لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهُوَ ٱلْغَنِىُّ ٱلْحَمِيدُ 64
Translations
To Him belongs what is in the heavens and what is on the earth. And indeed, Allāh is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy.
Transliteration
Lahu ma fi as-samawati wa ma fi al-ard. Wa inna Allaha la-huwa al-Ghaniyu al-Hamid.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms Allah's complete ownership and sovereignty over everything in the heavens and the earth, emphasizing that all creation belongs to Him alone. The two divine attributes mentioned—Al-Ghaniyu (The Self-Sufficient) and Al-Hamid (The Praiseworthy)—indicate that Allah is utterly independent of His creation and perfect in all His attributes, worthy of all praise regardless of whether creation acknowledges this or not. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this ayah appears in the context of hajj, reminding pilgrims that their worship and submission are not needed by Allah for His benefit, but rather are obligations placed upon His servants.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Hajj, a Medinan chapter revealed after the Prophet's migration to Madinah. It occurs in the context of establishing the obligation and significance of pilgrimage, reminding believers that their acts of worship—whether pilgrimage, prayer, or sacrifice—benefit themselves, not Allah. The broader thematic context emphasizes divine majesty and the purpose of human submission to an all-powerful Creator.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of speech is the Book of Allah, and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The worst of matters are innovations, and every innovation is misguidance.' (Sahih Muslim 867) - This relates to understanding that all good comes from Allah's guidance. Additionally, the hadith: 'Allah is Self-Sufficient, Praised, and has no need of anyone' (related in various collections) directly reflects the attributes mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize that their worship and obedience benefit themselves, not Allah, who is completely self-sufficient and needs nothing from creation. In modern life, this encourages humility, gratitude, and sincere devotion—understanding that submitting to Allah's will is an honor and privilege granted to us, not a burden owed by the Divine.
Related Ayahs
يَخْتَصُّ بِرَحْمَتِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلْفَضْلِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
He selects for His mercy whom He wills. And Allāh is the possessor of great bounty.
قُل لِّلَّهِ ٱلشَّفَـٰعَةُ جَمِيعًا ۖ لَّهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
Say, "To Allāh belongs [the right to allow] intercession entirely. To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. Then to Him you will be returned."
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.
إِن تُعَذِّبْهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِبَادُكَ ۖ وَإِن تَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ فَإِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
If You should punish them - indeed they are Your servants; but if You forgive them - indeed it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise."