Commentary on the Quran (Chapter 3:108-109)

Shafaqna – Commentary on the Quran (Chapter 3:108-109)

By: Mohammad Sobhani

بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

تِلْكَ آيَاتُ اللَّهِ نَتْلُوهَا عَلَيْكَ بِالْحَقِّ ۗ وَمَا اللَّهُ يُرِيدُ ظُلْمًا لِّلْعَالَمِينَ ‎﴿١٠٨﴾ وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ الْأُمُورُ ‎﴿١٠٩﴾

3:108 These are the Verses of Allah (SWT). We recite them to you, (O’ Muhammad), in truth; and Allah (SWT) wants no injustice to the worlds.

3:107 To Allah (SWT) belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And to Allah (SWT) will (all) matters be returned.

Commentary: The previous Verses addressed the significance of undertaking the pilgrimage to the Kaabah [1], uniting under the banner of faith [2], and enjoining good and forbidding evil [3]. They also highlighted the consequences of neglecting these duties and responsibilities. The fulfilment of these obligations is a divine command, which is why Verse 3:96 refers to them as “the signs of Allah (SWT).”

The Verse/Ayah reads: These are the verses of Allah (SWT) (تِلْكَ آيَاتُ اللَّهِ). We recite them to you (نَتْلُوهَا عَلَيْكَ), (O’ Muhammad), in truth (بِالْحَقِّ); and Allah (SWT) wants no injustice (وَمَا اللَّهُ يُرِيدُ ظُلْمًا) to the worlds (لِّلْعَالَمِينَ).

It is important to note that the verse concludes with the statement: “Allah (SWT) desires no injustice towards the beings of the worlds.” This statement implies that any negative consequences individuals face for violating divine commands stem from their own actions, rather than from any form of tyranny on God’s part.

The next Verse provides two reasons why God does not commit injustice or oppression. First, injustice often arises when one person wrongs another out of envy for what the other possesses. However, since God is the owner of all existence and every creature, God has no motive to act unjustly or oppress anyone.

Second, an individual may mistreat another person when the latter acts without the former’s permission. However, this reasoning does not apply to God, as God controls all aspects of the universe and nothing happens without God’s Consent. Therefore, it is illogical to attribute injustice to God. Verse 3:109 reads: To Allah (SWT) belongs whatever is in the heavens (وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ) and whatever is on the earth (وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ). And to Allah (SWT) will (all) matters be returned (وَإِلَى اللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ الْأُمُورُ).

[1] Aal-e-Imran, Verse 97, (وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ)

[2] Aal-e-Imran, Verse 103, (وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا ۚ)

[3] Aal-e-Imran, Verse 104 (وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ ۚ)