Surah Al-Mulk (الملك) is a Meccan surah of the Quran with 30 verses. Read, listen and memorize this surah with our interactive tools.
Updated on 07 March 2026 at 4:16 PM
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The Warner said, 'And We said,' meaning an increase in their denial and their obstinacy towards Us. '{What has Allah sent down}' refers to the One who possesses all perfection, upon you and not upon others. Perhaps the expression using the verb 'sent down' indicates their denial of the act of choice that is necessarily accompanied by gradualness - may Allah be exalted above that in great loftiness. And We negated it, saying, '{Is it anything}' - neither revelation nor anything else. And this wickedness was not enough for us, so we said, affirming, '{Indeed}' - that is, 'no'. And since their denial of one messenger was a denial of all messengers, they said in obstinacy, '{You}' - O you Warners mentioned in '{a Warner}', referring to the genus, and the address to the collective is also an indication that the response of all was united, despite their separation in time, as if they had been on an appointment - '{are only in great error}'. This means they were astray from the path, in error, and surrounded by blindness. We exceeded in denial and foolishness by hastening and taking it lightly. And when the Almighty narrated what they said to the treasurers, regretting themselves, He narrated what they said afterwards among themselves, adding to their sorrow and self-loathing, saying, '{And they said}' - the disbelievers, rebuking themselves - '{If only we had}' - that which is innate to us, like instinct. And since hearing is the greatest of the faculties of reason, which is the basis of responsibility, they said, '{Would that we had heard}' - that is, heard in a way that benefits through acceptance of the truth and rejection of falsehood - '{or understood}' - that is, with the intellect that has been conveyed to us through the sense of hearing and other senses, an intellect that saves.
Mankind is among the forces that incline towards tyranny. Some of the knowers have said: Within humans, there are attributes that necessitate knowledge of the fortunes that beset them, from which - God forbid - arises contention in pride, grandeur, majesty, and beauty. The heart demands exclusivity in existence, command, and prohibition. There is no one who does not inwardly harbor what Pharaoh said, but they do not find the opportunity to express it as Pharaoh did. The intellect demands, in its management and influence, the belief that if it were empowered over existence, it would manage it. It sees its management as the true management, even if it were the most corrupt. Similarly, it continues to say: 'If it were such, it would be such.' The self does not imagine that it possesses the power and capability to destroy cities and rebuild them if it so desired. Let the human being beware, for his most hostile enemy is his own self, which is within his breast. No matter how much he abandons it, it spreads. God, the Exalted, has said {No! ˹For˺ man transgresses when he thinks himself self-sufficient} [{العلق: ٦ و٧}] and forgets what comes after {Surely to your Lord is the return} [{العلق: ٨}. For this reason, some of the Caesars - who were among the wisest of kings - would appoint someone to stand behind them, near to them, and say to them every now and then, after their armies had gathered: 'You are a slave.' The king would say to him, every time he said it: 'Yes.' Therefore, it is upon the intelligent person to subjugate their self so that it may return, reassured, that
And when, after seeking refuge, nothing remained but warning, He said, threatening the deniers with a punishment other than the punishment of Hell, denying them security after establishing the proof that the kingdom is in His hand, and that He is capable of whatever He wills, with or without the means of His armies. He affirmed, after affirming the need and weakness of humanity, that there is no fortress or obstacle for them against the punishment of God. Thus, they are constantly in need, always accompanied by the lowly. {Did you feel secure} - that is, O deniers - and He addressed them according to what they believed, although if it is interpreted as a rank or the highest heaven due to its loftiness, or if it is taken as a metaphor for dominion, because it is commonly understood that whoever is in something has dominion over it, without need for interpretation. So He said: {against Him who is in the heaven} - that is, according to your claim, the Exalted, the Overpowering, or the meaning is: the strong and powerful angels who are entrusted with the affairs of the servants, or the meaning is: in the utmost loftiness of rank, or that this is an indication that in the heaven is the greatest matter, because it is where the deeds of His servants are raised and where revelation descends.
An easy and upright path {mustaqim}, meaning it is the utmost guidance. This is similar to one who is pleased with Allah as their Lord and Islam as their religion, for they follow the original, unblemished natural disposition, unaffected by desire, anger, or chance. The first example is that of the disbeliever, whose state in their journey to Allah is like that of one who has overturned themselves, consumed by desire, unable to see what surrounds them or feel what encompasses them, nor do they reflect on the signs or heed the lessons. Today, they are in a state of concealment, but on the Day of Judgment, they will be gathered on their faces to the Fire, a punishment for being content with their state in this world. Then, Allah will reveal to them what He has concealed from them today. In contrast, the believer is different from this in both cases. The verse uses antithesis: mentioning the overturned state first as evidence against its opposite, and the upright path second as evidence against its opposite. The underlying meaning is that it mentions the most repulsive state for the criminal and the most beautiful state for the Muslim. Since the Arabs, who were being admonished by this reminder, would exaggerate in boasting about guidance on tangible paths and not violating the gratitude for the known blessings, no matter how small, He negated the first by establishing the evidence of their blatant error in all that they opposed the Messenger, peace be upon him, in their spiritual path, which they took as their religion, and it is more noble than the tangible path. Following this, He explained their detachment from the second, while affirming their detachment from the first, saying, commanding the Messenger, peace be upon him, to warn them, for humans, by their nature, are inclined to this, as they are predisposed to it.
