Bukhari

Hadith Footnote:
Those who were proud of their sovereignty.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
The aforementioned hadith of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is an explanation of the following verse, in which Allah the Exalted says:
"On the Day of Resurrection, the whole earth will be in His grasp, and all the heavens will be rolled up in His right hand." ( al-Zumar: 67)
Further explanation of this noble verse is found in the following hadith:
"Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (radi Allahu anhu) reports that a Jewish scholar came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and said:
'O Muhammad! We find written in our books that Allah, on the Day of Resurrection, will place the heavens on one finger, the earth on one finger, the trees on one finger, the water and moist soil on one finger, and the rest of creation on one finger, then He will say:
Today, I am the King!'
Upon hearing this, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) laughed so much that his molar teeth became visible.
Affirming the statement of that scholar, he recited the aforementioned noble verse."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Tafsir, Hadith: 4811)
(2)
Such is the majesty and greatness of Allah the Exalted, and His absolute control over the entire universe, that everything in the universe is powerless and helpless in His hand, and on the Day of Resurrection He will proclaim:
"To whom belongs the dominion today? (Then He Himself will say:)
To Allah, the One, the Subduer of all." ( al-Mu’min: 16)

Hadith Commentary:
➊
The greatness and majesty of Allah, and His absolute control over the entire universe, will be such that on the Day of Resurrection, everything in the universe will be utterly powerless in His hand. Allah the Exalted says:
“On the Day of Resurrection, the whole earth will be in His grasp, and all the heavens will be rolled up in His right hand.” ()
Further clarification of this terrifying scene is transmitted from the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), who said:
“On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will fold up the heavens in His right hand and will say: I am the King. Where are the tyrants? Where are the arrogant? Then He will fold up the earths in His left hand, then He will say: I am the King. Where are the tyrants? Where are the arrogant?” (Sahih Muslim, Sifat al-Munafiqin, Hadith: 7051(2788))
Allah the Exalted says:
“The Day when they will all appear (in the open), and nothing of theirs will be hidden from Allah. (It will be said:) To whom belongs all sovereignty this Day? (Then Allah Himself will say:) To Allah, the One, the Irresistible.” ()
On the Day of Resurrection, there will come a time when everyone will be concerned only with themselves, all will be terrified by the horrors of the Day. No one will have the courage or opportunity to speak. Silence will prevail everywhere. Allah the Exalted will address the kings of the world, asking: Where are the kings of the world today? Where are the tyrannical and arrogant rulers? Whose is the sovereignty today? There will be no answer from anywhere, then He Himself will answer that today sovereignty belongs only to Allah, Who subdues everything.

➋
When the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was describing this scene, the state that overcame him is described by Abdullah ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu) in these words:
I saw that during the passionate speech of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), the pulpit was moving from its lower part (to its upper part), until I said: Will it (the pulpit) fall with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) upon it? (Sahih Muslim, Sifat al-Munafiqin, Hadith: 7052(2788))

➌
The purpose of Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah in this chapter and the presented hadith is that “al-Malik” (The King) is among the Most Beautiful Names (Asma’ al-Husna) of Allah the Exalted. Even though its application is also found for the creation, there is not the slightest aspect of resemblance in it that would necessitate denial or interpretation. Allah the Exalted is the Owner of Sovereignty; His kingship is complete and absolute, and there is no partner in it, nor is He in need of anyone for it, whereas the kingship of the servants is granted by Allah the Exalted, and the servants are in need of others to maintain it.
Allah the Exalted says:
“Say: O Allah! Owner of Sovereignty! You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humiliate whom You will. In Your hand is all good. Surely, You have power over all things.” ()

➍
The correspondence between the hadith and the chapter heading is that among people there are such kings and tyrannical rulers for whom their subjects show humility and respect. Sometimes people show such manners that are only befitting to the majesty of Allah the Exalted. All these kings and sultans are under the authority and subjugation of Allah the Exalted. He disposes of them as He wills. This authority will become manifest on the Day of Resurrection, when Allah the Exalted will take the earth in His grasp and roll up the heavens in His hand, and with absolute independence will say: Today I am the King, where are the kings of the world? At that time, the secret of these kings will be exposed when humiliation and disgrace will have surrounded them from all sides.
(Sharh Kitab al-Tawhid by al-Ghunayman: 1/114)

Hadith Commentary:
➊
In one narration, the words "Yawm al-Qiyamah" (the Day of Resurrection) are mentioned, meaning this will occur on the Day of Resurrection.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Tafsir, Hadith: 7382.)
The specification of the Day of Resurrection is because, just as at the time of the world's creation and population, the manifestation of His perfect power was evident in its invention, similarly, at the time of its destruction and annihilation, His perfect power will also be manifested in bringing it to an end and reducing it to nothingness.

➋
In this hadith as well, "yamin" (right hand) is affirmed for Allah, and interpreting it to mean "power" is contrary to the position of the Salaf al-Salih (pious predecessors). Therefore, it should be understood in its real, literal meaning.
It should not be interpreted figuratively, but rather should be accepted upon its apparent, real meaning.
And Allah knows best.

Commentary:
(1)
This affirms the hand of Allah Ta'ala; however, it is not permissible to form any conception of Allah’s attributes in one’s mind. One must have faith in what has been stated and it is necessary not to liken Allah’s attributes to those of the creation.

(2)
The present heavens will come to an end on the Day of Resurrection.
In the Noble Qur’an, the word “folding up” is used for this:
﴿وَالسَّمـٰوٰتُ مَطوِيّٰـتٌ بِيَمينِهِ﴾ ()
“And the heavens will be folded up in His right hand.”
And the rending apart is also mentioned:
(إِذَا السَّماءُ انشَقَّت) ()
“When the sky is split apart.”

(3)
Worldly power and sovereignty are a test and trial; true sovereignty belongs only to Allah.
It is stated:
﴿قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ مـلِكَ المُلكِ تُؤتِى المُلكَ مَن تَشاءُ وَتَنزِعُ المُلكَ مِمَّن تَشاءُ﴾ ()
“Say: O Allah! Owner of Sovereignty! You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take away sovereignty from whom You will.”
On the Day of Resurrection, this reality will become completely clear and manifest.