Is “Arsh/Kursi” a Physical Entity?
Question
Title: Is " Arsh/Kursi " a Physical Entity? Question: I have read your explanation that "Arsh/Kursi" mentioned in the Quran refers to authority, power of God. But some verses in the Quran (correct me,if I am wrong) namely Az-Zumar 39:75, Al-Haqqah 69:17 etc. and many reported ahadiths seems to suggest that " Arsh / Kursi " as a physical entity. Many scholars believe it to be a physical entity all above "seven" heavens. How do you interpret/comment on the related verses and the ahadiths which suggest that Arsh / Kusi is a physical entity? Regards, Naina India Answer: There are two kinds of verses in the Qur'an. Firstly, there are those in which the words 'Arsh' and 'Kursi' are used idiomatically to imply the God's rule and authority and sometimes the expanse of God's rule and authority. Secondly, there are those in which these words are used allegorically. The referred verses belong to the second kind of verses. In the language of the Qur'an, these verses belong to the category of the Mutashabihaat (allegorical). In such verses, the Qur'an has given a vague concept of such facts, which man cannot fully understand under his present point of reference [1] . In such verses, the Qur'an has explained facts, which are unknown to man by comparison (tashbeeh) to phenomena which are known to man. In view of the style and purpose of these verses, we cannot fully understand the complete meaning entailed in these verses, but can only get a vague idea of the concept given in these verses. In general human experience and reference, 'Throne' is a symbol of a king's rule, majesty and grandeur. In the referred verses of Al-Zumar and Al-Haaqqah , the Qur'an has referred to the majesty and grandeur of the Almighty as it would become manifest on humans during the Day of Judgment by comparing it with the 'throne' of a king. The actual reality and the real nature of this 'throne' shall only be known on the Day of Judgment. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad July 13, 2002 [1] For more details on the issue of the Mutashabihaat , please refer to one of my articles titled: Is the Qur'an Clear or Incomprehensible .
Answer
Title: Is " Arsh/Kursi " a Physical Entity? Question: I have read your explanation that "Arsh/Kursi" mentioned in the Quran refers to authority, power of God. But some verses in the Quran (correct me,if I am wrong) namely Az-Zumar 39:75, Al-Haqqah 69:17 etc. and many reported ahadiths seems to suggest that " Arsh / Kursi " as a physical entity. Many scholars believe it to be a physical entity all above "seven" heavens. How do you interpret/comment on the related verses and the ahadiths which suggest that Arsh / Kusi is a physical entity? Regards, Naina India Answer: There are two kinds of verses in the Qur'an. Firstly, there are those in which the words 'Arsh' and 'Kursi' are used idiomatically to imply the God's rule and authority and sometimes the expanse of God's rule and authority. Secondly, there are those in which these words are used allegorically. The referred verses belong to the second kind of verses. In the language of the Qur'an, these verses belong to the category of the Mutashabihaat (allegorical). In such verses, the Qur'an has given a vague concept of such facts, which man cannot fully understand under his present point of reference [1] . In such verses, the Qur'an has explained facts, which are unknown to man by comparison (tashbeeh) to phenomena which are known to man. In view of the style and purpose of these verses, we cannot fully understand the complete meaning entailed in these verses, but can only get a vague idea of the concept given in these verses. In general human experience and reference, 'Throne' is a symbol of a king's rule, majesty and grandeur. In the referred verses of Al-Zumar and Al-Haaqqah , the Qur'an has referred to the majesty and grandeur of the Almighty as it would become manifest on humans during the Day of Judgment by comparing it with the 'throne' of a king. The actual reality and the real nature of this 'throne' shall only be known on the Day of Judgment. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad July 13, 2002 [1] For more details on the issue of the Mutashabihaat , please refer to one of my articles titled: Is the Qur'an Clear or Incomprehensible .
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