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To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. We have indeed enjoined those who were granted revelations before our time, as well as yourselves, to always be God-fearing. If you disbelieve, know that to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Allah is Self-sufficient, Praiseworthy. To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Allah is your All-sufficient Guardian. If He so wills, He can take you, mankind, away and replace you by others. This He surely has the power to do. If anyone desires the rewards of this world, let him remember that with Allah are the rewards of this world and those of the life to come. Allah is indeed All-hearing, All-seeing.
(Women: “An-Nisaa”: 4: 131-134)
The verses preceding this passage, allow for an agreement between a married couple whose relationship may be strained for one reason or another to come to some sort of agreement in order to preserve their marriage, even if that agreement means that the wife may have to relinquish, by her own free will, some of her rights. Maintaining absolute equity between one’s wives is impossible, when it comes to feelings and inclinations. In such cases, husbands are counseled not to be totally partial towards one wife, so as to leave the other, or others, in suspense.
We pick up our commentary to consider the present passage which starts with the case when the marital relationship is so strained that it cannot be maintained. Both man and wife have lost everything needed for a settled, happy family life. In such a situation, separation is better. Islam does not hold marriages with ropes, chains and fetters. It maintains family life with affection, compassion or with the sense of duty and forbearance. If none of these elements can reconcile estranged hearts, Islam does not condemn them to a prison of hate, nor does it try to cover up the breakdown in the marital relationship which has occurred in reality with pretence of reconciliation which is only skin-deep.
“But if the two separate, Allah shall provide for each of them out of His abundance: Allah is indeed Munificent, Wise.” This is a promise by Allah that He will give each of the separating couple out of His own abundance what will be sufficient for him or her. He provides for all His servants and grants them of His grace what is suitable for every situation, according to His wisdom and knowledge.
When we study the Islamic system as it deals with human feelings, motives and prejudices and provides solutions for practical situations, we are infinitely amazed at people turning away from this simple, uncomplicated method devised specially for human life. It leads people from their low position, along the road to a great height, giving them all the time what is suitable to their nature and capabilities. It does not impose on them any course leading to a higher level of sublimity, unless it has a root within their own nature. What is more, Islam attains a standard which cannot be achieved through any other system, and it maintains all the while its ideal practicality or practical idealism.
We have to understand that these rules which are applicable to marriage and family life are only a part of an overall system which regulates human life as a whole. This system is, in turn, part of the law Allah has laid down for the whole universe to follow. It, therefore, fits well with the nature of the universe as well as with the nature of man who lives in the universe. This profound fact is central to the overall system. Therefore, rules which are provided for the regulation of family life are followed by statements which relate them to the universal system as well as Allah’s power over, and His ownership of , everything in the universe. We have also a statement that Allah has given the same directive to all mankind in all messages He sent them, and a reminder of rewards in this life and in the life to come. Indeed, these are the bases upon which the whole system is founded: truth, justice and fearing Allah.
Often rules and injunctions given in the Qur’an are followed by a statement that to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth. The two are essentially inter-related: He who owns something has all power and authority over it. He alone has the right to establish the system he wants and impose it on those who are under his dominion. Since Allah is the only owner, it follows that He alone has the authority to legislate to people. Of all divine instructions, the one which is highlighted here and which has been given to all those who received messages from Allah is that which tells people to always fear Allah: “To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. We have indeed enjoined those who were granted revelations before your time, as well as yourselves, to always be God-fearing.”
The One who has real power is the One to be feared. Fearing Him ensures purity of motives and keenness to implement His constitution and system with all its detail.
The unbelievers are shown their insignificance in the universe which belongs to Allah. In His esteem, they count for little. He is able to replace them with others: “If you disbelieve, know that to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Allah is Self-sufficient, Praiseworthy. To Allah belong all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Allah is your All-sufficient Guardian.” Their disbelief will not decrease His kingdom in any way, for “To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth.” Moreover, He is able to substitute for them some other people or creatures. He only enjoins them to fear Him for their own sake and for their own interest.
Islam states very clearly that man has a special position of honour with Allah, which elevates him over everything in the universe. Equally, Islam states that man sinks to an abject depth when he disbelieves, transgresses, tyrannizes and tries to usurp Allah’s power. These are two opposite situations.
These comments are concluded with a reminder to those who are keen on having a share of the riches of this life that Allah’s grace is far greater and more bounteous than that. He can give rewards in this-life and in the life to come. Those who limit their hopes and ambitions to this world can look far beyond to a greater reward in the hereafter which may be given in addition to what Allah grants them in this life: “If anyone desires the rewards of this world, let him remember that with Allah are the rewards of this world and those of the life to come. Allah is indeed All-hearing, All-seeing.”
It is indeed stupid and highly unbecoming of man who is able to seek and look forward to Allah’s grace in both this life and the life to come, the enjoyment of which is guaranteed by implementing the well-integrated Islamic way of life which combines practicality with idealism, to confine himself and his ambitions to this life. He is indeed capable of achieving the glory of human life, with his feet on the ground and his spirit in heaven. He moves about and conducts his affairs according to the rules which govern the earth while, at the same time, looking up to the sublime.
As these comments relate to detailed Islamic legislations to Allah’s law which governs the whole life, they also point out the great importance Islam assigns to the family. Otherwise, Allah would not have related family matters to these great issues and would not have emphasized the need to fear Him. Allah is able to replace erring people with others who follow His system and implement His law.
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