Exalted Beyond Our Worship

الْمُتَعَالِي

Al-Muta‘ālī — The Most Exalted

وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ

And they measure not the power of Allah its true measure when they say: Allah hath naught revealed unto a human being. Say (unto the Jews who speak thus): Who revealed the Book which Moses brought, a light and guidance for mankind, which ye have put on parchments which ye show, but ye hide much (thereof), and (by which) ye were taught that which ye knew not yourselves nor (did) your fathers (know it)? Say: Allah. Then leave them to their play of cavilling

Surah Al-An'ām (6:91)

Intention

Today, I will worship knowing that it is not enough — and knowing that He accepts it anyway.

Reflection

Al-Mutaʿālī on the last days — even an entire Ramadan of worship does not come close to what He deserves. Your best fast, your longest prayer, your most tearful du'a — all of it together is infinitely less than what Al-Mutaʿālī merits. And yet He accepts it. He takes your imperfect worship and rewards it as if it were complete. That is the final mercy of Ramadan: not that you worshipped perfectly, but that He accepted imperfection.

On this verse

You have not appraised Him truly — and you never will. But the attempt is the worship. The falling short is forgiven.

Du'a

The kaffārat al-majlis — seal every gathering, every prayer session, every night of Ramadan with this.

Hadith

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'None of you will enter Paradise by his deeds alone.' They asked: 'Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?' He said: 'Not even me, unless Allah envelops me in His mercy.'

— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6463, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2816