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Chapter 57

Ironal-Ḥadīd ( الحديد )

29 verses • revealed at Medinan

»The surah that mentions the heavy metallic element Iron as being sent down by God form the heavens to endow the earth itself with mighty force, and humanity with the many benefits of its malleable and structural strength, and all the great tests of faith that arise from this. It takes its name from verse 25, which mentions iron (ḥadīd). The surah urges the believers to spend in God’s cause and uphold justice. The all pervasiveness of God’s power, knowledge, control, and glory is affirmed to encourage the believers to right action, and the fate of the hypocrites is described. Previous prophets are mentioned (verse 26 ff.), especially Noah, Abraham, and Jesus, showing the response they received. The surah closes with a reference to the People of the Book.«

بِسمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمٰنِ الرَّحيمِ

Ali Unal: IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE ALL-MERCIFUL, THE ALL-COMPASSIONATE

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سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ ما فِي السَّماواتِ وَالأَرضِ ۖ وَهُوَ العَزيزُ الحَكيمُ

Ali Unal

Revealed in Madīnah, most probably four or five years after the Hijrah, this sūrah has 29 verses and takes its name from the word al-hadīd in verse 25. It deals with God’s absolute sovereignty, the necessity of sacrifice in God’s cause, and the passing nature of worldly pleasures. It promises the Muslims victory and the unbelievers defeat, and reiterates that belief in the previous Prophets requires believing in Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, as the last, universal Prophet.
Whatever is in the heavens and the earth glorifies God; and He is the All-Glorious with irresistible might, the All-Wise.1
  • That is, all things, with their existence, their lives, maintenance, and functions, show that God is absolutely above having any defects or any partners in His Divinity, Lordship, and Sovereignty. Even the bodies of the unbelievers show this reality. As explained in note 31 to 2: 30, for every species of creation, there is an angel that governs them and represents them in God’s Presence, and presents to the Divine Court their glorifications and prayers made through their disposition. And, as stated in 17: 44, every thing and being glorifies and praises God in a language that we do not understand.