knowledge. And that is because it is not intelligible in any language to say, "The man spoke truthfully" in the sense of "He knew." Since that is so, it necessarily follows that Allah, majestic is His praise, said to the angels—according to the interpretation of the one whose view we have cited regarding this verse—: "Tell me the names of these if you are truthful," while He knew that they were not truthful, intending thereby that they were lying. And that is the very thing he rejected, because he claimed that the angels did not claim anything; so how could it be permissible to say to them: "If you are truthful, then tell me the names of these"? This is in addition to this statement—which we have cited from its author—departing from the views of all the predecessors and successors among the people of interpretation and tafsir.

And it has been reported from some people of tafsir that he used to interpret His statement: "If you are truthful" to mean: since you are truthful.

And if in were in the sense of idh in this position, it would be obligatory that its reading be with an alif pronounced with fatḥa (an), because when idh is preceded by a future-tense verb, it becomes a cause and reason for the action. That is like one's saying: "I shall stand since (idh) you stood," meaning: I shall stand because you stood. And the imperative carries the sense of future action, so the meaning of the statement—if in were in the sense of idh—would be: "Tell me the names of these because you are truthful." Thus, if in were placed in that position, it would be said: "Tell me the names of these that (an) you are truthful," with an opening alif (fatḥa). The consensus of all the readers of the Muslims on pronouncing the alif of in with kasra (in) is clear proof of the error of the interpretation of whoever interpreted in to mean idh in this position.

The discourse regarding the interpretation of the statement of Exalted Be His Remembrance: {They said, "Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, You are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise." (32)}

Abū Jaʿfar said: This is an account from Allah, majestic is His remembrance, concerning His angels turning back to Him, surrendering the knowledge of what they did not know to Him, and declaring themselves free of knowing—or anyone knowing—anything except what He, majestic is His remembrance, has taught.

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