with the attributes of hearing and seeing all things. For in this way he could demonstrate the world-embracing purposes and instances of wisdom of the trust, the light, and the key.

And, for example:

Praise be to God, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Who made the angels messengers with wings, two, three, or four [pairs]: He adds to creation as He pleases, for God is Powerful over all things.(35:1)

In this sura, the Qur’an says: “By adorning the heavens and the earth in this way and displaying the works of His perfection, their All-Glorious Creator causes innumerable spectators to extol and praise Him. He decks them out with uncountable bounties so that the heavens and the earth praise and extol unendingly the Most Merciful Creator through the tongues of all the bounties and those who receive them.” After this it points out that since the Creator has given men and the animals and birds members and wings with which to travel through the towns and lands of the earth, and since that All-Glorious One has also given wings to the angels, the inhabitants of the realm of the heavens, in order to fly through the celestial palaces of the stars and lofty lands of the constellations, He is certainly powerful over all things. The One Who gives wings to a fly, to fly from fruit to fruit, and wings to a sparrow to fly from tree to tree, is the One Who gives wings to the angels to fly from Venus to Jupiter. Furthermore, the angels are not restricted to particularity like the dwellers of the earth; they are not confined by a specific place. With the words: “two, three, or four [pairs],” it suggests that at one time they may be present on four or more stars; it gives details. Thus, by describing “the arraying of the angels with wings,” which is a particular event, it points to a universal, general workshop of divine power and its immensity, and verifies and establishes it with the summary: “For God is Powerful over all things.”

#### Tenth Point of Eloquence

TENTH POINT OF ELOQUENCE: It sometimes happens that a verse mentions man’s rebellious acts, then restrains him with severe threats. Then, so that the severity of the threats should not cast him into despair and hopelessness, it concludes with some divine names which point to His mercy and console him. For example:

Say: if there had been [other] gods with Him – as they say – behold they would certainly have sought out a way to the Lord of the Throne! ∗ Glory be to Him! He is high above all that they say! – Exalted and Great [beyond measure] ∗ The sevens heavens and the earth, and all beings therein declare His glory; there is not a thing