Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, and He is the Most High, the Most Great.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
لَهُۥlahuTo Him
مَاmā(belong) whatever
فِىfī(is) in
ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِl-samāwātithe heavens
وَمَاwamāand whatever
فِىfī(is) in
ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖl-arḍithe earth
وَهُوَwahuwaand He
ٱلْعَلِىُّl-ʿaliyu(is) the Most High
ٱلْعَظِيمُl-ʿaẓīmuthe Most Great
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 4) ➊ { لَهٗمَافِيالسَّمٰوٰتِوَمَافِيالْاَرْضِ:} This is the answer to the question: If this book was revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him) just like it was to previous prophets, then let it be; why is it necessary for us to follow its commands and not act according to our own wishes? It is said: Because everything in the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah Almighty; you yourselves are also His property. Can the Owner tolerate that someone else’s sovereignty prevails in His domain, and that someone, being His possession, acts according to his own will and does not follow the commands sent by Him? See also the explanation of this phrase in Ayat al-Kursi, i.e., Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah (255). ➋ { وَهُوَالْعَلِيُّالْعَظِيْمُ:} The One who is absolutely exalted and infinitely great is only He ({الْعَلِيُّالْعَظِيْمُ} the definite article on the predicate creates exclusivity, meaning only He is the Most High and the Most Great), so how can He tolerate that His created beings, who are extremely low and utterly insignificant compared to Him, do not obey His commands?
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
The exegesis of this verse has been done along with the previous verse.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
4. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth, and He is the Most High [2], the Most Great.
[2] A Possessed Being Cannot Be a Deity:
In this verse, the divinity of idols or anything besides Allah is refuted through rational argument: the Creator of the earth and the heavens is Allah alone. He is the Owner of all these things, and these things are His creation and His possession, and He is above and greater than this entire universe. Then how can His creation, something possessed by Him, the most insignificant of His creatures, be made His partner? And how can these things be considered to share in His powers and authority?