سُورَةُ الْمُلْكِ
Surah Al-Mulk: Meaning, Themes, and Benefits of Recitation
Revelation
Revealed in Makkah
Verses
30 ayat
Surah No.
Surah 67
Juz
Juz 29
Learn what Surah Al-Mulk teaches about God’s sovereignty, why it is recited before sleep, and what hadith say about its protection. Full guide with themes and FAQs.
What Is Surah Al-Mulk?
Surah Al-Mulk is the 67th chapter of the Quran, revealed in Makkah. It has 30 verses and 2 rukus, and it is the first surah of Juz 29, which is itself named after this surah’s opening word, Tabarak, meaning “Blessed is.” Because of this, Surah Al-Mulk is also commonly called Surah Tabarak.
It has several other names in classical tradition: Al-Munjiyah (the Deliverer) and Al-Waqiyah (the Protector). These names point directly to the narrations about its role in protecting its reciter, names given by early Muslims who treated these titles as a reflection of what the surah does, not just what it is called.
The surah opens the seventh and final group of surahs in the Quran, a group that runs to the end of the Quran and focuses on the consequences of the Hereafter, the nature of divine sovereignty, and what a person’s final account will look like.
Core Themes of Surah Al-Mulk
The surah begins by establishing who holds sovereignty, God alone, without partner. From there, it moves through several interconnected themes.
Creation as a test: Verse 2 states that God created death and life to test which of His servants are best in deeds. The framing is important, death is mentioned before life, emphasizing that this world is temporary and purposeful.
Signs in the natural world: The surah draws attention to the night sky adorned with stars, and to the earth made manageable, you walk on it, eat from it, and receive your provision through it. Verses 15 through 21 ask a series of questions: Who would hold you if the earth collapsed beneath you? Who provides for you if God withholds His provision? These are not rhetorical fillers, they are meant to prompt genuine reflection.
Accountability of the disbelievers: The surah describes the regret of those who rejected the message. They will hear hell breathing with rage and will admit they were warned but chose not to listen.
Forgiveness for those who fear God unseen: Verse 12 promises forgiveness and a great reward for those who fear their Lord without seeing Him, a quality mentioned across the Quran as foundational to sincere faith.
What Hadith Say About Surah Al-Mulk
Several narrations about Surah Al-Mulk have been recorded by hadith scholars, and their grading matters for understanding what can be said confidently.
The most significant narration, recorded by al-Tirmidhi and rated hasan (sound), comes from Abu Hurayrah: the Prophet described a surah of 30 verses that intercedes for its reciter until he is forgiven. The narration identifies it as Surah Al-Mulk. Ibn Hibban and al-Hakim graded related versions of this report as sahih (authentic).
Another narration attributes to Ibn Mas’ud the statement that during the Prophet’s time, this surah was called “al-mani’ah”, the protector. He said that reciting it each night protects from the punishment of the grave.
A companion story, referenced in several hadith collections, describes a man who pitched a tent over a grave unknowingly. He heard a voice reciting Surah Al-Mulk from inside. The Prophet, when told, confirmed that it is the Defender, the surah that protects from God’s punishment.
Ibn Abbas also reported that the Prophet wished every Muslim would have Surah Al-Mulk in his heart, meaning memorized and regularly recited.
These narrations together point to a consistent theme: scholars across several centuries held this surah in particular regard as an intercessor and protector, especially connected to death and the grave.
Why Is Surah Al-Mulk Recited Before Sleep?
The practice of reciting Surah Al-Mulk before sleep is rooted in the narrations cited above, particularly the reports about its role as a protector from the punishment of the grave. Jabir ibn Abdullah reported that the Prophet did not sleep until he had recited Alif Lam Meem As-Sajda (Surah 32) and Surah Al-Mulk (Surah 67). This hadith is recorded in al-Tirmidhi’s collection.
The practice makes logical sense in the context of what the surah teaches. It ends with questions about whether you have considered the water you drink, if God withheld it, who would bring flowing water to you? Going to sleep after reflecting on these questions is a way of closing the day with awareness of your dependence on God, which is precisely the state the surah is trying to produce.
Many Muslims who memorize Surah Al-Mulk do so specifically to recite it before sleeping, even if they have not memorized longer or more complex surahs.
What Does Surah Al-Mulk Actually Say in Its Verses?
The surah covers specific content that is worth knowing in sequence.
Verses 1 through 4 establish God’s sovereignty and describe the creation of the seven heavens in a perfect arrangement. The challenge: look again, do you see any flaw?
