# Surah Al-Mulk (الملك) — Quran chapter 67 Source: https://surahal-mulk.com/ Arabic text: Tanzil Uthmani 1.1 (Tanzil.net). SHA-256 of the Arabic: aa39604b4ed31d477661f8ef1914d4ae5ed61f54dda2c183da69aa216a9da1a9 ## Facts - Chapter: 67 of 114 - Arabic name: الملك (al-Mulk) - Meaning: The Sovereignty / The Dominion - Also called: Tabārak, al-Māniʿah - Revealed in: Makkah (Meccan) - Order of revelation: 77th (traditional order) - Verses: 30 - Sections (rukūʿ): 2: 1–14 and 15–30 - Words: 333 (word-by-word segmentation) - Juz: 29 — its first surah - Hizb / Manzil: Hizb 57 · Manzil 7 - Mushaf pages: 562–564 (Madinah mushaf) - Prostration (sajdah): None ## Overview Surah Al-Mulk is the 67th chapter of the Quran and the first chapter of the 29th juz, which is named after it: Juz Tabārak. It has 30 verses in two sections (rukūʿ), and it was revealed in Makkah, as Ibn Kathīr states at the opening of his commentary. Its subject is the one the Makkan surahs keep returning to: who really owns and runs the world. It opens by declaring that all dominion is in Allah’s hand, explains that life and death were created as a test, and then asks the reader to look — at a sky without a flaw, at birds held up in the air, at the ground made easy to walk on, at water that could sink out of reach — and to draw the conclusion. Between those signs it shows the people of the Fire admitting, too late, that they would not listen or think, and it promises forgiveness and a great reward to those who fear their Lord unseen. ## Full text بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ### 67:1 تَبَٰرَكَ ٱلَّذِى بِيَدِهِ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ Transliteration: Tabaraka allathee biyadihialmulku wahuwa AAala kulli shay-in qadeer Pickthall: Blessed is He in Whose hand is the Sovereignty, and, He is Able to do all things. Yusuf Ali: Blessed be He in Whose hands is Dominion; and He over all things hath Power;- ### 67:2 ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَٱلْحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفُورُ Transliteration: Allathee khalaqa almawta walhayataliyabluwakum ayyukum ahsanu AAamalan wahuwa alAAazeezualghafoor Pickthall: 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, Yusuf Ali: He Who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving;- ### 67:3 ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَٰوَٰتٍ طِبَاقًا مَّا تَرَىٰ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ مِن تَفَٰوُتٍ فَٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍ Transliteration: Allathee khalaqa sabAAa samawatintibaqan ma tara fee khalqi arrahmanimin tafawutin farjiAAi albasara hal taramin futoor Pickthall: 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? Yusuf Ali: He Who created the seven heavens one above another: No want of proportion wilt thou see in the Creation of (Allah) Most Gracious. So turn thy vision again: seest thou any flaw? ### 67:4 ثُمَّ ٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ يَنقَلِبْ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْبَصَرُ خَاسِئًا وَهُوَ حَسِيرٌ Transliteration: Thumma irjiAAi albasara karratayniyanqalib ilayka albasaru khasi-an wahuwa haseer Pickthall: Then look again and yet again, thy sight will return unto thee weakened and made dim. Yusuf Ali: Again turn thy vision a second time: (thy) vision will come back to thee dull and discomfited, in a state worn out. ### 67:5 وَلَقَدْ زَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِمَصَٰبِيحَ وَجَعَلْنَٰهَا رُجُومًا لِّلشَّيَٰطِينِ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلسَّعِيرِ Transliteration: Walaqad zayyanna assamaaaddunya bimasabeeha wajaAAalnaharujooman lishshayateeni waaAAtadna lahumAAathaba assaAAeer Pickthall: 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. Yusuf Ali: And we have, (from of old), adorned the lowest heaven with Lamps, and We have made such (Lamps) (as) missiles to drive away the Evil Ones, and have prepared for them the Penalty of the Blazing Fire. ### 67:6 وَلِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ Transliteration: Walillatheena kafaroo birabbihim AAathabujahannama wabi/sa almaseer Pickthall: And for those who disbelieve in their Lord there is the doom of hell, a hapless journey's end! Yusuf Ali: For those who reject their Lord (and Cherisher) is the Penalty of Hell: and evil is (such), Destination. ### 67:7 إِذَآ أُلْقُوا۟ فِيهَا سَمِعُوا۟ لَهَا شَهِيقًا وَهِىَ تَفُورُ Transliteration: Itha olqoo feeha samiAAoo lahashaheeqan wahiya tafoor Pickthall: When they are flung therein they hear its roaring as it boileth up, Yusuf Ali: When they are cast therein, they will hear the (terrible) drawing in of its breath even as it blazes forth, ### 67:8 تَكَادُ تَمَيَّزُ مِنَ ٱلْغَيْظِ كُلَّمَآ أُلْقِىَ فِيهَا فَوْجٌ سَأَلَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَآ أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَذِيرٌ Transliteration: Takadu tamayyazu mina alghaythikullama olqiya feeha fawjun saalahum khazanatuhaalam ya/tikum natheer Pickthall: As it would burst with rage. Whenever a (fresh) host is flung therein the wardens