“Allah will then grant me forms of praise and glorification of Him, inspiring me with words He has never granted anyone before me.”

Once this is clear—that knowledge is apportioned by Allah, rather than conveyed exclusively through the angels in all cases, as this fool claims without knowledge; that, instead, the Quran shows that Allah Most High singled out Adam for knowledge the angels did not possess, namely knowledge of the names, which is the noblest of all knowledge; and that He declared Adam superior to them because of his greater knowledge—why turn away from this clear point into side paths?

Another such quality is power. Some have claimed that an angel is stronger and more capable, citing the account of Gabriel: that he is mighty in strength and carried the town of Lot’s people on a single feather of his wing. Yet Allah has granted some of His servants something greater than that: He drowned all the inhabitants of the earth in response to Noah’s supplication. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“Among Allah’s servants are those who, if they swore an oath by Allah, He would fulfil it for them.”

“Many a dishevelled, dust-covered man, turned away from people’s doors, would have his oath fulfilled by Allah if he swore by Him.”

This applies generally to all things. Reports explaining this state that among Allah’s servants are those who, if they swore by Allah that He would remove a mountain—or the mountains—from their places, He would remove them; and if they swore that He would not bring about the Resurrection, He would not bring it about. This is hyperbole.

Nor should it be said that the former excels through strength created within him, whereas the latter does so through a supplication he makes. In reality, both ultimately amount to the same thing: the intended outcome of power, the object of strength, and that on account of