فَتَعَـٰلَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْكَرِيمِ 116
Translations
So exalted is Allāh, the Sovereign, the Truth; there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Noble Throne.
Transliteration
Fata'ala Allahu al-Maliku al-Haqqu la ilaha illa huwa Rabbu al-'Arshi al-Karim
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms Allah's absolute transcendence and supremacy as the true King, deserving all worship and obedience. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that 'Exalted is Allah' (Fata'ala) conveys His elevation above all creation, while the affirmation 'There is no deity except Him, Lord of the Mighty Throne' reiterates the core Islamic doctrine of Tawhid (divine oneness) and His sovereignty over all existence. Al-Qurtubi notes that the 'Mighty Throne' ('Arsh al-Karim) symbolizes the vastness of His dominion and the honor of His rule.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Mu'minun is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam when Muslims faced intense opposition to the message of monotheism. This particular ayah appears near the conclusion of the surah (verse 116 of 118) as a powerful affirmation of Allah's oneness and majesty, reinforcing the central message against those who associated partners with Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, 'The best supplication is 'Subhan-Allah wa bihamdihi' (Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him),' which relates to glorifying Allah's transcendence. [Jami' at-Tirmidhi]. Additionally, the concept of Allah's Throne is referenced in hadith literature regarding the greatest verse (Ayat al-Kursi, 2:255), which emphasizes His knowledge and dominion.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to anchor their faith in the absolute oneness and supremacy of Allah, rejecting any form of shirk (association of partners with God). In the modern context, it reminds Muslims to prioritize monotheistic conviction above worldly distractions and to recognize that true power and authority belong solely to Allah.
Related Ayahs
وَهُوَ ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ لَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ فِى ٱلْأُولَىٰ وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۖ وَلَهُ ٱلْحُكْمُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
And He is Allāh; there is no deity except Him. To Him is [due all] praise in the first [life] and the Hereafter. And His is the [final] decision, and to Him you will be returned.
أَفَغَيْرَ دِينِ ٱللَّهِ يَبْغُونَ وَلَهُۥٓ أَسْلَمَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ
So is it other than the religion of Allāh they desire, while to Him have submitted [all] those within the heavens and earth, willingly or by compulsion, and to Him they will be returned?
أَفَمَن يَخْلُقُ كَمَن لَّا يَخْلُقُ ۗ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ
Then is He who creates like one who does not create? So will you not be reminded?
وَقَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ وَلَدًا ۗ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ ۚ بَلْ عِبَادٌ مُّكْرَمُونَ
And they say, "The Most Merciful has taken a son." Exalted is He! Rather, they are [but] honored servants.