Mulk

Mulk is a term of Arabic origin that means sovereignty, realm, or property. In its core sense, the word denotes a domain held by a ruler or by an individual owner; in Urdu and Persian it can refer to a political realm as well as private real property. In Islamic usage, the concept of mulk appears in jurisprudence and theology to distinguish ownership or sovereignty from other concepts of possession.

In religious literature, Al-Mulk, or “The Sovereignty,” is the 67th chapter of the Qur'an. It emphasizes God's dominion over the heavens and the earth and is often recited for protection and contemplation of the created order.

In modern usage, mulk can refer to a state's sovereignty or to real property in legal and everyday contexts, as in phrases denoting ownership of land or possessions. It also appears in place names and personal names in regions influenced by Persian, Arabic, and South Asian languages.

Mulk also refers to a 2018 Indian Hindi-language film directed by Anubhav Sinha. The film presents a courtroom drama about a Muslim family facing accusations of terrorism and engages with themes of secularism, nationalism, and religious tolerance, generating discussions on prejudice and civil rights in contemporary India.

See also: Al-Mulk, the Qur'anic surah.