Summary of the chapter & the links: 

1. Audio discussion of the chapter summary: 

https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/cbc7b0c3-783a-4740-b47e-8388fed56bbe/audio

2. Mesmerizing recitation of the chapter with English translation:

https://surahquran.com/sorah-english-67.html

3. Free app for complete Quran , translations in multiple world languages: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1118663303

4. Free app for complete Quran, recitation, multiple tafaseer, books of ahadees: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1006098149

Based on the Tafheem-ul-Qurʾān commentary within the search results, here is a concise summary of Surah Al-Mulk (Chapter 67):

1. Divine Sovereignty and Purpose of Creation

• The surah opens by affirming Allah’s absolute dominion over all existence (“Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the Dominion”) and His infinite power.
• Life and death are created to test humans, distinguishing those “best in deed” (v. 2). Righteous deeds are defined by sincerity and obedience to Allah’s guidance.

2. Perfection of Creation as Proof of Allah’s Power

• The seven heavens are flawlessly designed without “any rifts” (v. 3–4). Humans are challenged to detect imperfections but fail, humbled by the Creator’s wisdom.
• The “lowest heaven” is adorned with stars (lamps) that serve as missiles against devils (v. 5), symbolizing divine protection and the consequences of evil.

3. Consequences for Disbelievers

• Disbelievers face Hellfire, where they confess their rejection of divine warnings (v. 6–9). Their regret (“Had we but listened or reasoned!”) is futile (v. 10–11).
• Hell’s guardians question them, highlighting their accountability for ignoring prophets (v. 8).

4. God’s Omniscience and Call to God-Consciousness

• Allah knows all secrets, whether spoken openly or concealed (v. 13–14). True faith involves fearing Him “unseen” (v. 12), leading to forgiveness and eternal reward.
• Humans are urged to reflect on their creation (e.g., faculties of hearing, sight, and intellect) but remain ungrateful (v. 23).

5. Signs in Nature and Human Arrogance

• Earth’s stability (v. 15), birds in flight (v. 19), and sustenance are proofs of Allah’s mercy. Yet humans arrogantly deny dependence on Him (v. 20–21).
• A rhetorical question contrasts the “misguided” (walking blindly) with those on the “Straight Way” (v. 22).

6. Rebuttal of Skeptics and the Day of Judgment

• Disbelievers mock the Resurrection (“When will this promise come?”). The response: Its knowledge rests solely with Allah; the Prophet’s role is to warn (v. 25–26).
• When punishment arrives, their faces will reflect despair (v. 27). The surah concludes by questioning who could provide sustenance if Allah withheld it (v. 30).

Tafheem’s Distinctive Perspective

• This Meccan surah aims to awaken “heedless” humans through concise, impactful arguments. It shifts focus from worldly distractions to ultimate accountability, urging reflection on creation as evidence of divine truth. The “test” of life (v. 2) underscores deeds as the criterion for eternal success.

Key Points

• Surah Al-Mulk, chapter 67, is a Meccan surah with 30 verses, emphasizing Allah’s sovereignty and the purpose of life as a test.
• It highlights the creation of the heavens and earth, warning disbelievers of punishment and urging believers to reflect on Allah’s signs.
• The surah stresses accountability in the Hereafter, with detailed narratives on divine power and human responsibility.

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Summary of Chapter 67 (Surah Al-Mulk) from Tafheemul Quran

Overview
Surah Al-Mulk, the 67th chapter of the Quran, is a Meccan surah revealed early in the Prophet Muhammad’s mission. It comprises 30 verses and is named “Al-Mulk,” meaning “The Sovereignty,” reflecting its focus on Allah’s absolute control over the universe. The commentary from Tafheemul Quran by Syed Abul Ala Maududi provides a detailed explanation, emphasizing theological and moral teachings.

