Transliteration:( Wa lillaahi maafis samaawaati wa maa fil ard; wa laqad wassainal lazeena ootul Kitaaba min qablikum wa iyyaakum anit taqul laah; wa intakfuroo fa inna lillaahi maa fis samaawaati wa maa fil ard; wa kaanal laahu Ghaniyyan hameedaa )
“And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and on the earth [395]. And We have instructed those who were given the Book before you and yourselves to fear Allah [396]. But if you commit infidelity, then surely, to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and on the earth [397]. And Allah is definitely All-Sufficient, All-Praised [398].”
Allah Almighty is the absolute Master and Possessor of everything in the heavens and the earth.
However, from His grace and mercy, He temporarily entrusts ownership of certain things to whomever He wills.
Thus, this verse does not deny temporary or delegated ownership, but rather affirms that ultimate control rests solely with Allah.
This instruction to fear Allah (Taqwa) was not revealed only to the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, but was also commanded to the followers of previous scriptures.
It shows that piety and God-consciousness are timeless values upheld in all divinely revealed religions, just like:
Fasting,
I‘tikaf, and
Marriage
which have always been part of sacred practice.
Even if all creation were to become disbelievers, it would not diminish the greatness or majesty of Allah in the slightest.
Everything in existence belongs to Him, and He is in no need of creation’s obedience or worship.
Rather, we are completely dependent upon Him, while He remains fully self-sufficient.
Every particle in existence glorifies Allah and reflects His perfect ownership and praiseworthiness.
Some aspects of divine ownership and knowledge—such as knowledge of the Hour (Qiyamah)—belong exclusively to Allah.
This verse reinforces that there is no contradiction in acknowledging delegated authority while affirming that true ownership and praise belong solely to Allah Almighty.
131. And to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And verily, We have recommended to the People of the Scripture before you, and to you that you have Taqwa of Allah. But if you disbelieve, then unto Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, and Allah is Ever Rich (free of any needs), Worthy of all praise. 132. And to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is Ever All-Sufficient as Disposer of affairs. 133. If He wills, He can take you away, O people, and bring others. And Allah is Ever All-Potent over that. 134. Whoever desires the rewards of this life, then with Allah is the reward of this worldly life and of the Hereafter. And Allah is Ever All-Hearer, All-Seer.
Allah states that He is the Owner of the heavens and earth and that He is the Supreme Authority over them. Hence Allah’s statement,
(And verily, We have recommended to the People of the Scripture before you, and to you) meaning, We have recommended to you what We recommended to the People of Scriptures; Taqwa of Allah, by worshipping Him Alone without partners. Allah then said,
(But if you disbelieve, then unto Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth). In another Ayah, Allah said that Musa said to his people,
(“If you disbelieve, you and all on the earth together, then verily, Allah is Rich (free of any need), Owner of all praise.”). Allah said,
(So they disbelieved and turned away. But Allah was not in need (of them). And Allah is Rich (free of any need), Worthy of all praise) meaning, He is far too Rich than to need His servants, and worthy of all praise in all His decisions and commandments. The meaning of Allah’s statement,
(And to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is Ever All-Sufficient as a Disposer of affairs.) He has perfect watch over every soul, knowing what it deserves, He is the Watcher, and Witness of all things. Allah’s statement,
(If He wills, He can take you away, O people, and bring others. And Allah is Ever All-Potent over that.) means, He is able to take you away and replace you with other people if you disobey Him. In a similar Ayah, Allah said,
(And if you turn away, He will exchange you for some other people and they will not be your likes) Allah’s statement,
(Whoever desires the rewards of this life, then with Allah is the reward of this worldly life and of the Hereafter.) means, O those whose ultimate desire is this life, know that Allah owns the rewards of this life and the Hereafter. Therefore, if you ask Allah for both, He will enrich you, award you and suffice for you. As Allah said,
(But of mankind there are some who say: “Our Lord! Give us in this world!” and for such there will be no portion in the Hereafter. And of them there are some who say: “Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!” For them there will be alloted a share for what they have earned),
(Whosoever desires (by his deeds) the reward of the Hereafter, We give him increase in his reward), and
(Whoever desires the quick-passing (transitory enjoyment of this world), We readily grant him what We will for whom We like) until,
(See how We prefer one above another (in this world)). So Allah said here,
(And Allah is Ever All-Hearer, All-Seer.)
(4:131) All that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth belongs to Allah. We enjoined upon those who were given the Book before you, and also yourselves, to have fear of Allah. But if you disbelieve, then bear in mind that all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth belongs to Allah. Allah is Self-Sufficient, Most Praiseworthy.
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
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