(7–9) “Those who bear the Throne and those around it glorify their Lord with praise, believe in Him, and seek forgiveness for those who believe: ‘Our Lord, You encompass all things in mercy and knowledge. So forgive those who repent and follow Your way, and protect them from the punishment of the Blazing Fire.’”
The Exalted informs us of the perfection of His kindness toward His believing servants and of the means He has provided for their felicity that lie beyond their own power: the nearest angels seek forgiveness for them and pray for what will set right their religion and their Hereafter. This also informs us of the honor of the bearers of the Throne and those around it, their nearness to their Lord, their abundant worship, and their sincere concern for Allah’s servants, for they know that Allah loves this from them. He therefore said: “Those who bear the Throne”—that is, the Throne of the Most Merciful, which is the roof of creation, the greatest, vastest, and most magnificent of created things, and the nearest to Allah Most High. It encompasses the earth, the heavens, and the Footstool. Allah Most High has appointed these angels to bear His mighty Throne. There can therefore be no doubt that they are among the largest, greatest, and strongest angels. Allah’s choosing them to bear His Throne, mentioning them first, and bringing them near to Him indicate that they belong to the most excellent orders of angels—peace be upon them. The Exalted said: “And on that Day eight will bear your Lord’s Throne above them.”
“And those around it”—the angels brought near in rank and virtue—“glorify their Lord with praise.” This praises them for their abundant worship of Allah Most High, particularly their glorification and praise of Him. All other acts of worship are included in glorifying and praising Allah, for directing them to Him alone declares Him far above their being rendered by a servant to anyone else and constitutes praise of Him. Indeed, praise itself is worship of Allah Most High. The servant’s words, “Glory and praise be to Allah,” are included in this and are one of the acts of worship.
“And seek forgiveness for those who believe.” This is one of the innumerable benefits and virtues of faith: the angels, who bear no sins, seek forgiveness for the believers. Through his faith, the believer thus obtains this tremendous favor.
Forgiveness entails other things without which it is incomplete; it is not, as readily occurs to many minds, that the sole aim of asking and seeking it is merely to have sins forgiven. Allah Most High therefore described how the angels pray for the believers’ forgiveness by mentioning what is indispensable to its completion. He said: “Our Lord, You encompass all things in mercy and knowledge.” Your knowledge encompasses everything. Nothing whatsoever is hidden from You, nor does an atom’s weight on earth or in heaven escape Your knowledge, nor anything smaller or greater than that. Your mercy encompasses all things. The entire universe, its highest and lowest realms, is filled and encompassed by Allah’s mercy, which extends as far as His creation extends.
“So forgive those who repent” of idolatry and sins, “and follow Your way” by following Your messengers, affirming Your oneness, and obeying You. “And protect them from the punishment of the Blazing Fire”—that is, protect them from the punishment itself and from its causes.