Detailed Narrative and Themes

• Verses 1-5: The surah begins with “Tabaraka,” signifying Allah’s infinite nobility, greatness, abundance, and permanence. It states that Allah holds all dominion and is capable of everything, having created life and death to test humanity. The seven heavens are described as perfectly ordered, with stars adorning the lower heaven, serving as missiles against satans, and Hell prepared for their punishment. This section underscores the universe’s flawless design as evidence of divine wisdom.
• Verses 6-11: It warns of the consequences for disbelievers, describing their punishment in Hell, where they will hear its roaring. They will confess their error in ignoring the warners (prophets) and wish they had listened, but it will be too late. This highlights the severity of rejecting faith and the inevitability of divine justice.
• Verses 12-14: The surah emphasizes that those who fear their Lord unseen will be forgiven and rewarded. It affirms Allah’s omniscience, knowing all seen and hidden, as the Creator of everything, reinforcing the moral basis of fearing God.
• Verses 15-23: These verses remind humans of Allah’s provisions, such as making the earth subservient for travel and sustenance, with resurrection to Him. Rhetorical questions challenge their security, such as whether they feel safe from the earth swallowing them or a storm of stones from the sky. It points to birds flying by Allah’s mercy, questioning who can aid against the Merciful Lord, and notes disbelievers’ delusion. It commands to acknowledge Allah for giving hearing, sight, and hearts, yet humans show little gratitude.
• Verses 24-27: It addresses disbelievers’ demands for the timing of the Hereafter, stating only Allah knows, with the Prophet as a clear warner. It describes their distress seeing doom near, being told it’s what they asked for, emphasizing the certainty of judgment.
• Verses 28-30: It challenges who can protect disbelievers from Allah’s punishment if He destroys or shows mercy. The surah concludes by questioning who can provide water if it sinks, underscoring that all provision comes from Allah and questioning worship of others besides Him.

Theological and Moral Teachings

• Monotheism and Sovereignty: The surah repeatedly underscores Allah’s control over the universe, from the heavens to the earth, and all that exists within them, reinforcing Tawhid (oneness of God).
• Accountability and the Hereafter: It stresses the inevitability of resurrection and judgment, urging believers to reflect on their deeds and the consequences of disbelief, with detailed warnings for the disbelievers.
• Reflection and Gratitude: Humans are called to ponder over the signs of Allah’s power in creation, such as the heavens, stars, and the earth, and to show gratitude for His provisions, with comparisons to those who reject these signs.
• Warning to Disbelievers: The surah serves as a stern warning, describing their punishment and eventual regret, using historical examples of previous communities that denied Messengers and faced divine chastisement.

Conclusion
Surah Al-Mulk is a profound reminder of Allah’s sovereignty, the purpose of human existence as a test, and the importance of faith and gratitude. It uses the wonders of creation and the inevitability of the Hereafter as proofs of Allah’s power, urging believers to fear Him unseen and to rely on Him alone.

Supporting URLs:

• Tafheemul Quran – Surah Al-Mulk 67:1-14
• Tafheemul Quran – Surah Al-Mulk 67:15-30

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Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Chapter 67 (Surah Al-Mulk) from Tafheemul Quran

This section provides an in-depth exploration of Chapter 67, known as Surah Al-Mulk, from Tafheemul Quran by Syed Abul Ala Maududi. It expands on the key narratives, theological themes, and contextual details, offering a comprehensive overview for readers seeking a deeper understanding. The analysis is grounded in the detailed commentary available through various online resources, ensuring a thorough examination of the surah’s content and significance.

Background and Structure

Surah Al-Mulk is the 67th chapter of the Quran, revealed in Mecca, and comprises 30 verses. It is named after the word “Al-Mulk,” meaning “The Sovereignty,” which appears in the first verse, reflecting its central theme of Allah’s absolute control over the universe. According to Tafheemul Quran, this surah is one of the earliest Meccan revelations, with no specific date known from authentic tradition, but its style and subject matter indicate its early Makkan period. It is part of Juz’ 29 and is often referred to as “Tabaraka,” meaning blessed, due to its opening word.

The commentary in Tafheemul Quran, authored by Maududi over 30 years from 1942 to 1972, combines orthodox and modernist interpretations, addressing historical, theological, and social contexts. It is available in multiple languages, including English, and is accessible through platforms like islamicstudies.info, which offers detailed verse-by-verse analysis.

Detailed Summary of Key Verses

The surah begins with the letters “Tabaraka,” a superlative from “barkat,” comprehending meanings of exaltation, greatness, abundance, and permanence. Below is a breakdown of the main verses and themes, as elucidated in Tafheemul Quran:

