Benefits from Surah al-Maa’idah
وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِۙ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةٌ۬ وَأَجۡرٌ عَظِيمٌ۬
“Allah has promised those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) and do deeds of righteousness, that for them there is forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).” [5:9]
The promise is made especially for the Companions [may Allaah be Pleased with them all].
This highlights their degree and status however the word, “among them” has been used – therefore not all of the people that lived in the generation of the Companions are included in this promise of forgiveness and reward as amongst them were hypocrites and those who apostate after the passing of the Prophet.
So the Aayah in Surah al-Fath is specific for the Companions but the Aayah in Surah al-Maa’idah is a characteristic all believers share.
[TN: this is an interesting point because the Raafidah (Shia) make Takfeer on the Companions (declare the Companions to be Kuffaar). How can this be so when Allaah has Promised them a forgiveness and a reward (the Aayah in Surah al-Fath) and for those who follow their path (the Aayah in Surah al-Maa’idah)?]
وَلِلَّهِ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَاۚ يَخۡلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ قَدِيرٌ۬
“ And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them. He creates what He wills. And Allah is Able to do all things. ” [5:17]
وَلِلَّهِ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَاۖ وَإِلَيۡهِ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ
“And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, and to Him is the return (of all).” [5:18]
Both of these Aayat describe that the dominion belongs to Allaah Alone, but their context and thus their degree of emphasis differs.
The first Aayah comes in the context of Allaah being the only Lord, therefore taking Esaa and his mother as objects of worship is false and futile. Ar-Roobubiyyah (Lordship) is for Allaah Alone thus dictating that Uloohiyyah (worship) is also for Him Alone.
How can lordship and worship belong to aspects of His Creation when His is all dominion alone?
As for the second Aayah, then this reinforces in quick succession (as both of these Aayat appear together) that the Decision is completely His; He will Reward and Punish whomsoever He Pleases.
If it was as you claimed, that Esaa and his mother were lords, then how can they also be subject to Allaah’s Decision? Rather Allaah Created and His Owns the creation.
وَٱلسَّارِقُ وَٱلسَّارِقَةُ فَٱقۡطَعُوٓاْ أَيۡدِيَهُمَا جَزَآءَۢ بِمَا كَسَبَا نَكَـٰلاً۬ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِۗ
“Cut off (from the wrist joint) the (right) hand of the thief, male or female as a recompense for that which they committed, a punishment by way of example from Allah” [5:38]
Men are stronger a species compared to women, for this reason, most crimes are committed by men. For this reason, this Aayah addresses men before women.
وَمَن لَّمۡ يَحۡكُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرُونَ
وَمَن لَّمۡ يَحۡڪُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ
وَمَن لَّمۡ يَحۡڪُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡفَـٰسِقُونَ
“And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, such are the Kafirun (i.e. disbelievers - of a lesser degree as they do not act on Allah's Laws ).”[5:44]
and
“And whosoever does not judge by that which Allah has revealed, such are the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers - of a lesser degree). ” [5:45]
And
“ And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed (then) such (people) are the Fasiqun (the rebellious i.e. disobedient (of a lesser degree) to Allah. ” [5:47]
In these Aayat, those who do not govern by the Sharee’ah (rulers and laypeople alike) have been described as Kaafiroon, Dhaalimoon and Faasiqoon.
The first description of Kaafiroon applies to the Jews, as they changed their books.
The second description of Dhaalimoon applies to the Christians as they forwent the implementation of the law pertaining to capital punishment.
And the third description of Faasiqoon applies to those who left of the application of the laws of Allaah out of weakness, despite having full belief that the laws of Allaah are the superior to their desires.
[TN: this point is extremely important and relevant, as these Aayaat are the bases of the Khwaarij and other extremist groups. They believe the blood of innocent people and innocent Muslims is legitimate as they have all left the Rule and Laws of Allaah, thus deeming everyone to be disbelievers and subject to war. However, Ibn Jamaa’ah gives the correct Tafseer; that there are levels of leaving the Rules of Allaah; if one believes the Laws of Allaah to be incorrect or inferior then they resemble (a party of) the Jews in disbelief. If people leave off the Rule of Allaah out of weakness, then they resemble (a party of) the Christians in being oppressors. If there is a party that leaves off the Rule of Allaah out of weakness or they wish to follow their desires but maintain that the Rule of Allaah is superior, then they have fallen into sin but not disbelief.]
قُلۡ أَتَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَمۡلِكُ لَڪُمۡ ضَرًّ۬ا وَلَا نَفۡعً۬اۚ وَٱللَّهُ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ
Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "How do you worship besides Allah something which has no power either to harm or to benefit you? But it is Allah Who is the All-Hearer, All-Knower." [5:76]
The reason why a negation of harm comes before the mentioning of benefit in this Aayah is because those who seek for assistance usually seek it because they want harm to be removed.
Also, as the context is talking about the Power and Kingship of Allaah, it brings forth the mention of removing harm before spreading benefit as this true Power and Kingship focuses on removing harm before spreading benefit.
and Allaah Knows best.
till the Day of Resurrection) and do righteous good deeds, forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e. Paradise).