Al-Qur'an Surah Al-Baqarah Verse 255

Mufti Taqi Usmani

Allah: There is no god but He, the Living, the All-Sustaining. Neither dozing overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth. Who can intercede with Him without His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them; while they encompass nothing of His knowledge, except what He wills. His Kursiyy (Chair) extends to the Heavens and to the Earth, and it does not weary Him to look after them. He is the All-High, the Supreme.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Allah! There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him, the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining. Neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who could possibly intercede with Him without His permission? He ˹fully˺ knows what is ahead of them and what is behind them, but no one can grasp any of His knowledge—except what He wills ˹to reveal˺. His Seat[[ The Arabic word kursi can either mean seat or knowledge. There are some narrations attributed to Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ) that describe Allah’s Throne (’Arsh) as being greater than His Kursi. ]] encompasses the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of both does not tire Him. For He is the Most High, the Greatest.[[ According to Muslim belief, this is the greatest verse in the Quran. ]] 

Ruwwad Translation Center

Allah: none has the right to be worshiped except Him, the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Who is there that can intercede with Him except with His permission? He knows what was before them and what will be after them, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge, except what He wills. His Kursī [footstool] extends over the heavens and earth, and safeguarding of both does not weary Him, for He is the Most High, Most Great.

A. J. Arberry

God there is no god but He, the Living, the Everlasting. Slumber seizes Him not, neither sleep; to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. Who is there that shall intercede with Him save by His leave? He knows what lies before them and what is after them, and they comprehend not anything of His knowledge save such as He wills. His Throne comprises the heavens and earth; the preserving of them oppresses Him not; He is the All-high, the All-glorious.

Abdul Haleem

God: there is no god but Him, the Ever Living, the Ever Watchful.Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. All that is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Him. Who is there that can intercede with Him except by His leave? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, but they do not comprehend any of His knowledge except what He wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth; it does not weary Him to preserve them both. He is the Most High, the Tremendous.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

Allah! There is no God but he, the Living, the Sustainer Slumber taketh hold of Him not, nor sleep. His is whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth. Who is he that shall intercede With Him except with His leave! He knoweth that which was before them and that which shall he after them, and they encompass not aught of His knowledge save that which He willeth. His throne comprehendeth the heavens and the earth, and the guarding of the twain wearieth Him not. And He is the High, the Supreme.

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Allah! There is no god but He,-the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).

Abul Ala Maududi

Allah: the Everlasting, the Sustainer of the whole Universe; there is no god but He. He does neither slumber nor sleep. Whatsoever is in the heavens and in the earth is His. Who is there that can intercede with Him except by His own permission.? He knows what is before the people and also what is hidden from them. And they cannot comprehend anything of His knowledge save whatever He Himself pleases to reveal. His Kingdom spreads over the heavens and the earth and the guarding of these does not weary Him. He alone is the Supreme and the Exalted.

Ahmed Ali

God: There is no god but He, the living, eternal, self-subsisting, ever sustaining. Neither does somnolence affect Him nor sleep. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth: and who can intercede with Him except by His leave? Known to Him is all that is present before men and what is hidden (in time past and time future), and not even a little of His knowledge can they grasp except what He will. His seat extends over heavens and the earth, and He tires not protecting them: He alone is all high and supreme.

Ahmed Raza Khan

Allah – there is no God except Him; He is Alive (eternally, on His own) and the Upholder (keeps others established); He never feels drowsy nor does He sleep; to Him only belongs all whatever is in the heavens and all whatever is in the earth; who is he that can intercede* with Him except by His command? He knows what is in front of them and what is behind them; and they do not achieve anything of His knowledge except what He wills; His Throne (of Sovereignty) encompasses the heavens and the earth; and it is not difficult for Him to guard them; and He is the Supreme, the Greatest. (This Verse is popularly known as Ayat Al-Kursi. It has a special status and reciting it carries great reward. *Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him – will be the first one to be granted the permission to intercede, others will follow.)