1. Sovereignty and Creation (Verses 1-5)

• Verse 1: “Blessed is He in whose hand is the dominion, and He is over all things competent.” Tafheemul Quran explains “Tabaraka” as signifying Allah’s infinite nobility and greatness, with “Al-Mulk” implying sovereignty over everything in the universe (E.N. 43 of Surah Al-Aaraf, E.N. 1-4 of Surah Al-Muminoon, E.Ns 1 and 19 of Surah Al-Furqan).
• Verse 2: “[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.” This verse establishes the purpose of life as a test, with recompense based on deeds, and Allah as Most Mighty and Forgiving.
• Verses 3-4: “He 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? Then return [your] vision twice again. [Your] vision will return to you humbled while it is fatigued.” These verses describe the perfect order of the seven heavens, with no flaws visible, emphasizing divine wisdom (E.N. 8 of Surah Qaf).
• Verse 5: “And We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps and have made them [as] missiles to drive away the devils, and have prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze.” It explains stars as lamps, with meteorites possibly from disintegrating planets (Encyclopedia Britannica, vol. XV, under Meteorites), used against satans to prevent them from ascending, with Hell’s punishment prepared (E.Ns 9-12 of Surah Al-Hijr, E.Ns 6, 7 of Surah As-Saaffat).

2. Warning to Disbelievers (Verses 6-11)

• Verse 6: “And for those who disbelieved in their Lord is the punishment of Hell, and wretched is the destination.” This introduces the punishment for disbelievers, with Hell described as a wretched destination.
• Verses 7-8: “When they are thrown into it, they hear from it a [dreadful] inhaling while it boils up. 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?'” It describes Hell’s roaring and the disbelievers’ confrontation, confessing they ignored the warners (Ref: Surah Houd 106, Surah Al-Furqan 12).
• Verses 9-11: “They will say, ‘Yes, a warner had come to us, but we denied and said, ‘Allah has not sent down anything. You are in great error.’ And they will say, ‘If only we had listened or reasoned, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze.'” This highlights their regret and the missed opportunity to heed the warning, emphasizing Prophethood as Allah’s argument (Ref: Surah Al-Baqarah 213, E.N. 230; Surah An-Nisa 41-42, 165, E.Ns 64, 208).

3. Fear of Allah and Divine Knowledge (Verses 12-14)

• Verse 12: “Indeed, those who fear their Lord unseen will have forgiveness and great reward.” This underscores the moral basis of fearing God unseen, leading to forgiveness and reward (E.N. 161 of Surah Al-Baqarah, E.N. 178 of Surah An-Nisa).
• Verses 13-14: “And whether you conceal your speech or publicize it, indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts. Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the Acquainted?” It affirms Allah’s omniscience, knowing all seen and hidden, as the Creator, reinforcing His awareness (E.N. 39 of Surah Al-Kahf, E.N. 3 of Surah Al-Momin).

4. Reflection on Earthly Provisions and Security (Verses 15-23)

• Verse 15: “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.” This highlights Allah’s provision, making the earth subservient for human benefit, with resurrection to Him.
• Verse 16: “Do you feel secure that He who is in the heaven would not cause the earth to swallow you and suddenly it would sway?” It poses a rhetorical question, challenging their security from divine punishment like the earth caving in.
• Verse 17: “Or do you feel secure that He who is in the heaven would not send against you a storm of stones? Then you would know how [severe] was My warning.” It warns of a storm of stones, emphasizing the severity of divine warning.
• Verse 18: “And already had those before them denied, and how [terrible] was My reproach.” It notes previous communities’ denial and divine chastisement, questioning the severity of rejection (Ref: Surah Al-Anaam 130-131, E.Ns 98-100; Surah Bani Israil 15, E.N. 17).
• Verse 19: “Do they not see the birds above them with wings outspread and [sometimes] folded in? None holds them up except the Most Merciful. Indeed, He is, of all things, Seeing.” It points to birds flying by Allah’s mercy, with Him overseeing everything, emphasizing His control.
• Verse 20: “Or who is it that could be an army for you to aid you other than the Most Merciful? Indeed, the disbelievers are in nothing but delusion.” It challenges who can aid against Allah, stating disbelievers are in delusion.
• Verse 21: “Or who is it that could provide for you if He withheld His provision? But they have persisted in insolence and aversion.” It questions who will provide if Allah withholds sustenance, noting their rebellion.
• Verse 22: “Then is one who walks fallen on his face better guided or one who walks erect on a straight path?” It compares one groveling versus upright on the Straight Path, questioning guidance.
• Verse 23: “Say, ‘It is He who has produced you and made for you hearing and vision and hearts; little are you grateful.'” It commands to acknowledge Allah for giving hearing, sight, and hearts, noting little gratitude.