thereof ask them: Came there unto you no warner? Yusuf Ali: Almost bursting with fury: Every time a Group is cast therein, its Keepers will ask, "Did no Warner come to you?" ### 67:9 قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَآءَنَا نَذِيرٌ فَكَذَّبْنَا وَقُلْنَا مَا نَزَّلَ ٱللَّهُ مِن شَىْءٍ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَٰلٍ كَبِيرٍ Transliteration: Qaloo bala qad jaananatheerun fakaththabna waqulna manazzala Allahu min shay-in in antum illa fee dalalinkabeer Pickthall: 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. Yusuf Ali: They will say: "Yes indeed; a Warner did come to us, but we rejected him and said, 'Allah never sent down any (Message): ye are nothing but an egregious delusion!'" ### 67:10 وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْ كُنَّا نَسْمَعُ أَوْ نَعْقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِىٓ أَصْحَٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ Transliteration: Waqaloo law kunna nasmaAAu awnaAAqilu ma kunna fee as-habi assaAAeer Pickthall: And they say: Had we been wont to listen or have sense, we had not been among the dwellers in the flames. Yusuf Ali: They will further say: "Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we should not (now) be among the Companions of the Blazing Fire!" ### 67:11 فَٱعْتَرَفُوا۟ بِذَنۢبِهِمْ فَسُحْقًا لِّأَصْحَٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ Transliteration: FaAAtarafoo bithanbihim fasuhqanli-as-habi assaAAeer Pickthall: So they acknowledge their sins; but far removed (from mercy) are the dwellers in the flames. Yusuf Ali: They will then confess their sins: but far will be (Forgiveness) from the Companions of the Blazing Fire! ### 67:12 إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلْغَيْبِ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ Transliteration: Inna allatheena yakhshawna rabbahumbilghaybi lahum maghfiratun waajrun kabeer Pickthall: Lo! those who fear their Lord in secret, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward. Yusuf Ali: As for those who fear their Lord unseen, for them is Forgiveness and a great Reward. ### 67:13 وَأَسِرُّوا۟ قَوْلَكُمْ أَوِ ٱجْهَرُوا۟ بِهِۦٓ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ Transliteration: Waasirroo qawlakum awi ijharoo bihi innahuAAaleemun bithati assudoor Pickthall: And keep your opinion secret or proclaim it, lo! He is Knower of all that is in the breasts (of men). Yusuf Ali: And whether ye hide your word or publish it, He certainly has (full) knowledge, of the secrets of (all) hearts. ### 67:14 أَلَا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ خَلَقَ وَهُوَ ٱللَّطِيفُ ٱلْخَبِيرُ Transliteration: Ala yaAAlamu man khalaqa wahuwa allateefualkhabeer Pickthall: Should He not know what He created? And He is the Subtile, the Aware. Yusuf Ali: Should He not know,- He that created? and He is the One that understands the finest mysteries (and) is well-acquainted (with them). ### 67:15 هُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ ذَلُولًا فَٱمْشُوا۟ فِى مَنَاكِبِهَا وَكُلُوا۟ مِن رِّزْقِهِۦ وَإِلَيْهِ ٱلنُّشُورُ Transliteration: Huwa allathee jaAAala lakumu al-ardathaloolan famshoo fee manakibihawakuloo min rizqihi wa-ilayhi annushoor Pickthall: 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). Yusuf Ali: It is He Who has made the earth manageable for you, so traverse ye through its tracts and enjoy of the Sustenance which He furnishes: but unto Him is the Resurrection. ### 67:16 ءَأَمِنتُم مَّن فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ فَإِذَا هِىَ تَمُورُ Transliteration: Aamintum man fee assama-i anyakhsifa bikumu al-arda fa-itha hiya tamoor Pickthall: 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? Yusuf Ali: Do ye feel secure that He Who is in heaven will not cause you to be swallowed up by the earth when it shakes (as in an earthquake)? ### 67:17 أَمْ أَمِنتُم مَّن فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ أَن يُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ حَاصِبًا فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ كَيْفَ نَذِيرِ Transliteration: Am amintum man fee assama-ian yursila AAalaykum hasiban fasataAAlamoona kayfa natheer Pickthall: 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. Yusuf Ali: Or do ye feel secure that He Who is in Heaven will not send against you a violent tornado (with showers of stones), so that ye shall know how (terrible) was My warning? ### 67:18 وَلَقَدْ كَذَّبَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ نَكِيرِ Transliteration: Walaqad kaththaba allatheenamin qablihim fakayfa kana nakeer Pickthall: And verily those before them denied, then (see) the manner of My wrath (with them)! Yusuf Ali: But indeed men before them rejected (My warning): then how (terrible) was My rejection (of them)? ### 67:19 أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱلطَّيْرِ فَوْقَهُمْ صَٰٓفَّٰتٍ وَيَقْبِضْنَ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ إِنَّهُۥ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍۭ بَصِيرٌ Transliteration: Awa lam yaraw ila attayrifawqahum saffatin wayaqbidna