This treatise presents a profound and systematic reflection on verse 131 of Surah An-Nis, wherein the Noble Quran, through a lucid expression, emphasises the absolute ownership of the heavens and the earth by God, the necessity of divine piety, and the role of faith in fortifying the human heart. This exegesis, by delving deeply into the meanings of the verse, endeavours to illustrate the profound connection between monotheism, worship, and the courage emanating from faith. Employing literary similes and allusions, the meanings of this revered verse are presented in a clear and coherent framework to invite the reader to contemplate divine grandeur and to commit to piety.
Before engaging in the exegesis of verse 131 of Surah An-Nis, it is appropriate to consider the preceding verse (130) which refers to the permissibility of separation between spouses in case of incompatibility. The Noble Quran states:
وَإِنْ يَتَفَرَّقَا يُغْنِي اللَّهُ كُلًّا مِنْ سَعَتِهِ
And if they separate, Allah will enrich each of them from His bounty. (4:130)
This verse, by emphasising the flexibility of Islamic law in resolving marital conflicts, demonstrates that separation, when continued cohabitation is impossible, is not only permissible but also that God, by His boundless grace, suffices the needs of both parties. This statement, on the one hand, brings solace to the spouses and, on the other, indicates divine self-sufficiency and His sufficiency in all affairs. This concept paves the way to verse 131, which posits the absolute ownership of God as the foundation of monotheism and piety.
Verse 131 of Surah An-Nis, in a majestic and profound expression, underscores Gods ownership over the heavens and the earth, the exhortation to piety, and divine self-sufficiency. The text of the verse is as follows:
وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَلَقَدْ وَصَّيْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ أَنِ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ ۚ وَإِن تَكْفُرُواْ فَإِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَنِيًّا حَمِيدًا
And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And We have certainly advised those who were given the Scripture before you and yourselves to fear Allah. And if you disbelieve - then indeed, to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth. And ever is Allah Free of need and Praiseworthy.
This verse, by repeating the phrase And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth, stresses Gods absolute ownership and invites humanity to contemplate the grandeur of the Lord and to commit to piety. The exhortation to piety is addressed not only to the believers but also to the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), which reflects the continuity of the divine message across the Abrahamic faiths.
The Noble Quran in this verse, through the repetition of And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth, affirms God's absolute ownership over all celestial and terrestrial beings. This ownership encompasses not only tangible and known phenomena but also all entities beyond human perception. Despite all scientific progress, humans lack complete knowledge of the details of existence, such as the number of earthly creatures or the extent of the heavens. This ignorance acts as a mirror reflecting the limitations of human knowledge vis--vis divine infinite knowledge.
This concept invites humans to humility before the grandeur of the Lord. Just as the stars shine before our eyes while their depths remain unknown, existence before divine knowledge is like a drop in an ocean. This contemplation inclines the human heart towards piety, for awareness of divine greatness inclines the heart to submission and abstention from transgression.
This concept aligns with verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah, which states:
لَهُ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلْأَرْضِ
To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. (2:255)
Also, verse 18 of Surah Al-Isr confirms this epistemic limitation:
وَمَا أُوتِيتُمْ مِنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
And you have not been given of knowledge except a little. (17:18)
The Noble Quran, in this verse, addresses both the People of the Book and the believers with a common exhortation to divine piety: And We have certainly advised those who were given the Scripture before you and yourselves to fear Allah. This address demonstrates the continuity of the divine message in Abrahamic religions. Piety serves as a lamp illuminating the path of servitude and guiding man from the darkness of disbelief and ingratitude towards the light of faith. This exhortation is not only directed to Jews and Christians but to all believers, commanding them to place God as the primary principle in all matters.
Piety, in this sense, is a shield protecting man from the harm of sin and disbelief. Just as a sturdy shield protects a warrior from the enemys arrows, piety guards the human heart against satanic whispers and deviations. This concept aligns with verse 197 of Surah l Imrn:
فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱعْلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
So fear Allah and know that you will be returned to Him. (3:197)
The noble verse warns against disbelief (And if you disbelieve), cautioning man from denying divine blessings and ingratitude. Disbelief acts as a dark veil extinguishing the light of faith in the heart and plunging one into the abyss of error and bewilderment. Conversely, faith in divine ownership and connection to the Lords infinite power liberates man from fear and dependence on anything but God. This concept is consistent with verse 97 of Surah An-Nal:
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَٰلِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ
Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer. (16:97)
The repetition of divine ownership in the verse aims to root this belief firmly in the human heart. Just as rain repeatedly falls on dry soil to quench it, repetition ensures penetration into the depths of the soul and consolidation of faith.
The noble verse describes God with two attributes: Free of need (Ghaniyy) and Praiseworthy (Hamid). The attribute Ghaniyy refers to Gods absolute self-sufficiency, which exempts Him from any need towards His creatures. The attribute Hamid expresses Gods praiseworthiness and His boundless grace overflowing upon all creation. These two attributes act as wings urging man towards worship and submission to the Lord.
God is like an infinite ocean providing all the needs of creatures from His bounty, and His grace is like a breeze caressing thirsty souls. This concept aligns with verse 267 of Surah
