1:4 Al-Faatiha (The Opening)

{ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ } المالك: هو من اتصف بصفة الملك التي من آثارها أنه يأمر وينهى, ويثيب ويعاقب, ويتصرف بمماليكه بجميع أنواع التصرفات, وأضاف الملك ليوم الدين, وهو يوم القيامة, يوم يدان الناس فيه بأعمالهم, خيرها وشرها, لأن في ذلك اليوم, يظهر للخلق تمام الظهور, كمال ملكه وعدله وحكمته, وانقطاع أملاك الخلائق. حتى [إنه] يستوي في ذلك اليوم, الملوك والرعايا والعبيد والأحرار. كلهم مذعنون لعظمته, خاضعون لعزته, منتظرون لمجازاته, راجون ثوابه, خائفون من عقابه, فلذلك خصه بالذكر, وإلا, فهو المالك ليوم الدين ولغيره من الأيام.

قرأ بعض القراء "ملك يوم الدين" وقرأ آخرون "مالك" وكلاهما صحيح متواتر في السبع ويقال ملك بكسر اللام وبإسكانها ويقال مليك أيضا وأشبع نافع كسرة الكاف فقرأ "ملكي يوم الدين" وقد رجح كلا من القراءتين مرجحون من حيث المعنى وكلاهما صحيحة حسنة ورجح الزمخشري ملك لأنها قراءة أهل الحرمين ولقوله "لمن الملك اليوم" و " قوله الحق وله الملك" وحكي عن أبي حنيفة أنه قرأ "ملك يوم الدين" على أنه فعل وفاعل ومفعول وهذا شاذ غريب جدا وقد روى أبو بكر بن أبي داود فى ذلك شيئا غريبا حيث قال حدثنا أبو عبدالرحمن الأزدي حدثنا عبد الوهاب بن عدي بن الفضل عن أبي المطرف عن ابن شهاب أنه بلغه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وأبا بكر وعمر وعثمان ومعاوية وابنه يزيد بن معاوية كانوا يقرؤن "مالك يوم الدين" قال ابن شهاب وأول من أحدث "ملك" مروان "قلت" مروان عنده علم بصحة ما قرأه لم يطلع عليه ابن شهاب والله أعلم. وقد روي من طرق متعددة أوردها ابن مردويه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يقرؤها "مالك يوم الدين" ومالك مأخوذ من الملك كما قال تعالى: "إنا نحن نرث الأرض ومن عليها وإلينا يرجعون" وقال: "قل أعوذ برب الناس ملك الناس" وملك مأخوذ من الملك كما قال تعالى: "لمن الملك اليوم لله الواحد القهار" وقال: "قوله الحق وله الملك" وقال: "الملك يومئذ الحق للرحمن وكان يوما على الكافرين عسيرا" وتخصيص الملك بيوم الدين لا ينفيه عما عداه لأنه قد تقدم الإخبار بأنه رب العالمين وذلك عام في الدنيا والآخرة وإنما أضيف إلى يوم الدين لأنه لا يدعي أحد هنالك شيئا ولا يتكلم أحد إلا بإذنه كما قال تعالى: "يوم يقوم الروح والملائكة صفا لا يتكلمون إلا من أذن له الرحمن وقال صوابا" وقال تعالى: "وخشعت الأصوات للرحمن فلا تسمع إلا همسا" وقال تعالى: "يوم يأتي لا تكلم نفس إلا بإذنه فمنهم شقي وسعيد" وقال الضحاك عن ابن عباس "مالك يوم الدين" يقول لا يملك أحد معه في ذلك اليوم حكما كملكهم في الدنيا قال ويوم الدين يوم الحساب للخلائق وهو يوم القيامة يدينهم بأعمالهم إن خيرا فخير وإن شرا فشر إلا من عفا عنه وكذلك قال غيره من الصحابة والتابعين والسلف وهو ظاهر وحكي ابن جرير عن بعضهم أنه ذهب إلى تفسير "مالك يوم الدين" أنه القادر على إقامته ثم شرع يضعفه والظاهر أنه لا منافاة بين هذا القول وما تقدم وأن كلا من القائلين هذا القول وبما قبله يعترف بصحة القول الآخر ولا ينكره ولكن السياق أدل على المعنى الأول من هذا كما قال تعالى: "الملك يومئذ الحق للرحمن وكان يوما على الكافرين عسيرا" والقول الثاني يشبه قوله تعالى: "ويوم يقول كن فيكون" والله أعلم. والملك في الحقيقة هو الله عز وجل قال الله تعالى "هو الله الذي لا إله إلا هو الملك القدوس السلام" وفي الصحيحين عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه مرفوعا "أخنع اسم عند الله رجل تسمى بملك الأملاك ولا مالك إلا الله" وفيهما عنه عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "يقبض الله الأرض ويطوي السماء بيمينه ثم يقول أنا الملك أين ملوك الأرض؟ أين الجبارون؟ أين المتكبرون؟ " وفي القرآن العظيم "لمن الملك اليوم لله الواحد القهار" فأما تسمية غيره في الدنيا بملك فعلى سبيل المجاز كما قال تعالى: "إن الله قد بعث لكم طالوت ملكا" "وكان وراءهم ملك" "إذ جعل فيكم أنبياء وجعلكم ملوكا" وفي الصحيحين "مثل الملوك على الأسرة". والدين الجزاء والحساب كما قال تعالى: "يومئذ يوفيهم الله دينهم الحق" وقال: "أئنا لمدينون" أي مجزيون محاسبون وفي الحديث "الكيس من دان نفسه وعمل لما بعد الموت" أي حاسب نفسه لنفسه كما قال عمر رضي الله عنه حاسبوا أنفسكم قبل أن تحاسبوا وزنوا أنفسكم قبل أن توزنوا وتأهبوا للعرض الأكبر على من لا تخفى عليه أعمالكم "يومئذ تعرضون لا تخفى منكم خافية".

