2.
Surah Al Baqarah
2:255
Allahu la ilaha
illa huwa alhayyu
alqayyoomu la
ta/khuthuhu
sinatun wala
nawmun lahu
ma
fee alssamawati
wama
fee al-ardi
man tha allathee yashfaAAu AAindahu illa
bi-ithnihi yaAAlamu ma bayna aydeehim wama
khalfahum wala yuheetoona bishay-in min
AAilmihi illa
bima
shaa
wasiAAa kursiyyuhu alssamawati
waal-arda
wala yaooduhu hifthuhuma
wahuwa alAAaliyyu alAAatheemu
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The
Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
اللّهُ
لاَ
إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ
هُوَ الْحَيُّ
الْقَيُّومُ...
2:
255. Allah! there is no god but He, the living, the Self-subsisting,
Eternal.
C296.
This is the Ayah
al Kursi
the "Verse of the Throne".
Who
can translate its glorious meaning, or reproduce the rhythm of its
well-chosen and comprehensive words. Even in the original Arabic the
meaning seems to be greater than can be expressed in words.
The
attributes of Allah are different from anything we know in our
present world; He lives, but His life is self-subsisting and eternal:
it does not depend upon other beings and is not limited to time and
space.
Perhaps
the attribute of Qayyum
includes not only the idea of “Self-subsisting” but also
the idea of “Keeping up and maintaining all life.”
His
life being the source and constant support of all derived forms of
life. Perfect life is perfect activity, in contrast to the imperfect
life which we see around us, which is not only subject to death but
to the need for rest or slowed-down activity, (something which is
between activity and sleep, for which I, in common with other
translators, have used the word “slumber”) and the need
for full sleep itself.
But
Allah has no need for rest or sleep. His activity, like His life, is
perfect and self-subsisting. Contrast with this the expressions used
in Psalms
78:65;
“Then
the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that
shouteth by reason of wine.” (R).
... لاَ
تَأْخُذُهُ
سِنَةٌ وَلاَ
نَوْمٌ ...
No
slumber can seize him nor sleep.
...
لَّهُ
مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَمَا فِي الأَرْضِ
...
His
are all things in the heavens and on earth.
... مَن
ذَا الَّذِي
يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ
إِلاَّ
بِإِذْنِهِ
...
Who
is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth?
...
يَعْلَمُ
مَا بَيْنَ
أَيْدِيهِمْ
وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ
...
He
knoweth what (appeareth
to his creatures as) before
or after or behind them.
C297.
After we realise that His life is absolute Life. His Being is
absolute Being, while others are contingent and evanescent our ideas
of heaven and earth vanish like shadows. What is behind that shadow
is He.
Such
reality as our heavens and our earth possess is a reflection of His
absolute Reality.
The
pantheist places the wrong accent when he says that everything is He.
The truth is better expressed when we say that everything is His.
How
then can any creatures stand before Him as of right, and claim to
intercede for a fellow-creature? In the first place both are His, and
He cares as much for one as for the other.
In
the second place, they are both dependent on His will and command.
But He in His Wisdom and Plan may grade his creatures and give one
superiority over another. Then by His will and permission such a one
may intercede or help according to the laws and duties laid on him.
Allah's
knowledge is absolute, and is not conditioned by Time or Space. To
us, His creatures, these conditions always apply. His knowledge and
our knowledge are therefore in different categories, and our
knowledge only gets some reflection of Reality when it accords with
His Will and Plan.
...
وَلاَ
يُحِيطُونَ
بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ
عِلْمِهِ
إِلاَّ بِمَا
شَاء...
Nor
shall they compass aught of his knowledge except as He willeth.
...
وَسِعَ
كُرْسِيُّهُ
السَّمَاوَاتِ
وَالأَرْضَ
...
His
throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth,
C298.
Throne;
seat, power, knowledge, symbol of authority.
In
our thoughts we exhaust everything when we say "the heavens and
the earth".
Well,
then in everything is the working of Allah's power, and will, and
authority. Everything of course includes spiritual things as well as
things of sense. (R).
...
وَلاَ
يَؤُودُهُ
حِفْظُهُمَا...
and
He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them.
C299.
A life of activity that is imperfect or relative would not only need
rest for carrying on its own activities, but would be in need of
double rest when it has to look after and guard, or cherish, or help
other activities.