mayumsikuhunna illa arrahmanu innahubikulli shay-in baseer Pickthall: 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. Yusuf Ali: Do they not observe the birds above them, spreading their wings and folding them in? None can uphold them except (Allah) Most Gracious: truly it is He that watches over all things. ### 67:20 أَمَّنْ هَٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ جُندٌ لَّكُمْ يَنصُرُكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ إِنِ ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ إِلَّا فِى غُرُورٍ Transliteration: Amman hatha allathee huwajundun lakum yansurukum min dooni arrahmaniini alkafiroona illa fee ghuroor Pickthall: 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. Yusuf Ali: Nay, who is there that can help you, (even as) an army, besides (Allah) Most Merciful? In nothing but delusion are the Unbelievers. ### 67:21 أَمَّنْ هَٰذَا ٱلَّذِى يَرْزُقُكُمْ إِنْ أَمْسَكَ رِزْقَهُۥ بَل لَّجُّوا۟ فِى عُتُوٍّ وَنُفُورٍ Transliteration: Amman hatha allatheeyarzuqukum in amsaka rizqahu bal lajjoo fee AAutuwwin wanufoor Pickthall: Or who is he that will provide for you if He should withhold His providence? Nay, but they are set in pride and frowardness. Yusuf Ali: Or who is there that can provide you with Sustenance if He were to withhold His provision? Nay, they obstinately persist in insolent impiety and flight (from the Truth). ### 67:22 أَفَمَن يَمْشِى مُكِبًّا عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِۦٓ أَهْدَىٰٓ أَمَّن يَمْشِى سَوِيًّا عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ Transliteration: Afaman yamshee mukibban AAala wajhihiahda amman yamshee sawiyyan AAala siratinmustaqeem Pickthall: Is he who goeth groping on his face more rightly guided, or he who walketh upright on a straight road? Yusuf Ali: Is then one who walks headlong, with his face grovelling, better guided,- or one who walks evenly on a Straight Way? ### 67:23 قُلْ هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنشَأَكُمْ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ Transliteration: Qul huwa allathee anshaakum wajaAAalalakumu assamAAa wal-absara wal-af-idataqaleelan ma tashkuroon Pickthall: 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! Yusuf Ali: Say: "It is He Who has created you (and made you grow), and made for you the faculties of hearing, seeing, feeling and understanding: little thanks it is ye give. ### 67:24 قُلْ هُوَ ٱلَّذِى ذَرَأَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ Transliteration: Qul huwa allathee tharaakumfee al-ardi wa-ilayhi tuhsharoon Pickthall: Say: He it is Who multiplieth you in the earth, and unto Whom ye will be gathered. Yusuf Ali: Say: "It is He Who has multiplied you through the earth, and to Him shall ye be gathered together." ### 67:25 وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا ٱلْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ Transliteration: Wayaqooloona mata hathaalwaAAdu in kuntum sadiqeen Pickthall: And they say: When (will) this promise (be fulfilled), if ye are truthful? Yusuf Ali: They ask: When will this promise be (fulfilled)? - If ye are telling the truth. ### 67:26 قُلْ إِنَّمَا ٱلْعِلْمُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَإِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ Transliteration: Qul innama alAAilmu AAinda Allahiwa-innama ana natheerun mubeen Pickthall: Say: The knowledge is with Allah only, and I am but a plain warner; Yusuf Ali: Say: "As to the knowledge of the time, it is with Allah alone: I am (sent) only to warn plainly in public." ### 67:27 فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهُ زُلْفَةً سِيٓـَٔتْ وُجُوهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَقِيلَ هَٰذَا ٱلَّذِى كُنتُم بِهِۦ تَدَّعُونَ Transliteration: Falamma raawhu zulfatan see-atwujoohu allatheena kafaroo waqeela hatha allatheekuntum bihi taddaAAoon Pickthall: 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. Yusuf Ali: At length, when they see it close at hand, grieved will be the faces of the Unbelievers, and it will be said (to them): "This is (the promise fulfilled), which ye were calling for!" ### 67:28 قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَهْلَكَنِىَ ٱللَّهُ وَمَن مَّعِىَ أَوْ رَحِمَنَا فَمَن يُجِيرُ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ Transliteration: Qul araaytum in ahlakaniya Allahuwaman maAAiya aw rahimana faman yujeeru alkafireenamin AAathabin aleem Pickthall: 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? Yusuf Ali: Say: "See ye?- If Allah were to destroy me, and those with me, or if He bestows His Mercy on us,- yet who can deliver the Unbelievers from a grievous Penalty?" ### 67:29 قُلْ هُوَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ وَعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ فِى ضَلَٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ Transliteration: Qul huwa arrahmanu amannabihi waAAalayhi tawakkalna fasataAAlamoona man huwa fee dalalinmubeen Pickthall: 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. Yusuf Ali: Say: "He is (Allah) Most Gracious: We have believed in Him, and on Him have we put our trust: So, soon will ye know which (of us) it is that is in manifest error." ### 67:30 قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَصْبَحَ مَآؤُكُمْ غَوْرًا فَمَن يَأْتِيكُم بِمَآءٍ مَّعِينٍۭ Transliteration: Qul araaytum in asbaha maokumghawran faman ya/teekum bima-in maAAeen Pickthall: Say: Have ye thought: If (all) your water were to disappear into the earth, who then could bring you gushing water? Yusuf Ali: Say: "See ye?