Verses 5 through 12 describe the stars as lamps in the lowest heaven and as protection against devils, then shift to the fate of those who rejected truth. They will hear hell raging and will confess their regret. This section closes with the promise for those who fear God unseen.
Verses 13 through 22 ask a series of questions about natural phenomena, the earth beneath your feet, the birds held aloft in the sky, your own eyes, ears, and hearts. The underlying point is that none of these things maintain themselves.
Verses 23 through 30 address the disbelievers’ impatience about the Day of Judgment. The surah closes by asking who provides their water, a question that brings the reflection back to the most basic of daily necessities.
Read the Complete Surah in Arabic
Here is the complete Arabic text of Surah Al-Mulk, all 30 verses in the Uthmani script, each with transliteration, English translation, and Urdu translation, so you can read the entire chapter right here.
1 بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ تَبَٰرَكَ ٱلَّذِى بِيَدِهِ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌ
67:1 Tabaarakal lazee biyadihil mulku wa huwa ‘alaa kulli shai-in qadeer
Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent –
بہت بابرکت ہے وه (اللہ) جس کے ہاتھ میں بادشاہی ہے اور جو ہر چیز پر قدرت رکھنے واﻻ ہے
2 ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَٱلْحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًۭا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفُورُ
67:2 Allazee khalaqal mawta walhayaata liyabluwakum ayyukum ahsanu ‘amalaa; wa huwal ‘azeezul ghafoor
[He] 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 –
جس نے موت اور حیات کو اس لیے پیدا کیاکہ تمہیں آزمائے کہ تم میں سے اچھے کام کون کرتا ہے، اور وه غالب (اور) بخشنے واﻻ ہے
3 ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَٰوَٰتٍۢ طِبَاقًۭا ۖ مَّا تَرَىٰ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ مِن تَفَٰوُتٍۢ ۖ فَٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍۢ
67:3 Allazee khalaqa sab’a samaawaatin tibaaqam maa taraa fee khalqir rahmaani min tafaawutin farji’il basara hal taraa min futoor
[And] 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?
جس نے سات آسمان اوپر تلے بنائے۔ (تو اے دیکھنے والے) اللہ رحمٰن کی پیدائش میں کوئی بے ضابطگی نہ دیکھے گا، دوباره (نظریں ڈال کر) دیکھ لے کیا کوئی شگاف بھی نظر آرہا ہے
4 ثُمَّ ٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ يَنقَلِبْ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْبَصَرُ خَاسِئًۭا وَهُوَ حَسِيرٌۭ
67:4 Summar ji’il basara karrataini yanqalib ilaikal basaru khaasi’anw wa huwa haseer
Then return [your] vision twice again. [Your] vision will return to you humbled while it is fatigued.
پھر دوہرا کر دو دو بار دیکھ لے تیری نگاه تیری طرف ذلیل (و عاجز) ہو کر تھکی ہوئی لوٹ آئے گی
5 وَلَقَدْ زَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِمَصَٰبِيحَ وَجَعَلْنَٰهَا رُجُومًۭا لِّلشَّيَٰطِينِ ۖ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلسَّعِيرِ
67:5 Wa laqad zaiyannas samaaa’ad dunyaa bimasaa beeha wa ja’alnaahaa rujoomal lish shayaateeni wa a’tadnaa lahum ‘azaabas sa’eer
And We have certainly beautified the nearest heaven with stars and have made [from] them what is thrown at the devils and have prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze.
بیشک ہم نے آسمان دنیا کو چراغوں (ستاروں) سے آراستہ کیا اور انہیں شیطانوں کے مارنے کا ذریعہ بنا دیا اور شیطانوں کے لیے ہم نے (دوزخ کا جلانے واﻻ) عذاب تیار کر دیا
6 وَلِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ
67:6 Wa lillazeena kafaroo bi rabbihim ‘azaabu jahannama wa bi’sal maseer
And for those who disbelieved in their Lord is the punishment of Hell, and wretched is the destination.
اور اپنے رب کے ساتھ کفر کرنے والوں کے لیے جہنم کا عذاب ہے اور وه کیا ہی بری جگہ ہے
7 إِذَآ أُلْقُوا۟ فِيهَا سَمِعُوا۟ لَهَا شَهِيقًۭا وَهِىَ تَفُورُ
67:7 Izaaa ulqoo feehaa sami’oo lahaa shaheeqanw wa hiya tafoor
When they are thrown into it, they hear from it a [dreadful] inhaling while it boils up.
