He Is the First and the Last, the Apparent and the Hidden — Most Comprehensive Description in Fewest Letters
balagha
Level: advanced
tibaq
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هُوَ ٱلۡأَوَّلُ وَٱلۡأٓخِرُ وَٱلظَّٰهِرُ وَٱلۡبَاطِنُ
— الحديد 3
Verse: "He is the First and the Last, the Apparent and the Hidden — and He is, of all things, Knowing." (57:3)
Double perfect antithesis: Combines two pairs of opposites: First/Last (temporal dimension) and Apparent/Hidden (spatial or ontological dimension). Together they encompass all dimensions of knowing Allah.
Prophetic hadith: "O Allah, You are the First and nothing is before You, You are the Last and nothing is after You, You are the Apparent and nothing is above You, You are the Hidden and nothing is nearer than You." (Muslim 2713)
Source: Sahih Muslim (2713); Ibn Kathir (8/18); Al-Zarkashi (3/437)
Question: What two dimensions are covered by combining "First/Last" and "Apparent/Hidden"?
Answer: First/Last: temporal dimension (before and after existence). Apparent/Hidden: ontological dimension (elevation and nearness). Together they encompass all of existence.