Adapted from Tafsir Ibn Ashur

Themes and purpose:

This Makkan surah is dedicated to proving Allah’s absolute sovereignty and the certainty of the Resurrection. It affirms that life and death serve as a test for deeds, warns against the deception of the devils, and challenges the polytheists to find any flaw in creation as proof of their error and impending punishment.

Context of Revelation:

Era: Makkan by consensus.

Chronology: It is counted as the 76th surah in the order of revelation, revealed after Sūrat al-Mu’minūn and before al-Ḥāqqah.

Name and Ayah Count:

Name: The surah is known by several names, principally "Sūrat al-Mulk" (The Kingdom) and in longer form, "Sūrat Tabārak alladhī bi-yadihi al-mulk" (Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the Dominion), due to its opening. Due to its power to protect from punishment in the grave, as narrated from the Prophet (ﷺ), it has been called "al-Māniʿah" (The Preventer), "al-Munjiyah" (The Rescuer), "al-Wāqiyah" (The Protector), and "al-Mujādalih" (The Arguer, as it argues for its reader in the grave).

Virtue: The Prophet (ﷺ) said that this surah (30 āyāt) intercedes for its reader until they are forgiven. He used to recite it before sleeping.

Ayah Count: 30 ayahs (Majority) or 31 (Ḥijāz).

Surah Overview:

• Affirming Allah’s absolute sovereignty and perfect creation, calling on each person to pay attention to its flawless nature. [1-4]
• Reminding that the system of life and death was created to test humanity in their deeds. [2]
• Warning of Hellfire and describing the admission of guilt by the deniers. [6-11]
• Consoling the Prophet (ﷺ) against his people's mockery (e.g., demanding he produce a treasure or angel) and guaranteeing him victory. [12]
• Affirming that Allah is aware of all secrets, whether spoken or hidden in the heart. [13-14]
• Reminding of the blessing of the earth’s stability and the warning that Allah can destroy this order (e.g., causing the earth to cave in or sending a storm). [15-17]
• Using the flight of birds as a sign of Allah’s subtle care. [19]
• Challenging the polytheists by asking who can protect or provide for them besides Allah. [20-21]
• Warning the polytheists of the impending punishment and their regret when they realize their error. [25-27]
• Rebuking the polytheists for mocking the Prophet’s mortality, affirming that their fate is sealed regardless of the Messenger's destiny. [28]
• Concluding with a final question challenging the deniers to hold onto their blessings and restore their water if Allah should take it from them. [30]