There are 73 instances of al-`aalameen in 73 verses across 30 surahs in the Quran in the plural noun form literally meaning ‘the worlds’, which have been translated to the worlds, the universe, the people, the creature etc. while we know that an Arabic word may have a range of meanings depending on the context. Here is an effort to review the instances in all context to reflect the appropriate message for avoiding any misinterpretation and mistranslation as well as to shed light on our concept of the worlds.
Detailed of instances of al-`aalameen
[1:2] All praise to God, Lord of the worlds (rabbi al-`aalameen).
[2:47] O Children of Israel, remember My favor, which I have bestowed upon you, and that I have preferred you among the people of the world (wa-annee faddaltukum `alaa al-`aalameen).
[2:122] O Children of Israel, remember My favor, which I have bestowed upon you, and that I have preferred you among the people of the world (wa-annee faddaltukum `alaa al-`aalameen).
[2:131] When has said to him (Abraham) his Lord: “You shall submit”, he said: “I have submitted to Lord of the worlds (aslamtu li’rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[2:251] So they defeated them by God’s permission, and David killed Goliath; and God gave him the kingship and the wisdom and taught him of what He had willed. And if it were not God’s repelling the people – some of them against others, certainly, would have corrupted the earth, but God is possessor of favor upon the people of the world (wa-laakinna allaha dhuu fadlin `alaa al-`aalameen).
[3:33] Indeed, God has chosen Adam, and Noah, and the family of Abraham, and the family of Imran among the people of the world (inna allaha is’tafaa aadama wa-nuuhan wa-aala ib’raaheema wa-aala imraana `alaa al-`aalameen).
[3:42] And when said the angels: “O Mary, indeed, God has chosen you and has purified you, and has chosen you among women of the world (wa-istafaaki `alaa nisaa-i al-`aalameen).”
[3:96] Indeed, the first House has been established for the people, which is in Bakka, is blessed and guidance for the people of the world (lalladhee bibakkata mubaarakan wa-hudan lil`aalameen).
[3:97] In it there are clear signs, a station of Abraham, and whoever has entered it has been safe. And for God is pilgrimage to the House for the people, whoever has been able to make a path to it. And whoever has disbelieved, then indeed, God has sufficiency than the people of the world (wa-man kafara fa-inna allaha ghaniyyun `ani al-`aalameen).
[3:108] That is of God’s signs, we recite it to you with the truth. And God does not intend wickedness for the people of the world (wa-maa allahu ureedu zulman lil’`aalameen).
[5:20] And when said Moses to his people: “My people, remember God’s favor upon you when He has made prophets among you and has made you kings, and He has given you what He does not give anyone from the people of the world (maa lam yu’ti ahadan `ani al-`aalameen).”
[5:28] “Even if you stretch your hand towards me that you kill me, I will not stretch my hand towards you that I kill you, indeed me, I fear God, Lord of the worlds (inni-i akhaafu allaha rabba al-`aalameen).”
[5:115] God said: “Indeed, I am sending of it (a feast from the heaven) down to you (disciples of Jesus), then whoever disbelieves from you after, then indeed, I will punish him (such) a punishment, I do not punish anyone of a people of the world (laa-u`adhibuhu ahadan mina al-`aalameen).”
[6:45] Thus, has been cut off the remainder of the people those who have done wrong, and all praise to God, Lord of the worlds (wal-hamdu lillahi rabbi al-`aalameen).
[6:71] Say: “Shall we call upon other than God what cannot benefit us nor can it harm us, and we are turned back on our heels after God has guided us?” Like the one whom has enticed the devils in the earth, is confused, he has companions who call him to the guidance: “Come to us!” Say: “Indeed, God’s guidance is the guidance, and we have been commanded that we submit to Lord of the worlds (wa-umir’naa li’nus’lima li’rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[6:86] And Ismail and Elisha and Jonah and Lot; and each we have preferred among the people of the world (wa-kullan faddalnaa `alaa al-`aalameen).
[6:90] Those are the ones whom God has guided; so of their guidance you (Muhammad) shall follow. Say: “I do not ask you any reward for it. It is not but a reminder for the people of the world (in huwa illaa dhik’raa lil-`aalameen).”
