Verse 4

مَـٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ

Master of the Day of Judgement.

The Master (Malik) is the one who possesses the attributes o fof sovereignty, one o fof the implications o fof which is that He enjoins and forbids, rewards and punishes, and controls His subjects in all ways. This sovereignty is connected to the Day o fof Judgement, which is the Day o fof Resurrection, the day on which people will be judged on the basis o fof their deeds, both good and bad. On that day, His perfect sovereignty, justice and wisdom will become completely clear to His creation, and they will realiserealize that created beings have no sovereignty at all. On that day, kings and subjects, slaves and free, will all be equal and will submit fully to His might, awaiting the reckoning, hoping for His reward and fearing His punishment. Hence this day is singled out for mention; otherwise, He is the Master o fof the Day o fof Judgement and o fof all other days.