to do to protect yourself from it.
The Fury of Hell
Allah ﷻ continues to describe Hell-fire:
تَكَادُ تَمَيَّزُ مِنَ الْغَيْظِ ۖ كُلّمَآ أُلْقِيَ فِيْهَا فَوْجٌ سَأَلَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَآ أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَذِيْرٌ قَالُوْا بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَآءَنَا نَذِيْرٌ فَكَذَّبْنَا وَقُلْنَا مَا نَزَّلَ اللَّهُ مِنْ شَيْءٍ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا فِيْ ضَلَالٍ كَبِيْرٍ
“almost bursting in fury. Every time a group is cast into it, its keepers will ask them, ‘Did a warner not come to you?’ They will reply, ‘Yes, a warner did come to us, but we denied and said, ‘Allah has revealed nothing. You are extremely astray.’” (67:8-9)
Hell-fire seethes and its flames rise like a living being gasping and tearing in rage at the capture of its enemies. The phrase “almost bursting in fury” describes how Hell is so fierce and turbulent that it seems almost to split into parts, a vivid depiction of its furious anger and burning hatred toward the disbelievers. What a terrifying warning!
Reflect: How can I act upon this ayah?
Birds: A Sign of Allah’s Power
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَى الطَّيْرِ فَوْقَهُمْ صَآفَّاتٍ وَيَقْبِضْنَ ۚ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا الرَّحْمَٰنُ ۚ إِنَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ بَصِيْرٌ
“Have they not seen the birds above them, spreading and folding their wings? No one holds them up except the Most Compassionate. Indeed, He is All-Seeing of everything.” (67:19)
Have you ever watched a bird soaring high above and asked yourself: Who guides its flight? Who prevents it from falling?
Every movement of the bird’s wings is by Allah’s command and guidance. He preserves them in the air by His mercy, just as He preserves His creation in countless ways. This reminds us: if He can sustain even the birds in flight, He is surely capable of all things.
Act: The next time you see birds flying in the air, think of Allah’s Name ar-Raḥmān.
Reliance on Allah: A Lesson from the Blessing of Water
Sūrah al-Mulk concludes by emphasising that true reliance must be on Allah alone, not on others. This is highlighted through a vital blessing: water, the source of life:
قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَصْبَحَ مَآؤُكُمْ غَوْرًا فَمَنْ يَأْتِيْكُم بِمَآءٍ مَّعِيْنٍ
“Say, ‘Consider this: if your water were to sink (into the earth), then who (else) could bring you flowing water?’” (67:30)
- This rhetorical question highlights Allah’s mercy in providing water, while reminding that He alone can withhold it. If wells run dry and water disappears into the depths, no one besides Allah can supply fresh, flowing water. This warning encourages gratitude and recognition of His favours.
- So let us humble ourselves before Allah, acknowledge our need for Him, and give thanks for the bounties we often take for granted.
Surah al-Tahrim Reflections
