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Introduction
Surah Mulk forms a pair with
Surah Qalam with regard to the subject discussed in them: In Surah
Mulk, the Quraish have been warned of the Day of Judgement while
in Surah Qalam they have been warned of the punishment which a nation
necessarily faces in case it denies the Prophet (sws) directly assigned
to it.
Addressees of the Surah
Though the Prophet (sws) has also
been addressed at various places in this surah, a little deliberation
shows that in all places it is actually directed at the Quraish.
Period of Revelation
It is evident from the subject discussed
in the surah that it was revealed in Makkah during the phase
of Inzar of the Prophet's mission.
Central Theme
The central theme of Surah Mulk
is to explain to the Quraish that the way this world has come into
existence and for the purpose it has come into existence show that it will
necessarily culminate on the Day of Judgement. Therefore, they should not
take themselves to the point of no return when they will have no option
but to confess their crimes and to face the consequences of this confession.
They should be fearful of the Almighty Who can seize them even now in any
way and at any time.
The arguments, in this surah, have
been mainly drawn from the manifestations and signs of the Almighty's mercy,
power and providence which every person can behold around him.
Explanation
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious,
the Ever Merciful.
Very Great and very Benevolent is
He in whose hands is the kingship of the worlds, and He has power over
all things.1 [He] Who created
death and life that He might test you2
as to which of you is best in deed. And He is also Mighty and Forgiving.3
He Who created seven heavens one above
the other. You will not find any fault with what has been created by the
Most Gracious. Then look again: can you see any flaw? Look again and again.
Your look will come back to you worn out and overcome.4
[This is Power and Control] and [along
with it are manifestations of Mercy such that] We have adorned the lowest
heaven with lamps [and with it exists a system of surveillance also such
that] We have made them [-- these lamps --] a means of bombardment on the
devils.5 And We have
prepared for them the torment of the Blazing Fire.6
And for those who [denied the Day of Judgement and in
this way] denied their Lord there is the punishment
of Hell and what an evil abode it is!7
When they will be cast into it, they
shall hear it roaring and seething. It will almost be bursting with
rage. Every time a multitude is cast into it, its keepers will ask ‘Did
no warner come to you?’ ‘Yes’ they will reply ‘but we rejected him and
said ‘Allah has not sent down anything; you are only in grave error.’ And
they will say ‘If only we had listened or used our intellect, we would
not have been among these dwellers of the flames [today].’ In this way,
they will confess their sin, so [now] cursed be these companions of Hell.8
[On the other hand], for those who
feared the Lord even though they did not see Him,9
there is indeed orgiveness and a great reward. [And listen O People!] Whether
you speak secretly or openly, He verily has full knowledge of all that
is in the hearts.10
Would He not know Who has created? He is Very Discerning and Well-Acqainted.
He Who made the earth an obedient
camel; so walk about in its shoulders and eat from His subsistence11
and remember [that when He has done all this to sustain you, He shall never
leave you without taking an account]. You shall [definitely] rise up before
Him.
Are you not afraid of Him Who is in
the heavens that He may thrust you in the earth? and you would suddenly
see it running very swiftly. Are you not afraid of Him Who is in the heavens
that He may send upon you a stone hurling wind? So now you shall know how
My warning is.12 And
those also who were before them denied [in a similar manner and you saw]
how terrible was my curse.13
Have these people not seen the birds
[flying] above them with wings outstretched and they [in a similar manner]
also draw them in. None save the Most Gracious is holding them. Indeed
He keeps a watch on all things.
[You demand punishment so speak up]
‘What army do you have who will help you against the Most Gracious?’ [They
know that there is none]. Indeed, these disbelievers are in mere deception.
[Speak up] ‘Who will give you sustenance if He withholds His sustenance
[which pours down on you from the heavens]?’ [They are aware that there
is no one]. Yet they persist in rebellion and in denying the truth.
[This happened because like animals
they walked face down]. So is he who walks grovelling on his face rightly
guided or he who walks upright on a straight path? [Alas!] tell them ‘It
is He Who has raised you up [as human beings] and given you ears, eyes
and hearts [that you may understand the truth.] Yet seldom are you grateful.’14
Tell them ‘It is He who has sown you in the earth [so that
He may reap what He has sown and separate
the chaff from the wheat]. And [for this]
towards Him you shall [certainly] be gathered.’15
[And even after hearing all this they
say] ‘When will this promise be fulfilled if you are truthful?’ Tell them
‘Its knowledge is only with Allah and I am only an open warner.’16
[This is what they say now], but when they see it drawing near, the faces
of these disbelievers will turn gloomy and it shall be said to them ‘This
is what you had been asking for.’
[They say that they are just waiting
for the turn of fortunes for this Prophet]. Ask them ‘Have you ever thought
that if Allah destroys me and my companions or has mercy on us [what will
you gain? for even in this case] who shall save the disbelievers from an
afflictive doom?’
Tell them ‘[We are making no claims
for ourselves. Yes! definitely] He is the Most Gracious. We believe in
Him and in Him we have put our trust [so we are hopeful that He shall have
mercy upon us].’ But [listen ye also] ‘Soon you will know who is in manifest
error.’ Tell them ‘Alright, just think if all the water you have sinks
down into the earth, who will then bring out for you unsullied springs
of water.’
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