Surah Mulk Verse 2 — Ayat 2

Arabic Text

ٱلَّذِی خَلَقَ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ وَٱلۡحَیَوٰةَ لِیَبۡلُوَكُمۡ أَیُّكُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلࣰاۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِیزُ ٱلۡغَفُورُ

Transliteration

Allazee khalaqal mawta walhayaata liyabluwakum ayyukum ahsanu 'amalaa; wa huwal 'azeezul ghafoor

English Translation

[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 -

English: Saheeh International (Tanzil.net)

Learn the liyabluwakum meaning and each word of this verse.

Word-by-Word

• ٱلَّذِى alladhī The One Who
• خَلَقَ khalaqa created
• ٱلْمَوْتَ l-mawta death
• وَٱلْحَيَوٰةَ wal-ḥayata and life
• لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ liyabluwakum that He may test you
• أَيُّكُمْ ayyukum which of you
• أَحْسَنُ aḥsanu (is) best
• عَمَلًۭا ۚ ʿamalan (in) deed
• وَهُوَ wahuwa And He
• ٱلْعَزِيزُ l-ʿazīzu (is) the All-Mighty
• ٱلْغَفُورُ l-ghafūru the Oft-Forgiving

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

Context in Al-Mulk (Ayah 2)

After establishing divine ownership, chapter 67 states that Allah created death and life li yabluwakum ayyukum ahsanu 'amalan—to test which of you is best in deed. Classical tafsir insists death is created as surely as life: non-existence before birth, the transition at death, and resurrection are all within deliberate divine planning, not random biology divorced from moral purpose.

The test is ahsan 'amal—quality and sincerity of action—not mere longevity or wealth. Al-Aziz pairs with the test because Allah's might cannot be evaded; al-Ghafoor pairs with it because sincere striving receives forgiveness and elevation despite human weakness. Meccan listeners who denied accountability are told the system of life is already calibrated for judgment.

Commentators connect this ayah to chapter 67's later glad tidings for those who fear Allah unseen: the same Lord who tests also forgives and rewards generously when deeds are oriented to Him.

Key Arabic Words

• خَلَقَ created 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.
• لِیَبۡلُوَكُمۡ Word in this ayah Taken from the Uthmani wording of this ayah on this page.
• وَٱلۡحَیَوٰةَ Word in this ayah Taken from the Uthmani wording of this ayah on this page.

Classical Tafsir (Verified Summary)

Reflection on Creation

Medical science describes vital signs and brain death criteria; the ayah adds a moral frame without contradicting observation. Life and death function as boundaries within which choices matter. Remembering mortality can sharpen attention to ahsan 'amal rather than endless distraction. Study ayah 2 with the Arabic on this page and Saheeh International English: “[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 -”. In chapter 67’s sequence, this line advances the theme of death and life created to test best deeds, with might and forgiveness. Read ayah 1 and ayah 3 on their verse pages so you see how the argument builds—Meccan proofs about creation, accountability, and mercy are layered, not repeated as generic slogans. Study ayah 2 with the Arabic on this page and Saheeh International English: “[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 -”. In chapter 67’s sequence, this line advances the theme of death and life created to test best deeds, with might and forgiveness. Read ayah 1 and ayah 3 on their verse pages so you see how the argument builds—Meccan proofs about creation, accountability, and mercy are layered, not repeated as generic slogans.

Family & Bedtime Practice

Ask each family member one small good deed to try tomorrow—helping a sibling, truthful speech, or extra dhikr—and link it to “best deed” in this ayah. Keep the challenge simple so children feel the test is about effort, not perfection. On a night you study ayah 2, let a child retell the English meaning in one sentence before sleep.

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

Short Tafsir Note

Life and death are created as a test of righteous deeds (ihsan), not mere lifespan. Al-Aziz and Al-Ghafoor pair might with forgiveness for sincere believers.

Read full multi-scholar tafsir →

Key Lessons

• This life is a deliberate test
• Quality of deeds matters more than quantity
• Allah forgives those who strive sincerely

Listen to This Verse

Mishary Rashid Alafasy