"I had no knowledge of the exalted assembly [the High Council]," meaning: the angels, "when they were disputing." Al-Hasan's interpretation is: They disputed regarding the creation of Adam; they said among themselves: "God will not create a creation that is more honored by Him than we are."
﴿مَا كَانَ لِي مِنْ عِلْمٍ بالملإ الْأَعْلَى﴾ يَعْنِي: الْمَلَائِكَة ﴿إِذْ يختصمون﴾ تَفْسِير الْحَسَن: اخْتَصَمُوا فِي خلق آدم؛ قَالُوا فِيمَا بَينهم: مَا اللَّه خالقٌ خَلْقًا هُوَ أكْرم عَلَيْهِ منا.