[6:162] Say (Muhammad): “Indeed, my salat prayer, and my practice of rites, and my life, and my death to God, Lord of the worlds (lillahi rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[7:54] Indeed, your Lord is God who has created the heavens and the earth in six days, then He has ascended upon the Throne. The night covers the day, pursuing it in persistence; and the sun, and the moon, and the stars are subjected by His command; undoubtedly, to Him is the creation and the command. Blessed is God, Lord of the worlds (tabaaraka allahu rabbu al-`aalameen).
[7:61] He (Noah) said: “O my people, there has not been any error in me but I am a messenger from Lord of the worlds (wa-laa-kinnee rasuulun min rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[7:67] He (Hud) said: “O my people, there has not been foolishness in me, but I am a messenger from Lord of the worlds (wa-laa-kinnee rasuulun min rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[7:80] And Lot, when he said to his people: “Do you commit the immorality has not preceded you in it any one of the people of the world (min ahadin mina al-`aalameen)?”
[7:104] And Moses said: “O Pharaoh, indeed, I am a messenger from Lord of the worlds (innee rasuulun min rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[7:121] They (magicians) said: “We believe in Lord of the worlds (aamannaa bi-rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[7:140] He (Moses) said: “Shall I seek for you a god other than God while He has preferred you among the people of the world (wa-huwa faddalakum `alaa al-`aalameen)?”
[10:10] Their call in it is: “Glory to You O God!”, and their greeting in it is: “Peace”, and the end of their call is: “All praise to God, Lord of the worlds (al-hamdu lillahi rabbi al-`aalameen)!”
[10:37] And this – the Quran has not been that it can be produced by other than God, but a confirmation of that which was its before and a detailed explanation of the scripture, without any doubt in it is from Lord of the worlds (wa-taf’seela al-kitaabi laa-rayba feehi min rabbi al-`aalameen).
[12:104] And you do not ask them any reward for it, it is not but a reminder for the worlds (in huwa illaa dhik’run lil’`aalameen.)
[15:70] They said: “Do not we forbid you from the people of the world (awalam nanhaka `ani al-`aalameen)?”
[21:71] And we have saved him (Abraham) and Lot to the earth which we have blessed in it for the people of the world (allatee baaraknaa feehaa lil’`aalameen).
[21:91] And the one (Mary) who has guarded her chastity, so we have breathed into her of our spirit, and we have made her and her son a portent for the people of the world (wa-ja’alnaahaa wa-ib’nahaa aayatan lil’`aalameen).
[21:107] And we have not sent you (Muhammad) except a mercy for the people of the world (wa-maa arsalnaaka illaa rahmatan lil’`aalameen).
[25:1] Blessed is the One who has sent down the statute book through His servant (Muhammad) that it can be a warner for the people of the world (liyakuuna lil’`aalameen nadheeran).
[26:16] So both of you go to Pharaoh, then say: “Indeed, we are messenger from Lord of the worlds (innaa rasuulu rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[26:23] Pharaoh said: “And what is Lord of the worlds (wa-maa rabbu al-`aalameen)?”
[26:47] They (Pharaoh’s magicians) said: “We have believed in Lord of the worlds (aamannaa li’rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[26:77] “As indeed, they are enemy to me (Abraham), except for Lord of the worlds (illaa rabba al-`aalameen).”
[26:98] “When we (deviators) equate you (criminals) with Lord of the worlds (idh nusawweekum bi-rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[26:109] “And I (Noah) do not ask you any reward for it, my reward is not except upon Lord of the worlds (in ajriya illaa `alaa rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[26:127] “And I (Hud) do not ask you any reward for it, my reward is not except upon Lord of the worlds (in ajriya illaa `alaa rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[26:145] “And I (Saleh) do not ask you any reward for it, my reward is not except upon Lord of the worlds (in ajriya illaa `alaa rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[26:164] “And I (Lot) do not ask you any reward for it, my reward is not except upon Lord of the worlds (in ajriya illaa `alaa rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[26:165] “Do you approach the males of the people of the world (a’tatuuna al-dhuk’raana mina al-`aalameen)?”
[26:180] “And I (Shu’aib) do not ask you any reward for it, my reward is not except upon Lord of the worlds (in ajriya illaa `alaa rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[26:192] And indeed, this (Quran) is certainly, a revelation of Lord of the worlds (wa-innahu la’tanzeelu rabbi al-`aalameen).
