by the expression in its original linguistic usage, both by direct signification and by necessary implication. The expression is therefore not used solely for the implication; rather, its underlying meaning, from which that implication follows, is also intended. This is literal usage.

As for “nearness,” He sometimes mentions it in the singular form, as in His words:

“And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near; I respond.”

And in the hadith:

“Be gentle with yourselves,”

until he said:

“Indeed, the One you call upon is nearer to each of you than the neck of his mount.”

At other times, He uses the plural form, as in His words:

“And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein.”

This is like His words: “We recite to you,” “We relate to you,” “It is for Us to collect it and recite it,” and “It is for Us to explain it.” The recitation here is when he hears it from Gabriel, and the explanation here is its explanation to those whom the Quran reaches.

The position of the early generations of the Muslim community, its leading scholars, and its later generations is that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, heard the Quran from Gabriel, and Gabriel heard it from Allah, Mighty and Majestic. As for His saying, “We recite,” “We relate,” and similar expressions, this form is used in Arabic for a single person of great standing who has helpers who obey him. When his helpers do something at his command, he says, “We did it.” Thus a king says, “We conquered this land,” and “This army belongs to us,” and similar things.

Allah Most High’s words also fall into this category:

“Allah takes the souls.”

For He, glorified is He, takes them through His messengers, foremost among whom is the Angel of Death, as He says:

“Our messengers take his soul.”

“Say: ‘The Angel of Death takes your souls.’”

Likewise, the angels themselves draw near to the dying person. And His words:

“And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein.”