وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ مُّحِيطًا 126
Translations
And to Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And ever is Allāh, of all things, encompassing.
Transliteration
Wa-lillāhi mā fī as-samāwāti wa-mā fī al-ard. Wa-kāna Allāhu bi-kulli shay'in muhīt.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that everything in the heavens and on earth belongs exclusively to Allah, emphasizing His complete ownership and sovereignty over all creation. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that this declaration serves as a reminder of Allah's ultimate dominion and negates any notion of independent ownership or authority, while the phrase 'muhīt' (encompassing) indicates that Allah's knowledge and power encompass all things completely.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Nisa's discussion of social responsibilities, inheritance, and obedience to Allah. It reinforces the theological foundation that should govern believers' conduct: the recognition that all wealth and resources are ultimately Allah's trust, not personal possessions, which contextually supports the ethical guidelines for wealth distribution and family rights presented throughout the surah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best charity is when one is in need yet gives' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi), reflecting the principle that we are stewards of Allah's possessions. Additionally, 'Wealth and children are adornments of life, but the everlasting good deeds are better' (Surah Al-Kahf 46) reinforces that ultimate ownership belongs to Allah alone.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that true freedom and peace come from recognizing that nothing is truly 'ours'—we are merely trustees of Allah's blessings. This perspective should cultivate generosity, humility, and responsible stewardship in our handling of wealth and resources.