The Meaning of the Most Merciful's Rising Above the Throne
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Q85: The questioner asks: What is the meaning of "istiwaa'" (rising above) in the noble verse: [Al-A'raf 7:54].
A85: The saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-A'raf 7:54]. This is among the attributes of actions. So, istiwaa' (rising above) is an attribute, an action that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) performs whenever He wills, if He wills, and however He wills. The meaning of istiwaa' (rising above) upon the Throne is: being above it and being elevated over it. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
These are the meanings of istiwaa' (rising above): being above the Throne, settling upon it, and being elevated over it, without any need of Him (Glorified and Exalted is He) for the Throne or for any of His creations. Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said:[Fatir 35:41]
So, none holds the heavens and the earth except Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). Therefore, the meaning of istiwaa' (rising above) upon the Throne is not that the Throne carries Him or shades Him, but rather that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) does it whenever He wills. This is among His perfections and proofs of His tawhid (the oneness of Allah) (Glorified and Exalted is He).
Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne
إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى عَلَى الْعَرْشِA85: The saying of Allah the Exalted:
Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne
إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى عَلَى الْعَرْشِThese are the meanings of istiwaa' (rising above): being above the Throne, settling upon it, and being elevated over it, without any need of Him (Glorified and Exalted is He) for the Throne or for any of His creations. Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said:
Indeed, Allah holds the heavens and the earth, lest they cease. And if they should cease, no one could hold them [in place] after Him. Indeed, He is Forbearing and Forgiving.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُمْسِكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ أَنْ تَزُولاَ وَلَئِنْ زَالَتَا إِنْ أَمْسَكَهُمَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًاSo, none holds the heavens and the earth except Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). Therefore, the meaning of istiwaa' (rising above) upon the Throne is not that the Throne carries Him or shades Him, but rather that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) does it whenever He wills. This is among His perfections and proofs of His tawhid (the oneness of Allah) (Glorified and Exalted is He).
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.