If it is said that this is metaphorical, no one would claim that the apparent meaning of these expressions is that Khālid is iron, that the horse is water, or that Abū Qatādah is a fanged beast of prey. Rather, the wording explicitly conveys the contrary: that Khālid is brave and bold in advancing, like a sword with which Allah kills His enemies; that the horse is swift and fleet-footed, like the sea; and that Abū Qatādah is a brave man, like a lion that Allah has unleashed against His enemies. We have explained this principle at length elsewhere.