is the first interpretation, and it is the recitation of the one who recites "maliki" in the sense of "sovereignty" (al-mulk). This is because acknowledging His exclusive sovereignty entails His exclusive ownership (al-milk), and the virtue of kingly sovereignty over ownership (1), since it is known that there is no king except that he is an owner, whereas an owner may not be a king.

Furthermore, Allah, majestic is His mention, has informed His servants in the verse preceding His statement (maliki yawmi 'd-dīn) that He is the Owner of all the worlds, their Master, their Rectifier, the One who cares for them, and the One who is Merciful to them in this world and the Hereafter, by His statement: {Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, the All-Merciful, the Most Merciful}.

And since He, majestic is His mention, had informed them of His ownership