All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds

The surah comes to a close with a magnificent scene:

Some say that this address is directed specifically to our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him), because ordinary believers cannot see the angels. But the scene being described is for all of us to reflect upon.

Row upon row, the angels surround the Throne of Allah.

Once the resurrection has come to pass, the reckoning has been held and people have been separated into Paradise or Hell, the angels carry on with their never-ending task of declaring Allah’s perfection and glorifying Him.

Every matter over which they had differed is resolved on that day with perfect justice.

The surah ends where Surah al-Fatihah begins.

Throughout Paradise, from the highest ranks, from the Throne, the words we say at the beginning of every prayer are heard: ‎ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ‎.

This is meant to change the way we recite al-Fatihah. When you say ‎ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ‎, you should remember this scene.

You should imagine the angels surrounding the Throne. You should imagine entering Paradise. You should imagine every matter being resolved with complete justice. Finally, from the highest palace of Paradise, from atop the Throne, this declaration echoes throughout all of creation: ‎ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ‎.

This phrase, which we say so casually dozens of times a day, is in fact a window opening onto the eternal reality that awaits us.

This phrase gives us an otherworldly and transcendent perspective on those beautiful words we are commanded to say in every single rak‘ah of every prayer.

Surah Az-Zumar ends with a scene of ultimate victory, perfect justice, and eternal praise.

The surah began with the command to worship Allah with sincere devotion due to Him alone, and it has come to its end with all of creation, from the angels to human beings, each having attained perfect justice, united in glorifying Him.

The arrogant have been brought low, the humble have been raised up, and all praise has returned to where it has belonged from eternity: to Allah, Lord of the worlds.