Lesson & Reflection

Surah Al-Hadid opens by directing our attention away from ourselves and toward Allah.

“Whatever is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah.”

Before speaking about believers, charity, faith, or the Hereafter, the surah begins with a reality that encompasses all of creation: everything glorifies Allah. The heavens, the earth, the stars, the mountains, the animals, and every created thing exist according to His command and testify to His greatness. Allah alone deserves worship, praise, and submission.
There is an interesting connection between the closing verse of the previous surah, Surah Al-Waqi‘ah, and the opening of this surah. Surah Al-Waqi‘ah concludes with the command to glorify Allah:

“So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.” (56:96)

Surah Al-Hadid then begins by showing us the response to that command. The entire creation is already engaged in the glorification of Allah:

“Whatever is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah, and He is the Almighty, the All-Wise.” (57:1)

This transition is both powerful and profound. The previous surah ends by instructing the believer to join in Allah’s glorification, while Surah Al-Hadid opens by reminding us that we are joining a universal tasbih (glorification) that has never ceased. Every creature, every heavenly body, and every part of creation is engaged in tasbīḥ, acknowledging the perfection, majesty, and sovereignty of its Creator. The believer is therefore not being asked to begin something new, but rather to consciously participate in a reality that already permeates the heavens and the earth. It is also a reminder that, even if man were to turn away from worship, the entire universe is constantly in worship of its Creator. 

The verse then reminds us that He is: “The Almighty, the All-Wise.”

His power is complete, and His wisdom is perfect. Nothing in creation escapes His authority, and nothing occurs outside His wisdom. Allah then says: “To Him belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth.”

Everything belongs to Him. The universe is not independent of its Creator. Life, death, provision, strength, and ability all remain under His control. The believer, therefore, learns humility. Whatever we possess is ultimately a trust from Allah, not something we own independently.

The third verse introduces four magnificent Names of Allah: “He is the First and the Last, the Most High and the Most Near.”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) explained these Names in an authentic supplication.

Allah is Al-Awwal (The First) – nothing existed before Him.

Allah is Al-Akhir (The Last) – nothing will remain after Him.

Allah is Az-Zahir (The Most High) – nothing is above Him.

Allah is Al-Batin (The Hidden): the One who knows all that is hidden.

These Names provide a complete perspective of reality. Before everything was Allah. After everything passes away, Allah remains. Above all creation is Allah. And nothing in creation is hidden from Allah.

The verse concludes: “And He has perfect knowledge of all things.”

Nothing escapes Him. He knows what is visible and what is hidden. He knows the movement of galaxies and the thoughts concealed within hearts. When a believer reflects on these truths, worship changes. Salah becomes more meaningful. Dhikr becomes more sincere. Gratitude becomes deeper.

The surah begins by reminding us that we live in a universe already glorifying its Creator. The question is whether we will join that glorification willingly and consciously.

Takeaway:

Everything in creation points to Allah's greatness. The believer finds peace by remembering that the Lord who existed before all things and remains after all things knows, sees, and controls every affair.

Hadith

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said regarding the stars and the heavens:

“When Allah decrees a matter in the heaven, the angels beat their wings in submission to His command…”

(Sahih al-Bukhari 7481)

Practical Activity

Step outside today and spend one minute observing Allah's creation.

Look at the sky, clouds, trees, birds, or the horizon.

Then slowly say: SubhanAllah

and reflect that every created thing exists by Allah's command and glorifies Him in a way He knows best.

How it helps:

• Strengthens awareness of Allah's greatness.

• Develops reflection upon creation.

• Increases sincerity in dhikr.

Dua

اللّهُـمَّ رَبَّ السَّمَاوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَرَبَّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ رَبَّنَا وَرَبَّ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَالِقَ الْحَبِّ وَالنَّوَى وَمُنْزِلَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْإِنْجِيلِ وَالْفُرْقَانِ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ أَنْتَ آخِذٌ بِنَاصِيَتِهِ اللّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الْأَوَّلُ فَلَيْسَ قَبْلَكَ شَيْءٌ وَأَنْتَ الْآخِرُ فَلَيْسَ بَعْدَكَ شَيْءٌ وَأَنْتَ الظَّاهِرُ فَلَيْسَ فَوْقَكَ شَيْءٌ وَأَنْتَ الْبَاطِنُ فَلَيْسَ دُونَكَ شَيْءٌ اقْضِ عَنَّا الدَّيْنَ وَأَغْنِنَا مِنَ الْفَقْرِ

Allāhumma Rabbas-samāwātis-sabʿi wa Rabbal-ʿArshil-ʿAẓīm, Rabbanā wa Rabba kulli shay', fāliqal-ḥabbi wan-nawā wa munzilat-Tawrāti wal-Injīli wal-Furqān, aʿūdhu bika min sharri kulli shay'in anta ākhidhun bināṣiyatih. Allāhumma antal-Awwalu falaysa qablaka shay', wa antal-Ākhiru falaysa baʿdaka shay', wa antaẓ-Ẓāhiru falaysa fawqaka shay', wa antal-Bāṭinu falaysa dūnaka shay', iqḍi ʿannad-dayna wa aghninā minal-faqr.

O Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the Magnificent Throne, our Lord and the Lord of everything, Splitter of the grain and date stone, Revealer of the Torah, the Gospel, and the Furqan, I seek refuge in You from the evil of everything whose forelock You hold. O Allah, You are the First, and there is nothing before You. You are the Last, and there is nothing after You. You are the Most High, and there is nothing above You. You know all that is hidden, and there is nothing beyond Your knowledge. Relieve us of debt and enrich us against poverty.

(Hisn al-Muslim 107)

Reflection Question

How does knowing that Allah is the First, the Last, the Most High, and the Most Near change the way you view your worries, ambitions, and place in the world?