- If your stream be some morning lost (in the underground earth), who then can supply you with clear-flowing water?" ## Virtues (references checked 2026-10-20) ### It interceded for a man until he was forgiven — Hasan إِنَّ سُورَةً مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ثَلاَثُونَ آيَةً شَفَعَتْ لِرَجُلٍ حَتَّى غُفِرَ لَهُ وَهِيَ سُورَةُ تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ The Prophet ﷺ said: “There is a surah of the Quran of thirty verses which interceded for a man until he was forgiven. It is the surah “Blessed is He in whose hand is the dominion” (Tabārak alladhī biyadihil-mulk).” Narrator: Abu Hurayrah Sources: Jāmiʿ at-Tirmidhī 2891 ; Sunan Abī Dāwūd 1400 ; Sunan Ibn Mājah 3786 ; Musnad Aḥmad (via Shuʿbah, as cited by Ibn Kathīr) Grading: Ḥasan — at-Tirmidhī (“hādhā ḥadīthun ḥasan”, quoted by Ibn Kathīr); Ḥasan — al-Albānī (on Abū Dāwūd 1400); Ḥasan li-ghayrihi — Shuʿayb al-Arnaʾūṭ (on Abū Dāwūd 1400); Ḥasan — Dārussalām (on at-Tirmidhī 2891 and Ibn Mājah 3786) ### It argues for its companion until it brings him into Paradise — Hasan سُورَةٌ مِنَ القُرْآنِ مَا هِيَ إِلاَّ ثَلاَثُونَ آيَةً خَاصَمَتْ عَنْ صَاحِبِهَا حَتَّى أَدْخَلَتْهُ الجَنَّةَ وَهِيَ تَبَارَكَ The Prophet ﷺ said: “There is a surah of the Quran which is only thirty verses. It pleaded on behalf of its companion until it brought him into Paradise — and it is Tabārak.” Narrator: Anas ibn Mālik Sources: aṭ-Ṭabarānī, al-Muʿjam aṣ-Ṣaghīr and al-Muʿjam al-Awsaṭ; aḍ-Ḍiyāʾ al-Maqdisī (cited by Ibn Kathīr); Sunnah.com — Special Virtues of the Qurʾān 58 Grading: Ḥasan — al-Albānī (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ 3644); Ḥasan li-ghayrihi — Special Virtues (sunnah.com) ### It is “the protector” from the punishment of the grave — Sahih سُورَةُ تَبَارَكَ هِيَ المَانِعَةُ مِنْ عَذَابِ القَبْرِ The Prophet ﷺ said: “Surah Tabārak is the protector (al-māniʿah) from the punishment of the grave.” Narrator: ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd Sources: Ibn Mardawayh; Abū ash-Shaykh, Ṭabaqāt al-Muḥaddithīn; Sunnah.com — Special Virtues of the Qurʾān 56 Grading: Ṣaḥīḥ — al-Albānī (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ 3643); Isnād ḥasan — al-Albānī (as-Silsilah aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥah 1140) Note: Sunnah.com’s Special Virtues collection prints the Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ number as 1140; that is the number in as-Silsilah aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥah. In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ the narration is 3643. ### Reciting it every night protects from the punishment of the grave — Hasan (Companion statement) Ibn Masʿūd said: “Whoever recites Tabārak alladhī biyadihil-mulk every night, Allah will protect him by it from the punishment of the grave. In the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ we used to call it al-Māniʿah (the protector). It is a surah in the Book of Allah: whoever recites it every night has done much, and done well.” Narrator: ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (his own words) Sources: an-Nasāʾī, as-Sunan al-Kubrā (and ʿAmal al-Yawm wal-Laylah); al-Bayhaqī, Ithbāt ʿAdhāb al-Qabr (mentioned by Ibn Kathīr) Grading: Ḥasan — al-Albānī (Ṣaḥīḥ at-Targhīb wat-Tarhīb) Note: These are the words of a Companion, not of the Prophet ﷺ. Many scholars hold that such a statement carries the force of a Prophetic report, because a Companion does not speak about the unseen from opinion — but they are labelled here for exactly what they are. ### The Prophet ﷺ would not sleep until he had recited it — Sahih / Hasan كَانَ لاَ يَنَامُ حَتَّى يَقْرَأَ الم تَنْزِيلُ وَتَبَارَكَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ Jābir reported that the Prophet ﷺ would not sleep until he had recited “Alif Lām Mīm, Tanzīl…” (Surah as-Sajdah, 32) and “Tabārak alladhī biyadihil-mulk” (Surah al-Mulk, 67). Narrator: Jābir ibn ʿAbdillāh Sources: Jāmiʿ at-Tirmidhī 2892 ; Jāmiʿ at-Tirmidhī 3404 ; al-Adab al-Mufrad 1209; Sunan ad-Dārimī 3316 (per sunnah.com) Grading: Ṣaḥīḥ (through supporting chains) — al-Albānī (as-Silsilah aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥah 585); Ḥasan — Dārussalām (on at-Tirmidhī 3404); Ḍaʿīf — Dārussalām (on at-Tirmidhī 2892, this chain alone) Note: Both of at-Tirmidhī’s chains pass through Layth ibn Abī Sulaym, who is weak; at-Tirmidhī himself notes the corroborating report of Mughīrah ibn Muslim from Abū az-Zubayr, and also Zuhayr’s report that Abū az-Zubayr heard it through Ṣafwān rather than directly from Jābir. Al-Albānī accepted it on the strength of its supporting chains; graders who judge a