Surah Luqman (Luqman ) 31 : 30

Explanatory Note

Thus, the three are cited together as closely-linked, indisputable facts. This is followed by a comment stating the great truth upon which all facts are based. It is the central theme of this sūrah, which is preambled by this evidence: “Thus it is, because God alone is the Ultimate Truth, and all that people invoke beside Him is sheer falsehood, and because God alone is Most High, Great.”

This accurate, balanced, coherent and unfailing universal system functions by the fact that God is the Ultimate Truth and that whatever else people may invoke is false. This is the great truth upon which is based every other truth, and by which the whole universe fulfils its existence. That God — limitless is He in His glory — is the Ultimate Truth means that it is He who brings the universe into existence, maintains it, conducts its affairs, guarantees its stability and coherence for the length of time He chooses.

“Thus it is, because God alone is the Ultimate Truth.” Everything else changes and alters, increases and decreases, is subject to strengthening and weakening, flourishing and withering. Everything else comes into existence and goes out of it, but God alone is Eternal, unchanging, subject to no transformation or alteration.

Yet there remains in my mind something I have not expressed about the statement: “Thus it is, because God alone is the Ultimate Truth.” It is something that cannot be communicated in words; something which is not in my power to express; something I feel strongly in my heart, yet human language cannot put into words. The same is true of the last statement in this verse: “God alone is Most High, Great.” Indeed, no one else is high or great. Have I said anything about what works inside me about this Qur’ānic statement? I feel that any human expression of these sublime truths detracts from them. Indeed, the Qur’ānic expression is uniquely inspiring.