5. Inevitability of the Hereafter and Final Warning (Verses 24-30)

• Verse 24: “Say, ‘It is He who has multiplied you throughout the earth, and to Him you will be gathered.'” It commands to say Allah multiplied humans on earth, with gathering to Him.
• Verse 25: “And they say, ‘When is this promise, if you should be truthful?'” It notes their demand for when the Hereafter promise will be fulfilled, questioning their truthfulness.
• Verse 26: “Say, ‘The knowledge is only with Allah, and I am only a clear warner.'” It commands to say only Allah knows the timing, with the speaker as a clear warner.
• Verse 27: “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.'” It describes disbelievers’ distress seeing doom near, told it’s what they asked for.
• Verse 28: “Say, ‘Have you considered: if Allah should destroy me and those with me, or have mercy upon us, who can protect the disbelievers from a painful punishment?'” It commands to ask if Allah destroys or shows mercy, who can protect disbelievers from painful punishment.
• Verse 29: “Say, ‘He is the Most Merciful; we have believed in Him, and upon Him we have relied. And you will [soon] know who it is that is in clear error.'” It commands to say He is Merciful, believed in and trusted, soon knowing who is in clear error.
• Verse 30: “Say, ‘Have you considered: if your water was to become sunken [into the earth], then who could bring you flowing water?'” It commands to ask if water sinks, who can bring flowing water, questioning worship of others besides Allah.

Theological and Historical Context in Tafheemul Quran

Maududi’s commentary integrates historical context, such as the early Makkan period’s focus on arousing heedless people from their slumber, addressing the opposition faced by early Muslims. It compares Quranic narratives with scientific understanding, like meteorites possibly from disintegrating planets, to highlight the coherence of the universe as a sign of divine creation. The commentary also addresses modern issues, such as the moral basis of fearing God unseen, relevant to contemporary Muslim communities.

The surah’s emphasis on Prophethood as Allah’s argument is supported by references to multiple surahs, reinforcing its role in guiding humanity. It also discusses the social and moral implications, urging believers to maintain faith and righteousness, with warnings for disbelievers based on historical examples.

Comparative Analysis and Supporting Resources

Tafheemul Quran often compares its interpretations with other tafsirs, such as Maarif, Dawat, Ishraq, and the Clear Quran, available at islamicstudies.info. For instance:

• Maarif Tafsir for Surah Al-Mulk
• Dawat Tafsir for Surah Al-Mulk

These resources provide additional perspectives, but Tafheemul Quran stands out for its detailed historical and theological analysis, making it a comprehensive guide for understanding Surah Al-Mulk.

Tables for Organization

Below is a table summarizing the key sections and themes of Surah Al-Mulk as per Tafheemul Quran:SectionVersesKey Themes Sovereignty and Creation 1-5 Allah’s dominion, purpose of life and death, perfect heavens, stars as missiles Warning to Disbelievers 6-11 Hell’s punishment, disbelievers’ regret, ignored warners Fear of Allah and Divine Knowledge 12-14 Forgiveness for fearing God unseen, Allah’s omniscience as Creator Reflection on Provisions 15-23 Earth’s subservience, security challenges, birds’ flight, gratitude Inevitability of Hereafter 24-30 Resurrection, timing known only to Allah, final warning, water provision

Another table highlights the comparative references used in Tafheemul Quran:TopicQuranic ReferenceComparative SourceNotes from Tafheemul Quran Tabaraka Meaning 67:1 E.N. 43 of Surah Al-Aaraf, etc. Infinite nobility, greatness, abundance, permanence Meteorites Explanation 67:5 Encyclopedia Britannica, vol. XV Possibly from disintegrating planets, prevents satans Prophethood as Argument 67:9-11 Surah Al-Baqarah 213, E.N. 230, etc. Emphasizes guidance, historical examples Previous Communities 67:18 Surah Al-Anaam 130-131, E.Ns 98-100 Denied Messengers, faced chastisement

Conclusion

Surah Al-Mulk, as interpreted in Tafheemul Quran, is a rich tapestry of theological teachings and warnings, emphasizing Allah’s sovereignty, the miraculous nature of divine creation, and the importance of monotheism. It serves as both a historical narrative and a moral guide, addressing contemporary issues through the lens of prophetic warnings and the inevitability of the Hereafter. The commentary’s detailed comparisons with scientific understanding and its focus on Tawhid make it a valuable resource for understanding this surah’s significance in Islamic theology.

This analysis is based on the comprehensive commentary available at Tafheemul Quran – Surah Al-Mulk, ensuring accuracy and depth in the presentation.

For deeper analysis, refer to the full Tafheem commentary in .