as it breathes”—that is, as it arrives.

“Indeed, this is the word of a noble messenger”—namely Gabriel, peace be upon him—“possessed of strength, held in honor by the Lord of the Throne, obeyed there and trustworthy.” That is, he is obeyed in heaven and is trustworthy. Then He says:

“Your companion is not mad.”

That is, your companion whom Allah bestowed upon you as a blessing when He sent him to you as a messenger of your own kind, living among you, since you could not bear to see the angels. As Allah Most High says:

“They say, ‘Why has an angel not been sent down to him?’ Had We sent down an angel, the matter would have been settled, and they would have been granted no respite. And had We made him an angel, We would have made him a man”—to the end of the verse.

Allah Most High also says:

“He certainly saw him on the clear horizon”—that is, he saw Gabriel, peace be upon him.

“Nor is he danīn concerning the unseen”—that is, accused. In the other reading, “danīn”—that is, miserly, concealing knowledge and imparting it only for payment, as those who withhold knowledge unless they receive compensation do.

“Nor is this the word of an accursed devil.”

Thus He declared Gabriel, peace be upon him, free of being a devil, just as He declared Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, free of being a poet or a soothsayer.

Allah’s God-fearing allies are therefore those who follow the example of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. They do what he commanded and refrain from what he forbade. They follow his example in those matters in which he instructed them to follow him. Allah supports them with His angels and a spirit from Him, and casts some of His light into their hearts. They receive the miraculous favors with which Allah honors His God-fearing allies. The miraculous favors granted to the best of Allah’s allies serve to establish a proof in religion or meet a need of the Muslims, just as the miracles of their Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, served these purposes.