جب اس میں یہ ڈالے جائیں گے تو اس کی بڑے زور کی آواز سنیں گے اور وه جوش مار رہی ہوگی
8 تَكَادُ تَمَيَّزُ مِنَ ٱلْغَيْظِ ۖ كُلَّمَآ أُلْقِىَ فِيهَا فَوْجٌۭ سَأَلَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَآ أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَذِيرٌۭ
67:8 Takaadu tamayyazu minal ghaizi kullamaaa uliqya feehaa fawjun sa alahum khazanatuhaaa alam yaatikum nazeer
It almost bursts with rage. Every time a company is thrown into it, its keepers ask them, “Did there not come to you a warner?”
قریب ہے کہ (ابھی) غصے کے مارے پھٹ جائے، جب کبھی اس میں کوئی گروه ڈاﻻ جائے گا اس سے جہنم کے داروغے پوچھیں گے کہ کیا تمہارے پاس ڈرانے واﻻ کوئی نہیں آیا تھا؟
9 قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَآءَنَا نَذِيرٌۭ فَكَذَّبْنَا وَقُلْنَا مَا نَزَّلَ ٱللَّهُ مِن شَىْءٍ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَٰلٍۢ كَبِيرٍۢ
67:9 Qaaloo balaa qad jaaa’anaa nazeerun fakazzabnaa wa qulnaa maa nazzalal laahu min shai in in antum illaa fee dalaalin kabeer
They will say,” Yes, a warner had come to us, but we denied and said, ‘Allah has not sent down anything. You are not but in great error.'”
وه جواب دیں گے کہ بیشک آیا تھا لیکن ہم نے اسے جھٹلایا اور ہم نے کہا کہ اللہ تعالیٰ نےکچھ بھی نازل نہیں فرمایا۔ تم بہت بڑی گمراہی میں ہی ہو
10 وَقَالُوا۟ لَوْ كُنَّا نَسْمَعُ أَوْ نَعْقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِىٓ أَصْحَٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ
67:10 Wa qaaloo law kunnaa nasma’u awna’qilu maa kunnaa feee as haabis sa’eer
And they will say, “If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze.”
اور کہیں گے اگر ہم سنتے ہوتے یا عقل رکھتے ہوتے تو دوزخیوں میں (شریک) نہ ہوتے
11 فَٱعْتَرَفُوا۟ بِذَنۢبِهِمْ فَسُحْقًۭا لِّأَصْحَٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ
67:11 Fa’tarafoo bizambihim fasuhqal li as haabis sa’eer
And they will admit their sin, so [it is] alienation for the companions of the Blaze.
پس انہوں نے اپنے جرم کا اقبال کر لیا۔ اب یہ دوزخی دفع ہوں (دور ہوں)
12 إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلْغَيْبِ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌۭ وَأَجْرٌۭ كَبِيرٌۭ
67:12 Innal lazeena yakhshawna rabbahum bilghaibi lahum maghfiratunw wa ajrun kabeer
Indeed, those who fear their Lord unseen will have forgiveness and great reward.
بیشک جو لوگ اپنے پروردگار سےغائبانہ طور پر ڈرتے رہتے ہیں ان کے لیے بخشش ہے اور بڑا ﺛواب ہے
13 وَأَسِرُّوا۟ قَوْلَكُمْ أَوِ ٱجْهَرُوا۟ بِهِۦٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
67:13 Wa asirroo qawlakum awijharoo bihee innahoo ‘aleemum bizaatis sudoor
And conceal your speech or publicize it; indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.
تم اپنی باتوں کو چھپاؤ یا ﻇاہر کرو وه تو سینوں کی پوشیدگی کو بھی بخوبی جانتا ہے
14 أَلَا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ خَلَقَ وَهُوَ ٱللَّطِيفُ ٱلْخَبِيرُ
67:14 Alaa ya’lamu man khalaq wa huwal lateeful khabeer
Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the Acquainted?
کیا وہی نہ جانے جس نے پیدا کیا؟ پھر وه باریک بین اور باخبر بھی ہو
15 هُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ ذَلُولًۭا فَٱمْشُوا۟ فِى مَنَاكِبِهَا وَكُلُوا۟ مِن رِّزْقِهِۦ ۖ وَإِلَيْهِ ٱلنُّشُورُ
67:15 Huwal lazee ja’ala lakumul arda zaloolan famshoo fee manaakibihaa wa kuloo mir rizqihee wa ilaihin nushoor
It is He who made the earth tame for you – so walk among its slopes and eat of His provision – and to Him is the resurrection.
