his Lord,” (7:143); and in His words, “Those messengers—We have favored some of them above others; among them are those to whom Allah spoke” (2:253). He has likewise attributed speech to a servant, as in His statement, “The king said, ‘Bring him to me that I may single him out for myself.’ Then, when he had spoken with him, he said, ‘Today you are established with us, trusted and secure’” (12:54). Yet His speaking is not like their speaking.

He has also described Himself as informing, and He has attributed informing to some of His creatures. He says, “When the Prophet confided a matter to one of his wives and she disclosed it, and Allah made it known to him, he informed her of part of it and overlooked part. Then, when he informed her of it, she asked, ‘Who informed you of this?’ He replied, ‘The All-Knowing, the All-Aware informed me’” (66:3). Still, His informing is not like their informing.

Likewise, He has described Himself as teaching, and He has described a servant as teaching. He says, “The All-Merciful—He taught the Quran, created man, and taught him articulate speech” (55:1-4); He says, “You train them in what Allah has taught you” (5:4); and He says, “Allah has indeed bestowed favor upon the believers when He raised up among them a messenger from among themselves, who recites to them His verses, purifies them, and teaches them the Book and wisdom” (3:164). Yet His teaching is not like their teaching.