Virtues and Benefits of Surah Al-Mulk (The Sovereignty)
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Hafiz Ghulam Haider Ali Qadri explains the Virtues and Benefits of Surah Al-Mulk. May Allah سبحانه و تعالى rewards his efforts immensely. Ameen.
5-10 Minute Long Read
In Allah’s Name we begin, The Compassionate, The Most Merciful
Peace and Blessings on his Messenger
Surah Al-Mulk is the 67th Surah of the Holy Qur’an. It is situated in the 29th portion (juz) of the Holy Qur’an. It is “the Protective (Al-Waaqiyah)” because it protects the person who recites it and possesses it in his heart. It is “the Preventive (Al-Maani’)” because it prevents the punishment of the grave from harming its reciter and possessor. It is “the Saviour (Al-Munjiyah)” because it saves its reciter and possessor from entering the Hell Fire and IT IS THE CONTENTIOUS (AL-MUJAADILAH) BECAUSE ON THE DAY OF RECKONING IT WILL ARGUE WITH ALLAH ALMIGHTY TO ENSURE ITS RECITER AND POSSESSOR IS GRANTED ENTRANCE IN TO PARADISE.
Surah Al-Mulk is the Surah which intercedes for its reciters; the Surah which gives salvation from the torment of the grave; the Surah which protects its reciter; the Surah we have been instructed to recite ourselves and to teach to our families. It is reported regarding Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) that he said “Personally, recite Surah Al-Mulk and teach it to your wife, children and to all the other children who live in your home, and even to your neighbours, because it is that which grants salvation, and it will firmly demand (for your) salvation from Allah.”
Surah Al-Mulk makes intercession (Shafa’ah) for the believers. In other words, it intercedes for the one who recites it and for the one for whom it is recited. It is reported on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Allah be pleased with him) that the beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) said “Verily, there is a Surah in the Holy Qur’an comprising of thirty verses. It intercedes for a person, until he is forgiven, and that Surah is Tabaara kallazee biyadi hil mulk (i.e Surah Mulk).” [Jami ‘ At-Tirmidhi]
It is reported in the hadith collection Muwatta Imam Malik that Surah Al-Ikhlas is equal to a third of the Holy Qur’an, and Surah Al-Mulk intercedes for its possessor (i.e., reciter). It is reported on the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him) that “the one who recites Surah Al-Mulk every night will be protected from the difficulties of the grave and also the one who punctually recites it.” [Sharhus Sudoor of Imam Jalal Uddin Suyuti]
Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him) reported that “Surah Al-Mulk is Maani’a (it holds back the punishment of Allah Almighty). When the punishment of the grave approaches from the direction of the head, it is held back and it is said to it, “do not come near him, for he has learnt Surah Al-Mulk.” When it approaches him from the feet it says to it “O torment, go back, because he used to recite me whilst standing on these feet”. [Sharhus Sudoor bi sharh Haal Al Mawt wal Quboor]
Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him) reported “The one who recites Surah Tabaarak (Al-Mulk) every night, Allah Almighty will spare him from the torment of the grave; we used to call this Surah Maani’a in the sacred era of the beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions).”
A companion (Allah be pleased with him) of the beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) once pitched his tent at a particular place. He did not realise it was on a grave. When he sat on his bed inside his tent, he heard the voice of someone reciting Surah Al-Mulk, from underneath. The companion (Allah be pleased with him) listened attentively until the entire Surah Al-Mulk had been recited. He then moved his tent from that position. When he presented himself before the beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) he mentioned the incident. The beloved Holy Prophet (pbuh) said “This surah gives salvation from the torment of the grave.” [Mishkaat Al Masabih]
Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him) reported, “If a person passes away and he had only recited Surah Tabaarak (i.e., Al-Mulk), then when the Angels approach from the head-side, it will say, “He used to recite me” and when they approach from the feet, it will say, “He used to remain standing whilst reciting me”, and when it comes from the direction of his abdomen, it will say, “He used to remember me.”
It is reported on the authority of Hadhrat Anas ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) that the beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) said, “A person passed away and he did not know anything from the Qur’an except Surah Tabaarak (i.e., Al-Mulk). When the Angel of punishment entered his grave, this surah appeared, so the angel of punishment said, “Now that you are here, I am returning, but neither am I the causer of any harm to you, or upon myself or upon this person. If you wish for salvation for him, then go into the court of Allah Almighty and intercede for him.” Thereafter, the Surah (Al-Mulk) will present itself in the court of Allah Almighty and say “O my Lord! This person chose me alone from your Book, so he memorised me and recited me, so do you will to condemn him to hell? If this is what you intend to do to him, then erase me from your book!” Allah Almighty will then say, “you have probably become displeased”. The Qur’an (i.e., the Surah Al-Mulk) will say “I have the right to be displeased.” Allah Almighty will say “I have accepted your intercession on his behalf”. It (the Surah) returns to the grave and gives this information to the Angel (of punishment) and the Angel thus leaves without punishing the deceased. The Surah approaches the deceased and places its mouth over the mouth of the deceased and says “O mouth! Glad tidings to you, for you recited me abundantly and glad tidings to the chest, for it remembered me. Glad tidings to these feet for they stood whilst reciting me,” and it (Surah Al-Mulk) remains in his grave, attached to him. After the beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) mentioned this, every person, young and old, freemen and indentured, all of them memorised it and the beloved Holy Prophet (pbuh) called this Surah by the name “Munjiyah” (the one which gives salvation).”
It is reported on the authority of Hadhrat Jaabir ibn Abdullah Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) that the beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him, his family and companions) never slept without reciting Surah Alif Laam Meem Tanzeel (Surah Sajdah) and Surah Tabaarak (Surah Al-Mulk).” [Jami At-Tirmidhi, Musnad Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal]
Having read the virtues and benefits of Surah Al-Mulk, that are mentioned in this short article, it is expected that every single reader (if they have not already committed Surah Al-Mulk to memory) will make a firm intention to memorise this important Surah, in the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. Once it is memorised, we should all make it our daily routine to recite this Surah before going to sleep every night, in the hope and expectation that it will be a protector and saviour for us, in protecting us from the punishment of the grave and that it will be an advocate and intercessor for us, on the day of reckoning, in the court of Allah Almighty, Inshaa Allah (God willing).
Compiled by Hafiz Ghulam Haider Ali Qadri
Waltham Forest Islamic Association
14th April 2021 / 1st Ramadan 1442 AH
First Edition
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