رَبُّ السَّماواتِ وَالأَرضِ وَما بَينَهُمَا العَزيزُ الغَفّارُ

The Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the all-mighty, the all-forgiver.’

EXEGESIS

Rabb (lord) means one who looks after something, taking care of it and fostering it through various conditions so it may grow and develop.^{‎[1]Raghib, p. 336.}

EXPOSITION

Continuing from the previous verse and the declaration that there is no god except Allah, we are now reminded that He is also not a far-removed God who does not care or look after His creation. Despite the vastness of creation, He is the Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them. He is the caretaker of man and jinn, birds and beasts, mountains and the skies with rushing winds, and everything else.

Again, like in the previous verse, the declaration ends by proclaiming two attributes of God. These both relate to the other major theme of the surah. The first, all-mighty (ʿazīz), reminds that not only does true might belong to God, but He gives of it to whom He wishes. This harkens back to the stories of the three great prophets mentioned and the wondrous miracles given to them by the power of God.

The second attribute, all-forgiver, emphasises the bond of closeness God has with the believers and His beloved prophets, who we were told were always penitent and turning towards God.

Finally, it has been pointed out that there is a contrast of fear and hope in this verse and the previous. While the previous one warns that no one can overcome the might of God, this one comforts by reminding that God is a merciful caretaker.^{‎[2]Razi, 26/406-407.}

INSIGHTS FROM HADITH

1. It is reported from ʿĀʾishah that when the Prophet used to get up at night he would say: ‘There is no god except Allah, the one, the all-paramount, the Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the all-mighty, the all-forgiver.’^{‎[3]Suyuti, 5/319; Mustadrak.S, 1/540; Nasai.K, 4/400.}

INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS

1. To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.^{‎[4]Deuteronomy 10:14.}
2. The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it.^{‎[5]Psalms 89:11.}
3. Turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.^{‎[6]Acts 14:15}
4. The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.^{‎[7]Acts 17:24.}

[1] Raghib, p. 336.
[2] Razi, 26/406-407.
[3] Suyuti, 5/319; Mustadrak.S, 1/540; Nasai.K, 4/400.
[4] Deuteronomy 10:14.
[5] Psalms 89:11.
[6] Acts 14:15
[7] Acts 17:24.