وه ذات جس نے تمہارے لیے زمین کو پست ومطیع کردیا تاکہ تم اس کی راہوں میں چلتے پھرتے رہو اور اللہ کی روزیاں کھاؤ (پیو) اسی کی طرف (تمہیں) جی کر اٹھ کھڑا ہونا ہے
16 ءَأَمِنتُم مَّن فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ فَإِذَا هِىَ تَمُورُ
67:16 ‘A-amintum man fissamaaa’i aiyakhsifa bi kumul arda fa izaa hiya tamoor
Do you feel secure that He who [holds authority] in the heaven would not cause the earth to swallow you and suddenly it would sway?
کیا تم اس بات سے بے خوف ہوگئے ہو کہ آسمانوں واﻻ تمہیں زمین میں دھنسا دے اور اچانک زمین لرزنے لگے
17 أَمْ أَمِنتُم مَّن فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ أَن يُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ حَاصِبًۭا ۖ فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ كَيْفَ نَذِيرِ
67:17 Am amintum man fissamaaa’i ai yursila ‘alaikum haasiban fasata’lamoona kaifa nazeer
Or do you feel secure that He who [holds authority] in the heaven would not send against you a storm of stones? Then you would know how [severe] was My warning.
یا کیا تم اس بات سے نڈر ہوگئے ہو کہ آسمانوں واﻻ تم پر پتھر برسادے؟ پھر تو تمہیں معلوم ہو ہی جائے گا کہ میرا ڈرانا کیسا تھا
18 وَلَقَدْ كَذَّبَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ نَكِيرِ
67:18 Wa laqad kazzabal lazeena min qablihim fakaifa kaana nakeer
And already had those before them denied, and how [terrible] was My reproach.
اوران سے پہلے لوگوں نے بھی جھٹلایا تھا تو دیکھو ان پر میرا عذاب کیسا کچھ ہوا؟
19 أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱلطَّيْرِ فَوْقَهُمْ صَٰٓفَّٰتٍۢ وَيَقْبِضْنَ ۚ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍۭ بَصِيرٌ
67:19 Awalam yaraw ilat tairi fawqahum saaaffaatinw wa yaqbidn; maa yumsikuhunna illaar rahmaan; innahoo bikulli shai im baseer
Do they not see the birds above them with wings outspread and [sometimes] folded in? None holds them [aloft] except the Most Merciful. Indeed He is, of all things, Seeing.
کیا یہ اپنے اوپر پر کھولے ہوئے اور (کبھی کبھی) سمیٹے ہوئے (اڑنے والے) پرندوں کو نہیں دیکھتے، انہیں (اللہ) رحمٰن ہی (ہوا وفضا میں) تھامے ہوئے ہے۔ بیشک ہر چیز اس کی نگاه میں ہے
20 أَمَّنْ هَٰذَا ٱلَّذِى هُوَ جُندٌۭ لَّكُمْ يَنصُرُكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ۚ إِنِ ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ إِلَّا فِى غُرُورٍ
67:20 Amman haazal lazee huwa jundul lakum yansurukum min doonir rahmaan; inilkaafiroona illaa fee ghuroor
Or who is it that could be an army for you to aid you other than the Most Merciful? The disbelievers are not but in delusion.
سوائے اللہ کے تمہارا وه کون سا لشکر ہے جو تمہاری مدد کرسکے کافر تو سراسر دھوکے ہی میں ہیں
21 أَمَّنْ هَٰذَا ٱلَّذِى يَرْزُقُكُمْ إِنْ أَمْسَكَ رِزْقَهُۥ ۚ بَل لَّجُّوا۟ فِى عُتُوٍّۢ وَنُفُورٍ
67:21 Amman haazal lazee yarzuqukum in amsaka rizqah; bal lajjoo fee ‘utuwwinw wa nufoor
Or who is it that could provide for you if He withheld His provision? But they have persisted in insolence and aversion.
اگر اللہ تعالیٰ اپنی روزی روک لے تو بتاؤ کون ہے جو پھر تمہیں روزی دے گا؟ بلکہ (کافر) تو سرکشی اور بدکنے پر اڑگئے ہیں
22 أَفَمَن يَمْشِى مُكِبًّا عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِۦٓ أَهْدَىٰٓ أَمَّن يَمْشِى سَوِيًّا عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍۢ مُّسْتَقِيمٍۢ
67:22 Afamai yamshee mukibban ‘alaa wajhihee ahdaaa ammany yamshee sawiyyan ‘alaa siratim mustaqeem
Then is one who walks fallen on his face better guided or one who walks erect on a straight path?