And when the Almighty indicated their distance from guidance and gratitude, which they pride themselves on before all people with each of these qualities, and He appealed to them with the divine and spiritual subtleties that He has entrusted within them, which necessitate, due to their luminosity, ascension to the sanctuaries and sources of intimacy, He indicated His power to gather them as a warning to them against persisting in their aversion. This is in a sense that each of them finds within themselves, in a manner that demonstrates the perfection of His power, given what He has entrusted within them alongside those subtleties, despite the dense earthly dispositions that lead to debasement. This is so that, if those subtleties elevate them through repentance, they may strive to purify the traces of those debasing dispositions, just as a crop, when harvested, returns to its original state if the roots are not uprooted. Thus, He said, resuming the explanation that He is the sufficient proof for what preceded: {Say: He} - namely, He alone {is the One who has created you}, meaning, created you, dispersed you, spread you, multiplied you, and established you after you were like seeds, weak children. Then, He strengthened you, then made you weak again in old age, and settled within you anger, fear, and obstinacy, which drives you to indulge in what the dispositions provoke. {On the earth}, which it was previously mentioned that He has made submissive for you, and from which He has provided you with the plants that it was previously mentioned He brings forth from it.
He repels from them what a neighbor repels from his neighbor {from a painful punishment}. They are afflicted by One whom they know has the power to do so, for if they could be saved from death, which He created and ordained among His servants as a reward for their actions, then they would have been saved. But since nothing can save them from His punishment, whether they die or remain, it is only logical for them, if they are rational, to strive for what will save them from His punishment, rather than striving to destroy the one who is working towards their salvation from punishment. And they are not capable of destroying Him except by the decree of the One who commanded Him to warn them. And since only One who has universal power, bounty, and mercy can bestow universal blessings, and reminding them of His blessings is a more effective means of entreating them, the discussion turned to a clear expression of this, saying, reminding them of their knowledge that there is no blessing upon them except from Him, and their acknowledgment of this, so that they may beware and remember the universality of His power, and thus know His power to resurrect, and the dispute will be settled: {Say}, O best of creation: {He}, namely Allah, {is the Most Merciful}, encompassing all that is within His lordship with mercy, so it is not fitting for an intelligent person to leave any of His creation in the oppression of an oppressor without taking their right, for this would not be acceptable to the weakest of people for themselves, despite their weakness, so how could it be acceptable to One who is perfect in power? {We have believed in Him}.
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تَبَـٰرَكَ ٱلَّذِى بِيَدِهِ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌ ﴿١﴾
Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent -
ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَٱلْحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًۭا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفُورُ ﴿٢﴾
[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 -
ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَٰتٍۢ طِبَاقًۭا ۖ مَّا تَرَىٰ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِن تَفَـٰوُتٍۢ ۖ فَٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍۢ ﴿٣﴾
[And] 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?
ثُمَّ ٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ يَنقَلِبْ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْبَصَرُ خَاسِئًۭا وَهُوَ حَسِيرٌۭ ﴿٤﴾
Then return [your] vision twice again. [Your] vision will return to you humbled while it is fatigued.
وَلَقَدْ زَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِمَصَـٰبِيحَ وَجَعَلْنَـٰهَا رُجُومًۭا لِّلشَّيَـٰطِينِ ۖ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلسَّعِيرِ ﴿٥﴾
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.
وَلِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ ﴿٦﴾
And for those who disbelieved in their Lord is the punishment of Hell, and wretched is the destination.
إِذَآ أُلْقُوا۟ فِيهَا سَمِعُوا۟ لَهَا شَهِيقًۭا وَهِىَ تَفُورُ ﴿٧﴾
When they are thrown into it, they hear from it a [dreadful] inhaling while it boils up.
تَكَادُ تَمَيَّزُ مِنَ ٱلْغَيْظِ ۖ كُلَّمَآ أُلْقِىَ فِيهَا فَوْجٌۭ سَأَلَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَآ أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَذِيرٌۭ ﴿٨﴾
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?"
قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَآءَنَا نَذِيرٌۭ فَكَذَّبْنَا وَقُلْنَا مَا نَزَّلَ ٱللَّهُ مِن شَىْءٍ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍۢ كَبِيرٍۢ ﴿٩﴾
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.'"
وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْ كُنَّا نَسْمَعُ أَوْ نَعْقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِىٓ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ ﴿١٠﴾
And they will say, "If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze."
