سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ 1
Translations
Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth exalts Allāh, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
Transliteration
Sabbaha lillahi ma fi as-samawati wa ma fi al-ard, wa huwa al-Aziz al-Hakim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening ayah of Surah As-Saf proclaims that all creation in the heavens and earth glorify Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala), declaring His perfection and freedom from all defects. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that this universal tasbih (glorification) is both literal—as understood from other Quranic verses—and metaphorical, representing the obedience of all creation to Allah's laws. The ayah emphasizes Allah's attributes of Al-Aziz (The Mighty/Invincible) and Al-Hakim (The All-Wise), affirming that this glorification occurs under the dominion of One who is supremely powerful and perfectly wise in all His actions.
Revelation Context
Surah As-Saf is a Medinan surah revealed to encourage the believers in their struggle against disbelief and to emphasize the importance of unity and prepared ranks in faith. This opening ayah sets the thematic foundation by reminding the Muslim community that they are part of a cosmic order where all creation glorifies Allah, thus placing their earthly struggle within a greater universal context of divine sovereignty.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The superiority of the knowledgeable over the worshipper is like the superiority of the moon over all other celestial bodies.' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2682) - This relates to the theme of creation's hierarchy in glorifying Allah. Additionally, Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet said: 'Everything glorifies Allah, but we do not understand their glorification' (Sahih Muslim 2794), directly supporting the meaning of this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that glorifying Allah is not an isolated act but part of a universal phenomenon encompassing all creation, encouraging Muslims to see themselves as participants in a greater cosmic purpose. For modern readers, it teaches humility and awe before the Creator, reinforcing that submission to Allah is not merely a human obligation but the natural inclination of all existence itself.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّمَآ أَمْرُهُۥٓ إِذَآ أَرَادَ شَيْـًٔا أَن يَقُولَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ
His command is only when He intends a thing that He says to it, "Be," and it is.
وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ ۚ قُلْ أَفَرَءَيْتُم مَّا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِنْ أَرَادَنِىَ ٱللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ هَلْ هُنَّ كَـٰشِفَـٰتُ ضُرِّهِۦٓ أَوْ أَرَادَنِى بِرَحْمَةٍ هَلْ هُنَّ مُمْسِكَـٰتُ رَحْمَتِهِۦ ۚ قُلْ حَسْبِىَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ عَلَيْهِ يَتَوَكَّلُ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ
And if you asked them, "Who created the heavens and the earth?" they would surely say, "Allāh." Say, "Then have you considered what you invoke besides Allāh? If Allāh intended me harm, are they removers of His harm; or if He intended me mercy, are they withholders of His mercy?" Say, "Sufficient for me is Allāh; upon Him [alone] rely the [wise] reliers."
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ بِٱلْحَقِّ ۚ إِن يَشَأْ يُذْهِبْكُمْ وَيَأْتِ بِخَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ
Have you not seen [i.e., considered] that Allāh created the heavens and the earth in truth? If He wills, He can do away with you and produce a new creation.
فَإِن كَانَ لَكُمْ كَيْدٌ فَكِيدُونِ
So if you have a plan, then plan against Me.