تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِن فَوْقِهِنَّ ۚ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ 5
Translations
The heavens almost break from above them, and the angels exalt [Allāh] with praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth. Unquestionably, it is Allāh who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
Transliteration
Takadu as-samawatu yatafattarna min fawqihinna wa-al-malaikatu yusabbihuna bihamdi rabbihim wa-yastaghfiruna liman fi al-ardi ala inna Allaha huwa al-Ghafuru ar-Rahimu
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the heavens nearly splitting asunder from above (understood by classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari as expressing awe at God's majesty and the weight of divine knowledge), while the angels glorify their Lord with praise and seek forgiveness for those on earth. The passage emphasizes God's awareness of human affairs and His infinite mercy, concluding with the divine attributes of Al-Ghafur (The Pardoner) and Ar-Rahman (The Merciful), suggesting that despite human weakness and sin, God's forgiveness encompasses all.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah Ash-Shuraa, a Meccan chapter addressing fundamental Islamic concepts about God's oneness, revelation, and divine attributes. The ayah follows discussion of God's creation and comes within the broader theme of establishing monotheism and God's ultimate knowledge and authority over creation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most superior remembrance is La ilaha illallah (there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah), and the best supplication is Alhamdulillah (all praise belongs to Allah)' (Tirmidhi). Additionally, the concept of angels seeking forgiveness for believers is referenced in Hadith Qudsi where the Prophet mentioned angels ascending with the deeds of the faithful.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah should inspire believers to recognize that the heavens and earth tremble before God's greatness, while simultaneously offering comfort that the angels continuously intercede for humanity's forgiveness. Modern readers should therefore strive to maintain God-consciousness, repent sincerely, and recognize that divine mercy is always available to those who seek it.
Related Ayahs
أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ ۖ فَٱللَّهُ هُوَ ٱلْوَلِىُّ وَهُوَ يُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Or have they taken protectors [or allies] besides Him? But Allāh - He is the Protector, and He gives life to the dead, and He is over all things competent.
لَهُۥ مَقَالِيدُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth. He extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]. Indeed He is, of all things, Knowing.
۞ وَمَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُكَلِّمَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا وَحْيًا أَوْ مِن وَرَآئِ حِجَابٍ أَوْ يُرْسِلَ رَسُولًا فَيُوحِىَ بِإِذْنِهِۦ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِىٌّ حَكِيمٌ
And it is not for any human being that Allāh should speak to him except by revelation or from behind a partition or that He sends a messenger [i.e., angel] to reveal, by His permission, what He wills. Indeed, He is Most High and Wise.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ رُوحًا مِّنْ أَمْرِنَا ۚ مَا كُنتَ تَدْرِى مَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ وَلَا ٱلْإِيمَـٰنُ وَلَـٰكِن جَعَلْنَـٰهُ نُورًا نَّهْدِى بِهِۦ مَن نَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ۚ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِىٓ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
And thus We have revealed to you an inspiration of Our command [i.e., the Qur’ān]. You did not know what is the Book or [what is] faith, but We have made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants. And indeed, [O Muḥammad], you guide to a straight path -