Quran Garden

Session 437

Chapter 3

Verse 109

Everything in the heavens and earth belongs to God; it is to Him that all things return.  (Chapter 3: Verse 109)

In Verse 109 of Al-Imran, God spoke of injustice and declared that He does not allow it for Himself and does not like to see it from His creation.  We explained that people are often unjust to each other because they want immediate benefits regardless of the consequences.  But Allah does not need or want anything from us.  He does not benefit from anything you and I do, and thus, He is free of injustice.  He says,

Everything in the heavens and earth belongs to God; it is to Him that all things return.  (Chapter 3: Verse 109)

The phrase: "to Him all things return" is found in the Quran in two variations: The first is: "matters come back to God "translated from the Arabic origin: Tarjioun; and the second is: "matters are brought back to God" translated from the Arabic origin: Turjaoun.  Let's explain the difference.  The first variation, 'Tarjioun,' is usually reserved for the believers.  They want to return to God by choice because of their good deeds.  The believers love their Creator and look forward to the day of reward.  Hence, they will rush towards the Hereafter.  The second variation, 'Turjaoun,' refers to matters that are taken to God against their will.  This applies to the disbelievers who are terrified of their evil deeds and the punishment awaiting them.  They will do everything to avoid God, but this matter is not up to their wishes.  God says,

The day they are dragged and shoved into Hell.  (52:13)

This verse brings to mind scenes of criminals in movies and on the news when they are caught, dragged, and pushed into jail by the police.  The policeman usually grabs the criminal by the collar while resisting and shoves them into the police car.   

Here you may wonder, when did things get away from God?  Why do matters have to be returned to Him by force?  Did Allah lose control of such people, and now they have to be brought back?  We answer that when God created, He subjugated the vast majority of creation to His will and put them at the service of humans.  The earth gives us food and shelter.  As long as you do the work, you will get results regardless of your faith.  If you plant seeds, you will reap crops, and if you dig a mine, you can extract metals and gems.  Allah also created matters in the universe that serve us without any effort such as the sun and air. 

Moreover, Allah gave some humans more power or resources than others.  Some people own land, have higher intelligence, and even enslave people.  But such matters are not inherent to such people.  In other words, a rich person today may lose wealth and become poor next week.  A strong man may get sick and become disabled.  So do not be arrogant because of your wealth or health because Allah may take all back at any moment.  You are not out of His dominion.  That is one menaing behind the phrase "it is to Him that all things return."

Always remember that God is the Self-Existent and Self-Sufficient ??above all creation.  Everything will return to Him on the Day of Judgment.  Listen to the following verse:

The Day when they will come forth, with nothing of them being hidden from God.  Whose is the absolute Sovereignty on that Day?  It is God's, the One, the All-Overwhelming (40:16)

In this world, there are people who - through God's will- have authority over others.    As for the Hereafter, there is no room for that.  If you are proud of your strength, keep it into your seventies or nineties.  If you think you are super smart, show us how you did not forget anything from last week or last month.  Everything you have is a blessing from God; He entrusted you with it to see how you behave, and eventually, He will take it all back.