Quran · Surah 67 · 30 ayat
The Sovereignty
ٱلْمُلْك
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Al-Mulk, "The Sovereignty" or "The Dominion", is the 67th surah of the Quran, has 30 ayat and is listed as Meccan in the standard Hafs mushaf. It opens the 29th of the Quran's thirty parts (juz). Its themes are Allah's complete control over creation, life and death as a test, the order and beauty of the universe, and accountability in the Hereafter. Many Muslims recite it every night before sleeping, following a practice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and a hadith describes it as a surah of thirty ayat that intercedes for the one who recites it. For this reason it is also known as Al-Mani'ah, "the Protector".
Allah's sovereignty over all thingsLife and death as a testSigns of Allah in creationAccountability in the Hereafter
Arabic exactly as in the Tanzil text, then a plain meaning in your language. The Arabic is never read by a machine voice; "Listen" reads only the meanings.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ تَبَـٰرَكَ ٱلَّذِى بِيَدِهِ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Blessed and exalted is the One in whose hand is all sovereignty, and He has power over everything.
Pickthall (1930): Blessed is He in Whose hand is the Sovereignty, and He is Able to do all things.
ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَٱلْحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفُورُ
He created death and life to test which of you is best in deeds; He is the Almighty, the Most Forgiving.
Pickthall (1930): Who hath created life and death that He may try you which of you is best in conduct; and He is the Mighty, the Forgiving,
ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَٰتٍ طِبَاقًا ۖ مَّا تَرَىٰ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِن تَفَـٰوُتٍ ۖ فَٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍ
He created seven heavens, one above another; you will see no flaw in the creation of the Most Merciful, so look again: do you see any crack?
Pickthall (1930): Who hath created seven heavens in harmony. Thou (Muhammad) canst see no fault in the Beneficent One's creation; then look again: Canst thou see any rifts?
ثُمَّ ٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ يَنقَلِبْ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْبَصَرُ خَاسِئًا وَهُوَ حَسِيرٌ
Then look again and again: your sight will come back to you tired and humbled, having found no flaw.
Pickthall (1930): Then look again and yet again, thy sight will return unto thee weakened and made dim.
وَلَقَدْ زَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِمَصَـٰبِيحَ وَجَعَلْنَـٰهَا رُجُومًا لِّلشَّيَـٰطِينِ ۖ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلسَّعِيرِ
Allah has adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, the stars, and made them a means of driving away the devils, for whom He has prepared the punishment of the blazing Fire.
Pickthall (1930): And verily We have beautified the world's heaven with lamps, and We have made them missiles for the devils, and for them We have prepared the doom of flame.
وَلِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
For those who deny their Lord there is the punishment of Hell, and it is a wretched destination.
Pickthall (1930): And for those who disbelieve in their Lord there is the doom of hell, a hapless journey's end!
إِذَآ أُلْقُوا۟ فِيهَا سَمِعُوا۟ لَهَا شَهِيقًا وَهِىَ تَفُورُ
When they are cast into it, they will hear it roaring as it boils.
Pickthall (1930): When they are flung therein they hear its roaring as it boileth up,
تَكَادُ تَمَيَّزُ مِنَ ٱلْغَيْظِ ۖ كُلَّمَآ أُلْقِىَ فِيهَا فَوْجٌ سَأَلَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَآ أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَذِيرٌ
It almost bursts with fury; each time a group is thrown in, its keepers ask them: "Did no warner come to you?"
Pickthall (1930): As it would burst with rage. Whenever a (fresh) host is flung therein the wardens thereof ask them: Came there unto you no warner?
قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَآءَنَا نَذِيرٌ فَكَذَّبْنَا وَقُلْنَا مَا نَزَّلَ ٱللَّهُ مِن شَىْءٍ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ كَبِيرٍ
They will say: "Yes, a warner did come to us, but we denied him and said: Allah has sent down nothing, and you are only in great error."