Indicating Sovereignty on the Day of Judgment

Allah mentioned His sovereignty of the Day of Resurrection, but this does not negate His sovereignty over all other things. For Allah mentioned that He is the Lord of existence, including this earthly life and the Hereafter. Allah only mentioned the Day of Recompense here because on that Day, no one except Him will be able to claim ownership of anything whatsoever. On that Day, no one will be allowed to speak without His permission. Similarly, Allah said,

يَوْمَ يَقُومُ الرُّوحُ وَالْمَلَـئِكَةُ صَفّاً لاَّ يَتَكَلَّمُونَ إِلاَّ مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ الرَّحْمَـنُ وَقَالَ صَوَاباً

(The Day that Ar-Ruh (Jibril (Gabriel) or another angel) and the angels will stand forth in rows, they will not speak except him whom the Most Gracious (Allah) allows, and he will speak what is right.) (78:38),

وَخَشَعَتِ الأَصْوَاتُ لِلرَّحْمَـنِ فَلاَ تَسْمَعُ إِلاَّ هَمْساً

(And all voices will be humbled for the Most Gracious (Allah), and nothing shall you hear but the low voice of their footsteps.)(20:108), and,

يَوْمَ يَأْتِ لاَ تَكَلَّمُ نَفْسٌ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ فَمِنْهُمْ شَقِىٌّ وَسَعِيدٌ

(On the Day when it comes, no person shall speak except by His (Allah's) leave. Some among them will be wretched and (others) blessed) (11:105).

Ad-Dahhak said that Ibn `Abbas commented, "Allah says, `On that Day, no one owns anything that they used to own in the world."'

The Meaning of Yawm Ad-Din

Ibn `Abbas said, "Yawm Ad-Din is the Day of Recompense for the creatures, meaning the Day of Judgment. On that Day, Allah will reckon the creation for their deeds, evil for evil, good for good, except for those whom He pardons." In addition, several other Companions, Tabi`in and scholars of the Salaf, said similarly, for this meaning is apparent and clear from the Ayah.

Allah is Al-Malik (King or Owner)

Allah is the True Owner (Malik) (of everything and everyone). Allah said,

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِى لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَـمُ

(He is Allah, beside Whom La ilaha illa Huwa, the King, the Holy, the One free from all defects) (59:23).

Also, the Two Sahihs recorded Abu Hurayrah saying that the Prophet ﷺ said,

«أَخْنَعُ اسْمٍ عِنْدَ اللهِ رَجُلٌ تَسَمَّى بِمَلِكِ الْأَمْلَاكِ وَلَا مَالِكَ إِلَّا اللهُ»

(The most despicable name to Allah is a person who calls himself the king of kings, while there are no owners except Allah.)

Also the Two Sahihs recorded that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

«يَقْبِضُ اللهُ الْأَرْضَ وَيَطْوِي السَّمَاءَ بِيَمِينِهِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ: أَنَا الْمَلِكُ، أَيْنَ مُلُوكُ الْأَرْضِ؟ أَيْنَ الْجَبَّارُونَ؟ أَيْنَ الْمُتَكَبِّرُونَ؟»

((On the Day of Judgement) Allah will grasp the earth and fold up the heavens with His Right Hand and proclaim, 'I Am the King! Where are the kings of the earth Where are the tyrants Where are the arrogant')

Also, in the the Glorious Qur'an;

لِّمَنِ الْمُلْكُ الْيَوْمَ لِلَّهِ الْوَحِدِ الْقَهَّارِ

(Whose is the kingdom this Day Allah's, the One, the Irresistible.)(40:16).

