Surah An-Nisa 4:131

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.)

Apa saja yang ada di langit dan di bumi adalah kepunyaan Allah. Dialah yang menciptakan dan Dia pula yang mengurus. Dalam mengurus makhluk-makhluk-Nya, Allah menciptakan hukum secara mutlak, dan semuanya tunduk di bawah hukum itu.

Orang yang benar-benar memahami hukum-hukum Allah yang berlaku umum terhadap bumi, langit dan semua isinya serta memahami pula hukum yang mengatur kehidupan makhluk-Nya, akan mengetahui betapa besar limpahan rahmat dan karunia-Nya kepada semua makhluk-Nya. Oleh sebab itulah kepada setiap hamba diperintahkan agar bertakwa kepada-Nya, seperti telah diperintahkan kepada umat-umat terdahulu, yang telah diberi Al-Kitab seperti orang-orang Yahudi dan Nasrani. Serta kepada orang-orang yang melaksanakan ketakwaan dengan tunduk dan patuh kepada-Nya dan menjalankan syariat-Nya. Dengan tunduk dan patuh kepada-Nya dan dengan menegakkan syariat-Nya manusia akan berjiwa yang bersih dan dapat mewujudkan kesejahteraan di dunia dan kebahagiaan di akhirat.

Jika mereka mengingkari nikmat Allah yang tak terhingga besarnya, maka keingkaran dan pembangkangan itu sedikit pun tidak akan mengurangi kekuasaan Allah terhadap segala sesuatu yang ada di langit dan di bumi. Sebaliknya apabila mereka bersyukur, maka syukur mereka itu sedikit pun tidak akan menambah kekuasaan-Nya. Perintah bertakwa itu adalah semata-mata untuk kepentingan mereka sendiri, bukan untuk kepentingan Allah. Allah Mahakaya, tidak memerlukan apa pun dari makhluk-Nya dan Maha Terpuji, tidak memerlukan pujian siapa pun untuk menambah kesempurnaan-Nya. Allah berfirman:

¦Dan tidak ada sesuatu pun melainkan bertasbih dengan memuji-Nya, tetapi kamu tidak mengerti tasbih mereka¦ (al-Isra'/17:44).