Pickthall (1930): They say: Yea, verily, a warner came unto us; but we denied and said: Allah hath naught revealed; ye are in naught but a great error.
وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْ كُنَّا نَسْمَعُ أَوْ نَعْقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِىٓ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ
They will also say: "If only we had listened or used our reason, we would not be among the people of the blazing Fire."
Pickthall (1930): And they say: Had we been wont to listen or have sense, we had not been among the dwellers in the flames.
فَٱعْتَرَفُوا۟ بِذَنۢبِهِمْ فَسُحْقًا لِّأَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ
So they will admit their sins, but they will be far from mercy, the people of the blazing Fire.
Pickthall (1930): So they acknowledge their sins; but far removed (from mercy) are the dwellers in the flames.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلْغَيْبِ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ
Those who stand in awe of their Lord though they cannot see Him will have forgiveness and a great reward.
Pickthall (1930): Lo! those who fear their Lord in secret, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward.
وَأَسِرُّوا۟ قَوْلَكُمْ أَوِ ٱجْهَرُوا۟ بِهِۦٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
Whether you keep your words secret or say them aloud, He fully knows what is in the hearts.
Pickthall (1930): And keep your opinion secret or proclaim it, lo! He is Knower of all that is in the breasts (of men).
أَلَا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ خَلَقَ وَهُوَ ٱللَّطِيفُ ٱلْخَبِيرُ
Would the One who created not know His own creation? He is the Most Subtle, the All-Aware.
Pickthall (1930): Should He not know what He created? And He is the Subtle,<!-- Subtile but this HAS to be a typo--> the Aware.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ ذَلُولًا فَٱمْشُوا۟ فِى مَنَاكِبِهَا وَكُلُوا۟ مِن رِّزْقِهِۦ ۖ وَإِلَيْهِ ٱلنُّشُورُ
He made the earth easy for you to live on, so walk through its paths and eat from His provision; and to Him you will all be raised again.
Pickthall (1930): He it is Who hath made the earth subservient unto you, so Walk in the paths thereof and eat of His providence. And unto Him will be the resurrection (of the dead).
ءَأَمِنتُم مَّن فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ فَإِذَا هِىَ تَمُورُ
Do you feel safe from the One in the heaven, that He will not make the earth swallow you up as it shakes?
Pickthall (1930): Have ye taken security from Him Who is in the heaven that He will not cause the earth to swallow you when lo! it is convulsed?
أَمْ أَمِنتُم مَّن فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ أَن يُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ حَاصِبًا ۖ فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ كَيْفَ نَذِيرِ
Or do you feel safe from the One in the heaven, that He will not send against you a storm of stones? Then you will know how true My warning was.
Pickthall (1930): Or have ye taken security from Him Who is in the heaven that He will not let loose on you a hurricane? But ye shall know the manner of My warning.
وَلَقَدْ كَذَّبَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ نَكِيرِ
People before them also denied the truth, and how severe was My disapproval of them.
Pickthall (1930): And verily those before them denied, then (see) the manner of My wrath (with them)!
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱلطَّيْرِ فَوْقَهُمْ صَـٰٓفَّـٰتٍ وَيَقْبِضْنَ ۚ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍۭ بَصِيرٌ
Have they not seen the birds above them, spreading and folding their wings? Nothing holds them up except the Most Merciful; He sees all things.
Pickthall (1930): Have they not seen the birds above them spreading out their wings and closing them? Naught upholdeth them save the Beneficent. Lo! He is Seer of all things.
أَمَّنْ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ جُندٌ لَّكُمْ يَنصُرُكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ۚ إِنِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ إِلَّا فِى غُرُورٍ
Who is there that could be an army for you and help you apart from the Most Merciful? Those who deny are only deceived.
Pickthall (1930): Or who is he that will be an army unto you to help you instead of the Beneficent? The disbelievers are in naught but illusion.
