To Allaah belongs whatever is in the Heavens and the Earth – Shaykh Uthaymeen | Dr. Saleh as-Saleh

The following is excerpted from the Shaykh Uthaymeen’s explanation of Aayatul-Kursi, Translated by Dr. Saleh as-Saleh rahimahullaah

[THIRD]: In the Third statement, Allaah (تعالى) said:

لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ

To Him belongs whatever (maa) is in the heavens [44] and whatever is on the earth. [Qur’aan, Aayatul-Kursi , Surah Al-Baqarah 2:255]

The name {ما} “maa” here is a conjunctive noun (gram. ism mawsool) taking a form of generalization. The term is used in this form in order to indicate that it comprises both the beings and their states. The meaning, therefore, is that Allaah is the One Who masters the affairs of everything in existence in the heavens and the earth: creating, sovereignty-kingship,and management.

The sentence “لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ” “To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth” is a declarative clause in which the predicate (gram. khabar) { له } “To Him” has preceded the subject (gram. mubtada’) which is the conjunctive noun {ما} “Whatever”. In this way, there is a grammatical state of hasr(exclusivity, restriction) which signifies that to Him (Allaah) alone belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. Accordingly, since creating, sovereignty-kingship, and management of affairs belong to Allaah alone, it is incumbent that we should surrender to Him alone because we are His slaves, and a slave must surrender to the One Who Owns and Masters him, Allaah, the One free of all imperfection, the Most High.

In addition, we must stand to persevere Allaah’s pre-decree because we are His possession and anything that is owned by Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, then it follows that is His right to administer its affairs as He Wills. This right is the same whether His pre-decree applies to the person himself, his family, wealth, friends, country, or the rest of mankind. The important thing is that since the dominion belongs to Allaah, then it is His exclusive right to do whatever He Wills.

In the saying of Allaah (which means), “To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth,” the term “heavens” came in the plural form [45] while the word “earth” was stated in the singular though what is meant is the plural. In this regard, the intended usage of the term “earth” refers to the jins (kind).

Footnotes:

[44] From the angels, jinn, and all that which exists, including which we have no knowledge of.

[45] The Qur’aan has stated that there are seven heavens:

قُلْ مَن رَّبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ
Say: Who is the Rabb of the seven heavens and the Rabb of the great ‘Arsh?
[Qur’aan, Soorat Al-Mu’minoon (23:86)].

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Source : From the eBook: Tafseer Ayatul-Kursi – By Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih Al-’Uthaymeen (rahimahullah). With Related Points of Benefit From the Shaykh’s Commentary on Imaam ibn Taymeeyah’s Sharhul ’Aqeedatil-Waasitiyyah, Prepared by Dr. Saleh As-Saleh (rahimahullah)