[27:8] So when he (Moses) came to it he had been called that blessed is the One at the fire and whoever is around it, and glory be God, Lord of the worlds (wa-sub’haana allahi rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[27:44] It has been said to her (Sheba): “Enter the palace.” So when she has seen it she thought it a pool and she uncovered her legs. He said: “Indeed, it is a palace made with crystal.” She said: “My Lord, indeed, I have wronged myself and I have submitted with Solomon to God, Lord of the worlds (wa-aslamtu ma`a sulay’maana lillahi rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[28:30] When he came to it, he had been called from the tree at the edge of the right side of the valley at the blessed ground that O Moses, indeed Me, I am God, Lord of the worlds (yaamuusaa innee anaa allahu rabbu al-`aalameen).
[29:6] And whoever strives, then he only strives for himself. Indeed, God has sufficiency from the people of the world (inna allaha la’ghaniyyun `ani al-`aalameen).
[29:10] And of the people whoever says: “We have believed in God,” then when he is harmed in the cause of God, he considers a warning for the people as punishment of God. And if has come a victory from your Lord, certainly, they say: “Indeed, we have been with you!” And has not been God of Knower of what is in breasts of the people of the world (a-wa-laysa allahu bia`lama bimaa fee suduuri al-`aalameen)?
[29:15] So we have saved him (Noah) and a people on the ship, and we have made it a sign for the people of the world (wa-ja`alnaahaa aayatan lil’`aalameen).
[29:28] And Lot, when he said to his people: “Indeed, you commit the immorality has not preceded you in it (earth) any one of the people of the world (min ahadin mina al-`aalameen).
[32:2] A revelation of the scripture, without any doubt in it is from Lord of the worlds (laa-rayba feehi min rabbi al-`aalameen).
[37:79] Peace be upon Noah among the people of the world (salaamun `alaa nuuhin fee al-`aalameen).
[37:87] “ Then what do you think about Lord of the worlds (fa-maa zannukum bi-rabbi al-`aalameen)?”
[38:87] “ It is not but a reminder for the worlds (in huwa illaa dhik’run lil’`aalameen).”
[39:75] And you see the angels are surrounding, of around the Throne glorifying with praise of their Lord. And it has been judged between them with the truth, and it has been said: “All praise to God, Lord of the worlds (al-hamdu lillahi rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[40:64] God is the One who has made the earth habitation for you, and the sky a canopy, and He has shaped you and has perfected your shapes, and He has provided you with the good provisions. That is God, your Lord. So blessed is God, Lord of the worlds (fa-tabaaraka allahu rabbu al-`aalameen).
[40:65] He is the Living; there is no other god except He. So you shall call on Him being sincere to Him in the religion. All praise to God, Lord of the worlds (al-hamdu lillahi rabbi al-`aalameen).
[40:66] Say: “Indeed me (Muhammad), I have been forbidden that I worship those whom you call other than God, when has come to me the clear proofs from my Lord. And I have been commanded that I submit to Lord of the worlds (wa-umir’tu an us’lima li’rabbi al-`aalameen).”
[41:9] Say: “Do you indeed undoubtedly, disbelieve in the One who has created the earth in two days, and you set up equals to Him? That is Lord of the worlds (dhaalika rabbu al-`aalameen).”
[43:46] And certainly, we have sent Moses with our signs to Pharaoh and his leaders, when he said: “Indeed me, I am a messenger from Lord of the worlds (inni-i rasuulu rabbi al-`aalameena).”
[44:32] And certainly, we had chosen them with knowledge among the people of the world (`alaa il’min `alaa al-`aalameen).
[45:16] And certainly, we have given to Children of Israel the scripture and the wisdom and the prophethood, and we have provided them with all good things, and we have preferred them among a people of the world (wa-faddalnaahum `alaa al-`aalameen).
[45:36] Thus, to God all praise, Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth, Lord of the worlds (rabbi al-`aalameen).
[56:80] A revelation from Lord of the worlds (tanzeelun min rabbi al-`aalameen).
[59:16] Like an example of the Satan, when he said to the human being: “Disbelieve,” then when he has disbelieved, he said: “Indeed me, disassociation from you. Indeed me, I fear God, Lord of the worlds (innee akhaafu allaha rabba al-`aalameen).
[68:52] And it is not but a reminder for the worlds (wa-maa huwa illaa dhik’run lil’`aalameen).
[69:43] A revelation from Lord of the worlds (tanzeelun min rabbi al-`aalameen).
[81:27] It is not but a reminder for the worlds (in huwa illaa dhik’run lil’`aalameen).
