Tafseer of Ayahs 16 - 19 of Surah Mulk

Nov 4, 2010.

Surah Mulk
Surah 67
30 Ayat
Verses 16 – 19

Summary –

We don’t know how fickle this life is – we don’t know if or when the earth might take us and swallow us and we won’t have time to do good deeds.

Wa ilayhi nushoor – verse 15 (And only to Him is the resurrection) a connector to verse 16.
Allah has created all the magnificent elements arounds us. And humbled the earth to us and allowed us to benefit us. The earth and its blessings are completely subservient to you, but one should never forget that Allah will hold you accountable for all that you do.

These verses refer to Allah (swt) with respect “The one who is in the heavens”

Yahsif – Khasafa – 1. suppress or envelope something OR 2. Humiliating word, harsh can relate to lunar eclipse (khasafal qamar)

Khasaf Al Ard – refers to the earth sucking something in (like quicksand) – punishment from Allah. Do you feel secure that Allah will not make the earth swallow you?
This imagery is very common to us (quicksand imagery) so that we understand Quran.

Obey Allah – The earth is ‘Thalool’ – easy submissive and manageable
Disobey Allah – The earth is Khasafal Ard – ready to envelope you and become violent

A amintum- have you gained security against Allah’s punishment?

Allah directly addresses the people here. But in the following ayahs speaks about them in the third person. (this shows Allah displeasure but Allah never stops advising and warning)

Haasiban – (used to refer to the people of Lut) about the sky refering to a very strong wind – tornado like (picks up stones and pelts them/ stones are from the sky with this strong wind)

“Very soon you will come to realise how was MY (warning) natheer” – STRONGER OPINION
“Very soon you will come to know how serious was my Nabi (the warner)”
Natheeri – (ya has been deleted but shows possession ‘my’ Allah is taking possession) comes from the word Inthaar (warn people). MY WARNING but can also refer to the person who does the warning…. Allah’s warning to the people was serious and they will realize when they beg Allah for another chance.

To create awareness: Allah talks about the earth and the sky – that which is above us and below us. Punishment may come from above us or below us.

Allah talks about the earth before the sky because in the previous verse Allah spoke about the ground. It follows coherence and a sequence. Also because we perform our actions upon the earth and the deeds go up to the sky.
Laqad – laam is for emphasis – concluding the rhetorical question.
'Qad' is also used for emphasis equivalent to a slammed fist – emphasizing the seriousness of the warning and the message

Nakeer – a substitute for punishment. A humiliating, debasing sudden torment. Also, a very unknown, severe and unexpected out of the ordinary punishment.

Ayah 19 calls our attention back to the sky. To a bird (appealing to our fascination with flying) which flies – spreads out its wings.

Sawfaat - and flies in a pattern with its wings spread (noun)
Yaqbidn – Qabd – form a fist (retract their wings) (verb)
Why use a noun and a verb?
Nouns are used for something consistent this adds to the imagery of the bird flying – the birds consistent action is that when flying it spreads it wings but when retreating its wings is sporadic.
“Do they not look to the bird, which has been made submissive in the middle of the sky by Allah’s command” - Surah Nahl

Allah alone keeps them suspended in the air.

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