Ali Quli Qarai

Allah—there is no god except Him—is the Living One, the All-sustainer. Neither drowsiness befalls Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that may intercede with Him except with His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not comprehend anything of His knowledge except what He wishes. His seat embraces the heavens and the earth and He is not wearied by their preservation, and He is the All-exalted, the All-supreme.

Ali Ünal

God, there is no deity but He; the All-Living, the Self-Subsisting (by Whom all subsist). Slumber does not seize Him, nor sleep. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth. Who is there that will intercede with Him save by His leave? He knows what lies before them and what lies after them (what lies in their future and in their past, what is known to them and what is hidden from them); and they do not comprehend anything of His Knowledge save what He wills. His Seat (of dominion) embraces the heavens and the earth, and the preserving of them does not weary Him; He is the All-Exalted, the Supreme.

Amatul Rahman Omar

Allâh, there is no other, cannot be and will never be One worthy of worship but He, the Ever Living, Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining. Slumber overtakes Him not, nor sleep. Whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth belongs to Him. Who is there that will intercede with Him, save by His leave? He knows their future and their past; and they encompass nothing of His knowledge (of the things) except of such (things) as He (Himself) pleases (to tell). His knowledge and suzerainty extends over the heavens and the earth and the care of them both tires Him not. He is the Supreme, the Great.

English Literal

God, no God except He, the live/alive, the of no beginning and self sufficient , no drowsiness/slumber ,and nor sleep takes Him, for Him what (is) in the skies/space and what (is) in the earth/Planet Earth. Who (is) that who mediates at Him, except with His permission ? He knows what (is) between their hands and what (is) behind them, and they do not comprehend/envelope with a thing from His knowledge, except with what He wills/wants. His throne/knowledge extended/contained/enriched the skies/space and the earth/Planet Earth, and (it) does not tire/burden Him their (B)`s protection/observation , and He (is) the high/dignified , the great .

Faridul Haque

Allah - there is no God except Him; He is Alive (eternally, on His own) and the Upholder (keeps others established); He never feels drowsy nor does He sleep; to Him only belongs all whatever is in the heavens and all whatever is in the earth; who is he that can intercede* with Him except by His command? He knows what is in front of them and what is behind them; and they do not achieve anything of His knowledge except what He wills; His Throne (of Sovereignty) encompasses the heavens and the earth; and it is not difficult for Him to guard them; and He is the Supreme, the Greatest. (This Verse is popularly known as Ayat Al-Kursi. It has a special status and reciting it carries great reward. *Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him – will be the first one to be granted the permission to intercede, others will follow.)

Hamid S. Aziz

Allah, there is no God but He, the Living, the Eternal. Slumber takes Him not, nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. Who is it that intercedes with Him save by His permission? He knows what is before them and what behind them, and they comprehend nothing of His Knowledge but of what He pleases. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and it tires Him not to preserve them both, for He is Sublime, the Grand.

Hilali & Khan

Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. [This Verse 2:255 is called Ayat-ul-Kursi.]

Maulana Mohammad Ali

Allah -- there is no god but He, the Ever-living, the Self-subsisting by Whom all subsist. Slumber overtakes Him not, nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him but by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them. And they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He pleases. His knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of them both tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Great.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

Allah is He besides Whom there is no god, the Everliving, the Self-subsisting by Whom all subsist; slumber does not overtake Him nor sleep; whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His; who is he that can intercede with Him but by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot comprehend anything out of His knowledge except what He pleases, His knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of them both tires Him not, and He is the Most High, the Great.

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

Allah! There is no deity save Him, the Alive, the Eternal. Neither slumber nor sleep overtaketh Him. Unto Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that intercedeth with Him save by His leave? He knoweth that which is in front of them and that which is behind them, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge save what He will. His throne includeth the heavens and the earth, and He is never weary of preserving them. He is the Sublime, the Tremendous.

