أَمْ لَهُم مُّلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ۖ فَلْيَرْتَقُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَسْبَـٰبِ 10
Translations
Or is theirs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and what is between them? Then let them ascend through [any] ways of access.
Transliteration
Am lahum mulk al-samawati wa-al-ardi wa-ma baynahuma fa-l-yartaqū fī al-asbāb
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is a rhetorical challenge to the polytheists of Mecca, asking whether they possess dominion over the heavens, earth, and what is between them—implying they do not. If they truly had such power, let them ascend through the means (ropes/paths) to reach the heavens. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as a sarcastic refutation of the idolaters' claims and worldly pride, emphasizing that only Allah possesses true sovereignty. The ayah serves as a powerful reminder of human limitation and divine omnipotence.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Sad, a Meccan chapter revealed during the early period of Islam when the Quraysh were actively opposing the Prophet Muhammad. The surah addresses the arrogance and false claims of the disbelievers, and this particular verse confronts their delusion of power and independence from Allah's dominion.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this ayah, Surah Taha 20:53 ('He who made for you the earth a bed and inserted therein for you roads') relates thematically to human means and Allah's provision. Additionally, the theme of human limitation appears in the hadith: 'The strongest of you is the one who controls his anger' (Sunan Ibn Majah), emphasizing that true strength lies in submission to Allah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize their absolute dependence on Allah and to abandon arrogance or reliance on material means alone. It reminds us that no human achievement or possession—no matter how impressive—can elevate us beyond our servitude to the Almighty, and that true honor comes only through submission to Allah's will.