سُوْرَةُ الشُّوْرٰي
Surah Ash-Shura (42) — Ayah 4
لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ﴿4﴾
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
لَهُۥ
lahu
To Him
مَا
mā
(belong) whatever
فِى
fī
(is) in
ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ
l-samāwāti
the heavens
وَمَا
wamā
and whatever
فِى
fī
(is) in
ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ
l-arḍi
the earth
وَهُوَ
wahuwa
and He
ٱلْعَلِىُّ
l-ʿaliyu
(is) the Most High
ٱلْعَظِيمُ
l-ʿaẓīmu
the 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 { لَهٗ مَا فِي السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ مَا فِي الْاَرْضِ:} 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 { وَ هُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيْمُ:} The One who is absolutely exalted and infinitely great is only He ({الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيْمُ} 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?
➋ { وَ هُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيْمُ:} The One who is absolutely exalted and infinitely great is only He ({الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيْمُ} 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?
