The Holy Qur'an, akin to an infinite light, serves as humanitys guide in the path of recognising truth and divine knowledge. Verses 40 to 42 of Surah An-Nisa, with profound and wise expression, elucidate the absolute Divine justice, the system of reward and punishment, and the unparalleled clarity of the Resurrection. These verses invite mankind to contemplate their conduct and harmonise with the cosmic order, urging them to pursue the path of felicity with awareness of Divine oversight. This treatise endeavours, through deep examination of these verses, to explicate their sublime concepts with clear and dignified language for seekers of knowledge. Just as the sun dispels darkness, these verses with their illuminating nature unveil the reality of Divine justice and recompense.
Surah An-Nisa, like a comprehensive book, intertwines worldly and hereafter laws, portraying each as an independent subject. This Surah, with a structured arrangement, guides humanity towards understanding the systematic nature of existence. Among these, verse 40 shines like a luminous torch, displaying the absolute Divine justice.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ ۖ وَإِنْ تَكُ حَسَنَةً يُضَاعِفْهَا وَيُؤْتِ مِنْ لَدُنْهُ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
Indeed, Allah does not wrong by the weight of an atom; and if it is a good deed, He multiplies it and grants from Himself a great reward.
The noble verse, emphasising the phrase إِنَّ اللَّهَ, which functions as a Divine oath, testifies to the certainty of God's justice. The phrase مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ, referring to the smallest measurable unit, denotes the unparalleled precision of Divine fairness. Oppression, meaning harm, excess, deviation, or deficiency, is categorically negated from the Divine sanctity. This justice, like a comprehensive system, encompasses all creaturesfrom humans to animalsand admits no exception.
The noble verse explicitly declares that human miseries, afflictions, and calamities, including wars and displacements, do not originate from Divine injustice but are the consequences of humans own actions. Elsewhere in the Qur'an, it is stated: لَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وَزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ (No bearer of burden will bear the burden of another). This principle signifies individual responsibility for ones deeds. Just as a plant grows from its own seed, human miseries also stem from ignorance, backwardness, and improper conduct.
Divine justice, like a steadfast pillar, upholds the cosmic order. By negating any form of oppression, even the weight of an atom, it calls humans to reflect on their deeds. Misfortunes arise not from God, but from mankinds erroneous choices. This verse acts like a mirror, confronting humans with the reality of their actions and inviting them to reform their behaviour.
Verse 40 of Surah An-Nisa, following the emphasis on Divine justice, addresses the system of Divine recompense. God not only rewards good deeds but multiplies them manifold and bestows an immense gift from His own presence.
The phrase وَإِنْ تَكُ حَسَنَةً يُضَاعِفْهَا refers to the multiplication of good deeds. This multiplication, which may be twofold, tenfold, or even a hundredfold, is a sign of Gods boundless generosity. This reward manifests sometimes as increased wealth, sometimes as enlightenment of intellect, and sometimes as facilitation in lifes path. Just as a diligent gardener transforms a small seed into a fruitful tree, God enriches the good deed by His grace.
The phrase وَيُؤْتِ مِنْ لَدُنْهُ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا refers to a Divine gift that is independent of the human deed. This reward, granted from God, transcends human calculation and its grandeur astonishes the heart of the believer. The distinction between the multiplication of good deeds and the great reward lies in the former being dependent on the deed, whereas the latter is a gift stemming from Gods infinite grace.
Despite such abundant Divine grace, the Qur'an elsewhere states: إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ (Indeed, mankind is in loss). This loss resembles a student who, despite the teachers guidance, remains inattentive to learning. Due to heedlessness and inability to utilise Divine blessings, man plunges into ruin. This reality serves as a warning calling for awakening and reformation.
The system of Divine reward, like a boundless ocean, encompasses good deeds with multiplication and immense gifts. This grace encourages humanity towards virtuous acts, but loss results from neglecting these blessings. This part of the verse invites humans to reflect on their deeds and utilise Divine grace.
Verse 41 of Surah An-Nisa, with a remarkable expression, addresses the system of testimony on the Day of Resurrection and presents a clear image of Divine transparency.
فَكَيْفَ إِذَا جِئْنَا مِنْ كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ بِشَهِيدٍ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ عَلَىٰ هَٰؤُلَاءِ شَهِيدًا
So how will it be when We bring from every nation a witness and We bring you as a witness over these?
The phrase مِنْ كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ بِشَهِيدٍ indicates that God brings forth a perfect witness for each nation who has recorded their deeds without deficiency. The شهيد, in contrast to a شاهد who may err, is an infallible witness guaranteeing Divine justice. This system encompasses not only humans but all creatures, including animals who constitute nations with their own responsibilities. Just as in nature every particle has its place, on Resurrection each nation is recognised by its own witness.
The phrase وَجِئْنَا بِكَ عَلَىٰ هَٰؤُلَاءِ شَهِيدًا refers to the mutual testimony of individuals. Each person may serve as a witness for another nation, establishing collective and individual responsibility for deeds. This testimony is like a mirror displaying actions before all eyes, permitting no concealment.
In the Divine system, the principle is presumption of innocence unless an evidence proves an improper deed. This principle negates all forms of intrusion, suspicion, and slander, protecting humans from baseless accusations. Just as a pure breeze clears dust, the presumption of innocence cleanses hearts from ill suspicion.
The system of testimony on the Day of Resurrection, by bringing forth witnesses for every nation and mutual testimony among individuals, manifests Divine justice and clarity. This system summons humanity to awareness of Divine oversight and accountability for deeds. The presumption of innocence acts as a shield, preventing baseless allegations and paving the way for true justice.
Verse 42 of Surah An-Nisa, with a striking expression, portrays the condition of disbelievers and the defiant on the Day of Resurrection.
يَوْمَئِذٍ يَوَدُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَعَصَوُا الرَّسُولَ لَوْ تُسَوَّىٰ بِهِمُ الْأَرْضُ وَلَا يَكْتُمُونَ اللَّهَ حَدِيثًا
On that Day, those who disbelieved and disobeyed the Messenger will wish that the earth were levelled with them, and they will not conceal from Allah a word.
The phrase يَوْمَئِذٍ يَوَدُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَعَصَوُا الرَّسُولَ refers to the regret of disbelievers and the defiant who, confronted with the clarity of Resurrection, wish for annihilation and obliteration. Disbelief, which includes apostasy, rejection of faith, and ingratitude, and disobedience to the Messenger, meaning disobedience to God, drive mankind toward this shame and regret. Just as a sinner lowers their head before the mirror of truth, disbelievers will be ashamed before their deeds on Resurrection.
The phrase وَلَا يَكْتُمُونَ اللَّهَ حَدِيثًا indicates that on Resurrection nothing remains hidden from God. This clarity, like a light breaking through darkness, nullifies any justification or denial. Human ignorance, which imagined their deeds concealed from Divine sight, becomes manifest on this Day, compelling repentance.
Divine precision in recording deeds is such that the Qur'an likens it to separating a hair from a hair, surpassing human imagination. The narration جَف
