Al-Furqaan (The Criterion)

59. “(He) Who created the heavens and the earth and what is between them in six Days, then He established Himself on ‘Arsh (the Throne of authority) the Beneficent (God)! Ask then (what you need) from Him Who is aware (of everything).”

This noble verse states the power of Allah in the entire universe and describes this assured trust in another way.

It says:

“(He) Who created the heavens and the earth and what is between them in six Days, then He established Himself on ‘Arsh (the Throne of authority)...”

One who has such omnipotence can protect those trust Him from every danger and disaster. He both has created the world and the management, leadership and administration of it are in His authority.

Moreover, gradual creation of the world shows that Allah does not hurry in any job. If He does not punish wrongdoers very quickly, it is because He wants to give them opportunity and respite to improve them. Furthermore, someone who fears for the passage of time hurries, and this is not true about Allah, the Mighty.

In the commentary of the 54th verse of the Surah Al-’A‘raf we talked about the creation of the universe in six days and we said that the purpose of ‘days’ in such cases is periods that each of which may last millions or milliards years.

We mentioned the evidences of this matter from Arabic literature and other languages. Also we specified all these 6 periods. The Qur’anic word /‘arš/ has also been explained there.

In the end of the verse it is added:

“...the Beneficent (God)!...”

He is the One Whose encompassing mercy includes all creatures, and everyone who obeys Him, or everyone who disobeys Him, believers and disbelievers all enjoy His unconditional generosity.

Now that man has such a mighty and generous Lord, he must ask Him whatever he needs or he must ask Him Who knows everything.

The verse says:

“...Ask then (what you need) from Him Who is aware (of every thing).”

As a matter of fact this sentence is the result of the former discussion; it implies that the Prophet (S) must declare that he does not want any reward from them and they must trust Allah Who has all these attributes, that is.

He is both the Powerful, the Beneficent, and All-merciful, and All-aware, and the Omniscient. Thus man must ask Him whatever he wants.

Commentators have other opinions about this sentence and mostly they have interpreted the Qur’anic word /fas’al/ (ask), here, as to ask question or to question not to demand, and they say that the concept of this sentence is that if man wants to ask question about the creation and the power of Allah, he must ask Allah Himself, for He knows everything.

Some have not only interpreted 'ask' as ask question or to question, but also they say that the purpose of the Qur’anic word ‘Khabir’ is Gabriel or the Prophet of Islam (S), that, is if anyone has question about Allah's attributes, he must ask them.

Of course, the last commentary seems very unlikely and the commentary that is before the last one is not very consistent with the former verses. Thus, the meaning which says, to ask Allah whatever someone wants, seems more probable.