single chain alone call that chain weak. ## Weak narrations (do not cite as authentic) - The Companion who pitched his tent over a grave: Jāmiʿ at-Tirmidhī 2890 — Gharīb (at-Tirmidhī); Ḍaʿīf (al-Albānī); Ḍaʿīf (Aḥmad Shākir); Ḍaʿīf (Dārussalām) - “I would love it to be in the heart of every person of my nation”: aṭ-Ṭabarānī; ʿAbd ibn Ḥumayd, Musnad — Gharīb; its narrator Ibrāhīm ibn al-Ḥakam is weak (Ibn Kathīr) - The long story of the surah pleading in the grave: Ibn ʿAsākir, Tārīkh Dimashq — Munkar jiddan (very objectionable); Furāt ibn as-Sāʾib is weak (Ibn Kathīr) ## Names - Al-Mulk (الملك) — The Sovereignty / The Dominion. From its first verse, and the name in the mushaf. - Tabārak (تبارك) — Blessed is He. Its first word; the name used in the hadith of Abū Hurayrah, Anas and Ibn Masʿūd. - Al-Māniʿah (المانعة) — The Protector (the one that prevents). From the narration of Ibn Masʿūd (ṣaḥīḥ). - Al-Munjiyah (المنجية) — The Deliverer. From at-Tirmidhī 2890, which is weak — the name is popular, its source is not strong. ## Meaning, section by section (summary of Tafsir Ibn Kathir) ### Verses 1–2: All dominion is in His hand Allah declares His own blessedness and absolute sovereignty, and explains that death and life were created to test who is best in deed. Allah glorifies Himself and tells us that the dominion is in His hand: He disposes of all created things as He wills, no one can overturn His judgement, and He is not questioned about what He does, because of His might, His wisdom and His justice. Hence: “and He has power over all things” (67:1). “Who created death and life” (67:2). Ibn Kathīr explains that Allah brought creation into being from nothing in order to test it, and compares the verse of al-Baqarah (2:28) which calls the state before existence “death” and this existence “life”. Some scholars took the verse as proof that death is itself a created thing. “…to test which of you is best in deed”: Ibn Kathīr cites Muḥammad ibn ʿAjlān’s remark that Allah did not say “most in deed”. The measure is quality, not quantity. He is “the Almighty, the Forgiving”: mighty and unassailable, and yet He forgives whoever turns back to Him after disobeying. ### Verses 3–5: Look again: no flaw in the heavens The seven heavens are created in layers without any defect; look twice and the eye returns exhausted, and the lowest heaven is adorned with lamps that are also missiles against devils. He created seven heavens in layers (67:3), one above another. Ibn Kathīr mentions two views — that they touch, or that there is space between them — and prefers the second, citing the hadith of the Night Journey. In the creation of the Most Merciful you see no inconsistency: no discord, deficiency or defect. “So return your gaze: do you see any rifts?” — Ibn ʿAbbās, Mujāhid, aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk and ath-Thawrī explain “rifts” (fuṭūr) as cracks. “Then return your gaze twice more” (67:4): however many times you look, your sight comes back to you humbled (Ibn ʿAbbās) and exhausted (Mujāhid, Qatādah, as-Suddī), having found no flaw. Having denied any defect in the sky, Allah describes its beauty: the lowest heaven is adorned with lamps — the stars and planets — and they are made missiles against the devils (67:5). Ibn Kathīr notes that the devils are not struck by the stars themselves but by shooting flames below them. He quotes Qatādah: the stars were created for three things — an adornment for the sky, missiles against devils, and signs to navigate by. ### Verses 6–11: The confession of the people of the Fire Hell roars and almost bursts with rage; its keepers ask each group whether a warner came, and they admit one did — and that they would not listen or reason. For those who disbelieve in their Lord is the punishment of Hell, a wretched destination (67:6). When they are thrown in they hear it drawing in its breath (shahīq) — Ibn Jarīr explains it as a shriek — as it boils (67:7); ath-Thawrī says it boils with them as a few grains boil in a great quantity of water. It almost bursts with rage (67:8). Every time a group is cast in, its keepers ask: “Did no warner come to you?” Ibn Kathīr draws out the lesson of Allah’s justice: He punishes no one until the proof has been established and a messenger sent — “We never punish until We have sent a messenger” (17:15). They answer: “Yes, a warner did come, but we denied him” (67:9), and they add: “Had we only listened or reasoned, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze” (67:10). So they confess their sin (67:11). Ibn Kathīr cites the hadith reported by Imam Aḥmad: “People will not be destroyed until they have no excuse left for themselves.” ### Verses 12–14: Those who fear their Lord unseen Those who fear Allah in private have forgiveness and a great reward; He knows what is said secretly or aloud, for He created and He is the Subtle, the Aware. Those who fear their Lord unseen (67:12) — who, alone where no one but Allah sees them, keep away from sin and do good — will have forgiveness and a great reward. Ibn Kathīr links this to the hadith of the seven whom Allah shades on