it to you before your glance returns to you.” [al-Naml: 38–40] That is, once you extend your gaze and then draw it back, I will bring it to you before your glance returns. “Then, when he saw it set before him”—he immediately saw it set before him—“he said, ‘This is from the grace of my Lord, to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful.’” The scholars said that the angels carried it and brought it from Yemen to Solomon in the Levant in a single instant. This demonstrates that the angels’ strength far exceeds that of the jinn, while the jinn are stronger than human beings. No human being could bring the throne of the Queen of Sheba from Yemen to the Levant except over a long period. In sum, the angels glide swiftly in carrying out whatever Allah, Mighty and Majestic, commands them.
“And those who race ahead, outstripping” also refers to the angels, who race to carry out Allah’s command, Mighty and Majestic. Thus, the angels are swifter and more steadfast than human beings in carrying out Allah’s command. Allah Most High says in His description of the angels of the Fire: “Over it are stern and severe angels who never disobey Allah in what He commands them and who do whatever they are commanded.” [al-Tahrīm: 6]
He, Mighty and Majestic, also says: “Those in His presence are not too proud to worship Him, nor do they ever grow weary. They glorify Him night and day without flagging.” [al-Anbiyā: 19–20] They therefore hasten to carry out whatever Allah, Mighty and Majestic, commands them. They do not disobey what He commands them, but do whatever they are commanded, because of their strength and their ability to execute the commands of Allah, Mighty and Majestic.
“And those who administer affairs” also describes the angels, who administer affairs. “Affair” is the singular of “affairs”; that is, Allah, Mighty and Majestic, has angels who administer His affairs according to His command. Gabriel is entrusted with revelation: he receives it from Allah and brings it down to the messengers. Isrāfīl is entrusted with blowing the Trumpet on the Day of Resurrection. He will blow the Trumpet, whereupon people will be terrified and die; then he will blow it again, and they will be resurrected. Michael is entrusted with rainfall, rain, and vegetation. The Angel of Death is entrusted with souls; Mālik is entrusted with the Fire; and Ridwān is entrusted with Paradise. Those seated on the right and the left are entrusted with recording deeds, and other angels are entrusted with preserving the deeds of the children of Adam. Each administers whatever Allah, Mighty and Majestic, has commanded him to administer.