In
contrast with this is the Absolute Life, which is free from any such
need or contingency. For it is supreme above anything that we can
conceive.
...
وَهُوَ
الْعَلِيُّ
الْعَظِيمُ
﴿٢٥٥﴾
For
He is the Most High, the Supreme (in
glory).
Other
versions:
Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
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Muhammad
Asad
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GOD - there is no deity save Him, the Ever-Living, the
Self-Subsistent Fount of All Being. Neither
slumber overtakes Him, nor sleep. His
is all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Who
is there that could intercede with Him, unless it be by His
leave? He knows all that lies open before men and all that is
hidden from them, whereas they cannot attain to aught of His
knowledge save that which He wills [them to attain]. His
eternal power overspreads the heavens and the earth, and
their upholding wearies Him not. And he alone is truly exalted,
tremendous.
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M.
M. Pickthall
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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.
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Shakir
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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.
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Yusuf
Ali
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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).
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[Al-Muntakhab]
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Allah, there is no Ilah but He, The Eternal, the Absolute,
Purveyor of sustenance for all, and AL-Qayum (Omnipotent) Who
preserves existence. It is not congruous with His divine nature
to slumber or sleep. To Him belong all in the heavens and on
earth. Who is it Who can intercede on behalf of another in His
August Presence but by the graceful proclamation of His
permission? He knows His creatures’ experiences and the
course of coming events which bridge their span and no one can
comprehend anything of His knowledge nor can anything be known
except as He will. His Throne, His knowledge and His dominance
and command extend over the heavens and earth, whose
preservation does not tire Him or worn out with fatigue, and He
is above all and beyond all, He is the Unique, whose attributes
belong to the highest regions of thought and reality.
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[Progressive
Muslims]
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God, there is no god but He, the Living, the Sustainer. No
slumber or sleep overtakes Him; to Him belongs all that is in
heavens and in the Earth. Who will intercede with Him except by
His leave He knows their present and their future, and they do
not have any of His knowledge except for what He wishes. His
throne encompasses all of the heavens and the Earth and it is
easy for Him to preserve them. He is the High, the Great.
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Abdel
Haleem
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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.
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Abdul
Majid Daryabadi
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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.
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Ahmed
Ali
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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 .
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Aisha
Bewley
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Allah, there is no god but Him, the Living, the
Self-Sustaining. He is not subject to drowsiness or sleep.
Everything in the heavens and the earth belongs to Him. Who can
intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is
before them and what is behind them but they cannot grasp any
of His knowledge save what He wills. His Footstool encompasses
the heavens and the earth and their preservation does not tire
Him. He is the Most High, the Magnificent.
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Ali
Ünal
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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.
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Ali
Quli Qara'i
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Allah&mdashthere is no god except Him&mdash 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 that which is before them
and that which 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.
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Amatul
Rahman Omar
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Allah, 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.
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Hamid
S. Aziz
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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.
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Muhammad
Mahmoud Ghali
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Allah. There is no god except He, The Ever-Living, The Superb
Upright Sustainer. Slumber does not overtake Him, nor sleep; to
Him (belongs) whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the
earth. Who is there that intercedes for His Providence except
by His Permission? He knows whatever is in front of them
(Literally: between their hands) and whatever is behind them,
and they do not encompass anything of His Knowledge except
whatever He has decided. His Chair embraces the heavens and the
earth; the preserving of them (Literally: them both) does not
tire Him; and He is The Ever-Exalted, The Ever-Magnificent.
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Muhammad
Sarwar
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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.
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Muhammad
Taqi Usmani
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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.
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Shabbir
Ahmed
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These directions, tidings and warnings come from Allah, the One
True God. There is no god but He, the Living, the Originator of
life, the Self-Subsisting Sustainer of all creation. Neither
slumber, nor sleep overtakes Him. All that exists in the Highs
and the Lows, in the Heavens and the Earth, belongs to Him
alone. Who can intercede in His Court, except as a witness of
Law? His Knowledge transcends time and space. No one can
encompass a trace of His Knowledge but through His Laws. The
Throne of His Supreme Control extends over the Highs and the
Lows. No fatigue touches Him as He benevolently guards His
Dominion and creation. He is the Glorious, the Supreme.
