Furthermore, they say that it is a single meaning. If Moses heard that meaning in its entirety, then he heard all of Allah’s speech; if he heard only part of it, then it has parts. Either possibility refutes their position, for they say that it is a single meaning admitting neither multiplicity nor division. If what Moses and the angels hear is that meaning in its entirety, then each of them would know all of Allah’s speech. His speech encompasses everything He communicates and commands. It would therefore follow that everyone to whom Allah has spoken, or to whom He has sent down any of His speech, knows everything Allah communicates and commands. This is self-evidently false. If, on the other hand, each of them hears only part of it, then His speech has parts, which contradicts their position.

Moreover, His words:

“And Allah spoke to Moses directly,”

and His words:

“When Moses came at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him,”

and His words:

“We called to him from the right side of the Mount and brought him near for private conversation,”

and His words:

“When he came to it, he was called, ‘O Moses! Indeed, I am your Lord, so remove your sandals. You are in the sacred valley of Tuwā. I have chosen you, so listen to what is revealed,’”

—and the verses that follow—provide evidence of speech that Moses heard. A bare meaning cannot be heard: this is self-evident, and anyone who says that it can be heard is obstinately denying the obvious. They also provide evidence that He called to him. A call can only be an audible sound. In the Arabic language, the word ‘calling’ cannot be understood as referring to anything without an audible sound, whether literally or figuratively.

Furthermore, the Most High says:

“When he came to it, he was called: ‘Blessed is whoever is in the fire and whoever is around it. Glory be to Allah, Lord of all worlds!’”

And His words:

“When he came to it, he was called from