Surah Al Mulk Notes (3-11)

Source: Ibn Kathir

(3) Who has created the seven heavens one above another, you can see no fault in the creations of the Most Beneficent. Then look again: "Can you see any rifts?"

Then Allah says,

(Who has created the seven heavens one above the other;) meaning stacked one on top of the other. Are they connected to each other, meaning that they are in elevated ascension, some of them being stacked above others, or separated with space between them There are two views concerning this, and the most correct opinion seems to be the latter as is proven in the Hadith of Isra' (the Prophet's Night Journey) and other narrations.

 Concerning Allah's statement,

(you can see no fault in the creation of the Most Gracious.) means, it (the creation) is done in a flawless manner, and these are connected with each other so as to forms a straight level, having no disunion, conflict, inconsistency, deficiency, flaw or defect.

(4) Then look again and yet again, your sight will return to you in a state of humiliation and worn out.

This is the reason that Allah says,

(Then look again. Can you see any rifts) meaning, look at the sky and pay close attention to it. Do you see any flaw, deficiency, defect or rifts in it? 

Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak, Ath-Thawri, and others said concerning Allah's statement,

(Then look again. Can you see any rifts) that it means cracks. 

As-Suddi said that,

(Can you see any rifts) means any tears. 

Qatadah said,

(Can you see any rifts) means, `do you see any defects O Son of Adam (mankind)' 

In reference to Allah's statement,

(Then look again and yet again, ) Qatadah said, "It means (look) twice.''

(your sight will return to you Khasi',) Ibn `Abbas said that Khasi' means humiliated. Mujahid and Qatadah both said that it means despised.

(and worn out.) Ibn `Abbas said that this means it will be exhausted. 

Mujahid, Qatadah, and As-Suddi all said that it means broken down fatigue that comes from weakness. Thus, the Ayah means that if you continuously looked, no matter how much you look, your sight will return to you.

(Khasi') due to the inability to see any flaw or defect (in Allah's creation).

(and worn out.) meaning, exhausted and broken down feebleness due to the great amount of repeated looking without being able to detect any deficiency. Then, after Allah negated any deficiency in the creation of the heavens, He explains their perfection and beauty.

(5) And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made such lamps (as) missiles to drive away the Shayatin (devils), and have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire.

(And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, ) This refers to the stars which have been placed in the heavens, some moving and some stationary. 

In Allah's statement,

(and We have made them (as) missiles to drive away the Shayatin,) The pronoun `them' in His statement, "and We have made them'' is the same type of statement as the stars being referred to as lamps. This does not mean that they are actually missiles because the stars in the sky are not thrown. Rather, it is the meteors beneath them that are thrown and they are taken from the stars. And Allah knows best. 

Concerning Allah's statement,

(and We have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire.) means, `We have made this disgrace for the devils in this life and We have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire in the Hereafter.' 

This is as Allah said in the beginning of Surat As-Saffat,

(Verily, We have adorned the near heaven with the stars (for beauty). 

And to guard against every rebellious devil. They cannot listen to the higher group (angels) for they are pelted from every side. Outcast and theirs is a constant (or painful) torment. Except such as snatch away something by stealing, and they are pursued by a flaming fire of piercing brightness.) ﴿37:6-7﴾ 

Qatadah said, "These stars were only created for three purposes: Allah created them as adornment for the heaven (sky), as missiles for the devils and as signs for navigation. Therefore, whoever seeks to interpret any other meanings for them other than these, then verily he has spoken with his own opinion, he has lost his portion and burdened himself with that which he has no knowledge of.'' Ibn Jarir and Ibn Abi Hatim both recorded this statement.

The Description of Hell and Those Who will enter into it

(6) And for those who disbelieve in their Lord (Allah) is the torment of Hell, and worst indeed is that destination.

Allah the Exalted says,

(and) meaning, `and We have prepared,'

(for those who disbelieve in their Lord is the torment of Hell, and worst indeed is that destination.) This means that this will be the worst end and a terrible destiny.

(7) When they are cast therein, they will hear the (terrible) drawing in of its breath as it blazes forth.

(When they are cast therein, they will hear its Shahiq) Ibn Jarir said, "This means the sound of shouting.''

(while it is simmering.) Ath-Thawri said, "It will boil them just as a small number of seeds are boiled in a lot of water.'' 

(8) It almost bursts up with fury. Every time a group is cast therein, its keeper will ask: "Did no warner come to you?"

(It almost bursts up with fury.) meaning, some parts of it almost break apart from other parts due to the severity of its rage and anger with them.

(9) They will say: "Yes indeed; a warner did come to us, but we belied him and said: 'Allah never sent down anything (of revelation), you are only in great error.'"

(Every time a group is cast therein, its keepers will ask: "Did no warner come to you'' They will say: "Yes, indeed a warner did come to us, but we rejected him and said: `Allah never sent down anything; you are only in great error.''') In these Ayat Allah reminds of His justice in dealing with His creatures and that He does not punish anyone until the proof has been established against them and a Messenger has been sent to them.

 This is similar to Allah's statement,

(And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger.) ﴿17:15﴾ 

Allah also says,

(till when they reach it, the gates thereof will be opened. And its keepers will say, "Did not the Messengers come to you from yourselves, reciting to you the Ayat of your Lord, and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours'' They will say: "Yes,'' but the Word of torment has been justified against the disbelievers!'') ﴿39:71﴾ 

Thus, they have no recourse but to blame themselves and they will feel remorseful when such remorse will be of no benefit to them.

(10) And they will say: "Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we would not have been among the dwellers of the blazing Fire!"

 They will say,

(Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we would not have been among the dwellers of the blazing Fire!) meaning, `if we would have benefited from our intellects or listened to the truth that Allah revealed, we would not have been disbelieving in Allah and misguided about Him. But we did not have the understanding to comprehend what the Messengers came with, and we did not have the intelligence to guide us to follow them.' 

(11) Then they will confess their sin. So, away with the dwellers of the blazing Fire.

Allah then says,

(Then they will confess their sin. So, away with the dwellers of the blazing Fire!) Imam Ahmad recorded from Abu Al-Bakhtari At-Ta'i that he heard from one of the Companions that the Messenger of Allah said, (The people will not be destroyed until they themselves confess their guilt.)