Surah Al-Mu'minun — Verse 85

Word Meanings:

• "Lillahi" (لِلَّهِ): Belongs to Allah — meaning He is the sole Owner, Creator, and Sustainer.
• "Afala tadhakkarun" (أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ): "Will you not then remember/reflect?" — an admonition urging the mind to move from mere acknowledgment to deep contemplation and conclusion.

Explanation of the Verse:

When you ask these people, "Who owns the earth and all that is upon it?" — they will inevitably answer, "It belongs to Allah." This is not a matter of debate for them; it is ingrained in their natural disposition (fitrah) and even their polytheistic beliefs acknowledge Allah as the supreme Creator and Owner of the universe. They do not attribute the creation of the heavens and the earth to their idols.

So Allah instructs His Prophet ﷺ to respond to them: "Will you not then remember?" — meaning, if you already admit that Allah alone is the Owner and Creator of the earth and everything on it, then why do you not let this truth lead you to the next logical conclusion? The One who created all of this from nothing, who owns it all, is certainly capable of bringing you back to life after death. The same power that originated creation can easily repeat it. Your own admission should be the starting point for your faith in the Resurrection and the Hereafter.

This is a profound rhetorical argument — it takes their own confession and turns it into evidence against their denial of the afterlife. They cannot logically claim that Allah created everything yet is powerless to resurrect them. The verse shakes the heart to realize that acknowledging Allah's lordship over creation demands acknowledging His power over all things, including bringing the dead to life.

A Da'wah Reflection:

Dear reader, look at how beautifully the Qur'an engages with people — it does not simply impose beliefs, but invites the mind to reason. Even those who reject the Prophet ﷺ and worship idols still instinctively know that the earth and the heavens belong to Allah alone. This is the voice of the fitrah — the pure, unspoiled human nature that every person carries within.

So let this verse be a reminder for you today: your own heart already knows the truth. When you look at the sky, the mountains, the oceans, and your own reflection — you know deep down that there is a Creator, an Owner, a Sustainer. Do not let that knowledge remain a dormant seed. Water it with reflection, let it grow into faith, and let that faith move you to action. The One who owns everything — including your very life — is worthy of your worship, your gratitude, and your obedience. And if He could create this vast universe from nothing, then surely He can bring you back to life after death to account for your deeds. So remember, reflect, and return to Him before that day arrives.