and al-Samad, as well as the denial that He has any progenitors, offspring, or equals whatsoever. Yet Allah revealed His name al-Rahmān (the Most Merciful) when the polytheists denied this name, affirming it for Himself in refutation of them. This establishes its unambiguous character even more emphatically than this surah does, for refuting someone’s denial affirms the opposite of his claim more forcefully than answering a questioner whose question contains neither denial nor affirmation. Allah has said:

“When they are told, ‘Prostrate to the Most Merciful,’ they say, ‘What is the Most Merciful? Should we prostrate to whatever you command us?’ And it increases them in aversion.” {60}
[al-Furqān 60]

And He, Most High, said:

“Thus We have sent you to a community before which other communities have passed away, so that you may recite to them what We have revealed to you. Yet they disbelieve in the Most Merciful. Say, ‘He is my Lord; there is no god but Him. In Him I put my trust, and to Him I turn in repentance.’” {30}
[al-Ra‘d 30]

Likewise, Pharaoh said:

“O Hāmān, build me a lofty tower so that I may reach the pathways— {36} the pathways of the heavens—and look upon the God of Moses, though I certainly think he is lying.”
[Ghāfir 36–37]

This establishes more emphatically that Moses explicitly told him that his God was above the heavens—so much so that Pharaoh sought to prove him false by action—than reporting this in Moses’ own words.

Likewise, the Companions asked the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, “Will we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?” He replied, “Do you experience any difficulty seeing the sun in a clear sky with no clouds obscuring it? And do you experience any difficulty seeing the moon in a clear sky with no clouds obscuring it?” They said, “No.” He said, “Then you will experience no difficulty seeing Him, just as you experience no difficulty in