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The saying of the Exalted, "Master of the Day of Judgement":
The reciters have two different ways of reciting the first word of this
verse, both of which have been reported via continuous (mutawaatir)
transmission from the Prophet (SAW) as well as Abu Bakr and Umar [As
mentioned by at-Tirmidhee]:
1. Reciting it as Malik, or the King.
So the meaning of the verse would be that on that Day, Kingship belongs to
Allaah Alone and not to any of the creation who before then used to be kings
on earth, vying with each other for power and dominion, exulting in what
they had, pompously boasting about their grandeur and trying their best to
outdo their competitors. However on that day they will come to know with
certainty that in reality they are powerless and humiliated and that
Grandeur, Power and Authority belongs in its entirety to Him Alone. Allaah
says,
"That Day when they will all come out, nothing of them will be hidden from
Allaah. Whose is the kingdom this Day? It belongs to Allaah, the One, the
Irresistible!" [Ghaafir (THE FORGIVER (GOD) ) (40): 16]
2. Reciting it as Maalik, or the Owner.
So the meaning of the verse would be that on that Day, everything would
belong to Him and no one else. No one will be able to voice an opinion or
enforce a ruling as they used to do on this world. Allah says,
"That Day on which the Spirit and the Angels will stand forth in rows, none
shall speak except he whom the Most Beneficent allows and he will speak only
that which is correct and true." [An-Naba`a (THE TIDINGS, THE ANNOUNCEMENT)
(78): 38]
"All voices will be humbled for the Most Beneficent and nothing shall you
hear but the low sound of their footsteps." [Taa Haa (20): 108]
"They cannot intercede except for one with whom He is pleased." [Al-Anbiyaa
(THE PROPHETS) (21): 28]
Both recitations, of course, carry sound and good meanings however it is
possible to argue that the first reading has the most comprehensive meaning
as it is not possible to have sovereignty and kingship without possession,
whereas there can be ownership without kingship. Similarly it is the king
who will enjoin laws upon the owner as to how he should regulate his
possession. Allaah also says,
"His will be the kingdom on the Day that the trumpet is blown." [Al-An`aam
(CATTLE, LIVESTOCK) (6): 73]
If it is asked: why did Allaah specify his Kingship or Ownership to the Last
Day when it is known that these qualities always have and always will apply
to Him?
The answer lies in the fact that on that Day, it will become totally and
utterly clear to mankind the completeness and perfection of His Kingship,
Justice and Wisdom, just as it will become totally clear that the
sovereignty of the creation has been severed to the extent that the kings,
ministers, the slaves and free-born will all be made the same. All of them
yielding to His Greatness, rendered in complete submission to His
Magnificence, expectant of His recompense, hoping for His reward and fearing
His punishment. This is why His Kingship was fortified by mentioning it in
this context, otherwise He is Master of the Day of Judgement and all other
days.
Al-Qurtobee and ash-Shawkaanee both stated that with respect to Allaah,
Malik is an Attribute of the Essence whereas Maalik is an Attribute of
Action.
