Surah Al-Mulk — "The Dominion" (chapter 67) — is the first surah of the 29th juz, and many Muslims recite it every night before sleep. In thirty verses it invites us to look at the sky, the earth and our own lives, and to remember that everything belongs to Allah. This guide explains its main themes and the virtues mentioned in hadith.
The surah at a glance
Surah number | 67 |
Verses | 30 |
Juz | The first surah of juz 29 (Juz Tabarak) |
Revealed | In Makkah |
Other names | Tabarak (its first word), al-Mani‘ah ("the protector") |
Its main themes
Verses | Theme |
|---|---|
All dominion belongs to Allah; He created death and life to test who is best in deeds | |
Look at the sky: you will find no flaw in His creation | |
The regret of those who rejected the truth | |
Allah knows what is in every heart | |
The earth is made easy for us — walk in it and eat from His provision | |
Who protects and provides for you other than Allah? | |
Our hearing, sight and hearts are gifts; reliance on the Most Merciful |
The second verse is a summary of life's purpose: "He who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deeds" (67:2). Notice it says best in deeds, not most deeds — quality, sincerity and correctness matter.
Its virtues
- It interceded for a man until he was forgiven. The Prophet ﷺ said: "There is a surah of the Quran of thirty verses which interceded for a man until he was forgiven: Tabarak alladhi biyadihil-mulk" (reported by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi, who graded it hasan).
- The Prophet ﷺ read it every night. Jabir reported that the Prophet ﷺ would not sleep until he had recited Alif Lam Mim Tanzil (Surah As-Sajdah) and Tabarak alladhi biyadihil-mulk (reported by al-Tirmidhi).
- Protection in the grave. Some reports, graded hasan by scholars, describe Al-Mulk as a protector from the punishment of the grave — which is why it is also called al-Mani‘ah, "the protector".
Memorising it
Many people memorise Al-Mulk as their first long surah after Juz ‘Amma. A simple plan: 2–3 verses a day, revising the earlier verses each night before sleep. Within about two weeks you can recite it from memory. See how to become a hafiz and our memorisation tracker for help.
Reciting it correctly
Our verse-by-verse guide to reciting Surah Al-Mulk with tajweed covers the rules you will meet. For other surahs with special virtues, see Surah Al-Kahf on Friday and Quran verses for morning and evening adhkar. To memorise with a teacher, see our Quran classes for adults.
FAQ
When should I read Surah Al-Mulk?
Many Muslims read it every night before sleep, following the Prophet ﷺ, who would not sleep until he had recited it.
How many verses are in Surah Al-Mulk?
Thirty verses.
Does Surah Al-Mulk protect from the punishment of the grave?
Some reports graded hasan by scholars describe it as a protector from the punishment of the grave. The hadith that it interceded for a man until he was forgiven is reported by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi.
How long does it take to memorise Surah Al-Mulk?
At 2–3 verses a day with nightly revision, many people memorise it in about two weeks.
Sources
- Surah Al-Mulk 67 — Quran.com
- Sunan Abi Dawud 1400 — a surah of thirty verses interceded — Sunnah.com
- Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2892 — reciting As-Sajdah and Al-Mulk before sleep — Sunnah.com
- Al-Mulk — Wikipedia