Suratul Mulk vs (6-10) – JSS3 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Suratul Mulk verses 6-10 describe the punishment of Hell for people who reject faith.

• Hell’s sounds: disbelievers hear a dreadful sound as they are thrown in.
• The keepers’ question: “Did a warner not come to you?”
• The disbelievers’ reply: they admit they were warned and show regret.
• Main teaching: Allah is just and punishes only after sending a warning, and we must listen and use our minds.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. State the chapter number, meaning of the name and number of verses of Suratul Mulk.
2. Recite and give the meaning of verses 6-10.
3. Explain each of verses 6-10 in their own words.
4. Explain how these verses show Allah’s justice.
5. Mention ways of applying the lessons of these verses in daily life.

What is Suratul Mulk?

Suratul Mulk is Chapter 67 of the Holy Quran, a Makkan Surah of 30 verses.

• Chapter number: 67.
• Meaning of the name: “Al-Mulk” means “The Dominion” or “The Kingdom.”
• Number of verses: 30.
• Place of revelation: Makkah.
• Verses 1-5: they speak of Allah’s power, the purpose of life and death, and the perfection of His creation.
• Verses 6-10: they continue these themes and focus on the punishment of Hell for those who reject faith.
• Virtue of the Surah: Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged Muslims to recite it regularly.
• Saying of the Prophet: “There is a Surah in the Quran which is only thirty verses that will intercede for a person until he is forgiven, and that is Suratul Mulk.”

What are the meanings of key Arabic words in verses 6-10?

These Arabic words help students understand the verses.

What do verses 6-10 of Suratul Mulk say?

Verses 6-10 move from the punishment of Hell to the conversation between its keepers and the disbelievers.

What does verse 6 say?

Arabic text: وَلِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ

Translation: “And for those who disbelieved in their Lord is the punishment of Hell, and wretched is the destination.”

Explanation of verse 6

• Link to earlier verses: verses 3-5 describe the beauty and perfection of Allah’s creation.
• Main message: those who disbelieve in Allah will face the punishment of Hell.
• “Wretched is the destination”: this shows how terrible Hell is as a final place.
• Warning: it is addressed to those who reject Allah despite clear signs of His power and wisdom.
• Consequence: our choices in this life affect our place in the Hereafter.

Lessons from verse 6

1. Disbelief in Allah leads to severe punishment.
2. Hell is a real place prepared for disbelievers.
3. Our final destination depends on our faith and actions.
4. The signs of Allah’s creation should lead us to believe in Him.
5. Allah warns people out of mercy before punishment occurs.

What does verse 7 say?

Arabic text: إِذَا أُلْقُوا فِيهَا سَمِعُوا لَهَا شَهِيقًا وَهِيَ تَفُورُ

Translation: “When they are thrown into it, they hear from it a [dreadful] inhaling while it boils.”

Explanation of verse 7

• Scene: it describes what happens when disbelievers are thrown into Hell.
• “Shaheeq” (inhaling): commentators explain it as a harsh, terrible sound, like the braying of a donkey.
• “While it boils”: Hell is compared to a boiling pot, showing its intense heat and violent nature.
• Purpose of the description: it uses sounds and images people can understand, so they feel the seriousness of the punishment.
• Effect intended: fear that makes people avoid disbelief and the sins that lead to Hell.

Lessons from verse 7

1. Hell is a place of intense punishment with frightening sounds.
2. The punishment of Hell is both physical and psychological.
3. Allah describes Hell in ways humans can understand.
4. This description serves as a deterrent to prevent people from sinning.
5. We should seek Allah’s protection from such a terrible place.

What does verse 8 say?

Arabic text: تَكَادُ تَمَيَّزُ مِنَ الْغَيْظِ ۖ كُلَّمَا أُلْقِيَ فِيهَا فَوْجٌ سَأَلَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَذِيرٌ

Translation: “It almost bursts with rage. Every time a group is thrown into it, its keepers ask them, ‘Did a warner not come to you?'”

Explanation of verse 8

• Hell’s rage: Hell is described as so full of anger that it almost bursts.
• Personification: Hell is spoken of as if it has feelings, to show its fury against disbelievers.
• The keepers: the angels who guard Hell are called “khazanatuha” (its keepers).
• The question: they ask each new group, “Did a warner not come to you?”
• What the question proves: people are punished only after they have received Allah’s message and rejected it.
• Allah’s justice: He punishes only those who deserve it after they have been warned.