Muhammad Sarwar

God exists. There is no God but He, the Everlasting and the Guardian of life. Drowsiness or sleep do not seize him. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. No one can intercede with Him for others except by His permission. He knows about people's present and past. No one can grasp anything from His knowledge besides what He has permitted them to grasp. The heavens and the earth are under His dominion. He does not experience fatigue in preserving them both. He is the Highest and the Greatest.

Qaribullah & Darwish

Allah, there is no god except He, the Living, the Everlasting. Neither dozing, nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. Who is he that shall intercede with Him except by His permission! He knows what will be before their hands and what was behind them, and they do not comprehend anything of His Knowledge except what He willed. His Seat embraces the heavens and the earth, and the preserving of them does not weary Him. He is the High, the Great.

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His permission He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.

Wahiduddin Khan

God: there is no deity save Him, the Living, the Eternal One. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belong whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth. Who can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows all that is before them and all that is behind them. They can grasp only that part of His knowledge which He wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth; and their upholding does not weary Him. He is the Sublime, the Almighty One!

Talal Itani

God! There is no god except He, the Living, the Everlasting. Neither slumber overtakes Him, nor sleep. To Him belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His permission? He knows what is before them, and what is behind them; and they cannot grasp any of His knowledge, except as He wills. His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation does not burden Him. He is the Most High, the Great.

Tafsir jalalayn

God, there is no god, that is, there is none worthy of being worshipped in [all] existence, except Him, the Living, the Everlasting, the Eternal Sustainer, the One constantly engaged in the management of His creation. Slumber does not seize Him, neither sleep; to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth, as possessions, creatures and servants; who is there, that is to say, none is there, that shall intercede with Him save by His leave?, in this for him. He knows what lies before them, that is, creation, and what is after them, of the affairs of this world and the Hereafter; and they encompass nothing of His knowledge, that is, they know nothing of what He knows, save such as He wills, to inform of it by way of His messengers. His throne subsumes the heavens and the earth, it is said that His knowledge encompasses them both; it is also said that the kurs (`throne') itself subsumes them on account of its vastness, as in the hadth, `The seven heavens compared to the kurs are like seven silver coins lying in a metal shield [of armour]'; the preserving of them, the heavens and the earth, wearies Him not, does not burden Him; He is the Sublime, above His creation by virtue of His subjugation [of them], the Tremendous, the Great.

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

The Virtue of Ayat Al-Kursi

This is Ayat Al-Kursiand tremendous virtues have been associated with it, for the authentic Hadith describes it as `the greatest Ayah in the Book of Allah.'

Imam Ahmad recorded that Ubayy bin Ka`b said that;

the Prophet asked him about the greatest Ayah in the Book of Allah, and Ubayy answered, "Allah and His Messenger know better."

When the Prophet repeated his question several times, Ubayy said, "Ayat Al-Kursi."

The Prophet commented,

لِيَهْنِكَ الْعِلْمُ أَبَا الْمُنْذِرِ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ إِنَّ لَهَا لِسَانًا وَشَفَتَيْنِ تُقَدِّسُ الْمَلِكَ عِنْدَ سَاقِ الْعَرْش

Congratulations for having knowledge, O Abu Al-Mundhir! By He in Whose Hand is my soul! This Ayah has a tongue and two lips with which she praises the King (Allah) next to the leg of the Throne.

This Hadith was also collected by Muslim, but he did not include the part that starts with, "By He in Whose Hand..."

Imam Ahmad recorded that;

Abu Ayub said that he had some dates and a Ghoul used to take some, and he complained to the Prophet.

The Prophet said to him, "When you see her, say, `In the Name of Allah, answer to the Messenger of Allah'."

Abu Ayub said that when she came again, he said these words and he was able to grab her.

She begged, "I will not come again," so Abu Ayub released her.

Abu Ayub went to the Prophet and the Prophet asked him, "What did your prisoner do?"

Abu Ayub said, "I grabbed her and she said twice, `I will not come again,' and I released her."

The Prophet said, "She will come back."

Abu Ayub said, "So I grabbed her twice or three times, yet each time (I would release her when) she vowed not to come back.

