Al-Mulk (Qayyūm al-Asmā)

Al-Mulk (Arabic: الملك, lit. 'the Dominion', 'the Kingdom') is the first chapter of the Qayyūm al-Asmā^[1] comprising 42 verses just as the rest of the chapters of the book. In the Qayyūm al-Asmā, Surah Al-Mulk is the only chapter that does not begin with a verse from Surah Yusuf.^[2] The chapter also shares its name with sixty-seventh chapter of the Quran, Al-Mulk.^[3]

Surah 1 of the Qayyūm al-asmā

المُلْك‎ Al-Mulk The Dominion
Arabic text
Other names	The Kingdom
No. of verses	42
Al-Iman →

History

According to some Bahā'ī sources, Al-Mulk was revealed to Bab during his encounter with the young Shaykhī Mullā Ḥusayn Bushrū'ī in his house in Shiraz. This occurred on the evening of the 5th Jumada Al-Awwal 1260 in the Islamic calendar, or May 22nd 1844 in the Gregorian calendar. This chapter was titled Al-Mulk by the Báb himself as the word occurs several times within the chapter.^[4]

Summary

• Verses 1-5: Affirms the divine origin and truth of the revealed Book, emphasizing its role as a guiding light and straight path for humanity.
• Verses 6-13: Establishes the authenticity of the Book, presents the lineage of the Hidden Imam, and bears witness to the oneness of Allah while warning against disbelief and its consequences
• Verses 14-22: Emphasizes the oneness of Allah, His attributes of knowledge and authority, and urges believers to submit to His will and seek closeness to Him through worship and obedience.
• Verses 22-29: Addresses kings, urging them to relinquish worldly dominion in favor of divine truth, warning them of the consequences of opposing the Reminder, and emphasizing the inevitability of Allah's judgment.
• Verses 30-33: Assures believers of reward for obedience to the Reminder, reiterates the promise of high status in Paradise, and asserts Allah's authority over all things.
• Verses 34-39: Directs believers to convey divine signs to other regions, affirms Allah's sovereignty, and encourages obedience to His decrees while warning against disbelief.
• Verses 40-42: Promises reward for obedience to the Reminder and asserts Allah's power and knowledge over all creation.^[5]

References

1. "Haykal - Writings of the Bāb | Hurqalya Publications: Center for Shaykhī and Bābī-Bahā'ī Studies". hurqalya.ucmerced.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
2. "Surah Yusuf". quran.com. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
3. "Surah al-Mulk". quran.com. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
4. "The Sūrat al-mulk of the Qayyum al-asma', Introduction. | Hurqalya Publications: Center for Shaykhī and Bābī-Bahā'ī Studies". hurqalya.ucmerced.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
5. "The Sūrat al-mulk of the Qayyum al-asma', Introduction. | Hurqalya Publications: Center for Shaykhī and Bābī-Bahā'ī Studies". hurqalya.ucmerced.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-14.