Surah Ash-Shu'ara — Verse 122

Word Meanings:

• Al-ʿAzīz (العزيز): The Almighty, the All-Powerful, the One who prevails over all things and is never defeated.
• Ar-Raḥīm (الرحيم): The Most Merciful, the One who showers His compassion and kindness upon His creation, especially upon the believers.

Tafsir (Explanation):

This verse comes as a recurring refrain throughout Surah Ash-Shuʿarāʾ, appearing after the conclusion of each prophet's story. Here, Allah addresses His Messenger ﷺ directly, reassuring him and all believers with a profound truth: "And indeed, your Lord—He is surely the Almighty, the Most Merciful."

The verse carries two complementary attributes of Allah that together form a complete picture of His relationship with His servants. First, Al-ʿAzīz—the Almighty—reminds us that Allah possesses absolute power and might. He is the One who takes vengeance upon those who reject His messengers, disbelieve in His signs, and persist in transgression. No one can escape His grasp, and no tyrant, no matter how powerful, can ever thwart His will. The stories of the previous nations—ʿĀd, Thamūd, Pharaoh, and others—stand as eternal testimonies to this truth. When they defied their prophets and refused to submit, Allah's might overtook them in ways they could never have imagined.

Second, Ar-Raḥīm—the Most Merciful—reveals that His power is not merely punitive but is tempered with boundless compassion. His mercy is especially reserved for those who believe, who repent, and who turn back to Him. Even when punishment is deserved, His mercy provides the door of repentance—whoever returns to Him before the final decree is met with forgiveness and kindness. This pairing is profoundly comforting: the same Lord who is mighty enough to destroy entire nations of wrongdoers is also merciful enough to forgive a single sincere penitent.

For the believer, this verse instills both hope and reverence. It teaches us that Allah's might is not something to fear in a negative sense, but rather a source of security—knowing that His justice will ultimately prevail. At the same time, His mercy gives us confidence that no sin is too great to be forgiven if we sincerely turn to Him. This is the beautiful balance of Islam: we do not despair of Allah's mercy, nor do we become arrogant in our deeds, for we know His might encompasses all.

A Daʿwah Reflection:

O reader! Reflect on this glorious verse and let it penetrate your heart. Your Lord—the One who created you, sustains you, and knows every hidden thought within you—is both Al-ʿAzīz and Ar-Raḥīm. His might means that no force in this universe can stand against His will; His mercy means that His door is always open for those who seek Him. Whatever you have done in the past, whatever mistakes you have made, His mercy is vaster than your sins. And whatever challenges you face, His might is greater than any obstacle. Come to Him today—repent, submit, and taste the sweetness of being under the care of the Almighty, the Most Merciful. This is the path to true peace, both in this life and in the Hereafter.