I would go to the Prophet who would ask me, `What is the news of your prisoner?' I would say, `I grabbed her, then released her when she said that she would not return.'

The Prophet would say that she would return.

Once, I grabbed her and she said, `Release me and I will teach you something to recite so that no harm touches you, that is, Ayat Al-Kursi.'

Abu Ayub went to the Prophet and told him, and the Prophet said, "She is liar, but she told the truth."

At-Tirmidhi recorded this Hadith in the chapter of the virtues of the Qur'an and said, "Hasan Gharib."

In Arabic, `Ghoul' refers to the Jinn when they appear at night.

Al-Bukhari recorded a similar story in his Sahih from Abu Hurayrah, in the chapters on the virtues of the Qur'an and the description of Shaytan. In this narration, Abu Hurayrah said,

"Allah's Messenger assigned me to keep watch over the Sadaqah (charity) of Ramadan. A person snuck in and started taking handfuls of foodstuff. I caught him and said, `By Allah, I will take you to Allah's Messenger.'

He said, `Release me, for I am meek and have many dependents and am in great need.'

I released him, and in the morning Allah's Messenger asked me, `What did your prisoner do yesterday, O Abu Hurayrah!'

I said, `O Allah's Messenger! He complained of being needy and of having many dependents, so I pitied him and let him go.'

Allah's Messenger said, `Indeed, he told you a lie and will be coming again.'

I believed that he would show up again, for Allah's Messenger had told me that he would return. So, I watched for him. When he (showed up and) started stealing handfuls of foodstuff, I caught hold of him again and said, `I will definitely take you to Allah's Messenger.'

He said, `Leave me, for I am very needy and have many dependents. I promise I will not come back again.'

I pitied him and let him go.

In the morning Allah's Messenger asked me, `What did your prisoner do last night, O Abu Hurayrah!'

I replied, `O Allah's Messenger! He complained of his great need and of too many dependents, so I took pity on him and set him free.'

Allah's Messenger said, `Verily, he told you a lie; he will return.'

I waited for him attentively for the third time, and when he (came and) started stealing handfuls of the foodstuff, I caught hold of him and said, `I will surely take you to Allah's Messenger as it is the third time you promised not to return, yet you returned.'

He said, `Let me teach you some words which Allah will give you benefit from.'

I asked, `What are they?'

He replied, `Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat Al-Kursi- Allahu la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum, till you finish the whole verse. (If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no Shaytan will come near you until morning.'

So, I released him.

In the morning, Allah's Messenger asked, `What did your prisoner do yesterday?'

I replied, `O Allah's Messenger! He claimed that he would teach me some words by which Allah will grant me some benefit, so I let him go.'

Allah's Messenger asked, `What are they?'

I replied, `He said to me;Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat Al-Kursi from the beginning to the end, Allahu la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum. He further said to me;(If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no Shaytan will come near you until morning.'

(One of the narrators) then commented that they (the Companions) were very keen to do good deeds.

The Prophet said, `He spoke the truth, although he is a liar.

Do you know whom you were talking to, these three nights, O Abu Hurayrah!'

Abu Hurayrah said, `No.'

He said, `It was Shaytan."'

An-Nasa'i also recorded this Hadith in Al-Yawm wa Al-Laylah.
Allah's Greatest Name is in Ayat Al-Kursi

Imam Ahmad recorded that Asma' bint Yazid bin As-Sakan said,

"I heard the Messenger of Allah say about these two Ayat,
اللّهُ لَا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ
Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists) (2;255), and,
الم
-
اللّهُ لا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ
(Alif-Lam-Mim. Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists), (3;1-2)

إِنَّ فِيهِمَا اسْمَ اللهِ الاَْعْظَم

They contain Allah's Greatest Name.

This is also the narration collected by Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, and At-Tirmidhi said, "Hasan Sahih".

