Surah 67. Al-Mulk

Blessed is the One in Whose Hands rests all authority. And He is Most Capable of everything.

'He is the One' Who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds. And He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving.

'He is the One' Who created seven heavens, one above the other. You will never see any imperfection in the creation of the Most Compassionate.¹ So look again: do you see any flaws?

 Some may point to birth defects, genetic mutations, etc. and say these are flaws. This verse means that, in the grand scheme of creation, everything created has its place, form, and purpose, and that it does exactly what Allah ordained for it.

Then look again and again- your sight will return frustrated and weary.

And indeed, We adorned the lowest heaven with 'stars like' lamps, and made them 'as missiles' for stoning 'eavesdropping' devils, for whom We have also prepared the torment of the Blaze.¹

 See 72:8-10.

Those who disbelieve in their Lord will suffer the punishment of Hell. What an evil destination!

When they are tossed into it, they will hear its roaring as it boils over,

almost bursting in fury. Every time a group is cast into it, its keepers will ask them, 'Did a warner not come to you?'

They will reply, 'Yes, a warner did come to us, but we denied and said, 'Allah has revealed nothing. You are extremely astray.''

And they will lament, 'If only we had listened and reasoned, we would not be among the residents of the Blaze!'

And so they will confess their sins. So away with the residents of the Blaze!

Indeed, those in awe of their Lord without seeing Him¹ will have forgiveness and a mighty reward.

 This can also mean that they are in awe of their Lord as much in private as they are in public.

Whether you speak secretly or openly- He surely knows best what is 'hidden' in the heart.

How could He not know His Own creation? For He 'alone' is the Most Subtle, All-Aware.

He is the One Who smoothed out the earth for you, so move about in its regions and eat from His provisions. And to Him is the resurrection 'of all'.

Do you feel secure that the One Who is in heaven will not cause the earth to swallow you up as it quakes violently?

Or do you feel secure that the One Who is in heaven will not unleash upon you a storm of stones. Only then would you know how 'serious' My warning was!

And certainly those before them denied 'as well', then how severe was My response!

Have they not seen the birds above them, spreading and folding their wings? None holds them up except the Most Compassionate. Indeed, He is All-Seeing of everything.

Also, which 'powerless' force will come to your help instead of the Most Compassionate? Indeed, the disbelievers are only 'lost' in delusion.

Or who is it that will provide for you if He withholds His provision? In fact, they persist in arrogance and aversion 'to the truth'.

Who is 'rightly' guided: the one who crawls facedown or the one who walks upright on the Straight Path?

Say, 'O Prophet,' 'He is the One Who brought you into being and gave you hearing, sight, and intellect. 'Yet' you hardly give any thanks.'

'Also' say, 'He is the One Who has dispersed you 'all' over the earth, and to Him you will 'all' be gathered.'

'Still' they ask 'the believers', 'When will this threat come to pass, if what you say is true?'

Say, 'O Prophet,' 'That knowledge is with Allah alone, and I am only sent with a clear warning.'

Then when they see the torment drawing near, the faces of the disbelievers will become gloomy, and it will be said 'to them', 'This is what you claimed would never come.'¹

 Another possible translation: “This is what you were calling for.”

Say, 'O Prophet,' 'Consider this: whether Allah causes me and those with me to die or shows us mercy, who will save the disbelievers from a painful punishment?'¹

 Meaning, whether Allah takes our lives (as you wish) or grants us a long life, it is all good for us. But who will protect you from Allah if you disbelieve in Him.

Say, 'He is the Most Compassionate- in Him 'alone' we believe, and in Him 'alone' we trust. You will soon know who is clearly astray.'

Say, 'Consider this: if your water were to sink 'into the earth', then who 'else' could bring you flowing water?'