تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِن فَوْقِهِنَّ ۚ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ 5
Translations
The heavens almost break from above them, and the angels exalt [Allāh] with praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth. Unquestionably, it is Allāh who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
Transliteration
Takadu as-samawatu yatafattarna min fawqihinna wa-al-malaikatu yusabbihuna bihamdi rabbihim wa-yastaghfiruna liman fi al-ardi ala inna Allaha huwa al-Ghafuru ar-Rahimu
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the heavens nearly splitting asunder from above (understood by classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari as expressing awe at God's majesty and the weight of divine knowledge), while the angels glorify their Lord with praise and seek forgiveness for those on earth. The passage emphasizes God's awareness of human affairs and His infinite mercy, concluding with the divine attributes of Al-Ghafur (The Pardoner) and Ar-Rahman (The Merciful), suggesting that despite human weakness and sin, God's forgiveness encompasses all.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ash-Shuraa, a Meccan chapter addressing fundamental Islamic concepts about God's oneness, revelation, and divine attributes. The ayah follows discussion of God's creation and comes within the broader theme of establishing monotheism and God's ultimate knowledge and authority over creation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most superior remembrance is La ilaha illallah (there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah), and the best supplication is Alhamdulillah (all praise belongs to Allah)' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the concept of angels seeking forgiveness for believers is referenced in Hadith Qudsi where the Prophet mentioned angels ascending with the deeds of the faithful.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah should inspire believers to recognize that the heavens and earth tremble before God's greatness, while simultaneously offering comfort that the angels continuously intercede for humanity's forgiveness. Modern readers should therefore strive to maintain God-consciousness, repent sincerely, and recognize that divine mercy is always available to those who seek it.
Related Ayahs
وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ ٱللَّهُ حَفِيظٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيْهِم بِوَكِيلٍ
And those who take as allies other than Him - Allāh is [yet] Guardian over them; and you, [O Muḥammad], are not over them a manager.
وَجَزَٰٓؤُا۟ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِّثْلُهَا ۖ فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُۥ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation - his reward is [due] from Allāh. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers.
فَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّن شَىْءٍ فَمَتَـٰعُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
So whatever thing you have been given - it is but [for] enjoyment of the worldly life. But what is with Allāh is better and more lasting for those who have believed and upon their Lord rely
تَرَى ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مُشْفِقِينَ مِمَّا كَسَبُوا۟ وَهُوَ وَاقِعٌۢ بِهِمْ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فِى رَوْضَاتِ ٱلْجَنَّاتِ ۖ لَهُم مَّا يَشَآءُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَضْلُ ٱلْكَبِيرُ
You will see the wrongdoers fearful of what they have earned, and it will [certainly] befall them. And those who have believed and done righteous deeds will be in lush regions of the gardens [in Paradise] having whatever they will in the presence of their Lord. That is what is the great bounty.