The Benefits of reciting Surah Al-Mulk/The Dominion 67

It was revealed in Mecca, it is thirty passages long, consisting of three hundred and thirty words and one thousand three hundred letters. (Tafsir Al-Khateeb Al-Sharabini Vol .3 P.367.)

Ibn Shihab said that is it known as 'the disputer' as it disputes with those of the grave! (Ibid) Those of the grave meaning the two angels Munkar and Nakir who question the servant after they are buried and their relatives have gone.

All of the Quran is blessed and parts of the Quran we have been informed about their specific blessing and others we have not. One such Surah that we have been informed about its blessing is Surah Mulk.

The second line reads, “He who created death and life to test you; which of you have the best actions.” Life and death are part of our lives whether we are aware of it or not. Someone has died whilst you are reading this and somewhere a child has been born.

Notice that death comes first as this is much harder to deal with its consequences than life. When death comes it takes us out of our comfort zones as it scares us into considering our mortality. Life can be a trail for parents who do not wish to have children. They worry about provision and other unnecessary concerns.

When you ponder these meanings then you begin to think about the ephemeral nature of life and then you begin to contemplate the afterlife.

There are many hadith explaining its qualities and its benefits we shall go through some.


In the heart of every believer


Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “I wish that “Blessed is the Dominion” would be in the heart of every believer.” (Al-Hakim in Al-Mustadrak 1/253 and Qurtabi in his commentary 17/205.)

This does not just mean that we memorize it verbatim but are heedless of its meanings. Learn the meanings as well, then when you recite it you go over the meanings thus increasing your attendance in the prayer.

The following will clarify why he wanted in the heart of every believer.


Protection in the grave


Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “When the deceased are placed in their grave; it comes in front of his legs and says, “There is no way for you here as he used to perform the Surah Al-Mulk.” Then it would stand before his head and say to his tongue, “There is no way for you because he used to recite Surah Al-Mulk.” Then he said, “It is protector from the punishment of Allah. It is in the Torah that whoever recites the Surah Al-Mulk has increased and become more fragrant.” (Al-Qurtabi 18/205.)

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “It is a protector; a rescuer; saving from the chastisement of the grave.” (At-Tirmidhi and Al-Hakim.)

Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Surah Tabaruk protects from the punishment of the grave.” (Ibn Mardawaya.)

The grave is one of the most daunting abodes that someone will enter as it will be as you were, in the world. There is no hiding or pretending in the grave and here, in this place of maggots and worms, it comes to save you. As its recitation will protect us against being punished in the grave as the time in the grave will be longer than the time on earth, it is without comparison.


It intercedes for you


Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “There is a Surah in the book of Allah it is but thirty passages which intercedes for a man on the day of judgement so that he taken out of the fire and entered into paradise; it is Surah the Blessed.” (Abu Dawud 1400, At-Tirmidhi 2891 and Ibn Majah 3876.)

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “There is a Surah from the Book of Allah; it is only thirty passages; it intercedes for its reader until he is forgiven. Tabarak alldhi biyadihi l-Mulku." (Sura Mulk). (Narrated by Imam Ahmed, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nisai, Ibn Majah, Ibn Daris and Al-Hakim, authenticated by Ibn Mardaway and Al-Bayhaqi in Sha’ub Al-Iman.)

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Recite the Quran as it will intercede on the day of judgement for its companions.” (Muslim)

The Blessed being the word “Tabarak” which is the first word of Surah Al-Mulk. As in the early years of Islam Surah’s were known by their first words.

Do you see now its importance? It intercedes in the grave and on the day of judgement for you, when everything else has left you, it comes to help you.

Anis (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “A Surah in the Quran disputes until its reader is enters Paradise." {Tabarak alldhi biyadihi l-Mulku}. (Surah Mulk). (At-Tabarani in Al-Awsat, Ibn Mardaway and Al-Diyya.)

Do you see now why the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) wanted us to memorise this Surah? It not only intercedes, it argues, it disputes, it litigates on your behalf. Do we not want this?


Recitation before sleeping


Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “I have found in the book of Allah a Surah thirty passages long; whoever reads it when he sleeps thirty good deeds are written for him; thirty wrong actions are omitted and he is raised thirty degrees. Allah sends an angel to spread his wings over him and protect him from everything until he wakes up. It is the disputer who argues for it reader in the grave and it is Tabarak alldhi biyadihi l-Mulku.” (Sura Mulk) (Ad-Daylami).

It protects you whilst you sleep which is very important as you are unable to defend yourself at that time but because you read it an angel comes to protect you. Also look at the ninety other blessings that you receive for reading it.


Multitude of blessings


There are a multitude of blessings that you can attain for just a few minutes of recitation. Really, it will only take you a few minutes from beginning to end. Look again and then ponder this narration.

Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, “Allah, the Exalted, raises people up by this book and debases others by it.” (Muslim, Ad-Darqutni and Ibn Majah.)

Even if you cannot read it all then read some of this Surah or another one. The last two quls are recommended to be read before sleeping.

Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Whoever recites a letter of the book of Allah has one good deed and one good deed is worth ten similar to it. I do not say Alif, Lam Meem is a letter rather Alif is letter; Lam is letter and Meem is a letter.” (At-Tirmidhi)

It has one thousand and three hundred letters which times ten is thirteen thousand rewards for its recitation. Not bad for five minutes work!

Please click here to read 40 hadith on the Quran complied by Sheikh Yusuf Al-Nabahani (may Allah show him mercy).