Chapter 67 - 25
The Kingdom (Surah Al-Mulk)
(30 verses in total; revealed in Makkah)
An early but longer chapter taking on a more narrative tone, as opposed to earlier chapters which have a strong poetic and rhythmic tone to catch attention while here in this chapter it is engaging in discussions and Q&A, a trend that continues to for the rest of the revelations.
Key themes in this chapter are as follows:
· Life and death and subsequent resurrection is how God will test and reward those who believe and do good
· The natural world – the sky, the earth, the cosmos – all have wonderous harmony and consistency that should be a sign for God’s presence
· The reward of the believers who persist in goodness will be different than those who deny and reject good guidance
· God is fully aware of our conducts – how could He not? He is the Creator and provider of our senses such as sight, hearing and cognition
· Things that we take for granted such as earth’s air and water; yet we control none of their supply or replenishments in the way God does to keep us alive and hopefully thankfully to God
In the Name of God, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy!
Exulted is God who holds the kingdom in His hand and His power extends over all things. God created life and death so that He might test you – who among you does best in conducts. God is the Mighty, the Forgiving - Who created the seven heavens one above the other. Do you see any incongruity in the creation of the Beneficent God? Look again – is there any flaw? Turn your eyes again and again; your sight will come back to you humbled and awed! (v. 1- 4)
We have embellished the lower heaven with lights (stars, meteors) and made them sources of conjectures for the devils while We prepare for them the suffering from the blaze. Those who deny their Cherisher God, they will have the suffering of Hell, an evil resort! When they are lowered into it, they can hear it breathe and heave, as if bursting with rage.
Whenever a group is lowered into it, it’s keepers ask, “Did a warner ever come to you?” They will reply, “Yes, indeed a warner did come to us. But we denied and said, ‘God revealed nothing. You (the messenger) are in great delusion.’” Then they will say, “Had we but listened or reflected with reason, we would not have been among the residents of this fire.” This is how they will finally confess their sins. Go away, the inhabitants of fire! (v. 5-11)
Those who are mindful of their Cherisher God in their private moments, for them is forgiveness and a great reward! God knows what is in your heart – whether you speak in words or keep it secret. How could God not know since He is the Creator – He is the Most Subtle, Ever Aware! (v. 12 – 14)
God has made the earth amenable to you; therefore, go about its open spaces, partake from His provisions and (remember) to Him is your resurrection.
Are you sure that God Who is in heaven may not make the earth swallow you with a violent convulsion? Or do you feel secure that He may send a torrent of stones over you? Only then you will know how true My warnings were. Indeed, those before them also denied and (you know) how stern was My disapproval! (v. 15-18)
Do they not see how the birds above spread and contract their wings? It is the Beneficent God, no one else, who suspends them. God holds everything in his vision. Who can be your hosts to protect you against the Beneficent God? The disbelievers are truly delusional! Who can, if God were to withhold provisions, give you sustenance? Yet, they persist in insolence and denial! Who is more guided – one who falls face down or one who stays upright on the Straight Path? (v. 19-22)
Say, “It is God who brought you into being, and gifted you with hearing, sight and hearts.” (Yet) you offer very little thanks. Say, “It is God Who multiplies you on the earth and to Him you all will be gathered.” (Instead) they ask (you, O Prophet), “When will this promise be made real, if you speak the truth?” Reply, “Such knowledge is with God alone; I am a simple warner, being present (among you).”
But when they will see the promise coming, the face of the deniers will be full of grief and they will be told, “This is what you were questioning.” (v. 20- 27)
Say, “Have you considered, regardless of whether God either destroys me and those with me or shows mercy, who will protect the deniers from their severe consequences? Say, “He is the Beneficent God – we believe in Him, and we rely on Him – but you will come to know clearly who is at fault in the end.
Say, “Just consider this – if your water sources were to sink deep into the earth, who is there to make the water flow again (for you)?” (v. 28-30)