فَٱعْتَرَفُوا۟ بِذَنۢبِهِمْ فَسُحْقًۭا لِّأَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ ﴿١١﴾
And they will admit their sin, so [it is] alienation for the companions of the Blaze.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلْغَيْبِ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌۭ وَأَجْرٌۭ كَبِيرٌۭ ﴿١٢﴾
Indeed, those who fear their Lord unseen will have forgiveness and great reward.
وَأَسِرُّوا۟ قَوْلَكُمْ أَوِ ٱجْهَرُوا۟ بِهِۦٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ ﴿١٣﴾
And conceal your speech or publicize it; indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.
أَلَا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ خَلَقَ وَهُوَ ٱللَّطِيفُ ٱلْخَبِيرُ ﴿١٤﴾
Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the Acquainted?
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ ذَلُولًۭا فَٱمْشُوا۟ فِى مَنَاكِبِهَا وَكُلُوا۟ مِن رِّزْقِهِۦ ۖ وَإِلَيْهِ ٱلنُّشُورُ ﴿١٥﴾
It is He who made the earth tame for you - so walk among its slopes and eat of His provision - and to Him is the resurrection.
ءَأَمِنتُم مَّن فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ فَإِذَا هِىَ تَمُورُ ﴿١٦﴾
Do you feel secure that He who [holds authority] in the heaven would not cause the earth to swallow you and suddenly it would sway?
أَمْ أَمِنتُم مَّن فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ أَن يُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ حَاصِبًۭا ۖ فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ كَيْفَ نَذِيرِ ﴿١٧﴾
Or do you feel secure that He who [holds authority] in the heaven would not send against you a storm of stones? Then you would know how [severe] was My warning.
وَلَقَدْ كَذَّبَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ نَكِيرِ ﴿١٨﴾
And already had those before them denied, and how [terrible] was My reproach.
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱلطَّيْرِ فَوْقَهُمْ صَـٰٓفَّـٰتٍۢ وَيَقْبِضْنَ ۚ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍۭ بَصِيرٌ ﴿١٩﴾
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.
أَمَّنْ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ جُندٌۭ لَّكُمْ يَنصُرُكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ۚ إِنِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ إِلَّا فِى غُرُورٍ ﴿٢٠﴾
Or who is it that could be an army for you to aid you other than the Most Merciful? The disbelievers are not but in delusion.
أَمَّنْ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى يَرْزُقُكُمْ إِنْ أَمْسَكَ رِزْقَهُۥ ۚ بَل لَّجُّوا۟ فِى عُتُوٍّۢ وَنُفُورٍ ﴿٢١﴾
Or who is it that could provide for you if He withheld His provision? But they have persisted in insolence and aversion.
أَفَمَن يَمْشِى مُكِبًّا عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِۦٓ أَهْدَىٰٓ أَمَّن يَمْشِى سَوِيًّا عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍۢ مُّسْتَقِيمٍۢ ﴿٢٢﴾
Then is one who walks fallen on his face better guided or one who walks erect on a straight path?
قُلْ هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنشَأَكُمْ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَـٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ ۖ قَلِيلًۭا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ ﴿٢٣﴾
Say, "It is He who has produced you and made for you hearing and vision and hearts; little are you grateful."
قُلْ هُوَ ٱلَّذِى ذَرَأَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ ﴿٢٤﴾
Say, "It is He who has multiplied you throughout the earth, and to Him you will be gathered."
وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَـٰذَا ٱلْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ ﴿٢٥﴾
And they say, "When is this promise, if you should be truthful?"
قُلْ إِنَّمَا ٱلْعِلْمُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَإِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ نَذِيرٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ ﴿٢٦﴾
Say, "The knowledge is only with Allah, and I am only a clear warner."
فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهُ زُلْفَةًۭ سِيٓـَٔتْ وُجُوهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَقِيلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى كُنتُم بِهِۦ تَدَّعُونَ ﴿٢٧﴾
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."
قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَهْلَكَنِىَ ٱللَّهُ وَمَن مَّعِىَ أَوْ رَحِمَنَا فَمَن يُجِيرُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍۢ ﴿٢٨﴾
Say, [O Muhammad], "Have you considered: whether Allah should cause my death and those with me or have mercy upon us, who can protect the disbelievers from a painful punishment?"
قُلْ هُوَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ وَعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا ۖ فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ ﴿٢٩﴾
Say, "He is the Most Merciful; we have believed in Him, and upon Him we have relied. And you will [come to] know who it is that is in clear error."
قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَصْبَحَ مَآؤُكُمْ غَوْرًۭا فَمَن يَأْتِيكُم بِمَآءٍۢ مَّعِينٍۭ ﴿٣٠﴾
Say, "Have you considered: if your water was to become sunken [into the earth], then who could bring you flowing water?"