The verses 1 to 4 [Surah Maidah 44, 45, 47, and 49] discuss the issue of Oneness of authority or rulership in a very clear manner. In the first three verses the Book states that “Those who do not judge by what God has revealed “are surely, infidels, unjust and transgressors.
The commentators question whether the explanations are different or do they all point towards the same meaning and they have discussed this issue at length. Some say that the verse speaks about on group that has many attributes and this can be interpreted by saying that anyone who does not judge according to the divine laws laid down is in a sensing opposing God is an infidel and because he is suppressing the right of the human beings he is unjust and since this means that he is trespassing the limits so he is a transgressor (The word “Fasaq” means to shun the laws governing the life.)
Some feel that the first and second verses are about the Jews and the third is about the Christians because the Jews have more animosity against the divine laws then Christians they are infidels and unjust and the Christians are merely transgressors.
One thing is certain that the revelation of a verse for a particular issue does not limit it to that issue only so these verses can be construed to mean every one of the groups that go against God’s decree. Any person who judges against the law of God will be termed as unjust and transgressor but infidelity will be taken when he rejects the divine laws and considers them irrelevant. Because such an action or statement is the denial of God, His knowledge, authority and justice and this is blatant infidelity. In the same way any action or statement that shows denial of the order of God’s Messenger or the Qura’n will also be taken an infidelity. But if some one judges against the commandment of God but does not deny the ministry of the Messenger and he does it out of his vanity or ego then it will not be taken as infidelity.
Verse 48 of this Surah reiterates the same commandment for it says, “So judge between them by what God has revealed.” And in verse 49 it says, “And so you judge between them by what God has revealed.” In verse 50 it says, “Do they then seek the judgment of ignorance? And who is better in judgment than God for a people who have firm faith?”
All these six verses stress and re-stress the fact that the ultimate authority rests with God.
Stressing the fact in six verses of the same Surah that laws are to be decreed by God only tells us that no matter how big a worldly authority a person may have he has no right to create laws for it is only the prerogative of God to create laws for His subjects. So when a person judges or decrees or rules against the commandments of God then he has committed a great sin and he will be considered as an unjust oppressor. This is a sin that will divest him of the attire of belief.
Under this arrangement the declared and manifest authority and the right to create laws rests with God only and the authority of issuing the commandments too in only for him.
The fifth verse discusses the issue of judgment of laws and God delegates it to the messenger (and the Imams or those chosen to be judges) “But no, by your Lord! They will not be true believers until they have set you up as their judge in all their disputes.”
The verse adds: “And they do not find any vexation ion their hearts against what you decide and submit themselves totally.”
There are three great signs for the pure faith: The Messenger of God should be the declared judge and arbitrator for all disputes; No one should resent the judgment made by the Messenger of God and all his decisions should be adhered to and implemented.
In this way the verse declares God to be the judge of all disputes because the Messenger of God represents Him only.
