DAY 490: Baqarah 253-257

•  We have chosen some of those messengers above others. Allah spoke directly to some, and raised some high in rank. To Jesus, son of Mary, We gave clear proofs and supported him with the holy spirit. If Allah had willed, succeeding generations would not have fought ˹among themselves˺ after receiving the clear proofs. But they differed—some believed while others disbelieved. Yet if Allah had willed, they would not have fought one another. But Allah does what He wills. O believers! Donate from what We have provided for you before the arrival of a Day when there will be no bargaining, friendship, or intercession. Those who disbelieve are ˹truly˺ the wrongdoers. Allah! There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him, the Ever-Living, All-Sustaining. Neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who could possibly intercede with Him without His permission? He ˹fully˺ knows what is ahead of them and what is behind them, but no one can grasp any of His knowledge—except what He wills ˹to reveal˺. His Kursiyy encompasses the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of both does not tire Him. For He is the Most High, the Greatest. Let there be no compulsion in religion, for the truth stands out clearly from falsehood.¹ So whoever renounces false gods and believes in Allah has certainly grasped the firmest, unfailing hand-hold. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. Allah is the Guardian of the believers—He brings them out of darkness and into light. As for the disbelievers, their guardians are false gods who lead them out of light and into darkness. It is they who will be the residents of the Fire. They will be there forever. 
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  After the historical lessons of Talut, Jalut, and David (243–252), Allah now reminds us that some messengers were preferred over others — but all were sent with the same core truth. Then He declares His absolute authority: "Allah — there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all." Then comes one of the most famous verses in the Quran — Ayat al-Kursi (The Throne Verse) — a magnificent description of Allah's power, knowledge, and sovereignty. Then a warning about those who worship false gods, and the beautiful promise: "Allah is the ally of those who believe — He brings them out of darkness into light."
  Today is the day to act. Tomorrow, there will be no transactions. Your money will not buy you out. Your friends will not save you. Even intercessors will have no power unless God grants it. So spend now. Give now. Act now. The ones who refuse — they are the ones who wrong themselves.
  This is the heart of Islamic theology. God is not a tired king resting on his throne. He is Ever-Living, Self-Sustaining. He never sleeps. He never needs a break. He knows everything — past, present, future. No one can speak for anyone else without His permission. His authority covers everything. And running the entire universe does not tire Him. This is the God you call on. This is the God who is near (2:186). And He is Most High, Most Great.
  Ayat al-Kursi is memorized by millions of Muslims. It is recited for protection, for reflection, for grounding. It is the Quran's most powerful statement of who Allah is.
  
  Some messengers were preferred over others — but people fought out of ego, not truth; spend now before the Day when no transaction or intercession helps; Allah is Ever-Living, Self-Sustaining, never sleeps, His Throne encompasses all; there is no compulsion in religion — reject false gods and believe in Allah to grasp the unbreakable handhold; for Allah is the ally of believers, bringing them from darkness to light, while the allies of disbelievers drag them from light into darkness.
  
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