Attributes of Allah (Swt): Suratul Mulk – JSS3 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Suratul Mulk is the 67th chapter of the Holy Quran, a Makkan surah of 30 verses that teaches many attributes (special qualities) of Allah (SWT).

• Name: “Al-Mulk” means “The Kingdom” or “The Sovereignty”.
• Attribute: a quality that describes Allah, such as power, mercy or knowledge.
• Purpose of the lesson: knowing Allah’s attributes strengthens our faith (iman) and helps us worship Him better.

Behavioural objectives

1. State the background of Suratul Mulk.
2. Name ten attributes of Allah mentioned in Suratul Mulk and give their meanings.
3. Give the verse in which each attribute appears.
4. Explain how creation and warnings in the surah show Allah’s attributes.
5. Describe how knowing Allah’s attributes should affect our daily lives.

What is the background of Suratul Mulk?

Suratul Mulk is a Makkan surah, revealed in Makkah before the Hijrah.

• Place of revelation: Makkah, so it is a Makkan surah.
• Other names: “Al-Waqiyah” (The Protector) and “Al-Munjiyah” (The Saviour).
• Hadith: Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “There is a surah in the Quran which contains thirty verses that will intercede for its reader until he is forgiven.” Scholars say this refers to Suratul Mulk.
• Practice: many Muslims read this surah every night before sleeping for protection.

What attributes of Allah are mentioned in Suratul Mulk?

Ten attributes are taught in Suratul Mulk: Al-Malik, Al-Qadir, Al-Khaliq, Al-Basir, Ar-Rahman, Al-Alim, Al-Latif, Al-Khabir, Al-Muhyi and Al-Mumit, and Al-Ghafur.

1. Al-Malik (The King, The Sovereign)

Al-Malik means Allah is the true King who owns and rules everything.

• Verse 1: “Blessed is He in whose hand is the dominion (kingdom), and He is over all things competent.”
• Name of the surah: “Al-Mulk” points to this attribute.
• Ownership: Allah owns everything and controls the whole universe.
• No partner: no one shares Allah’s kingdom with Him.
• Authority: Allah’s authority is absolute and perfect.

2. Al-Qadir (The All-Powerful)

Al-Qadir means Allah has complete power over all things.

• Verse 1: “…and He is over all things competent (Qadir).”
• Nothing is hard: nothing is difficult for Allah.
• Will: Allah can do anything He wills.
• Plans: no one can defeat Allah’s plans.

3. Al-Khaliq (The Creator)

Al-Khaliq means Allah is the One who created everything.

• Verse 2: “Who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed…”
• Verse 3: “Who created seven heavens in layers…”
• Everything: everything that exists was made by Allah, including the heavens and the earth.
• Purpose: Allah created things with purpose and perfect design.

4. Al-Basir (The All-Seeing)

Al-Basir means Allah sees everything, big or small, seen or hidden.

• Verse 19: “Do they not see the birds above them, spreading and folding their wings? None holds them up except the Most Merciful. Indeed, He is All-Seeing of everything.”
• Nothing hidden: nothing is hidden from Allah’s sight.
• Care: Allah watches over all His creation.

5. Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful)

Ar-Rahman means Allah’s mercy extends to all creation.

• Verse 19: “None holds them up except the Most Merciful (Ar-Rahman).”
• Verse 20: “Or who is it that could be an army for you to help you other than the Most Merciful?”
• Birds: Allah’s mercy keeps birds flying in the sky.
• Help: we depend on Allah’s mercy for help.
• All living things: Allah cares for every living thing.

6. Al-Alim (The All-Knowing)

Al-Alim means Allah knows everything, including our secrets.

• Verse 13: “And conceal your speech or publicise it; indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.”
• Hearts: Allah knows what we hide in our hearts.
• Thoughts: Allah knows our thoughts and intentions.

7. Al-Latif (The Subtle, The Kind)

Al-Latif means Allah is gentle and kind, and knows the finest details of everything.

• Verse 14: “Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle (Al-Latif), the All-Aware?”
• Kindness: Allah is gentle and kind to His creation.
• Detail: Allah’s knowledge reaches even the smallest things.

