Chapter

As for the statement, “Amazement means regarding that which causes amazement as momentous,” the response is: Yes. It may be accompanied by ignorance of the reason for the amazement, or it may be occasioned by something exceptional among things of its kind. Allah Most High knows all things, so it is not possible that He should be unaware of the reason for that which amazes Him. Rather, He is amazed because it is exceptional among things of its kind, and He thereby treats it as momentous. Allah Most High regards as momentous what is truly momentous, either because its cause is momentous or because the thing itself is.

Indeed, He has described some good things as great and some evil things as great. Allah Most High says:

“Lord of the Mighty Throne.”

[al-Naml: 26]

And He says:

“We have certainly given you the seven oft-repeated verses and the magnificent Quran.”

[al-Hijr: 87]

And He says:

“Had they done what they were exhorted to do, it would have been better for them and would have made them firmer. Then We would certainly have granted them a great reward from Us.”

[al-Nisā: 66–67]

And He says:

“Why, when you heard it, did you not say, ‘It is not for us to speak of this. Glory be to You! This is a monstrous slander’?”

[al-Nūr: 16]

And He says:

“Indeed, associating others with Allah is a tremendous wrong.”

[Luqmān: 13]

For this reason, Allah Most High says:

“Rather, I am amazed, while they ridicule,”

[al-Sāffāt: 12]

according to the reading with the u-vowel. Here, His amazement is at their disbelief despite the clarity of the proofs.