The Bearers of The Throne are The Beloved of The Righteous
Selections from the Book The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him …
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (27)
The bearers of the Throne and the angels around them are the beloved of Allah's righteous servants. They envelop them with their prayers and supplications to Allah, out of mercy and in recognition of the bond that unites them through their obedience to Allah and their closeness to Him through their good deeds and love for Him.
As Allah Almighty said: {Those [angels] who carry the Throne and those around it exalt [Allah] with praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask forgiveness for those who have believed, [saying], "Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire. (7) Our Lord, and admit them to gardens of perpetual residence which You have promised them and whoever was righteous among their forefathers, their spouses and their offspring. Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (8) And protect them from the evil consequences [of their deeds]. And he whom You protect from evil consequences that Day - You will have given him mercy. And that is the great attainment." (9)} [Ghafir: 7-9].
The Throne-bearers and the angels around it, among the most devout and powerful beings in creation, remember the believing humans before their Lord. They seek forgiveness for them and invoke Allah's promises for the believers due to the shared bond of faith. These closest of servants turn their glorification of Allah into supplication for the believers, asking for the best that one believer can ask for another. They begin their supplication with humility and respect, teaching us how to approach Allah in prayer. They say: {"Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge,} [Ghafir: 7], acknowledging that their request for mercy is drawn from Allah's boundless mercy and knowledge. They recognize that they have nothing to offer, relying entirely on His mercy and omniscience. Thus, they plead: {so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire.} [Ghafir: 7].
This mention of forgiveness and repentance aligns with the beginning of the surah and with Allah's attribute there: {The forgiver of sin, acceptor of repentance,} [Ghafir: 3], just as the reference to the torment of Hell aligns with His attribute "Severe in punishment" in Surah Ghafir. Then they ascend in their supplication from asking for forgiveness and protection from punishment to requesting entry into Paradise and the fulfillment of Allah’s promise to His righteous servants: {Our Lord, and admit them to gardens of perpetual residence which You have promised them and whoever was righteous among their forefathers, their spouses and their offspring. Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.} [Ghafir: 8].
Entering Paradise is a form of bliss and success, accompanied by the company of those who were righteous among the fathers, spouses, and descendants, which is an independent form of bliss. This also reflects the unity among all believers, for it is at the bond of faith that fathers, children, and spouses come together. Without this bond, all ties would be severed. The phrase concluding this part of the supplication: {Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.} points to power as well as wisdom, which are essential in the judgment over the affairs of the servants.
{And protect them from the evil consequences [of their deeds]. And he whom You protect from evil consequences that Day - You will have given him mercy. And that is the great attainment."}. This supplication—following the prayer for their admittance into the Gardens of Eternity—highlights the primary concern on that severe Day. It is the sins that ruin people in the Hereafter and lead them to destruction. If Allah protects His believing servants from them, He shields them from their consequences and outcomes. This protection is the true mercy in that situation, and it is the first step toward happiness, for {And that is the great attainment."}. Simply being protected from sins is a tremendous blessing.
The Throne, along with the angels who carry it and those surrounding it, is one of Allah's creations, linked to His righteous servants by the bond of faith and sincere servitude to Him alone. It reflects the deep connection between Allah's righteous servants and the rest of His creation— a relationship of harmony, affection, and honor. The Throne trembled at the death of Sa'd ibn Mu'adh, may Allah be pleased with him, and it is the resting place for the souls of martyrs, the shade for the pious, and the seat of Allah's mercy, the Most Merciful. A person who worships Allah feels a sense of affection toward this magnificent creation, which Allah endowed with benefits for His creatures that surpass all other blessings. It is a symbol of closeness to the Most High, belief in Him, and trust in what has been revealed by Him and His Messenger, peace be upon him, from the infallible revelation.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him, pp. 187-190.
- In the Shade of the Qur’an, Qutb, previous reference, 5/3071.
- The Story of Creation, Al-Kharaan, previous reference, p. 69.
For further information and review of the sources for the article, see:
The Book of The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him on the official website of Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi:
