Taa-Haa (Taa-Haa)

5. “The Beneficent (Allah Who) dominates on the ‘Arsh (the Throne of existence).”

6. “To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and whatever is between them, and whatever is beneath the ground.”

7. “And if you utter aloud (or whisper, it is no matter): for verily He knows the secret (of yours) and (that which is yet) more hidden.”

In these few verses, four main attributes of Allah are referred to. They are as follows:

1. His Creative Power (Divinity), where it says:

“…Who created the earth and the high heavens.”

2. His Sovereignty, where it says:

“…dominates on ‘Arsh (the Throne of existence).”

3. His Ownership, where it says:

“To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth…”.

4. His Omniscience, where it says:

“…He knows the secret (of yours) and (that which is yet) more hidden.”

The Sovereignty of Allah over ‘Arsh, which has been mentioned in some other occurrences of the Qur’an with the phrase recited:

“…He mounted the Throne (of authority)”,

denotes to Allah’s authority over the world of existence. As an instance, when it is said that so and so set on the throne, or so and so was taken down from the throne, it means that he gained an authority, or his authority was taken from him.

The Qur’anic phrase:

“…He mounted the throne (of authority)”

and the like of it, is usually followed with sentence which interprets it. For example, in Surah’A‘raf, No. 7, verse 54, it says:

“…Then He mounted the Throne (of authority). He covers the day with the night…”.

Or like Surah Yunus, No. 10, verse 3 which says:

“…Then He established Himself on the Throne regulating all things…”.

Or like Surah Al-Hadid, No. 57, verse 4, which says:

“…Then He established Himself on the Throne. He knows what enters within the earth and what comes forth out of it…”.

And like Surah As-Sajdah, No. 32, verse 4, where it says:

“…Then He established Himself on the Throne. You have none besides Him to protect or intercede (for you)…”.

And in the verse under discussion, the Qur’an implies: the same Beneficent Who dominates on the ‘Arsh (the Throne of existence).

The verse says:

“The Beneficent (Allah Who) dominates on the ‘Arsh (the Throne of existence).”

The Arabic term /ara/ originally means ‘wet soil’, and since the low level of the ground is often wet in Arabic it is called /ara/. Thus the meaning of the phrase: /matahtaara/ (whatever is beneath the ground) envelops all dead bodies, treasures, and whatever thing is hidden in the depth of the ground.

Then, next to the Sovereignty of Allah over the world of existence, the Qur’an refers to His Ownership.

It says:

“To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and whatever is between them, and whatever is beneath the ground.”

Up to here, three main attributes of Allah have been explained: the first epithet is His Creative Power, the second epithet, is His Sovereignty, and the third epithet is His Ownership.

In the next verse, the fourth epithet, His Omniscience, has been pointed out. It implies that His knowledge is so vast that it encompasses every thing you say manifestly or whatever you keep hidden, and He also knows even the more secret than the secret.

The verse says:

“And if you utter aloud (or whisper, it is no matter): for verily He knows the secret (of yours) and (that which is yet) more hidden.”

Imam Sadiq (as) said:

“The secret (thing) is what you hide in your heart, and more secret than that is that which has passed from your mouth but you have forgotten it. That is, not only it is hidden for others but you yourself have neglected it.”

Allah knows everything:

“He knows the secret (of yours) and (that which is yet) more hidden.”1

He knows the things which are not seen in the heavens and in the earth:

“…I know the unseen things of the heavens and the earth…”.2

He knows what is in the womb of every female:

“Allah knows what every female bears…”.3

He knows the aim and meaning of glances:

“He knows the stealthy looks..”.4

He knows what passes in the hearts:

“…Allah knows what is in your hearts…”.5

And there falls no leaf of a tree but He knows it:

“…and no leaf (of a tree) drops down but He knows it…”.6

However, the domination of Allah over the world of existence is accomplished mercifully, not mightily. And the revelation of the Qur’an has been a sign of His Beneficence and His Authority upon the existence.

So, His Sovereignty over the whole existence is alike. He is both the Creator of the world of existence and the Protector and Ruler of it. He has also knowledge about whatever is visible and invisible and has absolute ownership over all things.