Tafseer of Taa-Haa · Taa-Haa · 20:5
The Most Merciful [who is] above the Throne established.
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
His word الرَّحْمَنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَى (20:5)
(The Most Merciful rose above the Throne.)
Allah the Exalted says: the Most Merciful is exalted and has set Himself above His Throne.
We have already explained the meaning of al-istiwāʾ (the being-exalted) with its proofs earlier, and we have mentioned the disagreements of the scholars concerning it; that makes repetition in this place unnecessary.
For the nominative case of "al-Raḥmān" (الرَّحْمَنُ) there are two possibilities: first, on the basis of the word "tanzīlan" (sending down), so that the meaning of the sentence is: He sent it down — namely the One who created the earth and the heavens — the Most Merciful who has exalted Himself above the Throne, He sent it down. Second, on the basis of His word عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَى (rose above the Throne), because in the word "istawā" (has exalted Himself) there already lies a reference to "al-Raḥmān" (the Most Merciful).
