أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَلِىٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ 107
Translations
Do you not know that to Allāh belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and [that] you have not besides Allāh any protector or any helper?
Transliteration
Alam ta'alam anna Allaha lahu mulk al-samawati wa-al-ard. Wa-ma lakum min duni Allahi min waliyy wa-la nasir.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms Allah's absolute sovereignty over all the heavens and the earth, emphasizing that He alone possesses complete dominion and authority. Ibn Kathir explains that this verse reassures believers that only Allah can truly help or protect them, and that turning to anyone besides Him is futile—a direct refutation of polytheistic practices and false trust in created beings. Al-Qurtubi notes this serves as a reminder that all power rests solely with the Divine, reinforcing monotheistic belief and discouraging reliance on intermediaries.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Al-Baqarah's early discussion of tawhid (monotheism) and the nature of Allah's power. It follows verses addressing those who reject faith and serves as part of the Qur'an's foundational teachings about Allah's oneness and supremacy, likely addressing both the polytheistic practices of pre-Islamic Arabia and theological misconceptions about divine authority.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in a hadith found in Sunan Ibn Majah: 'Whoever puts his trust in Allah, He will suffice him,' which directly correlates with this ayah's message that only Allah can be a true guardian and helper. Additionally, the hadith 'There is no might or power except with Allah' (La hawla wa-la quwwata illa billah) reflects the ayah's theme of absolute divine power.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize that ultimate help, guidance, and protection come exclusively from Allah, liberating them from dependence on created beings and encouraging complete reliance on Divine mercy. In modern times, it serves as a spiritual reminder to prioritize relationship with Allah over worldly dependencies and to understand that true security and salvation are found only through submission to the One who controls all existence.