Juz 29: Al-Mulk to Al-Mursalāt
Section 2 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
2. Allah's Sovereignty and Creation in Surah Al-Mulk
Surah Al-Mulk (The Sovereignty) opens with a powerful declaration of Allah's absolute dominion over all existence:
تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
“Blessed is the One in Whose hand is the Kingdom (of the heavens and the earth), and He is powerful over everything.”
The term mulk refers to kingdom, sovereignty, and absolute ownership. This Makki surah, comprising thirty verses divided into two sections, establishes from its outset that Allah (swt) possesses complete control over all creation—a theme that permeates the entire chapter.
Allah then mentions two of His most profound creations—life and death—not merely as natural phenomena but as divine tests:
الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ
“The One who created death and life, so that He may test you as to which of you is better in deeds. And He is the All-Mighty, the Most-Forgiving.”
This verse reveals a profound truth: our existence is not purposeless but a divinely ordained test to distinguish those who excel in righteous deeds. The pairing of Allah's attributes—Al-Azīz (the Mighty) and Al-Ghafūr (the Most-Forgiving)—balances divine power with mercy, instilling both reverence and hope.
The surah then directs attention to the majesty of the heavens:
الَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ طِبَاقًا مَّا تَرَىٰ فِي خَلْقِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ مِن تَفَاوُتٍ فَارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍ
“The One who has created seven skies, one over the other. You will see nothing out of proportion in the creation of the Rahman. So, cast your eye again. Do you see any rifts?”
What follows is a remarkable invitation to empirical observation. Allah challenges humanity to inspect the heavens closely, repeatedly, to verify their flawless nature:
ثُمَّ ارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ يَنقَلِبْ إِلَيْكَ الْبَصَرُ خَاسِئًا وَهُوَ حَسِيرٌ
“Then cast your eye again and again, and the eye will return to you humbled, while it is weary.”
This passage exemplifies how the Quran is not merely dogmatic but encourages active engagement with creation. The repeated command to observe the heavens transforms passive reading into contemplative interaction with the cosmos. After exhaustive inspection, the human gaze returns "humbled" and "weary," acknowledging the perfection of divine craftsmanship.
Allah further describes His adornment of the lowest heaven:
وَلَقَدْ زَيَّنَّا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَصَابِيحَ وَجَعَلْنَاهَا رُجُومًا لِّلشَّيَاطِينِ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابَ السَّعِيرِ
“And indeed We have beautified the nearest sky with lamps, and have made them missiles for the devils, and for them We have prepared the punishment of blaze.”
The celestial bodies serve dual purposes—as both cosmic ornaments and defensive weapons against evil forces attempting to eavesdrop on the heavenly realm. This verse connects aesthetic beauty with divine wisdom in arranging the universe's protective systems.
The surah proceeds to describe birds in flight as further evidence of Allah's sustaining power:
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَى الطَّيْرِ فَوْقَهُمْ صَافَّاتٍ وَيَقْبِضْنَ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا الرَّحْمَٰنُ إِنَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ بَصِيرٌ
“Have they not looked at the birds above them spreading their wings and folding them? No one holds them except the Rahman. Indeed He is watchful of everything.”
Through these verses, Allah invites humanity to perceive His omnipotence and perfect design in creation. The surah teaches that genuine observation of the natural world, from celestial bodies to flying birds, leads not to arrogant conquest but to humble recognition of divine artistry and wisdom.