Rather, they are nothing but names they have invented, for which Allah has sent down no authority.

“The Ever-Living, the Sustainer” means the One whose life and self-subsistence are absolutely perfect. He is the Ever-Living whose life was never preceded by non-existence and will never be followed by extinction, for He is the First—nothing came before Him—and the Last—nothing comes after Him. Allah, exalted is He, says, “Everyone upon it will perish, and there will remain the Face of your Lord, full of majesty and honor.” One of the early scholars said: whoever recites the words “Everyone upon it will perish” should not stop there; rather, he should continue: “Everyone upon it will perish, and there will remain the Face of your Lord, full of majesty and honor.”

The wording “everyone” makes plain the deficiency of created beings and the perfection of the Creator, glorious and exalted. He is the Ever-Living whose life is flawless in every respect, whereas the life of others is wholly deficient. Consider your own life: your hearing is limited—you cannot hear everything; your sight is likewise limited; so is your health, and how numerous are the ailments that afflict people! The same holds true for every other factor that sustains life—each is imperfect.

As for the Lord, exalted is He, His life is perfect. al-Qayyūm means the One who subsists by Himself and sustains all others—in other words, He stands by Himself and has no need of anyone else: “And whoever disbelieves, indeed Allah is free of need of all creation,” and “If you disbelieve, Allah has no need of you. He does not approve disbelief for His servants; but if you are grateful, He approves it for you.” He is Independent, and in