19. Surah Maryam [Mary], Mecca 44

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا...   

19: 65.  "Lord of the heavens and of the earth, and of all that is between them:

...فَاعْبُدْهُ وَاصْطَبِرْ لِعِبَادَتِهِ ...

so worship Him, and be constant and patient in His worship:

...هَلْ تَعْلَمُ لَهُ سَمِيًّا ﴿٦٥﴾

knowest thou of any who is worthy of the same Name as He?"

Other Versions:

(19:65)

Asad’s notes –

50 I.e., that which even the angels can only glimpse but not fully understand. Literally, the above phrase reads, "that which is between our hands and that which is behind us and that which is between these". Regarding this idiomatic expression, see 2:255 - "He knows all that lies open before men and all that is hidden from them" - and the corresponding note 247. The reference to the angels connects with the preceding mention of some of the earlier prophets who, like Muhammad, were recipients of divine revelation.

Ali’s notes:

C2515. The more we taste of the truth and mystery of life, the more do we realise that there is no one to be mentioned in the same breath as Allah.

He is above all names. But when we think of His beautiful qualities, and picture them to ourselves by names which give us some idea of Him, we can search the whole wide world of our imagination, and we shall not find another to be compared with Him in name or quality.

He is the One: praise be to Him!