As for calling someone other than Allah a king in this life, then it is done as a figure of speech. For instance, Allah said,

إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ بَعَثَ لَكُمْ طَالُوتَ مَلِكًا

(Indeed Allah appointed Talut (Saul) as a king over you.) (2:247),

وَكَانَ وَرَآءَهُم مَّلِكٌ

(As there was a king behind them)(18:79), and,

إِذْ جَعَلَ فِيكُمْ أَنْبِيَآءَ وَجَعَلَكُمْ مُّلُوكاً

When He made Prophets among you, and made you kings )5:20(.

Also, the Two Sahihs recorded,

«مِثْلُ الْمُلُوكِ عَلَى الْأَسِرَّةِ»

(Just like kings reclining on their thrones)

The Meaning of Ad-Din

Ad-Din means the reckoning, the reward or punishment. Similarly, Allah said,

يَوْمَئِذٍ يُوَفِّيهِمُ اللَّهُ دِينَهُمُ الْحَقَّ

(On that Day Allah will pay them the (Dinahum) recompense (of their deeds) in full) (24:25), and,

أَءِنَّا لَمَدِينُونَ

(Shall we indeed (be raised up) to receive reward or punishment (according to our deeds)) (37:53). A Hadith stated,

«الْكَيِّسُ مَنْ دَانَ نَفْسَهُ وَعَمِلَ لِمَا بَعْدَ الْمَوتِ»

(The wise person is he who reckons himself and works for (his life) after death.) meaning, he holds himself accountable. Also, `Umar said, "Hold yourself accountable before you are held accountable, weigh yourselves before you are weighed, and be prepared for the biggest gathering before He Whose knowledge encompasses your deeds,

يَوْمَئِذٍ تُعْرَضُونَ لاَ تَخْفَى مِنكُمْ خَافِيَةٌ

(That Day shall you be brought to Judgement, not a secret of yours will be hidden) (69:18)."

Master of the Day of Judgement that is the day of requite the Day of Resurrection. The reason for the specific mention of the Day of Judgement is that the mastery of none shall appear on that Day except that of God may He be exalted as is indicated by God’s words ‘Whose is the Kingdom today?’ ‘God’s’ Q. 4016 if one reads it mālik as opposed to malik then this signifies that He has possession of the entire affair on the Day of Resurrection or else that He is ever described by this expression in the same way as He is described as ‘Forgiver of sin’ ghāfir al-dhanb. Thus one can validly take it as an adjective of a definite noun.

The third verse pays homage to Allah as 'the Master of the Day of Judgment or Requital'. The word Malik has been derived from the root, 'milk' (ملک) which signifies possessing a thing in such a manner that one has the right and power to dispose of it as one likes (See Qamus). The word Din signifies 'Requital'. So, the phrase 'Master of the Day of Requital' implies total mastery on the Day of Requital. But there is no mention of the thing or things to which this mastery or possession would apply. According to the commentary, 'al-Kashshaf, the phrase makes a general reference to cover everything. That is to say, on the Day of Requital the mastery over everything that exists will belong to Allah alone.

The Day of Requital is real and rational:

Before we proceed, let us consider two important questions: Firstly, what is this Day of Requital? Secondly, Allah being the Master, of everything even today as much as on the Day of Requital, why does this verse specifically mentions the Day of Requital? The Day of Requital or the Day of Judgment is the Day appointed by Allah to recompense good or evil deeds. The world is only the fieid of action, the place where one is required to perform one's duty, and not the place for receiving one's reward. The mere fact that man happens to be healthy and wealthy or powerful does not necessarily argue that he has won the pleasure and favour of Allah. Similarly, the mere fact that a man happens to be ill or poor or weak or miserable does not by itself indicates that he is the object of Allah's wrath. Even in the case of worldly life, would it not be a platitude to remark that a man sweating in a factory or an office does not consider it a misfortune? In fact, try to deprive him of this opportunity to sweat, and you would have earned his deepest displeasure; for beyond all this toil he can glimpse the reward he is going to get after thirty days in the shape of his wages.

