رَّبِّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ۖ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِنْهُ خِطَابًا 37
Translations
[From] the Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the Most Merciful. They possess not from Him [authority for] speech.
Transliteration
Rabbi as-samawati wa-al-ardi wa-ma baynahuma ar-rahmanu la yamlikusn minhu khitaban
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the Most Merciful, emphasizing that on the Day of Judgment, the disbelievers and polytheists will have no ability to speak or intercede before Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that this denotes the absolute powerlessness and silence of those who rejected Allah's signs, highlighting the majesty and authority of the Divine that permits no unauthorized speech in His presence on that Day.
Revelation Context
Surah An-Naba is a Meccan surah that discusses the Day of Judgment and serves as a response to the disbelievers' denial of resurrection. This ayah appears in the latter part of the surah where the fate of the disbelievers is described, establishing the hierarchy of divine authority and the helplessness of humanity before Allah's judgment.
Related Hadiths
Related to the theme of muteness on the Day of Judgment: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'On the Day of Judgment, the sun will be brought close to the people, and they will be in such distress that they will not be able to speak,' (Sunan Ibn Majah and At-Tirmidhi with variations). Also relevant is the hadith about intercession being exclusively in Allah's hands (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that no one will have power or authority except through Allah's permission on the Day of Judgment, instilling humility before the Divine and encouraging reliance on Allah's mercy rather than on worldly status or influence. It serves as a profound warning that sincere obedience and faith in Allah during this life is the only means of security and honor in the Hereafter.