Surah Mulk Verse 22 — Ayat 22

Arabic Text

أَفَمَن یَمۡشِی مُكِبًّا عَلَىٰ وَجۡهِهِۦۤ أَهۡدَىٰۤ أَمَّن یَمۡشِی سَوِیًّا عَلَىٰ صِرَ ٰطࣲ مُّسۡتَقِیمࣲ

Transliteration

Afamai yamshee mukibban 'alaa wajhihee ahdaaa ammany yamshee sawiyyan 'alaa siratim mustaqeem

English Translation

Then is one who walks fallen on his face better guided or one who walks erect on a straight path?

English: Saheeh International (Tanzil.net)

Word-by-Word

• أَفَمَن afaman Then is he who
• يَمْشِى yamshī walks
• مُكِبًّا mukibban fallen
• عَلَىٰ ʿalā on
• وَجْهِهِۦٓ wajhihi his face
• أَهْدَىٰٓ ahdā better guided
• أَمَّن amman or (he) who
• يَمْشِى yamshī walks
• سَوِيًّا sawiyyan upright
• عَلَىٰ ʿalā on
• صِرَٰطٍۢ ṣirāṭin (the) Path
• مُّسْتَقِيمٍۢ mus'taqīmin Straight

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

Context in Al-Mulk (Ayah 22)

Moral metaphor: is one who yamshee mukibban 'ala wajhihi—walks fallen on his face—better guided than one upright on sirat mustaqeem? Tafsir reads face-down path as misguidance's humiliation and upright walk as dignified faith.

Some commentators note literal blind stumble versus clear-sighted stride; others emphasize spiritual orientation. The question expects obvious answer: straight path excels.

Key Arabic Words

• أَفَمَن Then is he who 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.
• مُكِبًّا fallen 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 on 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.
• أَمَّن or (he) who 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

This ayah invites quiet consideration of who walks fallen on his face versus upright on a straight path. Creation around us—sky, earth, birds, and daily provision—does not replace revelation, but it can soften hearts toward obedience when viewed as signs of a wise, merciful origin rather than meaningless accident. Study ayah 22 with the Arabic on this page and Saheeh International English: “Then is one who walks fallen on his face better guided or one who walks erect on a straight path?”. In chapter 67’s sequence, this line advances the theme of who walks fallen on his face versus upright on a straight path. Read ayah 21 and ayah 23 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 22 with the Arabic on this page and Saheeh International English: “Then is one who walks fallen on his face better guided or one who walks erect on a straight path?”. In chapter 67’s sequence, this line advances the theme of who walks fallen on his face versus upright on a straight path. Read ayah 21 and ayah 23 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 22 with the Arabic on this page and Saheeh International English: “Then is one who walks fallen on his face better guided or one who walks erect on a straight path?”. In chapter 67’s sequence, this line advances the theme of who walks fallen on his face versus upright on a straight path. Read ayah 21 and ayah 23 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

Walk a hallway straight vs pretending to stumble; laugh gently, then read ayah—kids remember metaphors in motion. On a night you study ayah 22, let a child retell the English meaning in one sentence before sleep. On a night you study ayah 22, 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

Who is more guided — one who walks fallen on his face or one upright on a straight path? Moral metaphor for faith vs misguidance.

Read full multi-scholar tafsir →

Key Lessons

• Faith elevates human dignity
• Misguidance is self-debasement
• Choose the straight path consciously

Listen to This Verse

Mishary Rashid Alafasy