Al-Ma'idah (The Table Spread): (120) To Allah belongs the Sovereignty of the Heavens...

It is said that this is an answer to an implied question, as if one asked: Who will grant them that great success? The answer is: He to Whom belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth.

There are many secrets in this noble conclusion, and we mention a few of them:

The First Secret: He Almighty said: {To Allah belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth and whatever is in them} (Al-Ma'idah: 120). He did not say "and whoever is in them." This emphasizes that all created beings are subjugated under the grip of His power, decree, and predestination. In this subjugation, they are like inanimate objects that have no power, and like beasts that lack intellect. Thus, the knowledge of all things, relative to His Knowledge, is no knowledge, and the power of all things, relative to His Power, is no power.

The Second Secret: The beginning of the Surah mentioned the covenant established between Lordship (Rububiyyah) and Servitude (Ubudiyyah), saying: {O you who have believed, fulfill [all] contracts} (Al-Ma'idah: 1). The perfection of the believer's state is to commence with servitude and conclude with complete annihilation of the self. The former is the Shari'ah (the beginning), and the latter is the Haqiqa (the end). Thus, the opening of the Surah pertains to the Shari'ah, and its conclusion, by mentioning Allah's Majesty, Glory, Might, Power, and Transcendence, signifies reaching the station of the Haqiqa. How excellent is the correspondence between this opening and this conclusion!

The Third Secret: This Surah encompasses many types of knowledge:

1. The clarification of religious laws, rulings, and obligations.
2. The debate with the Jews regarding their denial of the law of Muhammad (peace be upon him).
3. The debate with the Christians regarding their assertion of the Trinity.

The Surah is concluded with this comprehensive point that affirms all these objectives. He said: {To Allah belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth and whatever is in them}. This means that everything other than the Truth, the Glorified and Exalted, is possible in itself (mumkin li-dhatihi) and exists by His creation. If this is the case, then He is the Owner of all contingent beings and creatures, the Creator of all spirits and bodies. If this is established, it necessitates the establishment of all the objectives mentioned in this Surah:

• The validity of legislation as He wills: Since He is the Owner of everything, it is His right, as the Owner, to command and forbid, reward and punish concerning all things as He wills and desires. Thus, the concept of religious obligation (taklif) is sound in whatever manner the Truth, the Glorified and Exalted, wills.
• The refutation of the Jews: Since He is the Owner of the dominion, by the right of ownership, He has the right to abrogate the law of Moses and establish the law of Muhammad (peace be upon them both).
• The refutation of the Christians: Because Jesus and Mary are included among those other than Allah. We have already demonstrated that the Creator is either Allah Almighty or something else. Jesus and Mary are undoubtedly included in this latter category. If it is shown that everything other than Allah Almighty is possible in itself and exists by the creation of Allah, then Jesus and Mary (peace be upon them) are likewise so. There is no meaning to servitude other than this. Thus, their status as created servants is established.

It is clear from the exposition we have mentioned that this verse, which Allah made the conclusion of this Surah, is a decisive proof for the soundness of all the knowledge contained within this Surah. And Allah knows best the secrets of His Word.