[81:29] And you cannot will except that God wills, Lord of the worlds (illaa an yashaa-a allahu rabbu al-`aalameen).
[83:6] A day the human being will stand before Lord of the worlds (yawma yaquumu al-insaasu li’rabbi al-`aalameen).
Summary
- It is a reminder for the people that glory, and all praise and prayers to God, Lord of the worlds.
- God has favored Children of Israel and has preferred them among many of the people in the world.
- When God commanded Abraham to submit, he had submitted to Lord of the worlds.
- And if it were not God’s repelling the people – some of them against others, certainly, corrupted the earth, but God is possessor of favor for the people.
- God has chosen Adam, Noah and families of Abraham and Imran among the people of the world.
- He has chosen Mary and has purified her and has chosen her among the women of the world.
- The first House has established at Bakka is blessed and a guidance for the people of the world.
- God has sufficiency and He does not need anything from the people of the world.
- God’s revelation is recited as He does not intend wickedness among the people of the world.
- God has favored the people of Israel making prophets and kings from them, and has preferred them among any other people of the world.
- The righteous is one who does not kill anyone fearing God, Lord of the worlds.
- Those who disbelieved in what God has sent down will be punished from the people of the world.
- Not the Satan’s guidance but God’s guidance is the true guidance to Whom we have been commanded to submit, Lord of the worlds.
- Prophet Muhammad has been asked to raise his guidance to the level of the previous prophets.
- Blessed is God, Lord of the worlds, who has created the heavens and the earth in six days.
- Noah, Hud and Moses said to their people that we are messengers from Lord of the worlds.
- Pharaoh had no belief in Lord of the worlds but his magicians believed in Lord of the worlds.
- Quran is a confirmation and a detailed scripture and a reminder from Lord of the worlds.
- Mary who guarded her chastity and her son have been made a portent for the people of the world.
- What has been sent down to Muhammad is a mercy and a warner for the people of the world.
- Pharaoh said what is Lord of the worlds while criminals equate their statues to Lord of the worlds.
- When Sheba saw her palace made with crystals, she submitted with Solomon to Lord of the worlds.
- Striving towards God is for ourselves and He does not need anything from the people of the world.
- God is a Knower of what is in the breasts of the people of the world.
- Noah and a people on the ship have been saved, which is a portent for the people of the world.
- The immorality done by a people of Lot has not been done by any other people of the world.
- Muhammad has been forbidden from idol worshiping while he submitted to Lord of the worlds.
- Those who have disbelieved in the One who has created the heavens and the earth in two days set up equals to Lord of the worlds.
- Satan misguides his followers to disbelieve in God while he himself fears Lord of the worlds.
- A day the human being will stand before God, and it has been said that all praise to God, Lord of the worlds followed by an equitable judgment between them.
Mathematical confirmation
There are 43 verses across 25 suras in the Quran including al-`aalameen associated with “Lord” in 39 verses and with “reminder” in 4 verses. If the relevant sura and verse numbers are added, the total is a multiple of 19 =>3781 = 19x199 as shown details in the table below:
Note: This mathematical analysis is an explicit proof to confirm al-`aalameen being Lord of the worlds and reminder of the worlds excluding 2 instances in 26:23 and 26:98 not reflected God as true Lord.
Conclusion
in 41 verses, the word, al-`aalameen associated with the Arabic word, rab meaning “Lord”, and we should not have any confusion to mean “the worlds” if we can reflect that our lives are not only limited to this worldly life. In 4 verses, the word, al-`aalameen associated with the Arabic word, dhik’run meaning “reminder” to mean “the worlds” as well.
We are familiar with two worlds: here and hereafter while the word is not a dual noun. Some of us may be familiar with all of our past life (spirit world) from where we have been sent down to the earth (mortal world) starting with Adam and Eve, then through institution of earthly reproduction. With our death we enter another life (interim world) until a day of the Resurrection while we enter eternal life (eternal world) followed by an equitable judgment. Thus, we may reflect to four worlds and God is Lord of these four worlds.
In 28 verses, al-`aalameen is meant to the people of the world being our activities limited to this earthly life. Thus, the message in the context along with mathematical confirmation should help us to interpret the appropriate message to find the right path learning from the Quran, a revelation and a reminder from Lord of the words being aware of our life in the worlds to succeed in the eternal life.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (7/17/2019).