Surah al Mulk: The Illusion of Ownership Verse: 2​

[Tahira Fatima]

Surah al Mulk: The Illusion of Ownership Verse: 2

الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ

الَّذِي

This is the same word that appeared in the previous ayah.
Meaning: the conversation has not ended — the recognition of Allah is still unfolding.
It is as if the Qur’an is saying:
The One in whose hand lies all dominion — He alone is the One who created life and death.
Authority is not abstract.
It manifests itself in the most fundamental realities of existence.

خَلَقَ

This word does not simply mean “to make.”
خَلَقَ means: to create with precise measure, deliberate wisdom, intentional order, and a clear purpose.
Meaning:
Life is not an accident.
Death is not a malfunction.
Both are created.
A crucial detail: this verb appears in absolute past tense —
indicating a single, decisive act.
The systems of life and death were created with one command, at one time.
They do not need repeated intervention.
They are not improvised.

الْمَوْتَ

Here comes something deeply striking:
The Qur’an mentions death first, then life.
Yet from our perspective, life comes first and death later.
Why?
Because our real life is the Hereafter.
This worldly life is only a transitional phase.
Death, therefore, is not “the end.”
It is a passage from one stage into another.
The Qur’an does not describe death as non-existence.
It presents death as a created entity — a reality with purpose.

وَالْحَيَاةَ

الحياة is not merely breathing.
In the Qur’anic sense, life includes:

• Awareness
• Will
• Choice
• Responsibility

Meaning:
We are not just alive — we are accountable beings.
Notice carefully:
Allah says خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ
He does not say: “He gave life and caused death.”
Rather:
He created both life and death.
Meaning:
Joy is a test.
Pain is a test.
Health is a test.
Illness is a test.
Life is a test.
Death is a test.

لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ

لِـ — the particle of purpose: so that
يَبْلُوَكُمْ — He may test you
The purpose of existence is stated clearly:
You were not sent here for comfort.
You were sent here for trial.
And trial does not come only through hardship —
blessings test just as much as difficulties do.
 

 Pause and ask yourself:
Do I see every moment of my life as an examination?
When blessings come — do I pass the test of gratitude?
When pain arrives — do I pass the test of patience?

أَيُّكُمْ

Meaning: Which one of you?
This is not a collective test.
It is deeply personal.
Every individual stands alone.
No one is examined on behalf of another.

أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا

Here the Qur’an makes a remarkable shift:
It does not say: أَكْثَرُ عَمَلًا — the most deeds
It says: أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا — the most beautiful deeds
Meaning:
Quality over quantity.
Included in أَحْسَن are:

• Intention
• Sincerity
• Correct method
• Seeking Allah’s pleasure

A small deed, if sincere, becomes immense with Allah.
 A dialogue with the self:
Is every action of mine — small or large — aiming to become أَحْسَن?
In prayer, am I merely completing movements — or striving toward the best prayer?
In fasting, is it just hunger — or a journey toward the best fast?

وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ

عَزِيز — the One who is overpowering, unconquerable, irresistible.
Whose decision cannot be overturned.
Whose decree cannot be delayed.
Meaning:
The One who tests is not weak.
He possesses full authority.
This is not a casual examination — it is real and decisive.

الْغَفُورُ

غَفُور — abundantly forgiving.
The sequence here is profound:
He is Powerful — yet Forgiving.
Meaning:
If you stumble in the test, the door does not close.
Failure is not final — repentance is always possible.
 

 One final question to ask yourself:
Do I see Allah only as عَزِيز — and worship Him out of fear alone?
Or only as غَفُور — and sin without concern?
Or have I gathered both attributes in my heart, becoming a balanced servant?

The Ayah, in essence:

The One who holds all dominion is the same One who created life and death — for a single purpose: to test you. Do not be afraid. He is overpowering, yet endlessly forgiving. He is not looking for perfection — He is looking at your effort.