Overview (Verse 126)

Dominion of the Universe
 
The passage concludes with a comment on the whole question of action and reward, as well as the earlier question of faith and disbelief. This comment makes it clear that all the heavens and earth belong to God, who encompasses all that is in life and beyond it: “To God belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth; and indeed God encompasses everything.” (Verse 126)
 
When the oneness of the Godhead is mentioned in the Qur’ān, it is often coupled with a mention that all dominion, power and authority also belong to God alone. Islamic monotheism does not only relate to God’s being only. It is a positive monotheism which applies to action that influences the whole universe and to real and active authority in the universe as well.
 
When a person realises that to God belongs all that is in the heavens and earth, and that He encompasses everything, so that nothing escapes His knowledge or lies beyond His power, he has a strong motivation to acknowledge Him as the only God in the universe. This means that all worship is addressed to Him alone and His pleasure is sought through the implementation of His constitution and by obeying His orders. This is the logical conclusion, for everything belongs to Him, subject to His power and under His watchful eye.
 
Some philosophies acknowledge that God is one without partners, yet some of them negate His will, or His knowledge, or His power, or His dominion, etc. Such hollow ideas, calling themselves “philosophies”, abound. However, any such creed is negative, having no effect on people’s lives, or their moral values and practices, or their feelings and perceptions. It is all hollow, going no further than the words they use to express themselves.
 
In the Islamic doctrine, however, God is the overall King to whom all the heavens and earth belong. With His knowledge and power, He encompasses everything. Such a doctrine ensures that human conscience is set on the right track. Hence, people’s practices are set right and human life itself prospers as it follows the right method.