Surah Al-Hadid 57:1
سُورَةُ الحَدِيدِ · Medinan · Verse 1 of 29
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Translation
Everything in the heavens and earth glorifies God––He is the Almighty, the Wise.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
The opening verse of Surah Al-Hadid, "سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ" (Glorified is Allah by whatever is in the heavens and the earth, and He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise), immediately immerses us in a profound declaration of Allah's transcendence and majesty. It's a statement from Allah Himself, addressing all of creation, affirming His absolute perfection and power. This powerful beginning, as Ibn Ashur notes, serves as a beautiful introduction (bara'at istihlal) for the entire surah, setting the theme of appreciating Allah's glorious attributes and refuting any notion of associating partners with Him.
The Act of Glorification
The word "سَبَّحَ" (sabbaha), meaning "glorified" or "exalted," is presented in the past tense. This choice of verb tense is highly significant. As Ibn Ashur explains, it emphasizes that the exaltation of Allah is not a new or future event, but an established, timeless reality. Al-Razi adds that it signifies this glorification is not limited to any particular time; it was, is, and always will be, an inherent quality woven into the very fabric of existence. The root of "sabbaha" conveys the idea of moving away or distancing oneself, implying a purification of Allah from any imperfection or flaw, as explained by al-Razi and al-Zamakhshari.
The verse also uses the phrase "لِلَّهِ" (li-Allah), with the preposition "ل" (li). While "sabbaha" can directly take an object, its use here, as suggested by Ibn Ashur and al-Zamakhshari, acts as a "lam al-tabyeen," a particle that clarifies and emphasizes the deep connection between the act of glorification and its ultimate recipient, Allah. It highlights that this glorification is solely for Him, out of pure devotion and sincerity.
Universal Testimony
The statement "مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ" (ma fi al-samawati wal-ard), meaning "whatever is in the heavens and the earth," encompasses all of creation. The pronoun "مَا" (ma), while often referring to non-rational beings, is used here broadly to include everything, rational or not. Al-Razi and Ibn Ashur elaborate that this "glorification" takes two forms: a verbal one by conscious beings like angels, prophets, and believers; and an existential one. Every created thing, through its very existence, its design, and its submission to Allah's laws, testifies to His perfection, power, and freedom from all deficiencies. Even if we don't comprehend their specific "language" of glorification, their being itself is a testament.
Divine Names: Might and Wisdom
The verse concludes with "وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ" (And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise). These two Divine Names further underline the boundless nature of Allah. "الْعَزِيزُ" (al-Aziz) signifies the All-Mighty, the One who cannot be overcome, whose power is absolute and unrivaled, as al-Razi describes. This attribute inherently negates the possibility of any partner or equal in divinity, a core message of the surah. Following it, "الْحَكِيمُ" (al-Hakim) refers to the All-Wise, whose actions are always perfectly placed and whose knowledge encompasses everything, without error or limitation, according to Ibn Ashur. The order in which these names appear, with 'Aziz preceding 'Hakim, suggests that Allah's absolute power is established before His perfect wisdom in His actions. Al-Razi also notes that the grammatical structure "He is the Aziz, the Hakim" implies exclusivity, affirming that these perfect attributes belong to Him alone.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Hadid 57:1 is discussed in 2 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
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