يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَآءً ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى تَسَآءَلُونَ بِهِۦ وَٱلْأَرْحَامَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا
“O people, fear your Rabb Who created you from a single soul, and from it created its match and spread many men and women from them. Fear Allah in Whose Name you ask each other (for your rights), and (fear the violation of the rights of) the relations. Surely Allah is Watchful over you.” (Surah Nisaa v1)
The very last verse of the previous surah (Surah Aal ‘Imraan) was concluded with the injunction of adopting taqwa (i.e. fearing Allah Ta‘ala) and the first verse of this surah (Surah Nisaa) also contains this injunction.
In the beginning of this surah, Allah Ta‘ala explains the rights which a person owes to those under his authority and care, viz. wives, children, orphans etc. When dealing with fellow human beings, there are some rights whose fulfillment can be enforced through law and mutual agreements such as buying and selling etc. On the other hand, the rights of those under one’s care, are all dependent on kindness, love, care and compassion. These are mutual rights which are owed to one another and cannot be measured. Therefore, there is no other method for their fulfillment except having the fear of Allah Ta‘ala and the concern of what would happen in the Hereafter. This in essence is taqwa, which is such a quality that is far more effective than the combined powers of government and law. Hence, this surah commences with the command of adopting taqwa.
A noteworthy point is that together with the command of fearing Him, Allah Ta‘ala chose to describe Himself – from all His other attributes – as The Being Who created the entire human kind from one individual – Nabi Aadam (‘alaihis salaam). The reason for choosing this specific attribute is perhaps to explain to man that the very inception of his kind was from one person; therefore, everyone is ultimately the children of one man which also means that they are all brothers of one another. Thus, it is necessary for a person to fulfil every person’s right just as he would ensure to fulfill the right of his very own brother. Furthermore, every person should adopt the same consideration for others just as he does for his own brother. By acting in this manner, there will be no oppression and tyranny. Rather, a person will go the extra mile in assisting and showing kindness to fellow human beings. (Tafseer Tabari vol. 3, pg. 2113)
In short, this verse serves as an introduction to the injunctions which are going to appear in this surah. On the one hand, this verse dissuades people from going against the Divine commandments of Allah Ta‘ala, whilst on the other hand, by telling them that they are all from the same person, it creates a sense of love and compassion for one another so that the mutual rights of relatives, orphans and married couples can be fulfilled from deep within.
Towards the end of this verse, Allah Ta‘ala again commands man to fear Him from yet another angle. Generally, people demand their rights from others in the Name of Allah Ta‘ala. Hence, Allah Ta‘ala explains that the one who expects others to fear Allah Ta‘ala regarding him, should do so himself as well.
Thereafter, Allah Ta‘ala warns man regarding falling short in fulfilling the rights of his relatives. The noble ahaadeeth have laid great emphasis on joining family ties. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has said, “The one who wishes that his sustenance should be increased, and his lifespan should be lengthened, should maintain family ties.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #5986)
While on one hand, there are many ahaadeeth which explain the rewards of joining family ties, there are also ahaadeeth which sound severe warnings for those who are negligent in this regard. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has said, “A person who severs family ties will not enter Jannah.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #5984)
Allah Ta‘ala then concludes this verse saying that He is Watchful over everyone. This statement motivates a person to fulfil the rights of Allah Ta‘ala and the rights of others as and when they are due, because Allah Ta‘ala knows whatever he does as well as whatever is in his heart and thoughts.
(Adapted from Ma‘aariful Quraan vol. 2, pg. 277)