Further, Ibn Marduwyah recorded that Abu Umamah reported that the Prophet said,

اسْمُ اللهِ الاَْعْظَمُ الَّذِي إِذَا دُعِيَ بِهِ أَجَابَ فِي ثَلَثٍ سُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ وَالِ عِمْرَانَ وَطه

Allah's Greatest Name, if He was supplicated with it, He answers the supplication, is in three Surahs - Al-Baqarah, Al Imranand Ta-Ha.

Hisham bin Ammar, the Khatib (orator) of Damascus (one of the narrators in the above narration), said,

"As for Al-Baqarah, it is in,

اللّهُ لَا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ


Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists,

in Al Imran, it is in,

الم


اللّهُ لا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ


Alif-Lam-Mim. Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists, (3;1-2),

while in Ta-Ha, it is in,

وَعَنَتِ الْوُجُوهُ لِلْحَىِّ الْقَيُّومِ

And (all) faces shall be humbled before (Allah), the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists, (20;111).

Ayat Al-Kursi has Ten Complete Arabic Sentences

1. Allah's statement,

اللّهُ لَا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ

Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but He,

mentions that Allah is the One and Only Lord of all creation.

2. Allah's statement,

الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ
Al-Hayyul-Qayyum,

testifies that Allah is the Ever Living, Who never dies, Who sustains everyone and everything. All creation stands in need of Allah and totally relies on Him, while He is the Most Rich, Who stands in need of nothing created.

Similarly, Allah said,

وَمِنْ ءَايَـتِهِ أَن تَقُومَ السَّمَأءُ وَالاٌّرْضُ بِأَمْرِهِ

And among His signs is that the heaven and the earth stand by His command. (30;25)

3. Allah's statement,

لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ

Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him,

means, no shortcoming, unawareness or ignorance ever touches Allah. Rather, He is aware of, and controls what every soul earns, has perfect watch over everything, nothing escapes His knowledge, and no secret matter is secret to Him.

Among His perfect attributes, is the fact that He is never effected by slumber or sleep. Therefore, Allah's statement,
لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ
(Neither slumber overtakes Him) indicates that no unawareness due to slumber ever overtakes Allah.

Allah said afterwards,
وَلَا نَوْمٌ
(nor sleep), which is stronger than slumber.

It is recorded in the Sahih that Abu Musa said,

"The Messenger of Allah delivered a speech regarding four words;

إِنَّ اللهَللهَل يَنَامُ وَلَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَنَامَ يَخْفِضُ الْقِسْطَ وَيَرْفَعُهُ يُرْفَعُ إِلَيْهِ عَمَلُ النَّهَارِ قَبْلَ عَمَلِ اللَّيْلِ وَعَمَلُ اللَّيْلِ قَبْلَ عَمَلِ النَّهَارِ حِجَابُهُ النُّورُ أَوِ النَّارُ لَوْ كَشَفَهُ لَاَحْرَقَتْ سُبُحَاتُ وَجْهِهِ مَا انْتَهَى إِلَيْهِ بَصَرُهُ مِنْ خَلْقِه

Allah does not sleep, and it does not befit His majesty that He sleeps. He lowers the scales and raises them. The deeds of the day are resurrected in front of Him before the deeds of the night, and the deeds of the night before the deeds of the day. His Veil is light, or fire, and if He removes it, the rays from His Face would burn whatever His sight reaches of His creation.

4. Allah's statement,

لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الَارْضِ


To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth,

indicates that everyone is a servant for Allah, a part of His kingdom and under His power and authority.

Similarly, Allah said,

إِن كُلُّ مَن فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ إِلاَّ اتِى الرَّحْمَـنِ عَبْداً

لَّقَدْ أَحْصَـهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدّاً

وَكُلُّهُمْ ءَاتِيهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ فَرْداً

There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Gracious (Allah) as a servant. Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting.