the Day of Judgement (al-Bukhārī and Muslim), among them a man who said “I fear Allah” when called to sin, and one who gave charity so secretly that his left hand did not know what his right had given. Speak secretly or openly — He knows what is in the breasts (67:13). “Does He not know, He who created?” (67:14) Ibn Kathīr gives the meaning “does the Creator not know?” and prefers it over the alternative “does He not know His creation?”, because the verse ends: “and He is the Subtle, the All-Aware.” ### Verses 15–18: The earth made easy — and the warning Allah made the earth subservient so people can travel and seek provision, which does not contradict reliance on Him; yet He could cause it to swallow them, as earlier nations who denied were punished. He made the earth tame for you (67:15) — settled and still, with mountains, springs and paths — so walk through its regions and eat from His provision. Ibn Kathīr stresses that striving for a living does not contradict trust in Allah, and cites the hadith of ʿUmar (at-Tirmidhī, graded ḥasan ṣaḥīḥ by him): “If you relied on Allah as He deserves, He would provide for you as He provides for the birds: they go out hungry in the morning and return full in the evening.” The birds go out — and they trust. “And to Him is the resurrection.” Yet it is also His forbearance that He does not hasten punishment. “Do you feel secure from Him who is in the heaven, that He will not make the earth swallow you while it quakes?” (67:16) Or send a storm of stones upon you (67:17)? “Then you will know how My warning was.” Those before them denied, and how severe was My reproach (67:18). ### Verses 19–22: Birds in the sky, and two ways of walking Only the Most Merciful holds the birds aloft; no army or provider exists besides Him; and the one who walks fallen on his face is contrasted with the one who walks upright on a straight path. Do they not see the birds above them, spreading their wings and folding them in (67:19)? None holds them up but the Most Merciful — through the air He made subservient to them, out of His mercy. Ibn Kathīr pairs it with an-Naḥl 16:79. Who is the army that could help you besides the Most Merciful (67:20)? Who could provide for you if He withheld His provision (67:21)? There is none, and they know it — yet they persist in arrogance and aversion. Is the one who walks fallen on his face better guided, or the one who walks upright on a straight path (67:22)? Ibn Kathīr: a parable of the disbeliever and the believer — one stooped, lost and not knowing where he is going; the other upright on a clear road. So it will be in the Hereafter too, and he cites the hadith in al-Bukhārī and Muslim: asked how people will be gathered on their faces, the Prophet ﷺ said that the One who made them walk on their feet is able to make them walk on their faces. ### Verses 23–27: Hearing, sight, hearts — and the promise Allah gave people hearing, sight and understanding, yet little do they give thanks; they ask when the Day will come, and its time is known only to Allah. He brought you into being and gave you hearing, sight and hearts — minds and understanding — yet how little you give thanks (67:23), says Ibn Kathīr: how little you use these faculties in obeying Him. He scattered you across the earth, in all your languages and colours, and to Him you will be gathered (67:24). They ask: “When is this promise, if you are truthful?” (67:25) Say: “The knowledge is with Allah alone; I am only a clear warner” (67:26). No one knows its time but Allah; the Messenger’s task was to convey, and he conveyed. When they see it close at hand, the faces of the disbelievers will be darkened, and it will be said: “This is what you used to call for” (67:27). ### Verses 28–30: In Him we trust — and who would bring you water? Whether Allah destroys or shows mercy to the Prophet and his companions, no one can protect the disbelievers; the believers trust the Most Merciful; and if the water sank away, none but Allah could bring it back. Say: “Have you considered — whether Allah destroys me and those with me, or has mercy on us — who will protect the disbelievers from a painful punishment?” (67:28) Ibn Kathīr: save yourselves; nothing will rescue you from Allah except repentance and returning to Him, and whatever you wish upon us will not help you. Say: “He is the Most Merciful; we believe in Him and upon Him we rely” (67:29) — in all our affairs — and you will come to know who is in clear error. The surah ends with a question no one can answer but one way: if your water were to sink deep into the earth, who could bring you flowing water (67:30)? Out of reach of iron picks and strong arms — only Allah could. It is from His generosity that He made water spring up and flow across the earth in the measure His servants need. “To Allah belong praise and favour,” Ibn Kathīr closes. ## Names of Allah in the surah - Allah (The proper name of the One God): 67:9, 67:26, 67:28 - Ar-Raḥmān (The Most Merciful, the Most Gracious): 67:3, 67:19, 67:20, 67:29 - Al-ʿAzīz (The Almighty, the Invincible): 67:2 - Al-Ghafūr (The Oft-Forgiving): 67:2 - Al-ʿAlīm (The All-Knowing): 67:13 - Al-Laṭīf (The Subtle, the Most Kind): 67:14 - Al-Khabīr (The All-Aware): 67:14 - Al-Baṣīr (The All-Seeing): 67:19 - Al-Qadīr (The All-Powerful): 67:1 ## Lessons 1. All dominion belongs to Allah (67:1) — Every kind of authority and ownership is “in His hand” (67:1). Ibn Kathīr: He disposes of all creation as He wills; no one can overturn His judgement, and He is not questioned about what He does. 2. Life is a test of the quality of deeds (67:2) — Death and life were created “to test which of you is best in deed” (67:2). Ibn Kathīr quotes Muḥammad ibn ʿAjlān: Allah did not say “most in deed”. What is weighed is how good a deed is, not how many. 3. The One who tests also forgives (67:2) — The same verse ends “and He is the Almighty, the Forgiving” (67:2) — mighty, yet forgiving to whoever turns back to Him after disobeying, as Ibn Kathīr explains. 4. Look at creation — and look again (67:3) — The surah invites the reader to examine the heavens for a flaw, and then again, twice more (67:3) (67:4). The sight returns humbled and tired, having found none. Reflection on creation is an act the Quran asks for. 5. Allah does not punish without first warning (67:8) — The keepers of Hell ask every group “did no warner come to you?” and they answer “yes” (67:8) (67:9). Ibn Kathīr draws the lesson of His justice: He punishes no one until the proof is established and a messenger has been sent (17:15). 6. Hearing and reasoning are a responsibility (67:10) — “Had we only listened or reasoned, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze” (67:10). The regret of the people of the Fire is that they had hearing and minds and did not use them — the faculties the surah later reminds us were given to us (67:23). 7. Fear Allah when no one is watching (67:12) — Forgiveness and a great reward are promised to “those who fear their Lord unseen” (67:12). Ibn Kathīr explains it as keeping away from sin and doing good when alone, where only Allah sees, and links it to the seven whom Allah shades on the Day of Judgement. 8. He knows what is in the hearts (67:13) — Secret or open speech are the same to Him: He knows “what is in the breasts” (67:13). “Does He not know, He who created?” (67:14) — the Creator knows what He created. 9. Work for provision, and trust Allah (67:15) — The earth is made easy to walk on; “walk in its paths and eat of His provision” (67:15). Ibn Kathīr: striving for a living does not contradict trust in Allah — as in the hadith of the birds that go out hungry and return full. 10. Do not feel secure from His punishment (67:16) — The earth could swallow, or a storm of stones could fall (67:16) (67:17), as nations before were punished for denial (67:18). Ibn Kathīr notes that it is out of His forbearance that He does not hasten punishment. 11. Only the Most Merciful holds things up (67:19) — The birds spread and fold their wings, and “none holds them up but the Most Merciful” (67:19). No army can help and no one can provide besides Him (67:20) (67:21). 12. Guidance is walking upright on a straight path (67:22) — Is the one who walks fallen on his face better guided, or the one who walks upright on a straight path (67:22)? Ibn Kathīr: a parable of the disbeliever and the believer, in this world and in how they will be gathered in the next. 13. Be grateful for hearing, sight and hearts (67:23) — “Little do you give thanks” (67:23). Ibn Kathīr: how little you use these faculties in obedience to Him — gratitude is shown by how they are used. 14. The time of the Hour is with Allah alone (67:26) — Asked “when is this promise?”, the Prophet ﷺ is told to say “the knowledge is with Allah alone; I am only a clear warner” (67:25) (67:26). Ibn Kathīr: no one knows its time but Allah; the Messenger’s task was to convey. 15. Belief and reliance go together (67:29) — “He is the Most Merciful; we believe in Him and upon Him we rely” (67:29) — in all our affairs, Ibn Kathīr adds. 16. Every blessing is His to give — even water (67:30) — If your water sank deep into the earth, who could bring you flowing water (67:30)? Ibn Kathīr: no iron picks or strong arms could reach it; it is from His generosity that water springs up and flows where His servants need it. ## FAQ ### What is Surah Al-Mulk about? Surah Al-Mulk (“The Sovereignty”) is about Allah’s absolute ownership and control of creation. It opens by declaring that all dominion is in His hand (67:1), explains that death and life were created to test who is best in deed (67:2), points to signs in the sky, the birds, the earth and water, describes the regret of the people of the Fire, and promises forgiveness to those who fear their Lord unseen (67:12). Read the section-by-section explanation. ### How many verses are in Surah Al-Mulk? Surah Al-Mulk has 30 verses, divided into two sections (rukūʿ): verses 1–14 and 15–30. The hadith itself describes it as “a surah of thirty verses”. ### Is Surah Al-Mulk Meccan or Medinan? It is a Meccan surah, revealed in Makkah before the Hijrah. Ibn Kathīr opens his commentary on it with “and it is Meccan”. ### What are the benefits of reciting Surah