Explanation of Verse (2:210)

8-6-2020 | IslamWeb

Question:

What is the most correct interpretation of ayat 210 of surah baqarah? Will Allah literally come being inside the clouds?

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

Allah, The Exalted, Says (what means): {Do they await but that Allah should come to them in covers of clouds and the angels [as well] and the matter is [then] decided? And to Allah [all] matters are returned.} [Quran 2:210] In brief, the verse means, “What are these stubborn disbelievers waiting for after the clear evidence has been established, except that Allah, The Exalted, comes to them, in the manner that befits Him, in covers of clouds on the Day of Resurrection, to judge among them justly, and for the angels to come as well? At that time, Allah, The Exalted, will subject them to His Judgment; and to Him alone all matters of the creation return (for judgment).” [End of quote from At-Tafseer Al-Mukhtasar]

The ‘coming’ in reference to Allah, The Exalted, here means actual coming, but in a manner that befits Him. The term {in covers of clouds} does not mean that the clouds would surround Him and that He would be inside them. Verily, Allah, The Almighty, is far Exalted above being encompassed by any of His Creation. Rather, it denotes that the clouds would accompany Him or that He would be above them. Sometimes the Arabic preposition “fi” (in) is used to denote the meaning of the preposition “’ala” (above). For instance, Allah, The Exalted, Says (what means): {…and I will crucify you in the trunks of palm trees…} [Quran 20:71] What is meant is ‘on’ the trunks of palm trees, as stated by Ibn Jareer in his Tafseer and by Al-Bukhaari in his Saheeh.

Allah Knows best.

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