Surah Mulk Verse 1 — Ayat 1

Arabic Text

تَبَـٰرَكَ ٱلَّذِی بِیَدِهِ ٱلۡمُلۡكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَیۡءࣲ قَدِیرٌ

Transliteration

Tabaarakal lazee biyadihil mulku wa huwa 'alaa kulli shai-in qadeer

English Translation

Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent -

English: Saheeh International (Tanzil.net)

Word-by-Word

• تَبَـٰرَكَ tabāraka Blessed is
• ٱلَّذِى alladhī He
• بِيَدِهِ biyadihi in Whose Hand
• ٱلْمُلْكُ l-mul'ku (is) the Dominion
• وَهُوَ wahuwa and He
• عَلَىٰ ʿalā (is) over
• كُلِّ kulli every
• شَىْءٍۢ shayin thing
• قَدِيرٌ qadīrun All-Powerful

Word breakdown from Quran.com API (Uthmani text, Saheeh International gloss per word).

Context in Al-Mulk (Ayah 1)

Classical tafsir works agree that Al-Mulk is Meccan, revealed before the Hijrah, and consists of thirty ayahs. Companions and later scholars also knew it by the titles al-Mulk (Dominion), al-Mani'ah (the Protector), and al-Munjiyah (the Savior)—names tied to its themes of Allah's sole sovereignty, warning of the Fire, and intercession for those who live by its message. A narration attributed to Ibn Mas'ud calls the chapter al-Mani'ah (the Protector); several chains for that wording are graded weak (da'if) by hadith critics—acceptable to mention with that label, not as a mass-transmitted Prophetic name. Muslims also honor Al-Mulk, al-Mani'ah, and al-Munjiyah in devotional language tied to nightly recitation and seeking Allah's protection.

This ayah opens the chapter with tabarak—a declaration that Allah is exalted and continuously perfect—linked to al-mulk, dominion that belongs entirely to His hand, not to rulers, idols, or imagined partners. Classical commentators explain that this opening orients the listener to tawhid before any argument about the Hereafter: whoever owns all sovereignty also owns the power to resurrect, punish, and forgive. The phrase wa huwa 'ala kulli shay'in qadeer closes the ayah by tying ownership to competence over every particle of creation.

In Meccan context, polytheists treated heavenly bodies and tribal power as independent forces. By stating that mulk is bi yadihi—in His hand alone—the Quran undercuts both political arrogance and shrine theology. The ayah leaves no room for treating creation as self-sustaining without the Owner who holds mulk in His hand.

Recitation tradition places Al-Mulk among those read nightly; that practice sits on the same theological foundation as the ayah itself: acknowledging who truly controls harm and benefit. The opening therefore functions as both praise and premise for the tests, warnings, and glad tidings that follow through thirty ayahs.

Key Arabic Words

• تَبَـٰرَكَ Blessed is This word appears in the ayah text; compare how translators render it and read the full ayah on Quran.com before extending the meaning to other passages.
• وَهُوَ and He This word appears in the ayah text; compare how translators render it and read the full ayah on Quran.com before extending the meaning to other passages.
• عَلَىٰ (is) over This word appears in the ayah text; compare how translators render it and read the full ayah on Quran.com before extending the meaning to other passages.
• كُلِّ every This word appears in the ayah text; compare how translators render it and read the full ayah on Quran.com before extending the meaning to other passages.

Classical Tafsir (Verified Summary)

Reflection on Creation

Astronomy maps galaxies beyond sight, yet political language still treats nations as ultimate powers. The ayah invites a scale shift: the same hand that holds mulk holds the laws governing motion and decay. Reflecting on cosmic order without claiming “miracle proof” from science still deepens humility—human charts describe regularities whose source the verse assigns to al-Qadeer.

Family & Bedtime Practice

Before sleep, parents can ask children who “owns” the night sky they see from the window, then read this ayah slowly. One minute of quiet after the Arabic helps kids connect protection at night with Allah's hand holding all dominion—not fear, but trust.

For virtues and timing with sources, see benefits of Surah Mulk. Read the full chapter on the homepage reader.

Short Tafsir Note

Ibn Kathir explains that Tabarak establishes Allah's absolute sovereignty — all dominion is in His hand and He is competent over every matter. This opening refutes those who deny resurrection and divine control.

Read full multi-scholar tafsir →

Key Lessons

• Allah alone owns all sovereignty
• Every blessing flows from His power
• Begin recitation acknowledging His perfection

Listen to This Verse

Mishary Rashid Alafasy