Names of Allah in Surah Mulk, With Verses

Surah Al-Mulk mentions at least eight of Allah's names and attributes in its 30 verses: al-Qadir (the Competent, verse 1), al-Aziz (the Exalted in Might) and al-Ghafur (the Forgiving, verse 2), ar-Rahman (the Most Merciful, verses 3, 19, 20 and 29), al-Alim (the Knowing, verse 13), al-Latif (the Subtle) and al-Khabir (the Aware, verse 14), and al-Basir (the Seeing, verse 19). The name Allah itself appears in verses 9, 26 and 28.

This guide lists each name with its verse, quotes the verse in English, and offers a short reflection on why that name appears where it does. All English quotations are from the Sahih International translation as published on Quran.com, with verse numbers so you can check each one.

The Qur'an itself invites believers to learn these names:

"And to Allāh belong the best names, so invoke Him by them." (7:180)

Quick table: names of Allah in Surah Mulk

Transliterations vary between books; the verse references are what matter. You can read each verse in context with our verse explorer or the verse-by-verse pages.

1. al-Qadir: competent over all things (verse 1)

"Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent -" (67:1)

The surah opens by stating that all dominion is in Allah's hand and that He is able to do anything. Every later verse, from the creation of the heavens to the provision of water, unfolds this opening claim. Readers often notice that the surah ends on the same note: only Allah can bring flowing water (67:30). For the meaning of the opening word, see our article on the meaning of Tabarak.

2. al-Aziz and al-Ghafur: Exalted in Might, the Forgiving (verse 2)

"[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving -" (67:2)

These two names come together right after the statement that life is a test. The pairing is worth pausing on. "Exalted in Might" reminds the reader that the test is real and that Allah is not weak. "The Forgiving" reminds the reader that mistakes during the test can be forgiven. Together they hold hope and seriousness in balance. Our Surah Mulk verse 2 page looks at the verse word by word.

3. ar-Rahman: the Most Merciful (verses 3, 19, 20 and 29)

ar-Rahman is the most repeated name in the surah, appearing four times.

"[And] who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency. So return [your] vision [to the sky]; do you see any breaks?" (67:3)

In verse 3 it is tied to creation: the heavens show no inconsistency because they are the creation of the Most Merciful.

"Do they not see the birds above them with wings outspread and [sometimes] folded in? None holds them [aloft] except the Most Merciful. Indeed He is, of all things, Seeing." (67:19)

In verse 19 it is tied to care: the birds stay aloft because the Most Merciful holds them.

"Or who is it that could be an army for you to aid you other than the Most Merciful? The disbelievers are not but in delusion." (67:20)

In verse 20 it is tied to protection, and in verse 29 to faith and reliance:

"Say, "He is the Most Merciful; we have believed in Him, and upon Him we have relied. And you will [come to] know who it is that is in clear error."" (67:29)

Reading these four verses together shows mercy in creation, in daily care, in protection and in the relationship of faith. A study circle can take one verse each week and discuss what mercy means in that setting.

The surah named after this attribute, Surah Ar-Rahman, shares many of these themes.

Ayatul Kursi (2:255) gathers several more of these attributes in a single verse.

Surah Al-Ikhlas (112) describes Allah as One and the Eternal Refuge; see how it compares with Surah Mulk.

4. al-Alim: the Knowing (verse 13)

"And conceal your speech or publicize it; indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts." (67:13)

Verse 13 says that whether a person hides their words or speaks them openly, Allah knows what is within the breasts. The name points to knowledge that reaches thoughts and intentions, not only actions. It follows naturally from verse 12, which praises those who fear their Lord unseen.

5. al-Latif and al-Khabir: the Subtle, the Aware (verse 14)

"Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the Aware?" (67:14)

Verse 14 asks a rhetorical question: would the Creator not know His own creation? It then names two attributes. "The Subtle" points to knowledge and kindness that reach the finest and most hidden details. "The Aware" points to complete awareness of what is inside things, not just their surface. The pair answers the question in verse 14 itself.

6. al-Basir: the Seeing (verse 19)

The end of verse 19, quoted above, says: "Indeed He is, of all things, Seeing." After describing birds spreading and folding their wings, the verse closes by noting that Allah sees all things. The image invites the reader to look up at the birds, then remember that the One who holds them aloft also sees everything.

7. The name Allah (verses 9, 26 and 28)

"Say, "The knowledge is only with Allāh, and I am only a clear warner."" (67:26)

The name Allah appears three times. In verse 9 it is quoted in the words of those who denied the warner. In verse 26 the Prophet is told to say that knowledge of the Hour is only with Allah. In verse 28 it appears in a question about whether Allah should cause death or show mercy. Each time it marks a turning point in the conversation between belief and denial.

How the names follow the flow of the surah

Surah Al-Mulk moves through a clear sequence, and the names fit each step:

For a fuller explanation of each section, see our tafsir of Surah Mulk.

How to study the names in Surah Mulk

1. One name per night. If you read Surah Mulk at night, focus on one name each time and pause at its verse.
2. Underline them. In a printed copy, underline each name or attribute in a different color. Our Surah Mulk PDF downloads are easy to print.
3. Keep a journal. Write one line about what each name means to you. The Surah Mulk journal has space for this.
4. Teach a child. Children can learn "ar-Rahman" by finding it four times in the surah. Our Surah Mulk for kids guide has more ideas.
5. Use them in dua. Verse 7:180 invites believers to call on Allah by His names, so a reader may ask for forgiveness using al-Ghafur, or for help using ar-Rahman.

A five-minute reflection routine

If you have only a few minutes, this short routine works well with any of the names above:

1. Read the verse in Arabic or listen to it once.
2. Read the translation slowly, stopping at the name.
3. Ask one question: where have I seen this quality of Allah in my own life this week? For ar-Rahman it might be a moment of ease; for al-Alim, a worry no one else knew about.
4. Write one sentence in a notebook.
5. Close with a short dua using that name in your own words.

Repeat with a new name each day and you will have reflected on all of them in a little over a week.

Words that sound like names but describe actions

Some verses describe what Allah does without using a name form. For example, verse 15 says "It is He who made the earth tame for you", and verse 23 says "It is He who has produced you". These are actions, not names, so they are not in the table above. Scholars differ on which attributes to count as names; this guide lists only the clear name forms in the verses.