The Criterion for Religions — Page 37
37 for laymen this station is described as being up above. Since God is in fact above all, and everything lies prostrate at His feet, His Being has affinity with upwardness, for He alone is above, below whom lie both the worlds. He is like the highest point from which two branches of the two glorious worlds emanate and each branch consists of thousands of worlds. Of these no one has any knowledge except Him, Who is firmly established on the highest point known as 'Arsh [Throne]. In visible or external terms too, the loftiest height one could possibly conceive of, and which is the highest point of both the worlds, is known in shariah as 'Arsh. This height, on account of its being perfect and all- inclusive, belongs to God. Thus, it points to the fact that all blessings originate from Him and to Him everything returns. All creation worships Him and He transcends all in His Person, attributes, and excellences. The fact is that the Holy Quran describes Him as being Omnipresent. For instance, it says: 14. 1 ~ IJl ~ ; :u -. -. - \ ~~,~ l. . . . . -o:~T ~~. . J~ 'yy " i. e. , withersoever you tum, there will be the face of God. It also says: 14 AI-Baqarah, 2: 116 [Publishers]