The Guiding Light — Page 357
S u rah al-Baqarah, Verse 255-258 357 knows what is before them and what is behind them; and they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He pleases. His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth; and the care of them burdens Him not; and He is the High, the Great. Commentary: This verse is known as اﻟکﺮ% آ ﻳ ﺖ A yatul-Kurs i ) and is considered to be one of the most important verses, beautifully describing the unity of God and his great attributes. The Holy Prophet sa is reported to have said that the A yatul-Kurs i was the loftiest verse in the Qur’ a n (Muslim). The verse supplies an answer to an implied question. Even if Muslims made the sacrifices required of them in 2: 255, the task before them was so great that, based on worldly calculations, there appeared no hope of success for them. How then is the promised victory to come? The verse under comment provides a telling answer. The world was not without a Master. The destinies of its people were controlled by a Being Whose power was limitless, Whose knowledge knew no bounds, Who was ever vigilant, ever watchful, in Whose hands were the entire resources of the