* * *
The word yawm refers to a period of time. In common usage it refers to the
time between the onset of dawn and sunset. It can also refer to a particular
portion of time or hour in a day as in His saying,
"This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favour upon
you and chosen for you Islaam as your religion." [Al-Maa`idah (THE TABLE,
THE TABLE SPREAD) (5): 3]
It can also refer to periods of time greater than one day as in His sayings,
"He arranges each matter from the heaven to the earth; then it will ascend
to Him in a Day the extent of which is a thousand years of those which you
count." [As-Sajdah (THE PROSTRATION,WORSHIP, ADORATION) (32): 5]
"The Angels and the Spirit ascend to Him during a day the extent of which is
fifty thousand years." [al-Ma`aarij (THE ASCENDING STAIRWAYS)(70): 4]
* * *
The word deen here means reckoning or recompense and it is in this sense
that the word is employed in His saying,"Yawma-ithin yuwaffeehimu Allahu
deenahumu alhaqqa "
"On that Day Allaah will pay them their deen in truth." [An-Nur (THE LIGHT)
(24): 25]
meaning: the recompense of their actions with complete justice. Allaah also
said,
"Then when we have died and become dust and bones, we will indeed be
recompensed." [As-Saaffaat (THOSE WHO SET THE RANKS,DRAWN UP IN RANKS) (37):
53]
Ibn Abbaas said in explanation to the words yawmid deen,
The Day on which the creations are judged - the Day of Resurrection. He will
recompense them for their actions, if they were good then it will be good,
if they were bad then it will be bad except for that which He Forgives for
indeed the only order [on that Day] will be His order,
"Unquestionably to Him belongs the creation and the Command." [Al-A`raaf
(THE HEIGHTS) (7): 54]
There is no further explanation in this verse of al-Faatihah as to what the
Day of Deen is, but this is explained in His saying,
"And what will make you comprehend what the Day of Deen is? Again what will
make you comprehend what the Day of Deen is? It is the Day when no person
shall have power [to do] anything for another." [AL-INFITAR (THE CLEAVING,
BURSTING APART) (82): 17-19]
It is important to note that it is unlawful to call anyone by the name of
al-Maalik or al-Malik. Bukhaaree and Muslim report from Abu Hurayrah (ra)
that the Messenger of Allaah (SAW) said,
On the Day of Resurrection Allaah will hold the earth and fold the heaven
with His Right Hand. Then He will say: I am the King, where are the kings
[who reigned] on the earth? [Saheeh Bukhaaree [Eng. Trans. 9/355 no. 479],
Saheeh Muslim [Eng. Trans. 4/1462 no. 6703]]
Bukhaaree also reports from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (SAW) said,
Indeed the most disloyal and treacherous name in the Sight of Allaah is that
of a person named the king of Kings (malikul amlaak).
Muslim adds in his report,
For there is no Maalik except for Allaah, the Mighty and Magnificent.
[Saheeh Bukhaaree [Eng. Trans. 8/144 no.'s 224, 225], Saheeh Muslim [Eng.
Trans. 3/1171 no. 5339]]
Ahmad reports that the Messenger of Allaah (SAW) said,
The person towards whom Allaah displays the most Wrath, and the most
despicable on the Day of Resurrection is one who was named king of kings
(malikul amlaak) for there is no Malik except for Allaah. [Ahmad [2/315]. It
is saheeh as in 'as-Saheehah' [no. 915]]
As for describing someone as Malik or Maalik then this is permissible for
one who fulfils the requirements of the description. In this sense is His
saying,
"Indeed Allaah has sent you Saul (Talut) as a king." [Al-Baqarah (THE COW)
(2): 247]
"Moses said to his people: O my people! Remember the favour of Allaah upon
you when He appointed amongst you prophets and made you kings." [Al-Maa`idah
(THE TABLE, THE TABLE SPREAD) (5): 20]
In this verse following the verse concerning the Mercy of Allaah lies a
reminder that Allaah is also the Judge. Therefore not only should we love
Him for His nourishing and sustaining us and for His compassion and mercy to
us but we should also hold Him in awe knowing that our ultimate happiness or
misery rests with Him Alone.
Reference:
Tafseer of Surah al-Fatihah, compiled by Abu Rumaysah,(This commentary is a
compilation gathered from a number of commentaries written.) These being:
Tafseer at-Tabaree
Tafseer al-Qurtubi [Jaami lil Ahkaam al-Qur`aan]
Tafseer ibn Katheer
Tafseer ash-Shawkanee [Fath al-Qadeer]
Tafseer as-Sa`dee [Tayseer al-Kareem ar-Rahmaan]
Tafseer ash-Shanqeetee [Adwaa al-Bayaan fee Eedaah al-Qur`aan bil Qur`aan].
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