Suratul Mulk vs (1-5) – JSS3 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Suratul Mulk is chapter 67 of the Holy Qur’an, a Makkan Surah of 30 verses whose name “Al-Mulk” means “The Kingdom” or “The Dominion”.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. State the meaning of the name “Al-Mulk” and give basic facts about Suratul Mulk.
2. Recite and give the meaning of verses 1 to 5.
3. Explain the purpose of life and death according to verse 2.
4. Describe how verses 3 to 5 show the perfection of Allah’s creation.
5. Apply the lessons of verses 1 to 5 in daily life.

What is Suratul Mulk?

Suratul Mulk is the 67th chapter of the Holy Qur’an, revealed in Makkah, and it teaches Allah’s complete dominion over all things.

Basic facts

What are the other names of Suratul Mulk?

• Al-Waqiyah (The Protector): it is said to protect the reader from the punishment of the grave.
• Al-Munjiyah (The Saviour): it is said to save the reader from that punishment.

What did the Prophet (peace be upon him) say about this Surah?

• Regular reading: he encouraged Muslims to read it regularly, especially before sleeping.
• Intercession: he said: “There is a Surah in the Qur’an which contains thirty verses that will intercede for a person until he is forgiven. It is Surah Tabarak Alladhi Biyadihil Mulk (Suratul Mulk).”

What are the main themes of Suratul Mulk?

Suratul Mulk has five main themes.

1. Allah’s power: He has complete control over everything in the universe.
2. Perfect creation: nothing Allah made has a flaw.
3. Purpose of life and death: both are a test.
4. Warning: those who reject faith are warned.
5. Day of Judgement: the Surah describes the consequences of disbelief on that day.

• Role of verses 1 to 5: they lay the foundation for the rest of the Surah, which explains the results of accepting or rejecting this truth.

What are the key Arabic words in verses 1 to 5?

Knowing these words helps students understand the verses and recite them with meaning.

What does verse 1 of Suratul Mulk teach?

Verse 1 teaches that Allah owns all dominion and has power over all things.

Arabic text: تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

Translation: “Blessed is He in whose hand is the dominion, and He is over all things competent.”

Explanation of verse 1

• Tabaraka: the verse begins with this word, which means blessed, exalted or perfect.
• “In whose hand is the dominion”: Allah owns everything in the heavens and the earth and controls it completely.
• “Over all things competent” (Qadir): Allah has power over everything.
• Nothing is difficult for Him: He can do whatever He wishes.
• Reliance: Muslims should depend on Allah because He can help them in any situation.

Lessons from verse 1

1. Allah is the true owner of everything in this world.
2. All power and authority belong to Allah.
3. Muslims should trust in Allah’s power and seek His help.
4. Everything that happens in this world is under Allah’s control.

What does verse 2 of Suratul Mulk teach?

Verse 2 teaches that Allah created life and death to test which person is best in deed.

Arabic text: الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ

Translation: “Who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.”

Explanation of verse 2

• Purpose of life and death: Allah created both for a reason, which is to test humans.
• The test: it shows who will do good deeds and who will not.
• “Best in deed”: the verse does not say “more deeds”, so Allah values the quality of our actions more than their number.
• Al-Aziz (the Exalted in Might): Allah is powerful enough to punish those who fail the test.
• Al-Ghafur (the Forgiving): Allah is ready to forgive those who seek His forgiveness.

What is the difference between “best in deed” and “more deeds”?

• Best in deed: a deed done sincerely and well, as Allah asks in verse 2.
• More deeds: a large number of deeds, which the verse does not name as the standard.

Lessons from verse 2

1. Life is a test from Allah.
2. The purpose of the test is to see who does good deeds.
3. Quality of deeds is more important than quantity.
4. Allah is both powerful and forgiving.
5. Muslims should strive to do their best in everything.

What does verse 3 of Suratul Mulk teach?

Verse 3 teaches that Allah created seven heavens in layers and that His creation has no flaw.

