are nearer to him than his jugular vein (16).” [Qāf 16]

This is like His saying, glorified be He:

“We recount to you in truth some of the story of Moses and Pharaoh, for people who believe (3).” [al-Qasas 3]

He also says:

“We relate to you the best of stories through Our revelation of this Quran to you.” [Yūsuf 3]

And He says:

“Indeed, it is for Us to gather it and have it recited (17). So when We recite it, follow its recitation (18). Then it is for Us to explain it (19).” [al-Qiyāmah 17–19]

When Allah Most High uses wording of this kind in His Book, it indicates that what is meant is that He, glorified be He, does this through His hosts and helpers among the angels. For the form “We” is used by one who is followed, obeyed and held in reverence, and who has hosts that follow his commands. No one has hosts who obey him as the angels obey their Lord, who is their Creator and Lord. He, glorified be He, knows what a person’s soul whispers, and His angels know it too. Thus the word “We” is appropriate here.

The same applies to His saying:

“And We know what his soul whispers to him.” [Qāf 16]

For He, glorified be He, knows this, and His angels know it too, as is established in the two Sahīh collections from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, who said: “When a servant intends a good deed, one good deed is recorded for him. If he performs it, ten good deeds are recorded for him. And if