اچھا وه شخص زیاده ہدایت واﻻ ہے جو اپنے منھ کے بل اوندھا ہو کر چلے یا وه جو سیدھا (پیروں کے بل) راه راست پر چلا ہو؟
23 قُلْ هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنشَأَكُمْ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ ۖ قَلِيلًۭا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ
67:23 Qul huwal lazee ansha akum wa ja’ala lakumus sam’a wal absaara wal af’idata qaleelam maa tashkuroon
Say, “It is He who has produced you and made for you hearing and vision and hearts; little are you grateful.”
کہہ دیجئے کہ وہی (اللہ) ہے جس نے تمہیں پیدا کیا اور تمہارے کان آنکھیں اور دل بنائے تم بہت ہی کم شکر گزاری کرتے ہو
24 قُلْ هُوَ ٱلَّذِى ذَرَأَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ
67:24 Qul huwal lazee zara akum fil ardi wa ilaihi tuhsharoon
Say, “It is He who has multiplied you throughout the earth, and to Him you will be gathered.”
کہہ دیجئے! کہ وہی ہے جس نے تمہیں زمین میں پھیلا دیا اور اس کی طرف سے تم اکٹھے کیے جاؤ گے
25 وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا ٱلْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ
67:25 Wa yaqooloona mataa haazal wa’du in kuntum saadiqeen
And they say, “When is this promise, if you should be truthful?”
(کافر) پوچھتے ہیں کہ وه وعده کب ﻇاہر ہوگا اگر تم سچے ہو (تو بتاؤ؟)
26 قُلْ إِنَّمَا ٱلْعِلْمُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَإِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ نَذِيرٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ
67:26 Qul innamal ‘ilmu ‘indallaahi wa innamaaa ana nazeerum mubeen
Say, “The knowledge is only with Allah, and I am only a clear warner.”
آپ کہہ دیجئے کہ اس کا علم تو اللہ ہی کو ہے، میں تو صرف کھلے طور پر آگاه کر دینے واﻻ ہوں
27 فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهُ زُلْفَةًۭ سِيٓـَٔتْ وُجُوهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَقِيلَ هَٰذَا ٱلَّذِى كُنتُم بِهِۦ تَدَّعُونَ
67:27 Falaammaa ra-awhu zulfatan seee’at wujoohul lazeena kafaroo wa qeela haazal lazee kuntum bihee tadda’oon
But when they see it approaching, the faces of those who disbelieve will be distressed, and it will be said, “This is that for which you used to call.”
جب یہ لوگ اس وعدے کو قریب تر پالیں گے اس وقت ان کافروں کے چہرے بگڑ جائیں گے اور کہہ دیا جائے گا کہ یہی ہے جسے تم طلب کیا کرتے تھے
28 قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَهْلَكَنِىَ ٱللَّهُ وَمَن مَّعِىَ أَوْ رَحِمَنَا فَمَن يُجِيرُ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍۢ
67:28 Qul ara’aytum in ahlaka niyal laahu wa mam ma’iya aw rahimanaa famai-yujeerul kaafireena min ‘azaabin aleem
Say, [O Muhammad], “Have you considered: whether Allah should cause my death and those with me or have mercy upon us, who can protect the disbelievers from a painful punishment?”
آپ کہہ دیجئے! اچھا اگر مجھے اور میرے ساتھیوں کو اللہ تعالیٰ ہلاک کردے یا ہم پر رحم کرے (بہر صورت یہ تو بتاؤ) کہ کافروں کو دردناک عذاب سے کون بچائے گا؟
29 قُلْ هُوَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ وَعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا ۖ فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ فِى ضَلَٰلٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ
67:29 Qul huwar rahmaanu aamannaa bihee wa ‘alaihi tawakkalnaa fasata’lamoona man huwa fee dalaalim mubeen
Say, “He is the Most Merciful; we have believed in Him, and upon Him we have relied. And you will [come to] know who it is that is in clear error.”