Arabic text: الَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ طِبَاقًا ۖ مَّا تَرَىٰ فِي خَلْقِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِن تَفَاوُتٍ ۖ فَارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍ

Translation: “Who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency. So return your vision [to the sky]; do you see any breaks?”

Explanation of verse 3

• Seven heavens: Allah created them one above the other, in perfect harmony.
• No flaw: there is no mistake or inconsistency in what Allah has created.
• The challenge: Allah asks people to look at the sky and find any crack or fault.
• The result: no one can find an imperfection, which shows Allah’s perfect power and wisdom.

Lessons from verse 3

1. Allah created the universe in perfect order.
2. There are seven layers of heaven.
3. Allah’s creation has no flaws or mistakes.
4. The perfect design of the universe points to Allah’s existence and power.
5. Muslims should reflect on the wonders of creation.

What does verse 4 of Suratul Mulk teach?

Verse 4 teaches that however often a person looks at the sky, the eyes grow tired without finding a flaw.

Arabic text: ثُمَّ ارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ يَنقَلِبْ إِلَيْكَ الْبَصَرُ خَاسِئًا وَهُوَ حَسِيرٌ

Translation: “Then return your vision twice again. Your vision will return to you humbled while it is fatigued.”

Explanation of verse 4

• Continued challenge: Allah tells people to look again, after the first look in verse 3.
• “Twice again”: the expression stresses repeated and careful examination.
• Khasi’ (humbled): the eyes return defeated, unable to find any imperfection.
• Hasir (fatigued): the eyes become tired while the sky remains perfect.
• Human limits: this shows that our abilities are small compared with Allah’s creation.

Lessons from verse 4

1. The more we study Allah’s creation, the more we appreciate its perfection.
2. Human abilities are limited compared with Allah’s power.
3. Scientific study of the universe should increase our faith.
4. Pride in human achievements should be balanced with humility before Allah.

What does verse 5 of Suratul Mulk teach?

Verse 5 teaches that Allah beautified the nearest heaven with stars and prepared the Blaze for the devils.

Arabic text: وَلَقَدْ زَيَّنَّا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَصَابِيحَ وَجَعَلْنَاهَا رُجُومًا لِّلشَّيَاطِينِ ۖ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابَ السَّعِيرِ

Translation: “And We have certainly beautified the nearest heaven with lamps [stars] and have made them what is thrown at the devils and have prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze.”

Explanation of verse 5

• The nearest heaven: Allah decorated the lowest heaven, the sky we see, with “masabih” (lamps), which are the stars.
• First purpose of the stars: they make the sky beautiful.
• Second purpose of the stars: they are used against devils who try to eavesdrop on the heavens.
• Punishment: Allah has prepared a blazing fire for these devils.
• Protection: Allah guards the heavens from evil forces.

Lessons from verse 5

1. Allah made the sky beautiful for people to see.
2. Stars have more than one purpose in Allah’s plan.
3. The heavens are protected from evil.
4. There are unseen creatures (devils) in this universe.
5. Allah has prepared punishment for those who oppose His will.

How can we apply Suratul Mulk (verses 1 to 5) in our lives?

We apply these verses by trusting Allah, doing our best, appreciating creation and reading the Surah regularly.

1. Recognise Allah’s power: Allah controls everything, so we should trust His plan even when we face difficulties.
2. Understand our purpose: life is a test of who does the best deeds, so we should aim for excellence (ihsan) in prayer, work, studies and relationships.
3. Appreciate Allah’s creation: observing nature, the sky and the stars strengthens our faith and reminds us of Allah’s greatness.
4. Read the Surah regularly: the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught its protection from the punishment of the grave, so we should read it, especially before sleeping.

Evaluation

1. What does the name “Al-Mulk” mean, and how many verses does the Surah have?
2. According to verse 2, why did Allah create life and death?
3. What is the difference between “more deeds” and “best in deed”?
4. What challenge does Allah give to people in verses 3 and 4?
5. State the two purposes of the stars mentioned in verse 5.

Assignment

Write out the translation of verses 1 to 5 of Suratul Mulk in your notebook, then write three ways in which you can apply their lessons in your daily life.