وَتَبَارَكَ ٱلَّذِى لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَعِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ 85
Translations
And blessed is He to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them and with whom is knowledge of the Hour and to whom you will be returned.
Transliteration
Wa tabaraka alladhi lahu mulku as-samawati wa al-ardi wa ma baynahuma wa 'indahu 'ilmu as-sa'ati wa ilayhi turja'un
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms the absolute sovereignty and blessedness of Allah who possesses dominion over the heavens, the earth, and all that exists between them, and emphasizes His exclusive knowledge of the Hour (Day of Judgment). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that 'tabaraka' (blessed/exalted) denotes the perfection of Allah's attributes and the abundance of His blessings, while His knowledge of the Hour is a secret known only to Him, establishing His supreme wisdom and authority over all creation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the concluding section of Surah Az-Zukhruf, a Meccan chapter that addresses polytheism and divine oneness. The broader context refutes the false deities and claims of the Meccan polytheists by emphasizing that only Allah possesses true power, knowledge, and dominion, making this a fitting conclusion to the surah's arguments against shirk.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said regarding the knowledge of the Hour: 'Five things are known to none but Allah: the knowledge of the Hour, what is in the wombs, what a soul will earn tomorrow, where a soul will die, and when it will rain' (Sahih Bukhari 3894). Additionally, the concept of returning to Allah is emphasized in the hadith: 'The best remembrance is La ilaha illallah, and the best supplication is Alhamdulillah' (Tirmidhi), connecting submission to Allah's authority.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that all worldly power and possessions are temporary and subordinate to Allah's eternal dominion, encouraging humility and obedience. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder that ultimate accountability lies with Allah alone, whose knowledge of future events and final judgment should inspire righteous conduct and trust in His divine wisdom.