Surah Mulk Verse 4 — Ayat 4

Arabic Text

ثُمَّ ٱرۡجِعِ ٱلۡبَصَرَ كَرَّتَیۡنِ یَنقَلِبۡ إِلَیۡكَ ٱلۡبَصَرُ خَاسِئࣰا وَهُوَ حَسِیرࣱ

Transliteration

Summar ji'il basara karrataini yanqalib ilaikal basaru khaasi'anw wa huwa haseer

English Translation

Then return [your] vision twice again. [Your] vision will return to you humbled while it is fatigued.

English: Saheeh International (Tanzil.net)

Word-by-Word

• ثُمَّ thumma Then
• ٱرْجِعِ ir'jiʿi return
• ٱلْبَصَرَ l-baṣara the vision
• كَرَّتَيْنِ karratayni twice (again)
• يَنقَلِبْ yanqalib Will return
• إِلَيْكَ ilayka to you
• ٱلْبَصَرُ l-baṣaru the vision
• خَاسِئًۭا khāsi-an humbled
• وَهُوَ wahuwa while it
• حَسِيرٌۭ ḥasīrun (is) fatigued

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

Context in Al-Mulk (Ayah 4)

Allah commands summ arji' al-basar karratayn—return vision twice more after the first inspection. Classical tafsir treats this as intensification: if a sincere observer repeats the search for cracks, vision itself returns exhausted and submissive, unable to document fault.

The humbled eye becomes a metaphor for human epistemic limits.

Together with ayah 3, this closes the cosmic proof section and transitions toward stars as missiles and Hell's warning—moving from sky to consequences for those who still deny after signs.

Key Arabic Words

• وَهُوَ while it 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.
• ٱلۡبَصَرَ Word in this ayah Taken from the Uthmani wording of this ayah on this page.
• كَرَّتَیۡنِ Word in this ayah Taken from the Uthmani wording of this ayah on this page.
• یَنقَلِبۡ Word in this ayah Taken from the Uthmani wording of this ayah on this page.

Classical Tafsir (Verified Summary)

Reflection on Creation

Repeated observation is how science proceeds; the ayah mirrors that patience then draws a different conclusion than atheistic certainty. Fatigue can mean accepting limits: we see enough order to respond morally without claiming omniscience. Study ayah 4 with the Arabic on this page and Saheeh International English: “Then return [your] vision twice again. [Your] vision will return to you humbled while it is fatigued.”. In chapter 67’s sequence, this line advances the theme of vision returning humbled and weary after repeated looking. Read ayah 3 and ayah 5 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 4 with the Arabic on this page and Saheeh International English: “Then return [your] vision twice again. [Your] vision will return to you humbled while it is fatigued.”. In chapter 67’s sequence, this line advances the theme of vision returning humbled and weary after repeated looking. Read ayah 3 and ayah 5 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 4 with the Arabic on this page and Saheeh International English: “Then return [your] vision twice again. [Your] vision will return to you humbled while it is fatigued.”. In chapter 67’s sequence, this line advances the theme of vision returning humbled and weary after repeated looking. Read ayah 3 and ayah 5 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

Play a “look again” game: inspect a leaf or cloud twice, notice new detail, then discuss how Allah's design exceeds what two glances capture. Listen to Mishary’s recitation of ayah 4 once, then whisper it twice without the audio. Listen to Mishary’s recitation of ayah 4 once, then whisper it twice without the audio.

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

Short Tafsir Note

The humbled, weary vision after repeated looking illustrates human limits and Allah's flawless design — a rhetorical proof against atheism.

Read full multi-scholar tafsir →

Key Lessons

• Human perception is limited
• Humility before Allah's design is warranted
• Denial of the Creator is intellectually untenable

Listen to This Verse

Mishary Rashid Alafasy