Al-Baqarah 253–259
Verse of the Throne affirms Allah as the owner of the heavens and earth who neither slumbers nor sleeps, accompanied by the prohibition of forcing people into Islam, then two stories about the power to give life and death.
Verse 253 explains that Allah gives excellence to each Messenger. Musa with the ability to speak with Allah. Isa with various knowledge such as reviving the dead and so forth. Allah is able to make humans not kill each other or wage war. Allah revealed a system of life to organize their lives to be good and peaceful. However, they violated it. Some believed and some disbelieved. It has always been Allah's decree that right and falsehood will never unite.
Verse 254 commands the believers to give charity in the way of Allah before the day of resurrection or death comes. At that time buying and selling is no longer possible, friendship is no longer useful, recommendation and so forth is no longer helpful.
Verses 255-256 are called Verse of the Throne (Ayat al-Kursi), because it explains Allah's Throne which is as vast as the heavens and earth. This Verse of the Throne is among the verses of the Qur'an that are recommended to be recited in the morning and evening because it explains the reality of Allah as the only God worthy of worship because He is the Owner of the heavens and earth, neither slumbers nor sleeps and His knowledge encompasses all things. Nevertheless, He forbids us from forcing people into Islam, even though Islam is the only religion He is pleased with for people. Whoever rejects the Taghut (disbelieving rulers) and believes in Allah, he is on true guidance and holds fast to a very strong rope.
Verse 257 is still part of the Verse of the Throne. It explains that Allah is the only Helper of the believers. He brings them out from the darkness of ignorance to the light of Islam. As for the helpers of the disbelievers, it is the Taghut that brings them out from Allah's light to the darkness of ignorance. They will become the inhabitants of Hell and abide therein forever.
Verses 258 and 259 explain the story of King Nimrod who argued with Prophet Ibrahim about the power of Allah the Exalted. Yet Nimrod's kingdom was a blessing from Allah. Ibrahim said that his Lord is the One who gives life and causes death. Nimrod refused to be outdone and said: I too can give life and cause death. Although Nimrod's claim is impossible to realize, Ibrahim remained patient facing Nimrod's ignorance. Then Ibrahim drew out logic and a devastating question: Indeed Allah brings forth the sun from the east. Try you to bring forth the sun from the west, if you are truthful. Then Nimrod became confused and lost his mind. That is an example of people who only follow worldly desires in the form of wealth and power. Allah will not guide the wrongdoers and idolaters like Nimrod.
Another example of Allah's power is killing someone who doubted Allah's ability to resurrect people on the Day of Judgment. Allah killed that person and after 100 years He revived him again. When asked how long he had been dead, he said only one or half a day. Allah revived him after all his bones had disintegrated, then Allah gathered and arranged them, then covered them with flesh. Only then did he realize that Allah is Almighty.
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