Greater than expressed

It is in view of man’s spiritual and mundane imperfections that this week’s discourse focuses on Qur’an 2:255; otherwise called Aayat ul-Kursiy (Verse of the Throne). The verse reads, “There is no God but He, The Living, The Self-Subsisting, The Eternal. No slumber can seize Him or sleep. His are all things in the heavens […]

It is in view of man’s spiritual and mundane imperfections that this week’s discourse focuses on Qur’an 2:255; otherwise called Aayat ul-Kursiy (Verse of the Throne). The verse reads, “There is no God but He, The Living, The Self-Subsisting, The Eternal. No slumber can seize Him or sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permits? He Knoweth what (appears to His creatures) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He wills. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most-High, the Supreme (in glory)”.
Who can describe the nature and attributes of Allah (SWT) better than Himself, the Omnipotent and Omniscience? The verse of the Throne consists of well-chosen and comprehensive words. Allah (SWT) is the one true Living God. His life is neither dependent upon other beings or things nor is it limited to time and space. While man’s life was created and subjected not only to death but also to the need for rest or slowed-down activity, Allah (SWT), the Creator of everything in creation has no need for rest or sleep. Allah (SWT), like His life, is perfect and absolute.
If we sincerely believe that the keys of life and death, and the mysteries of everything around us are in Allah’s hands in addition to the conviction that Allah (SWT) has knowledge of the past, present and future; it is our duty then to seek the path of goodness, kindness, upright conduct and charity. Allah (SWT) who neither slumbers nor sleeps knows best our situation, pleasant or horrible. It should pose no psychological discomfort to us whenever challenges of life (peculiar or abnormal) confront us. Allah (SWT) is fully aware of such challenges as they dare us and He alone knows why. It is Allah (SWT) alone who equally knows best when and how to tackle or exploit irregular situations to our advantage.
Let us therefore remain steadfast in our faith in Allah (SWT) who sees all that we do; in the discharge of our religious obligations and in our dealings as between man and man. Allah (SWT) who never slumbers or sleeps will certainly reward every political or traditional leader in accordance with his acts of good or bad governance; his sense of fairness or injustice; his use or misuse of public funds; his exercise or manipulation of power and authority; etc. Allah (SWT) who never slumbers or sleeps will reward every religious scholar or leader according to his acts of guidance or transgression; his call to righteousness or otherwise; and the virtuous or vicious nature of the life lived by him. Allah (SWT) affirms in Qur’an 99:7-8 “Then shall anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good, see it! And anyone who has done an atom’s weight of evil, shall it”.
Part of the teachings of “No slumber or sleep can seize Him” is for us to believe that the affliction suffered by a people or the perpetration of evil(s) by the unrighteous (especially if it extends over a long period of time) does not in any way mean that Allah (SWT) is unaware of such. It is not that Allah (SWT) is oblivious of the sins of a hypocrite, liar, sycophant and back-biter when he speaks from both sides of his mouth or harms a fellow man with his tongue. It is not that Allah (SWT) is uninformed about the offences of a corrupt teacher/lecturer who sells examination scores/grades; or a corrupt medical doctor who unlawfully terminates pregnancy; or a corrupt manufacturer who produces sub-standard goods; or a corrupt judge who frees a criminal in exchange of money. It is not that Allah (SWT) is unmindful of a thick-skinned and clueless president or governor or local government chairman whose success can only be measured by underdevelopment and corruption.
Allah (SWT) in His infinite mercy and forgiveness only gives respite for repentance. If He (SWT) were to punish man for every wrong or shortcoming, not a single living creature on earth would escape punishment. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 16:61 “If Allah were to punish men for their wrongdoing, He would not leave on the (earth) a single living creature: But He gives them respite for a stated Term: When their Term expires, they would not be able to delay (the punishment) for a single hour, just as they would not be able to anticipate it (for a single hour)”. Man should not consider the respite given him by Allah (SWT) to mean that he can do what he likes or that he has escaped from the consequences of his wrongdoings. Certainly, Allah (SWT) who does not slumber or sleep has knowledge of the deeds and misdeeds of man by which he shall sooner or later be rewarded or sanctioned accordingly.
Similarly, those who suffer natural calamities, perpetual afflictions, failure in life struggles, loss in businesses, road or air crashes, sicknesses, etc; should not assume that Allah (SWT) is unaware of their unpleasant situation(s). Allah neither slumbers nor sleeps. What is required of believers in such circumstances is to persevere; seeking Allah’s divine intervention. Allah (SWT) commands in Qur’an 2:153 “O ye who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer: For Allah is with those who patiently persevere”.
Indeed, the general meaning or interpretation of the ‘Verse of the Throne’ is deeper and greater than can be expressed in words. It can be recited as a broad-spectrum supplication for seeking Allah’s intervention in all matters. May Allah (SWT) guide us to understand the real message of the Qur’an; leading us to take adequate advantage of its intellectual and spiritual benefits, amin.