أَمَّنْ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى يَرْزُقُكُمْ إِنْ أَمْسَكَ رِزْقَهُۥ ۚ بَل لَّجُّوا۟ فِى عُتُوٍّ وَنُفُورٍ
Who is there that could provide for you if He held back His provision? Yet they persist in arrogance and turning away.
Pickthall (1930): Or who is he that will provide for you if He should withhold His providence? Nay, but they are set in pride and frowardness.
أَفَمَن يَمْشِى مُكِبًّا عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِۦٓ أَهْدَىٰٓ أَمَّن يَمْشِى سَوِيًّا عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
Is the one who walks stumbling on his face better guided, or the one who walks upright on a straight path?
Pickthall (1930): Is he who goeth groping on his face more rightly guided, or he who walketh upright on a straight road?
قُلْ هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنشَأَكُمْ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَـٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ ۖ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ
Allah tells the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to say: "It is He who brought you into being and gave you hearing, sight and hearts; yet how little thanks you give."
Pickthall (1930): Say (unto them, O Muhammad): He it is who gave you being, and hath assigned unto you ears and eyes and hearts. Small thanks give ye!
قُلْ هُوَ ٱلَّذِى ذَرَأَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ
Say: "It is He who spread you across the earth, and to Him you will be gathered."
Pickthall (1930): Say: He it is Who multiplieth you in the earth, and unto Whom ye will be gathered.
وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَـٰذَا ٱلْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
They ask: "When will this promise come true, if you are telling the truth?"
Pickthall (1930): And they say: When (will) this promise (be fulfilled), if ye are truthful?
قُلْ إِنَّمَا ٱلْعِلْمُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَإِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ
Say: "Knowledge of that is with Allah alone, and I am only a clear warner."
Pickthall (1930): Say: The knowledge is with Allah only, and I am but a plain warner;
فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهُ زُلْفَةً سِيٓـَٔتْ وُجُوهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَقِيلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى كُنتُم بِهِۦ تَدَّعُونَ
But when they see it close at hand, the faces of those who denied will be filled with distress, and it will be said: "This is what you kept asking for."
Pickthall (1930): But when they see it nigh, the faces of those who disbelieve will be awry, and it will be said (unto them): This is that for which ye used to call.
قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَهْلَكَنِىَ ٱللَّهُ وَمَن مَّعِىَ أَوْ رَحِمَنَا فَمَن يُجِيرُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
Say: "Think about it: whether Allah lets me and those with me die, or has mercy on us, who will then protect those who deny from a painful punishment?"
Pickthall (1930): Say (O Muhammad): Have ye thought: Whether Allah causeth me (Muhammad) and those with me to perish or hath mercy on us, still, who will protect the disbelievers from a painful doom?
قُلْ هُوَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ وَعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا ۖ فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
Say: "He is the Most Merciful; we believe in Him and put our trust in Him, and you will soon know who is clearly astray."
Pickthall (1930): Say: He is the Beneficent. In Him we believe and in Him we put our trust. And ye will soon know who it is that is in error manifest.
قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَصْبَحَ مَآؤُكُمْ غَوْرًا فَمَن يَأْتِيكُم بِمَآءٍ مَّعِينٍۭ
Say: "Think about it: if your water were to sink deep into the earth, who could bring you flowing water?"
Pickthall (1930): Say: Have ye thought: If (all) your water were to disappear into the earth, who then could bring you gushing water?
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In ayah 19, who holds the birds up in the sky?
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Tanzil Quran Text (Uthmani, Version 1.1), tanzil.net, CC BY 3.0, verbatim: tanzil.net. Marmaduke Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930), public domain; text from English Wikisource. Al-Fatiha aligned to the Hafs count (basmala as verse 1, his verses 6 and 7 joined); Quraysh: his verses 4 and 5 joined.. Plain meanings, introductions and quiz: IndiaDigital, awaiting review by an Islamic scholar.
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