فَتَعَـٰلَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْكَرِيمِ 116
Translations
So exalted is Allāh, the Sovereign, the Truth; there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Noble Throne.
Transliteration
Fata'ala Allahu al-Maliku al-Haqqu la ilaha illa huwa Rabbu al-'Arshi al-Karim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms Allah's absolute transcendence and supremacy as the true King, deserving all worship and obedience. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that 'Exalted is Allah' (Fata'ala) conveys His elevation above all creation, while the affirmation 'There is no deity except Him, Lord of the Mighty Throne' reiterates the core Islamic doctrine of Tawhid (divine oneness) and His sovereignty over all existence. Al-Qurtubi notes that the 'Mighty Throne' ('Arsh al-Karim) symbolizes the vastness of His dominion and the honor of His rule.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Mu'minun is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam when Muslims faced intense opposition to the message of monotheism. This particular ayah appears near the conclusion of the surah (verse 116 of 118) as a powerful affirmation of Allah's oneness and majesty, reinforcing the central message against those who associated partners with Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, 'The best supplication is 'Subhan-Allah wa bihamdihi' (Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him),' which relates to glorifying Allah's transcendence. [Jami' at-Tirmidhi]. Additionally, the concept of Allah's Throne is referenced in hadith literature regarding the greatest verse (Ayat al-Kursi, 2:255), which emphasizes His knowledge and dominion.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to anchor their faith in the absolute oneness and supremacy of Allah, rejecting any form of shirk (association of partners with God). In the modern context, it reminds Muslims to prioritize monotheistic conviction above worldly distractions and to recognize that true power and authority belong solely to Allah.
Related Ayahs
أَفَغَيْرَ دِينِ ٱللَّهِ يَبْغُونَ وَلَهُۥٓ أَسْلَمَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ
So is it other than the religion of Allāh they desire, while to Him have submitted [all] those within the heavens and earth, willingly or by compulsion, and to Him they will be returned?
وَلَهُۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ كُلٌّ لَّهُۥ قَـٰنِتُونَ
And to Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and earth. All are to Him devoutly obedient.
هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ عَـٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ ۖ هُوَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
He is Allāh, other than whom there is no deity, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed. He is the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
لَقَدْ كَفَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْمَسِيحُ ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ ۖ وَقَالَ ٱلْمَسِيحُ يَـٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبَّكُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ مَن يُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَىٰهُ ٱلنَّارُ ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ
They have certainly disbelieved who say, "Allāh is the Messiah, the son of Mary" while the Messiah has said, "O Children of Israel, worship Allāh, my Lord and your Lord." Indeed, he who associates others with Allāh - Allāh has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.