8. Al-Khabir (The All-Aware)

Al-Khabir means Allah is fully aware of everything that happens.

• Verse 14: “…the All-Aware (Al-Khabir).”
• Hidden reality: Allah knows the inner reality of all things.
• Complete: nothing escapes Allah’s attention.

9. Al-Muhyi and Al-Mumit (The Giver of Life and Death)

Al-Muhyi and Al-Mumit mean Allah gives life and causes death.

• Verse 2: “Who created death and life to test you…”
• Control: only Allah gives life and causes death.
• Test: life and death are created as a test for us.

10. Al-Ghafur (The Most Forgiving)

Al-Ghafur means Allah forgives sins and rewards those who obey Him.

• Verse 2: Allah is described as “the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving”.
• Verse 12: “Indeed, those who fear their Lord unseen will have forgiveness and great reward.”
• Who is forgiven: those who fear Allah and believe in Him.
• Reward: Allah rewards those who obey Him even though they cannot see Him.

Which attributes of Allah does Suratul Mulk teach?

The table below summarises each attribute, its meaning and the verse(s) where it is shown.

How are Allah’s attributes shown in Suratul Mulk?

Suratul Mulk shows Allah’s attributes through His creation and through warnings.

How does creation show Allah’s attributes?

Creation shows Allah’s power, wisdom and mercy through the heavens, stars, earth and birds.

• Seven heavens (Verse 3): created in perfect layers with no flaw, showing Allah’s power and wisdom.
• Stars (Verse 5): they decorate the lowest heaven and are also used against devils, showing Allah’s beauty and power.
• Earth (Verse 15): Allah made the earth easy to live on, with food and resources, showing His mercy and kindness.
• Birds (Verse 19): Allah keeps them in the air as they spread and fold their wings, showing His control over all things.

How do warnings show Allah’s attributes?

Warnings in the surah show Allah’s justice, fairness and knowledge.

• Punishment for disbelievers (Verses 6 to 8): Allah has prepared severe punishment for those who disbelieve, showing His justice and power.
• Questions on the Day of Judgment (Verses 8 to 10): Allah will ask people whether they received warnings, showing His fairness and knowledge.
• Knowledge of secrets (Verse 13): Allah knows what people hide and what they reveal, showing His complete knowledge.

What practical lessons do we learn from Allah’s attributes?

Knowing Allah’s attributes should change how we think, act and pray every day.

• Increase our faith: reflect on Allah’s power and mercy every day.
• Live with awareness of Allah: Allah sees and knows everything, so we should avoid sin and be careful about our actions.
• Trust in Allah: Allah is All-Powerful, so we trust Him with our affairs.
• Seek help from Allah: He is the Most Merciful, so we ask Him alone for help.
• Be grateful: thank Allah for kindness and mercy seen in the earth and the blessings around us.
• Seek forgiveness: Allah is the Most Forgiving, so we ask His pardon and fear Him though we cannot see Him.
• Prepare to meet Allah: life and death are a test, so we do good deeds.

How can we remember Allah’s attributes?

We can remember Allah’s attributes by reciting the surah, observing creation, praying with His names and learning them.

1. Recite Suratul Mulk regularly: read it at night and think about the meanings.
2. Observe Allah’s creation: look at the sky, birds and earth and think of Allah’s power and mercy.
3. Use Allah’s names in dua (supplication): when asking for forgiveness, call on Allah as Al-Ghafur (The Most Forgiving).
4. Memorise Allah’s names: learn the 99 names and see how they appear in the Quran.

Evaluation

1. How does knowing that Allah is Al-Malik (The King) affect how you view the things you own?
2. Why is it important to remember that Allah is Al-Basir (The All-Seeing)?
3. How can the attribute of Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful) give you hope when you make mistakes?
4. What lesson do you learn from the fact that Allah created life and death as a test?
5. How can you show gratitude to Allah for making the earth suitable for living?

Assignment

Choose any four attributes of Allah from Suratul Mulk. For each one, write its English meaning, the verse in which it appears and one lesson it teaches us.