Surah 67: Al-Mulk
The Holy Qur’an with English Translation and Commentary (Five Volume Commentary)
[a]In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.[4287]
[a] See 1:1.
[4287] Commentary:
See 1:1.
[b]Blessed is He in Whose hand is the kingdom, and He has power over all things;[4288]
[b] 25:2-3.
[4288] Commentary:
The Surah was revealed at Mecca when Islam was yet in its infancy and its enemies were straining every nerve to nip it in the bud. It opens with the mention of Divine attributes which are expressive of God’s Power, Might and Majesty, and, appropriately the verse under comment implies a prophecy that the poor, persecuted and helpless Muslims would soon be granted the kingdom, not only of Arabia but of vast lands beyond its confines.
Who has created death and life that He might try you[c]—which of you is best in deeds; and He is the Mighty, the Most Forgiving.[4289]
[c] 5:49; 6:166; 11:8; 18:8.
[4289] Commentary:
The law of life and death works in all nature. Every living creature is subject to decay and death. Nations, like individuals, are subject to this inexorable law. The implication of the verse seems to be that with the advent of Islam God’s decree has come into operation, that is to say that some nations will receive new life and others will decay and fall. This will show that God is Mighty. The linking together of the attribute "Most Forgiving" with the attribute "Mighty" may imply that when Islam will triumph the enemies of the new Faith will be at the mercy of the Holy Prophet who will forgive them. The prophecy was fulfilled in the Fall of Mecca.
"Death", as in vv. 2:29 and 53:45, has been mentioned in this verse before "life." The reason seems to be that death or non-existence, is the state before life, or perhaps because "death" is more important and is of greater significance than "life," because, it opens to man the portals of everlasting life and unending spiritual progress, while his life on earth is only a temporary sojourn and a preparation for a permanent and everlasting life beyond the grave.
Who has created seven heavens in grades.[a] No incongruity canst thou see in the creation of the Gracious God. Then look again: Seest thou any flaw?[4290]
[a] 65:13; 67:4; 71:16.
[4290] Important Words:
طباقاً (in grades) is derived from طبق. They say أطبق الثوب i.e. he folded together the piece of cloth. طبق means, a thing that is the equal of another thing in its measure so that it covers the whole extent of the latter like the lid; a layer of the earth; a fold; a generation; any of the stages of heaven. السماوات طباق means, the heavens are composed of stages, one above another (Lane & Aqrab).
تفاوت (incongruity) is derived from فات. They say تفاوت الشیئان i.e. the two things were distinct or were different. تفاوت means, defect, fault, or imperfection; incongruity or discordance (Lane & Aqrab).
فطور (flaw) is derived from فطر. They say فطرہ i.e. God created it or brought it into existence for the first time, it not having existed before. انفطر means, it became split, rent or cleft. فطور means, cleft; flaw; disorder (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
Wonderful indeed is God’s creation. The solar system of which our earth is but a small member is vast, varied and orderly and yet this system is but one of hundreds of millions of systems, some of which are incalculably larger than it, yet the countless millions of suns and stars are so arranged and distributed in relation to one another as to produce everywhere harmony and beauty. The order that covers and pervades the universe is obvious to the ordinary naked eye, and is spread far beyond the range of disciplined vision, assisted by all the instruments and appliances which science and art have been able to invent (Flint).
Aye, look again, and yet again, thy sight will only return unto thee confused and fatigued.[4291]
[4291] Important Words:
خاسئا (confused) is derived from خسأ which means, he was or became vile, despised and hated. خاسأ الرجل الکلب means, the man drove away the dog. خسأ البصر means, the eyesight became dazzled or confused and dim. خاسیء when applied to a dog or a swine means, driven away and repelled, and when applied to a man means, contemptible, despicable, vile or confused; and when applied to the eyesight means, dazzled or confused and dim (Lane).
And verily, We have adorned the lowest heaven[a] with lamps, and We have made them the means of driving away satans, [b]and We have prepared for them the punishment of the blazing Fire.[4292]
[a] 15:17; 37:7; 41:13; 50:7.
[b] 15:18; 37:11.
[4292] Commentary:
For a detailed note on the subject, briefly stated in this verse, see 15:17-19.
The word السماء (heaven) may also signify the spiritual firmament and مصابیح (lamps) Divinely inspired teachers and Reformers and شیاطن may mean satanic people.
And for those who disbelieve in their Lord there is the punishment of Hell, and an evil resort it is![4293]
[4293] Commentary:
When Divine Reformers appear in the world to remove distortions and interpolations that find their way into heavenly teachings, those who reject Divine Reformers deserve and get God’s punishment. This is mentioned by implication also in the preceding verse.
When they are cast therein, they will hear it roaring as it boils up.[c] [4294]
[c] 11:107; 21:101; 25:13.
[4294] Important Words:
شھیق (roaring) signifies the ending or final part of the crying or braying of an ass. It also signifies a high sound; a cry of distress (Lane). See also 11:107.
It would almost burst with fury. [d]Whenever a host of wrongdoers is cast into it the wardens thereof will ask them, ‘Did no Warner come to you?’
[d] 6:131; 39:72; 40:51.
They will say, “Yea, verily, a Warner did come to us, but we treated him as a liar, and we said: ‘Allah has not revealed anything; you are but in manifest error.’ ”
And they will say,[a] ‘Had we but listened or possessed sense, we should not have been among the inmates of the blazing Fire.’
[a] 25:28.
Thus will they confess their sins; but far away are the inmates of the blazing Fire from God’s mercy.[4295]
[4295] Important Words:
سحقا (be far away) is derived from سحق which means, it was or became distant or remote. سحقه means, he bruised or powdered or pulverized it; he destroyed it. سحیق means, powdered, pulverized; distant, remote. سحق means, remoteness, curse; destruction (Lane & Aqrab).