Al-Mulk? Authentic narrations state that it interceded for a man until he was forgiven (Abu Dawud 1400, at-Tirmidhi 2891, Ibn Majah 3786 — ḥasan), that it pleads for its companion until it brings him into Paradise (aṭ-Ṭabarānī — al-Albānī, Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ 3644), and that it is “the protector” from the punishment of the grave (al-Albānī, Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ 3643). See every narration with its grading. ### When should Surah Al-Mulk be recited? At night. Jābir reported that the Prophet ﷺ would not sleep until he had recited Surah as-Sajdah and Surah al-Mulk (at-Tirmidhi 2892 and 3404; authenticated by al-Albānī through supporting chains). Ibn Masʿūd said that whoever recites it every night is protected by it from the punishment of the grave (an-Nasāʾī, as-Sunan al-Kubrā — ḥasan). Reciting it before going to sleep follows the Prophet’s ﷺ own practice. ### Does Surah Al-Mulk protect from the punishment of the grave? Yes — this is established. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Surah Tabārak is the protector from the punishment of the grave” (graded ṣaḥīḥ by al-Albānī, Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ 3643), and Ibn Masʿūd said the Companions called it al-Māniʿah, “the protector”. Scholars explain the promise as belonging to the one who makes it a regular recitation, believes in it and acts on what it teaches — not to a single reading. ### Can I listen to Surah Al-Mulk instead of reciting it? The narrations speak of reciting it (and of being its “companion”), so the surest way to the virtue described is to recite it yourself — reading it from the page or a screen is recitation, and it does not need to be memorised. Listening attentively to the Quran is rewarded in its own right, and listening along with a reciter is an excellent way to learn it; the player on this site can repeat each verse three or five times for exactly that. ### What does “Tabārak” mean? Tabārak (تَبَٰرَكَ), the surah’s first word, means that Allah is blessed and exalted, the source of all blessing (barakah). Pickthall translates 67:1 as: “Blessed is He in Whose hand is the Sovereignty, and, He is Able to do all things.” The surah is often called “Tabārak” after it, as in the hadith. ### Which juz is Surah Al-Mulk in? Surah Al-Mulk is the first surah of the 29th juz, which is why that juz is known as “Juz Tabārak”. In the standard Madinah mushaf it occupies pages 562–564. ### What is the meaning of verse 2, “to test which of you is best in deed”? 67:2: “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…” Ibn Kathīr notes the remark of Muḥammad ibn ʿAjlān that Allah said “best in deed”, not “most in deed”: the test is the quality of what we do. ### Is the story of the Companion who pitched his tent on a grave authentic? No. That narration (at-Tirmidhi 2890) is graded weak by al-Albānī, Aḥmad Shākir and Dārussalām, and at-Tirmidhī called it gharīb. The protection from the punishment of the grave is established by other, authentic reports. See the weak narrations. ### What are the other names of Surah Al-Mulk? Tabārak (its first word, used in the hadith) and al-Māniʿah, “the protector” (from the narration of Ibn Masʿūd). The name al-Munjiyah, “the deliverer”, is also popular, but it comes from a weak narration. ### How can I memorize Surah Al-Mulk? One verse a day finishes it in a month. Set the player to “Verse ×5”, listen while reading, recite the verse from memory, then join it to yesterday’s. Follow the 30-day plan. ### How many words are in Surah Al-Mulk? 333 words, by the word-by-word segmentation used on this site (the Quranic Arabic Corpus). Other counting conventions — for example treating attached particles as separate words — give slightly different totals. ## Pages - Read & listen to Surah Al-Mulk: https://surahal-mulk.com/ - Surah Al-Mulk Arabic text: https://surahal-mulk.com/surah-al-mulk-arabic-text/ - Surah Al-Mulk English translation: https://surahal-mulk.com/surah-al-mulk-english-translation/ - Surah Al-Mulk transliteration: https://surahal-mulk.com/surah-al-mulk-transliteration/ - Surah Al-Mulk word by word: https://surahal-mulk.com/surah-al-mulk-word-by-word/ - Surah Al-Mulk audio MP3: https://surahal-mulk.com/surah-al-mulk-audio-mp3/ - Benefits and virtues of Surah Al-Mulk: https://surahal-mulk.com/surah-al-mulk-benefits-virtues/ - Meaning and tafsir of Surah Al-Mulk: https://surahal-mulk.com/surah-al-mulk-meaning-tafsir/ - Lessons from Surah Al-Mulk: https://surahal-mulk.com/surah-al-mulk-lessons/ - Names of Allah in Surah Al-Mulk: https://surahal-mulk.com/names-of-allah-in-surah-al-mulk/ - Surah Al-Mulk vocabulary: https://surahal-mulk.com/surah-al-mulk-vocabulary/ - Surah Al-Mulk facts: https://surahal-mulk.com/surah-al-mulk-facts/ - When to recite Surah Al-Mulk: https://surahal-mulk.com/when-to-recite-surah-al-mulk/ - How to memorize Surah Al-Mulk: https://surahal-mulk.com/how-to-memorize-surah-al-mulk/ - Surah Al-Mulk FAQ: https://surahal-mulk.com/surah-al-mulk-faq/ - Sources and verification: https://surahal-mulk.com/about-sources-verification/