Part 5 (i): Tafseer of Ayatul Kursi (Verse 10): The Divine Protection

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Read Part 5 (h): Tafseer of Ayatul Kursi (verse 9)

وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ

“And He is the Most High, the Most Great.”

Listen to Ayatul Kursi: [mp3: http://www.areweprepared.ca/audio/ayatulkursi.mp3]

The Most Sublime Attributes

The Phrase “And He is the Most High, the Most Great” denotes that Allah alone is the Most High, meaning that He possesses the absolute Transcendence, which is called al Uluw al Mutlaq

Transcendence: The attribute of Transcendence of Allah in our aqeedah is classifies into two types:

1. The ‘Uluw of the Dhaat: The Transcendence of Allah’s Essence.

   This means that Allah in His Essence is above everything, and everything is below Him, Glorified be He. He is not everywhere with His Essence, as some Muslims claim, even though He is everywhere with His Knowledge.

2. The ‘Uluw of the Sifaat: The Transcendence of Allah’s Attributes.

   This means that Allah is qualified with the superlative qualities as He, the Most High, said: “And for Allah is the Highest Description.” (Al Nahl: 60)

Proofs from the Qur’an

• Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian. (Al Hijr: 9)
• They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded. (Al Nahl: 50)
• The angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him during a Day the extent of which is fifty thousand years. (Al Marij: 4)
• Exalt the name of your Lord, the Most High (Al Ala: 1)

Proofs from the Sunnah

• In His (SAW) farwell Hajj, after admonishing the great assembly of Muslims, He (SAW) said: “Did I convey the message?” They said: “Yes”. So He (SAW) pointed his finger towards the heavens and said: “O Allah! Be witness.” 3 times. (Muslim)
• The Prophet (SAW) asked a slave girl: “Where is Allah?” She replied: “Above the heavens.” He then commanded her master, “Grant her freedom, because she is a beliver.” (Muslim)

Other Proofs

• Consensus of the scholars of the Salaf: It is known that the salaf are in agreement that Allah is above His arsh. No one among them had ever said that Allah is everywhere.
• Fitra (Natural Inclination): Whenever a person supplicates His Lord, he/she is naturally inclined to look into the direction of the heaven.

Read the next Part 6: The Last Three Surahs