آپ کہہ دیجئے! کہ وہی رحمٰن ہے ہم تو اس پر ایمان ﻻچکے اور اسی پر ہمارا بھروسہ ہے۔ تمہیں عنقریب معلوم ہو جائے گا کہ صریح گمراہی میں کون ہے؟
30 قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَصْبَحَ مَآؤُكُمْ غَوْرًۭا فَمَن يَأْتِيكُم بِمَآءٍۢ مَّعِينٍۭ
67:30 Qul ara’aytum in asbaha maaa’ukum ghawran famai yaateekum bimaaa’im ma’een
Say, “Have you considered: if your water was to become sunken [into the earth], then who could bring you flowing water?”
آپ کہہ دیجئے! کہ اچھا یہ تو بتاؤ کہ اگر تمہارے (پینے کا) پانی زمین میں اتر جائے تو کون ہے جو تمہارے لیے نتھرا ہوا پانی ﻻئے؟
FAQ
Does reciting Surah Al-Mulk really protect from the punishment of the grave?
The narrations on this topic include a hadith graded hasan by al-Tirmidhi, describing a 30-verse surah that intercedes for its reciter. Reports attributed to Ibn Mas’ud and the story of the tent over the grave reinforce this. Most mainstream scholars accept the practice of reciting it nightly as established. The protection itself is God’s to grant, the surah is a means, not a guarantee, which is how scholars have always framed it.
Should Surah Al-Mulk be memorized?
Many Muslim scholars have strongly encouraged memorizing it, and the narration from Ibn Abbas about the Prophet wishing every Muslim had it in his heart points in this direction. It is 30 verses and memorizable in a few weeks with consistent daily practice. Given its connection to nightly recitation, memorizing it means you can recite it in the dark or while lying down.
Is Surah Al-Mulk and Surah Tabarak the same surah?
Yes. Tabarak is the first word of Surah Al-Mulk, it means “Blessed is”, and the surah is commonly referred to by both names. Juz 29 is named Juz Tabarak for the same reason.
What is the best time to recite Surah Al-Mulk?
The narration from Jabir links it to recitation before sleep, alongside Surah As-Sajda. Most scholars recommend the pre-sleep recitation as the most connected to the narrations about its virtues. There is no prohibition on reciting it at other times, it can be recited at any point during the day.
How long does Surah Al-Mulk take to recite?
At a moderate pace, Surah Al-Mulk takes about 5 to 8 minutes to recite. It has 30 verses and is one of the shorter Makki surahs of this group. Many people memorize it in a few weeks by learning a few verses per day.
What does “Tabarak” mean at the start of Surah Al-Mulk?
Tabarak means “Blessed is” and carries the sense of something elevated above all others and a source of abundant good. It appears in its intensive form here, more than simply “blessed,” it implies a permanent and supreme state of being. The word appears in the Quran only in reference to God.
Did the Prophet recite Surah Al-Mulk every night?
The hadith of Jabir ibn Abdullah, recorded by al-Tirmidhi, states that the Prophet did not sleep until he recited Surah As-Sajda and Surah Al-Mulk. This narration is used as the basis for the nightly recitation practice. Whether he recited it without exception every single night is a matter scholars have noted, the narration describes it as a regular practice, not necessarily a ruling obligation.
Why is Surah Al-Mulk called Al-Munjiyah?
Al-Munjiyah means “the Deliverer.” The name was given in classical tradition based on the narrations about the surah’s role in protecting or delivering its reciter from the punishment of the grave. Names like Al-Munjiyah and Al-Waqiyah (the Protector) were assigned to this surah by early Muslim scholars because they reflected the narrated virtues of reciting it.
Is it sunnah to recite Surah Al-Mulk on specific days like Friday?
There is no specific narration connecting Surah Al-Mulk to Friday recitation. That recommendation applies most clearly to Surah Al-Kahf. Surah Al-Mulk’s most established recitation time, based on hadith, is before sleep.
What happens to those who ignore the signs mentioned in Surah Al-Mulk?
The surah describes their regret directly. Verses 6 through 11 describe the disbelievers in the Fire admitting they were warned, that messengers came to them, and that they rejected the message. They say: “If only we had listened or used reason, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze.” The confession of regret for not listening is one of the most direct warnings in the Quran.
Final Thoughts
Continue reading
Next: Surah Al-Kahf, the surah of the Cave, recited on Fridays. Or browse every chapter on the Surah Guides hub.
Sources and further reading
- Surah Al-Mulk on Quran.com, Arabic text with translations and tafsir resources
- Sunnah.com, searchable hadith collections for verifying narrations about the surahs
- Surah Al-Mulk (Wikipedia), background and scholarly overview