Ash-Shuraa 42:5
The Consultation · Meccan · Juz 25 · Page 483
The Heavens Almost Split
تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرۡنَ مِن فَوۡقِهِنَّۚ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّهِمۡ وَيَسۡتَغۡفِرُونَ لِمَن فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ٥
Almost might the heavens above be rent asunder while the angels hymn the praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on the earth. Lo! Allah, He is the Forgiver, the Merciful.
Translation: Marmaduke Pickthall
Meaning
The heavens almost break apart from above them, and the angels exalt their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth.
Insight
According to Elmalılı, this depicts the traces of Allah’s loftiness and majesty: even the heavens, the symbol of physical height, almost split before His greatness.
Reflect
Reflect that the angels ask forgiveness for you too.
This short note is based on Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır’s Turkish commentary and has not yet been reviewed by a scholar.
Elmalılı’s commentary
An English translation of Elmalılı’s full commentary is coming soon. Read the original Turkish ›