is literally true. Her aim is to convey what these descriptions imply: his tall stature, his generosity in providing plentiful food, and the proximity of his house to the place where guests gather.

In the Quran:

“Or do they think that We do not hear their secrets?”

—and so on to the end of the verse. Affirming His seeing and hearing is intended to establish His knowledge of these things, and that He knows whether they are good or evil, rewarding good deeds and punishing evil deeds.

Likewise, His power over creation is affirmed in His words:

“You cannot escape Him, either on earth or in heaven.”

And His words:

“Or do those who commit evil deeds think that they can outrun Us? How ill they judge!”

The intention is to instil fear of the consequences necessarily ensuing from evil deeds: punishment and retribution.

Thus, the Lord often describes Himself by His knowledge and actions, warning and inspiring fear, and encouraging souls to pursue good. He also describes Himself by His power, hearing, sight, and recording. The meaning signified by the expression is intended, while what that meaning necessarily implies is also intended. Thus, what the expression signifies in its original linguistic usage is intended, both by direct signification and by necessary implication. The expression is therefore not used solely to convey the implication; rather, its own signified meaning, from which that implication follows, is intended. This is literal usage.

As for the term “nearness,” He has spoken of it sometimes in the singular and sometimes in the plural;