multiplicity, whereas what emanates from Him can only be one. They differ greatly concerning emanation, but this is not the place to discuss those differences.

They are told in reply:

As for your assertion that there are spirits in heaven, this resembles what is found in the Quran and Allah’s other scriptures. Yet these spirits are not “the angels,” as those among you claim who profess to believe in what was revealed to the Messenger and what was revealed before him. They say: “We intended nothing but good and reconciliation between religious law and philosophy.” They have thus claimed that what the philosophers call intellects and souls are what the prophets call angels. This is not so, although they resemble them in certain respects.

For the terms “angels” and “angel” imply that they are Allah’s messengers, as He, Most High, says:

“Who makes the angels messengers.”

And as He says:

“By those sent forth in succession.”

The angels are Allah’s messengers in carrying out His command governing creation, through which He regulates the heavens and the earth. As He, Most High, says:

“Until, when death comes to one of you, Our messengers take his soul, and they never neglect their duty.”

And as He says:

“Yes indeed, and Our messengers are with them, recording.”

They are also His messengers concerning His religious command, with which the angels descend, for He says:

“He sends down the angels with revelation by His command upon whomever He wills of His servants.”

And He, Most High, says:

“It is not for any human being that Allah should speak to him except through revelation, or from behind a veil, or by sending a messenger who reveals, by His permission, whatever He wills. Indeed, He is Most High, All-Wise.”

And He, Most High, says:

“Allah chooses messengers from among the angels and from among mankind.”

None but Allah can count the number of His angels, as He, Most High, says:

“We have not appointed the keepers of