رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفَّـٰرُ 66
Translations
Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the Exalted in Might, the Perpetual Forgiver."
Transliteration
Rabbu as-samawati wa-al-ardi wa-ma baynahumā al-Azīzu al-Ghaffār
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah emphasizes Allah's supreme lordship over the heavens, the earth, and everything between them, describing Him with two essential attributes: Al-Aziz (The Mighty/Invincible) and Al-Ghaffar (The Forgiving). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this statement serves as a powerful refutation against polytheism and idolatry, affirming that only Allah possesses absolute power and authority while simultaneously being merciful enough to forgive His servants' sins. The combination of these two divine names reflects the balance of divine justice and mercy—He is mighty enough to punish but forgiving enough to pardon.
Revelation Context
Surah Sad is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam when polytheists were rejecting the Prophet's message. This ayah appears in a context where Prophet Dawud (David) and other messengers are being discussed, and it reinforces tawhid (monotheism) against the backdrop of Meccan idolatry and resistance to the message of Allah's oneness.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'My mercy precedes My wrath' (Sahih Bukhari 3194), which resonates with the attribute Al-Ghaffar. Additionally, the hadith 'Allah is mighty and does not need to be mighty' (Tirmidhi) relates to the absolute nature of Al-Aziz.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that acknowledging Allah as the sole Lord of all creation while trusting in His forgiveness should inspire both reverence and hope—fear of His might tempered by confidence in His mercy. For the modern Muslim, this balance provides comfort during trials and accountability for actions, fostering a relationship with Allah grounded in both respect and love.