XXXVI: In the name of that Deity of mine…

In the name of that Deity of mine, this is my meed of praise--
Him, of whose many appellations, one, "The Most Glorious" is.

Those things, which, unto all others, are insuperable,
The whole of these matters are easy, and feasible unto Him.

He is the sovereign over all the rulers of the earth:
Over the head of every monarch, He is also the King.

Is any one able to place a sun in the firmament?
Yet He, in the heavens, hath elevated this glorious orb.

Can any one spread out a veil over the disc of the sun?
But, see! He hath entirely concealed it, in the veil of clouds.

Who is there capable of producing a moon, to light the night?
He hath created many moons, to illumine the nocturnal gloom.

Can any one pour down a single rain-drop from the sky?
Yet He hath rained, upon us, the genial showers of spring.

Who is there-equal to give vitality, even to a mosquito
Yet He hath given life to the whole creation of the earth.

Hath any one the ability to give the red tinge to stone? .
But He hath coloured it with the Arghowan's rich hue.

Can any one cause a single flower to grow from out the earth
Yet He hath made to bloom gardens of sweetest flowers.

Hath any one the power to produce water from fire?
He, from the fire of summer, hath produced the winter rains.

Hath any one the ability to impart religion unto man?
Yet He, upon all His servants, hath faith and religion bestowed.

Can any one ascend from earth to Heaven?
Yet this potent power, He hath, unto Jesus Christ, assigned.

Who is there. that can hold converse with the Almighty
Yet, to this degree, He hath the patriarch Moses exalted.

Who is mighty enough to place a saddle on the steed of the wind?
Whilst He hath, high in air, the throne of Suliman set up.

What man, with snowy beard, can, unto the Last Day, live?
Yet, upon Khizr, this great favour hath He conferred.

Hath any one power to produce gems from out the rain-drops?
Whilst He, from out the rain-drops, hath produced pearls.

Who is there can supply food unto all creatures?
Yet He, unto all created things, is the giver of daily bread.

That which He can perform, none else can accomplish:
All the most powerful are impotent, before His omnipotence.

He hath founded the house of stone in the midst of the waters,
In which He hath given, unto fire, security and protection.

The earth hath bowed down its head in His adoration;
And the firmament is bent over in the worship of Him.

Every tree, and every shrub, stand ready to bend before Him:
Every herb and blade of grass are a tongue to utter his praises.

Every fish in the deep praiseth and blesseth His name:
Every bird, in the meadows and in the fields, magnifieth Him.

All things are occupied in offering thanksgiving unto Him,
Whether mankind, or the genii, or the beasts of the field.

The created things themselves have not held Him in such estimation,
As the great love and regard they are held in by Him.

No one hath discovered the extent of His omniscience--
His knowledge and perception such a boundless ocean is.

Neither doth any one bear likeness or similitude unto Him,
Nor doth He bear likeness or similitude unto any one.

With Him, there is neither deficiency, detriment, nor decline:
He is, wholly, without defect, without decline, or deterioration.

He hath neither simile, nor similitude, nor hath He place:
He is without semblance, without comparison, without abode.

From all form, structure, or configuration, He is exempt;
Yet all figure, lineament, and formation, from Him proceed.

No one beholdeth Him with his eyes, nor can He be looked upon;
And yet, ineffable and inscrutable, He is manifest to all.

If any one should say, He cannot be seen, verily, He cannot:
And should he so say, He is, in truth, apparent unto all.

Without doubt and without distrust, consider Him immaculate
In all things soever, of which people are hard of belief.

No one hath lauded Him equal unto His just deserts;
Neither hath any one-sufficiently resounded His praise.

Out of the thousands of His excellencies and His perfections,
Deem not, that one, by Rahman, hath been adequately expressed.