Lessons from verse 8

1. Hell is filled with intense anger toward disbelievers.
2. People enter Hell in groups, not all at once.
3. Hell has angels appointed as its keepers.
4. Allah only punishes people after sending them warnings.
5. No one can claim they were punished without first being informed of the truth.

What does verse 9 say?

Arabic text: قَالُوا بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَاءَنَا نَذِيرٌ فَكَذَّبْنَا وَقُلْنَا مَا نَزَّلَ اللَّهُ مِن شَيْءٍ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا فِي ضَلَالٍ كَبِيرٍ

Translation: “They will say, ‘Yes, a warner had come to us, but we denied and said, “Allah has not sent down anything. You are only in great error.”‘”

Explanation of verse 9

• Link to verse 8: it gives the disbelievers’ answer to the keepers’ question.
• Admission: they accept that a warner (a prophet or messenger) came to them with Allah’s message.
• Denial: they rejected the message and claimed that Allah had revealed nothing.
• Insult: they accused the messengers of being in “great error.”
• Their guilt: they knew the truth and chose to reject it.
• Justified punishment: they made a conscious decision to deny, so they cannot claim ignorance as an excuse.

Lessons from verse 9

1. On the Day of Judgement, people will confess their sins honestly.
2. Disbelievers often know the truth but reject it anyway.
3. Many disbelievers reject the message and also insult the messengers.
4. Everyone will be held accountable for how they responded to Allah’s message.
5. People make excuses in this life but will admit the truth in the Hereafter.

What does verse 10 say?

Arabic text: وَقَالُوا لَوْ كُنَّا نَسْمَعُ أَوْ نَعْقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِي أَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ

Translation: “And they will say, ‘If only we had listened or used our intellect, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze.'”

Explanation of verse 10

• Regret: the disbelievers regret not listening to the message and not using their minds.
• Their admission: had they paid attention to the warnings or reflected on Allah’s signs, they would not be in Hell.
• Two duties: we must listen to Allah’s message and use our minds to reflect on it.
• Human ability: Allah has given humans the ability to think, and we are expected to use it to recognise the truth.
• Result of refusing: those who refuse to listen or think properly will regret it in the Hereafter.

Lessons from verse 10

1. Faith requires both listening to the message and thinking about it.
2. Allah has given humans intelligence to distinguish truth from falsehood.
3. People in Hell will feel deep regret for their wrong choices.
4. Regret in the Hereafter will not benefit anyone.
5. We should use our hearing and intelligence properly in this life.

What are the themes of Suratul Mulk verses 6-10?

There are five main themes in verses 6-10: consequences of disbelief, Allah’s justice, the reality of Hell, using our faculties and the value of warning.

• Consequences of disbelief: rejecting faith after receiving the message leads to the torment of Hell.
• Allah’s justice: the keepers’ question and the disbelievers’ answer show that no one is punished unfairly.
• The reality of Hell: the verses describe its sounds, boiling and rage to show it is a real place of terrible punishment.
• Using our faculties: verse 10 teaches that we must use our hearing and minds to recognise the truth.
• The value of warning: Allah sends prophets and messengers as a mercy, to guide people and save them from punishment.

How can we apply verses 6-10 in our lives?

We apply these verses by strengthening faith, using our minds, listening to guidance and showing humility.

• Strengthen our faith: reflect on the end of disbelief, appreciate the blessing of faith and protect it.
• Use our intelligence: think about Allah’s signs in creation and His messages in the Quran.
• Listen to guidance: pay careful attention to the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
• Avoid arrogance: many reject faith out of pride, so we should be humble and open to the truth.
• Warn others kindly: share the message of Islam in a kind and wise manner, as a way of showing mercy.
• Be grateful for guidance: thank Allah for guiding us to Islam and obey Him more completely.

Evaluation

1. State the chapter number of Suratul Mulk and the meaning of its name.
2. Write out the translation of verse 6.
3. What question do the keepers of Hell ask each group that is thrown in, according to verse 8?
4. How do the disbelievers answer in verse 9?
5. What regret do the disbelievers express in verse 10?

Assignment

Write a short note explaining how verses 8 and 9 show that Allah is just, then list three ways you can apply the lessons of verses 6-10 in your daily life.