لَّهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ ٱلْأُمُورُ 5
Translations
His is the dominion of the heavens and earth. And to Allāh are returned [all] matters.
Transliteration
Lahu mulku as-samawati wa-al-ardi wa-ila Allah turja'u al-umur
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms Allah's absolute sovereignty over the heavens and the earth, establishing that all dominion belongs exclusively to Him. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that just as Allah possesses complete ownership of creation, all affairs ultimately return to Him for judgment and resolution, reinforcing His omnipotence and the futility of worldly powers. This declaration serves as a foundational principle in Islamic theology, countering any notion of shared divinity or independent authority among creation.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Hadid is a Medinan surah revealed during the period of Islamic consolidation. This particular ayah appears within a section emphasizing Allah's attributes and sovereignty, providing reassurance to the Muslim community about the ultimate control of affairs despite worldly challenges. The broader context addresses themes of belief, the transience of life, and trust in Divine providence.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best supplication is 'Alhamdulillah' (All praise belongs to Allah), and the best remembrance is 'La ilaha illallah' (There is no deity except Allah)' - emphasizing Allah's unique dominion. Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet emphasized that hearts are between two fingers of Allah, highlighting His complete control over all matters.
Themes
Key Lesson
Muslims should recognize that worldly power and possessions are temporary trusts from Allah, not permanent acquisitions, and should conduct themselves with accountability knowing all affairs ultimately return to their Creator for divine judgment. This cultivates humility, ethical responsibility, and reliance on Allah rather than material or human authority.