It proceeds from this principle that the greatest sufferings in this world are the lot of the Prophets (علیھم السلام) and, after them, of the men of Allah, and yet we see them quite content and even happy. In short, physical well-being or worldly glory or luxury is no sure indication of one's virtue and truthfulness, nor is sorrow and suffering that of one's misdeeds and falsity. It may, however, happen that a man receives some punishment or reward for his deeds in this world. This never is the full recompense, but only a faint model which has been manifested to serve as an intimation or warning. The Holy Quran has spoken very clearly on this point:

“And We shall surely let them taste a nearer punishment (in this world) before the greater punishment (in the other world), so that they may return (to the right path).” (32:21)

“Such is the punishment; and the punishment of the other world is certainly greater, only if they knew.” (68 : 33)

The sufferings of this world, as even its joys, are sometimes a trial, and sometimes a punishment, but never a full recompense, for the world is itself transitory. What really counts is the joy or suffering that will endure for ever, and which one will come to know in the other world beyond this world. Given the fact that good or evil deeds are not fully recompensed in this world, and the rational and just principle that good and evil not being equal in value, every deed should be rewarded or punished according to its nature, it readily follows that beyond this world there should be another world where every deed, big or small, good or evil, is to be judged, and then justly rewarded or punished. This the Holy Qur'an calls Al-Akhirah: (The world-to-come), or Al-Qiyamah: (Doomsday or the Day of Judgment), or Yawm al-din, (Day of Requital). The whole idea has been explained by the Holy Qur'an itself:

“The blind are not equal with the seeing, nor the wrong-doers with those who believe and do good deeds. Yet you seldom reflect. The hour of retribution is sure to come, no doubt about it, yet most people do not believe.” (40 : 58-59)

Who is the Master?

Now, we come to the second question. It should be obvious, on a little reflection, to everyone that the real master of every particle of dust in the universe can only be He who has created and nurtured it, Whose mastery over everything is complete, having neither a beginning nor an end, covering the living and the dead, the apparent and the hidden, the seen and the unseen. On the contrary, the mastery of man is delimited by a beginning and an end; it has a 'before' when it did not exist, and an 'after' when it will exist no more. Man's mastery and control extends to the living, not to the dead, to the seen, not to the unseen, to the external aspect of things, not to the internal. All this would show to those who can see that the real Master of the whole universe, not only on the Day of Requital but even in this world, is no other than Allah. Then why should this verse specify the Day of Requital?

The verses of the Surah al-Mumin/Ghafir (Chapter 40) serve as a commentary on the phrase under discussion, and provide a clear account of the Day of Requital. The real and complete mastery over everything, no doubt, belongs to Allah alone even in this world. Yet Allah Himself, in His beneficence and wisdom, has granted a kind of imperfect, temporary and apparent mastery to man as well; and the Shariah, in laying down laws for worldly affairs, has given due consideration to man's limited right to ownership. But today, in possessing lands or money or power, which has been given to him by way of trial, man has always been prone to get drunk with pride and vanity. The phrase 'Master of the Day of Judgment' is a warning to man reeling in his forgetfulness and self-conceit, and an intimation that all his possessions, all his relationships with things and men are only short-lived, and that there shall come a Day when masters will no more be masters and slaves no more slaves, when no one will own anything even in appearance, and the ownership and mastery, apparent as well as real, of the whole universe will be seen to belong to none but Allah, the Exalted. The Holy Quran says:

“The day they will present themselves (before Allah), and nothing of theirs will remain hidden from Allah (even apparently). 'Whose is the kingdom today?' Of Allah alone, the One, the Mighty. Today everyone will be recompensed for what he has done. Today no one will be wronged. Allah's reckoning is surely swift.” (40:17)

The owner of the Day of Doom. This alludes to the permanence of the kingship of unity and the subsistence of the all-compel- lingness of the divinity. In other words, the day of every king's empire ends and disappears, his kingship finishes, and his state changes. But God's kingship is permanent, today and tomorrow, for it never comes to an end or disappears. In the two worlds nothing and no one is outside of His kingship and ruling power. No one has a kingship like His kingship. Today He is the Lord of the Worlds and tomorrow the Owner of the Day of Doom, and none of the creatures is like this. How wonderful! How can the servant do anything? For in the two worlds, ownership and kingship are God's, without associate, partner, requirement, or need. So where is the servant's choice? He who has no ownership has no ruling power. And thy Lord creates what He wants and chooses. They have no choice [28:68]. It has been said that doom here is reckoning and reward. He is saying, “The owner and care- taker of calling the servants to account am I.” Thus no one else will become aware of the servants' defects, lest they be shamed. Even though calling to account is itself to drive home severity, not lifting the veil during the accounting is nothing but generosity. He wants to show generosity after He drives home severity. This is the custom of God: Whenever he strikes a blow of severity, He places on it the balm of generosity. The Pir of the Tariqah said, “Tomorrow at the standing place of calling to account, if I have anything and there is place to speak, I will say, 'Lord God, of the three things that I have, look at one of them: First, a prostration that has never wanted anything but a heart for You; second, an assent such that whatever You said, I said was true; third, a spirit and heart that have never wanted anything but You ever since the wind of generosity rose up.'” I have no wish but serving Your face- I want no breath without You.