لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ 2
Translations
His is the dominion of the heavens and earth. He gives life and causes death, and He is over all things competent.
Transliteration
Lahu mulku as-samawati wa-al-ardi, yuhyi wa-yumiitu, wa-huwa ala kulli shay'in qadirun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms Allah's absolute sovereignty over the heavens and earth, and His power over life and death. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this verse establishes Allah's complete dominion and unlimited capability—He alone possesses the authority to create, sustain, and annihilate all existence. Al-Qurtubi notes that the mention of giving life and causing death demonstrates the comprehensive nature of His power over all creation.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Hadid is a Medinan chapter that opens by glorifying Allah and establishing His attributes of power and wisdom. This verse appears in the opening section of the surah, which serves as a foundational declaration of tawhid (Divine Oneness) and Allah's absolute attributes, setting the context for subsequent teachings about faith, spending in charity, and righteous conduct.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most excellent supplication is 'Subhana-Allah wa bihamdihi' (Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him)' (Sunan at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, the concept of Allah giving life and death is referenced in the hadith: 'No soul will die except by Allah's permission at an appointed time' (Sunan Ibn Majah).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to submit completely to Allah's will, recognizing that all control over life, death, and worldly affairs rests solely with Him. In modern life, this cultivates humility, trust in divine providence, and freedom from anxiety about outcomes beyond our control, as we recognize our dependence on the All-Powerful Creator.
Related Ayahs
ءَأَنتُمْ أَنزَلْتُمُوهُ مِنَ ٱلْمُزْنِ أَمْ نَحْنُ ٱلْمُنزِلُونَ
Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who bring it down?
لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۖ رَبُّكُمْ وَرَبُّ ءَابَآئِكُمُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death. [He is] your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers.
لَيْسَ لَهَا مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ كَاشِفَةٌ
Of it, [from those] besides Allāh, there is no remover.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَقَالُوا۟ لِإِخْوَٰنِهِمْ إِذَا ضَرَبُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَوْ كَانُوا۟ غُزًّى لَّوْ كَانُوا۟ عِندَنَا مَا مَاتُوا۟ وَمَا قُتِلُوا۟ لِيَجْعَلَ ٱللَّهُ ذَٰلِكَ حَسْرَةً فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
O you who have believed, do not be like those who disbelieved and said about their brothers when they traveled through the land or went out to fight, "If they had been with us, they would not have died or have been killed," so Allāh makes that [misconception] a regret within their hearts. And it is Allāh who gives life and causes death, and Allāh is Seeing of what you do.