سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ 1
Translations
Whatever is in the heavens and earth exalts Allāh, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
Transliteration
Sabbaha lillahi ma fi as-samawati wal-ard, wa huwa al-Azizu al-Hakim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening ayah of Surah Al-Hadid declares that all creation in the heavens and earth glorifies and praises Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala). According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, every creature—whether visible or invisible—testifies to Allah's oneness through its existence and functionality. The ayah emphasizes that Allah is Al-Azeez (the Mighty, the Invincible) and Al-Hakeem (the All-Wise), indicating that this universal glorification occurs under His perfect knowledge and irresistible power.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Medina during the later Islamic period and addresses believers during times of conflict and social upheaval. The opening ayah sets a foundational theme for the surah: reminding Muslims of Allah's absolute sovereignty and the transient nature of worldly life, encouraging them to prioritize the Hereafter and spend in Allah's cause.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best charity is that given when one is in need, and the best knowledge is that which benefits,' which relates to the surah's emphasis on spending and prioritizing eternal values. Additionally, Surah As-Sajdah (32:15) and similar ayahs about creation glorifying Allah reinforce this theme throughout the Quran.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to recognize that all of creation naturally submits to and glorifies Allah, encouraging us to consciously align our actions and hearts with this universal truth. It reminds us that in the presence of Allah's infinite power and wisdom, our worldly concerns should be diminished, and our focus should be on spiritual growth and obedience.
Related Ayahs
يُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ ۚ وَهُوَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
He causes the night to enter the day and causes the day to enter the night, and He is Knowing of that within the breasts.
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلصِّدِّيقُونَ ۖ وَٱلشُّهَدَآءُ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ وَنُورُهُمْ ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
And those who have believed in Allāh and His messengers - those are [in the ranks of] the supporters of truth and the martyrs, with their Lord. For them is their reward and their light. But those who have disbelieved and denied Our verses - those are the companions of Hellfire.
لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
His is the dominion of the heavens and earth. He gives life and causes death, and He is over all things competent.
۞ أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَـٰسِقُونَ
Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allāh and what has come down of the truth? And let them not be like those who were given the Scripture before, and a long period passed over them, so their hearts hardened; and many of them are defiantly disobedient.