Surah An-Nisa 4:133

The Necessity of Taqwa of Allah

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.)

Apabila Allah berkehendak untuk melenyapkan semua manusia dan seluruh alam ini, sesudah itu menciptakan makhluk dan alam yang lain sebagai ganti untuk melaksanakan perintah-perintah-Nya, maka Allah kuasa melaksanakan kehendak-Nya itu; karena segala apa yang terdapat di langit dan di bumi tunduk di bawah kekuasaan-Nya.

Apabila ada sebagian manusia yang mengingkari nikmat Allah dan membangkang terhadap perintah-perintah-Nya, kemudian mereka dibiarkan terus hidup di dunia ini hingga ajalnya tiba, hal itu menunjukkan bahwa Allah benar-benar tidak memerlukan ketaatan mereka. Apabila mereka tidak diberi balasan secara langsung, bukanlah karena Allah tidak berkuasa untuk membinasakan mereka, tetapi semata-mata karena adanya hikmah dan kemaslahatan yang berguna bagi manusia yang bertakwa. Allah berfirman:

(19) Tidakkah kamu memperhatikan bahwa sesungguhnya Allah telah menciptakan langit dan bumi dengan hak (benar)? Jika Dia menghendaki, niscaya Dia membinasakan kamu dan mendatangkan makhluk yang baru (untuk menggantikan kamu), (20) dan yang demikian itu tidak sukar bagi Allah. (Ibrahim/14:19-20).

¦ Dan jika kamu berpaling (dari jalan yang benar) Dia akan menggantikan (kamu) dengan kaum yang lain, dan mereka tidak akan (durhaka) seperti kamu (ini). (Muhammad/47:38).

Ayat ini mengandung ancaman kepada orang-orang musyrik yang selalu menyiksa pikiran dan perasaan Nabi dan menentang seruannya, juga untuk memperingatkan agar orang memperhatikan sunatullah yang menguasai hidup dan mati mereka.