وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ 42
Translations
And to Allāh belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and to Allāh is the destination.
Transliteration
Wa-lillahi mulku as-samawati wa-al-ardi wa-ila-allahi al-masiru
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms the absolute sovereignty of Allah over the heavens and the earth, emphasizing that all dominion and power belong exclusively to Him. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that this statement serves as a reminder of Allah's complete control over creation and that all creatures will ultimately return to Him for judgment, thereby reinforcing accountability and divine authority throughout the surah's themes of morality and divine law.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Nur (Chapter 24), a Medinan chapter revealed during the established Islamic community period. It comes near the end of the surah (verse 42 of 64) and serves as a concluding affirmation of divine sovereignty, encapsulating the surah's broader message about Allah's governance of moral and natural laws within the Muslim society.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest ayah in the Qur'an is Ayat al-Kursi (2:255),' which similarly emphasizes Allah's dominion. Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet taught about divine sovereignty: 'Allah says: The son of Adam wrongs me and he has no right to do so, and I wrong him and I have the right to do so.'
Themes
Key Lesson
Recognizing Allah's complete sovereignty over all creation should inspire believers to submit obediently to His laws and moral teachings, and to live consciously aware that all affairs ultimately return to Him. This perspective fosters humility, responsibility, and devotion in daily life.