سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ 1
Translations
Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth exalts Allāh, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
Transliteration
Sabbaha lillahi ma fi as-samawati wa ma fi al-ard, wa huwa al-Azizu al-Hakim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening ayah of Surah Al-Hashr declares that all creation in the heavens and earth glorifies Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala), exalting Him beyond all imperfection. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that this tasbih (glorification) is both explicit—through the speech of those with intellect—and implicit, as the very existence and order of creation testifies to Allah's perfection. The surah then emphasizes that Allah is Al-Aziz (the Mighty/Invincible) and Al-Hakim (the All-Wise), attributes that are demonstrated in His handling of worldly affairs, particularly the exile of Banu Nadir as narrated in the surah's context.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Hashr was revealed in Medina following the expulsion of Banu Nadir, a Jewish tribe, in the year 4 AH. This opening ayah sets the theological framework for understanding divine justice and wisdom in the events described, emphasizing that all of creation acknowledges Allah's sovereignty regardless of human rebellion or transgression.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Everything glorifies Allah, but you do not understand their glorification' (Sahih Muslim 2794). Additionally, the famous hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3191) describes the Prophet hearing the tasbih of food while eating, illustrating the constant glorification of creation mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to recognize that the entire universe constantly glorifies its Creator, encouraging us to align our hearts and tongues with this cosmic reality through conscious remembrance and worship. It also reassures us that whatever divine judgments unfold in history—whether victory or exile—emanate from Allah's perfect power and infinite wisdom, warranting our trust and submission.
Related Ayahs
مَا قَطَعْتُم مِّن لِّينَةٍ أَوْ تَرَكْتُمُوهَا قَآئِمَةً عَلَىٰٓ أُصُولِهَا فَبِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِيُخْزِىَ ٱلْفَـٰسِقِينَ
Whatever you have cut down of [their] palm trees or left standing on their trunks - it was by permission of Allāh and so He would disgrace the defiantly disobedient.
وَٱلَّذِينَ جَآءُو مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا ٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَٰنِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِٱلْإِيمَـٰنِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِى قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
And [there is a share for] those who come after them, saying, "Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful."
لَا يُقَـٰتِلُونَكُمْ جَمِيعًا إِلَّا فِى قُرًى مُّحَصَّنَةٍ أَوْ مِن وَرَآءِ جُدُرٍۭ ۚ بَأْسُهُم بَيْنَهُمْ شَدِيدٌ ۚ تَحْسَبُهُمْ جَمِيعًا وَقُلُوبُهُمْ شَتَّىٰ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَعْقِلُونَ
They will not fight you all except within fortified cities or from behind walls. Their violence [i.e., enmity] among themselves is severe. You think they are together, but their hearts are diverse. That is because they are a people who do not reason.
لَئِنْ أُخْرِجُوا۟ لَا يَخْرُجُونَ مَعَهُمْ وَلَئِن قُوتِلُوا۟ لَا يَنصُرُونَهُمْ وَلَئِن نَّصَرُوهُمْ لَيُوَلُّنَّ ٱلْأَدْبَـٰرَ ثُمَّ لَا يُنصَرُونَ
If they are expelled, they will not leave with them, and if they are fought, they will not aid them. And [even] if they should aid them, they will surely turn their backs; then [thereafter] they will not be aided.