وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لِيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَـٰٓـُٔوا۟ بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ بِٱلْحُسْنَى 31
Translations
And to Allāh belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth - that He may recompense those who do evil with [the penalty of] what they have done and recompense those who do good with the best [reward] -
Transliteration
Wa lillahi ma fi as-samawati wa ma fil-ard, liyajziya alladhina asau bima amilu wa yajzi alladhina ahsanu bil-husna
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms Allah's absolute ownership of all creation in the heavens and earth, establishing the foundation for divine justice and accountability. The verse conveys that Allah will recompense those who commit evil with the consequences of their deeds, while rewarding those who do good with the ultimate reward (al-Husna—Paradise). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this verse connects Allah's sovereignty with His justice, assuring believers that no action goes unaccounted for and that moral responsibility is inseparable from divine accountability.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Najm, a Meccan surah that addresses fundamental Islamic beliefs including divine oneness (tawhid), prophecy, and the Day of Judgment. The surah was revealed during the early Meccan period when the Prophet faced opposition from the Quraysh. This particular verse serves as a reminder of Allah's comprehensive knowledge and justice, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in righteousness despite worldly pressures.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Every soul shall taste death. And We test you with evil and with good by way of trial' (Quran 21:35, thematically related). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet taught that 'None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself' reinforces the emphasis on good deeds (ihsan) mentioned in this verse.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that ultimate ownership belongs to Allah alone, liberating us from the fear of worldly powers while instilling accountability for our actions. The promise of fair recompense—punishment for wrongdoing and reward for good—should motivate us to cultivate ihsan (excellence) in our faith and deeds, knowing that nothing escapes Allah's knowledge or justice.
Related Ayahs
وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ ٱلَّذِى وَفَّىٰٓ
And [of] Abraham, who fulfilled [his obligations] -
۞ وَكَم مِّن مَّلَكٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ لَا تُغْنِى شَفَـٰعَتُهُمْ شَيْـًٔا إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ أَن يَأْذَنَ ٱللَّهُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَرْضَىٰٓ
And how many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession will not avail at all except [only] after Allāh has permitted [it] to whom He wills and approves.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبَـٰٓئِرَ ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْفَوَٰحِشَ إِلَّا ٱللَّمَمَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَٰسِعُ ٱلْمَغْفِرَةِ ۚ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ إِذْ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِذْ أَنتُمْ أَجِنَّةٌ فِى بُطُونِ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمْ ۖ فَلَا تُزَكُّوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۖ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰٓ
Those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, only [committing] slight ones. Indeed, your Lord is vast in forgiveness. He was most knowing of you when He produced you from the earth and when you were fetuses in the wombs of your mothers. So do not claim yourselves to be pure; He is most knowing of who fears Him.
فَٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ ۩
So prostrate to Allāh and worship [Him].