Surah Al Mulk (الملك) is one of the most prominent Surahs of the Quran, which falls in the 29th Juzz. It is considered to have been revealed during the Prophet Muhammad’s صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ stay in Mecca, whereas no authentic reference about its revelation is available. It is included in the Makki Surahs based on its theme, subject matter and style of narration.
The name of this surah is derived from its first verse (تَبَـٰرَكَ ٱلَّذِى بِيَدِهِ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌ), where it is explicitly mentioned that the ultimate authority rests in the hands of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. The Arabic word Al Mulk can be translated as “Kingdom”, “Dominion,” or “Sovereignty.” The Surah categorically narrates that only Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ holds the authority and control of the entire Universe; hence, the name “Al Mulk” was assigned to this Surah.
There are four major themes and topics discussed in Surah Al Mulk. Firstly, it is mentioned that the Universe belongs only to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, Who is the Creator of this Dominion. Secondly, the believers are given the good news of their place in Heaven, the lower level of which is studded with lamps or stars. The third subject of this surah pertains to the fate of disbelievers; hell being their final destination. The last of the four topics discussed in this Surah is about the life hereafter and the ultimate Supremacy of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, narrating that no one else has the authority to help or punish anyone on the Day of Judgement.
٦٧ - ٱلْمُلْك
67 - Al-Mulk
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Surah Mulk is believed to have been revealed during the early to mid period of the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. It was the time when the Prophet was conveying the divine message to the Quraysh of Mecca, but their response was not positive. At this stage, Surah Mulk was revealed, through which the teachings of Islam were conveyed briefly. Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ reminded the Meccans that he created this Universe and everything was done perfectly.
Going further, it was conveyed to the Quraysh of Mecca that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is aware of whatever they do and that the disbelievers will have to face the consequences on the Day of Judgement. So, the purpose or background of the revelation of this Surah was to warn the disbelievers that it is only Allah, سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, Who created this Universe perfectly, and only He has the Authority over all the affairs of this and that only He has the Authority to punish or reward the people. No one other than Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ would be able to help them on the Day of Judgement.
Surah Al Mulk is commonly known as the Makki surah. Though no authentic reference from any tradition is available about the revelation period of this Surah, it is unanimously grouped under the category of Makki Surahs by scholars and Quran commentators. It is based on the subject and theme of this Surah, which corresponds to the style of the verses and surahs, revealed during the earlier days of the Prophethood of Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, before his migration to Medina.
The significance of Surah Al Mulk is quite evident from a few Hadiths. It is believed that Surah Mulk helps its reciter in getting forgiveness for their sins. This subject is narrated in different Hadiths, such as Hadith 1016 of Riyad-as-Salihin, with references from Jami Tirmidhi and Sunan Abi Dawood.
Translation - Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "There is a Surah in the Qur'an which contains thirty Ayat which kept interceding for a man until his sins are forgiven. This Surah is 'Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion.' (Surat Al-Mulk 67)."[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].
The significance of Surah Mulk is enormous, as mentioned by various scholars based on different sayings of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
The basic theme of Surah Mulk is to convey the main teachings of Islam in a precise but brief manner. It is narrated that the Universe was created by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, in a perfect manner and that He is the only authority to control it in the best and flawless way. Since it was the earlier period of the Prophethood, the teachings of Islam are conveyed briefly so that the Meccans can get familiarized with it easily.
To start with, the creation of the Universe is discussed in the first five verses of this surah. It is mentioned that it was done perfectly and is being run perfectly and that no one can find any flaws in it. Going further, in the next six verses, the disbelievers are warned of the severe consequences they would face on the Day of Judgement. So, the reality of the life hereafter is conveyed in these verses. The next three verses explain that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is aware of everything, hidden or open, so everyone should avoid wrongdoings and adopt the righteous way.
Then, in the next nine verses, the Authority of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is mentioned, giving examples from different things such as the earth and the birds and many others. It is narrated that only Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is Worth doing this, flawlessly. In the last part of the Surah, the disbelievers are reminded that ultimately, they will have to face the Day of Judgement, when everyone will be dealt with according to what they have done in their life on earth. It is also narrated that at that time, no one would be there to help them. It is only Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, Who will punish or reward them.
Although reciting any part of the Quran is highly beneficial and carries huge rewards, some of the Surahs and verses have certain specific virtues associated with them. Surah Al Mulk is also one of such Surahs of the Quran. The benefits and virtues associated with the recitation of Surah Al Mulk are enormous, both spiritually as well as physically and theocratically.
Some of the benefits and virtues of reciting Surah Al Mulk are summarized here:
Correct recitation of the Quran is highly important. Any wrong pronunciation may change the entire concept and meaning of the Quranic expressions. Similarly, it is also crucial for the reciter of the Quran to learn where to take a pause and where to keep reciting without any break, for which reading the Quran with Tajweed is essential. The Quran is the words of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, so it needs to be recited exactly in the same way it was revealed.
You can easily learn how to read a particular verse of the Quran by listening to the recitation of an authentic and renowned Qari. Sometimes, you may also like to listen to the Quran instead of reciting it yourself. At MuslimandQuran, we offer this option. The recitation of the Quran, including Surah Al Mulk, by different Qaris is available on our mobile application. You can listen to the recitation rendered by your favorite Qaris by selecting them from the available list of Qaris. This helps you to listen as well as learn the correct pronunciation of various Quranic words.
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Reading any of the Surahs of Quran is very easy on the official website and mobile application of MuslimandQuran. It also offers the option of downloading any of the Surahs of the Quran, including Surah Al Mulk. You can read it online directly on our website or mobile application. You can also download it in PDF for reading offline or taking a print of the desired Surah. Surah Al Mulk can be downloaded in PDF:
Surah Mulk is about the sovereignty of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. Mulk is an Arabic word, which means Kingdom, Dominion or Sovereignty, all of which belong only to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
The core benefit of reciting Surah Mulk, as narrated in different Hadiths, is that it helps and pleads for its reciters for forgiveness of their sins.
It can be recited anytime during the day or night. However, reading it during the night before going to sleep is said to have maximum virtues and benefits.
Yes, Hadith 1016 of Riyad as Salihin specifically narrates the benefits and virtues of reciting Surah Mulk as a source of forgiveness of sins.