And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection (without any helper, or protector or defender). (19;93-95)

5. Allah's statement,

مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ


Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His permission,

is similar to His statements,

وَكَمْ مِّن مَّلَكٍ فِى السَّمَـوَتِ لَا تُغْنِى شَفَـعَتُهُمْ شَيْياً إِلاَّ مِن بَعْدِ أَن يَأْذَنَ اللَّهُ لِمَن يَشَأءُ وَيَرْضَى

And there are many angels in the heavens, whose intercession will avail nothing except after Allah has given leave for whom He wills and is pleased with. (53;26)

and,

وَلَا يَشْفَعُونَ إِلاَّ لِمَنِ ارْتَضَى

They cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. (21;28)

These Ayat assert Allah's greatness, pride, and grace, and that no one dares to intercede with Him on behalf of anyone else, except by His permission.

Indeed, the Hadith about the intercession, states that the Prophet said,

اتِي تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ فَأَخِرُّ سَاجِدًا فَيَدَعُنِي مَا شَاءَ اللهُ أَنْ يَدَعَنِي ثُمَّ يُقَالُ ارْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ وَقُلْ تُسْمَعْ وَاشْفَعْ تُشَفَّعْ

I will stand under the Throne and fall in prostration, and Allah will allow me to remain in that position as much as He wills. I will thereafter be told, "Raise your head, speak and you will be heard, intercede and your intercession will be accepted".

قَالَ فَيَحُدُّ لِي حَدًّا فَأُدْخِلُهُمُ الْجَنَّة

The Prophet then said, "He will allow me a proportion whom I will enter into Paradise."

6. Allah's statement,

يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ

He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter,

this refers to His perfect knowledge of all creation; its past, present and future.

Similarly, Allah said that the angels proclaimed;

وَمَا نَتَنَزَّلُ إِلاَّ بِأَمْرِ رَبِّكَ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِينَا وَمَا خَلْفَنَا وَمَا بَيْنَ ذلِكَ وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ نَسِيّاً

And we (angels) descend not except by the command of your Lord (O Muhammad). To Him belongs what is before us and what is behind us, and what is between those two; and your Lord is never forgetful. (19;64)

7. Allah's statement,

وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلاَّ بِمَا شَاء


And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills,

asserts the fact that no one attains any part of Allah's knowledge except what Allah conveys and allows.

This part of the Ayah indicates that no one ever acquires knowledge of Allah and in His Attributes, except what He conveys to them.

For instance, Allah said,

وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِهِ عِلْماً

But they will never compass anything of His knowledge. (20;110)

8. Allah's statement,

وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالَارْضَ

His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth.

Waki narrated in his Tafsir that Ibn Abbas said,

"Kursi is the footstool, and no one is able to give due consideration to (Allah's) Throne."

Al-Hakim recorded this Hadith in his Mustadrak from Ibn Abbas, who did not relate it to the Prophet.

Al-Hakim said, "It is Sahih according to the criteria of the Two Sahihs, and they (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) did not record it."

In addition, Ad-Dahhak said that Ibn Abbas said,

"If the seven heavens and the seven earths were flattened and laid side by side, they would add up to the size of a ring in a desert, compared to the Kursi."

9. Allah's statement,

وَلَا يَوُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا

And He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them,

meaning, it does not burden or cause Him fatigue to protect the heavens and earth and all that is in between them. Rather, this is an easy matter for Him.

Further, Allah sustains everything, has perfect watch over everything, nothing ever escapes His knowledge and no matter is ever a secret to Him. All matters are insignificant, modest and humble before Him.

He is the Most Rich, worthy of all praise. He does what He wills, and no one can ask Him about what He does, while they will be asked. He has supreme power over all things and perfect alertness concerning everything.

He is the Most High, the Greatest, there is no deity worthy of worship except Him, and no Lord other than Him.

10. Allah's statement,

وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ



And He is the Most High, the Most Great,

is similar to His statement,

الْكَبِيرُ الْمُتَعَالِ


the Most Great, the Most High. (13;9)

These and similar Ayat and authentic Hadiths about Allah's Attributes must be treated the way the Salaf (righteous ancestors) treated them by accepting their apparent meanings without equating them (with the attributes of the creation) or altering their apparent meanings