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Syed
Vickar Ahamed
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Allah! There is no god but He&mdash The Living,&mdash
The Self-Sufficient,&mdash The Infinitely Enduring,&mdash
Slumber or sleep never reaches Him. All things are His, in the
heavens and on the earth. Who is there who can plead in His
presence except as He permits? He knows what (appears to His
creatures), before or after or behind them. They shall not
understand the smallest fragment of His knowledge except as He
wills. His Throne extends over the heavens and over the earth,
and He does not tire in guarding and preserving them; And He is
the Most High (Al-A'li), the Supreme (Al-Azeem, in Glory).
[This Holy Verse glorifying Allah is known as Ayat-ul-Kursi.]
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Umm
Muhammad (Sahih International)
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Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the
Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him
nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and
whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him
except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before
them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a
thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi
extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation
tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.
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Farook
Malik
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GOD - there is no deity save Him, the Ever-Living, the
Self-Subsistent Fount of All Being. Neither slumber overtakes
Him, nor sleep. His is all that is in the heavens and all that
is on earth. Who is there that could intercede with Him, unless
it be by His leave? He knows all that lies open before men and
all that is hidden from them, whereas they cannot attain to
aught of His knowledge save that which He wills [them to
attain]. His eternal power overspreads the heavens and the
earth, and their upholding wearies Him not. And he alone is
truly exalted, tremendous.
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Controversial, deprecated, or status undetermined works
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Bijan
Moeinian
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There is no deity beside God. He is Alive and Eternal. He never
sleeps nor takes a recess. Anything that exists in the heavens
and on earth belongs to Him. No body has the power of
intercession in His Court except with His permission. He knows
what have people done in the past and what is awaiting them. No
one is as knowledgeable as God and He gives as much knowledge
as He wills to whoever He decides to bless him with. His
Kingship is spread all over the universe and includes the earth
and the heavens. Ruling over such vast realm of existence does
not bother Him a bit as He is The Most High, the Great.
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Faridul Haque
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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.)
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Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah
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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.
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Maulana
Muhammad Ali
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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.
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Muhammad Ahmed - Samira
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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.
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Sher
Ali
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ALLAH - there is no god save HIM, the Living, the
Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining. Slumber seizes HIM not, nor
sleep. To HIM belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and
whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that dare intercede with
HIM save 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 care of them wearies HIM
not; and HE is the High, the Great.
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Yusuf
Ali (org.)
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God! 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 (app eareth
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 t
he Most High, the Supreme (in glory).
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Rashad
Khalifa
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GOD: there is no other god besides Him, the Living, the
Eternal. Never a moment of unawareness or slumber overtakes
Him. To Him belongs everything in the heavens and everything on
earth. Who could intercede with Him, except in accordance with
His will? He knows their past, and their future. No one attains
any knowledge, except as He wills. His dominion encompasses the
heavens and the earth, and ruling them never burdens Him. He is
the Most High, the Great.
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Non-Muslim and/or Orientalist works
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Arthur
John Arberry
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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.
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Edward
Henry Palmer
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God, there is no god but He, the living, the self-subsistent.
Slumber takes Him not, nor sleep. His is what is in the heavens
and what 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 not aught of His knowledge but
of what He pleases. His throne extends over the heavens and the
earth, and it tires Him not to guard them both, for He is high
and grand.
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George
Sale
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God! There is no God but he; the living, the self-subsisting:
Neither slumber nor sleep seizeth him; to him belongeth
whatsoever is in heaven, and on earth. Who is he that can
intercede with him, but through his good pleasure? He knoweth
that which is past, and that which is to come unto them, and
they shall not comprehend any thing of his knowledge, but so
far as he pleaseth. His throne is extended over heaven and
earth, and the preservation of both is no burden unto him. He
is the high, the mighty.
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John
Medows Rodwell
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God! There is no God but He; the Living, the Eternal; Nor
slumber seizeth Him, nor sleep; His, whatsoever is in the
Heavens and whatsoever is in the Earth! Who is he that can
intercede with Him but by His own permission? He knoweth what
hath been before them and what shall be after them; yet nought
of His knowledge shall they grasp, save what He willeth. His
Throne reacheth over the Heavens and the Earth, and the
upholding of both burdeneth Him not; and He is the High, the
Great!
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