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**Article Three**
Concerning the magnitude of the Supreme Throne (Arsh-i A'zam) and its venerable bearers.
Know, O esteemed one! Consensus among commentators and transmitters states the following:
Because He is capable of bringing all universes into existence from nothingness in a single instant, the reason that the Most High created this universe in six days [382] – beginning on Sunday [383] and completing the creation of all beings on Friday – is to teach humankind patience and deliberation in every endeavor. Indeed, He has declared with His majesty: “It is We who have created the heavens and the earth and all between them in six Days and We were not weary.” (Kaf, 51/38)
The Most High created the Supreme Throne from green essence; its light and magnitude cannot be described or explained. The circumference of the exalted Throne is composed of red ruby, upon which are depicted and imprinted the attributes and appearances of all creation. Just as the Ka'bah is the qibla (direction of prayer) for those on earth, the Throne of Mercy (Arsh-i Rahmân) above the heavens has been designated as the qibla for the angels.
The Supreme Throne possesses seventy thousand tongues, each speaking a different language and glorifying the Most High in remembrance. The Supreme Throne has four pillars; each extends to the depths of the earth. The Supreme Throne rests upon water, which itself rests upon wind; however, the Most High created four great angels who are presently its bearers. On the Day of Resurrection, four more angels will be created, so that the number of those bearing the Throne of Allah, Lord of the worlds, will reach eight.
Each of the Throne’s four bearers has four faces: one is depicted as a human, one as a lion, one as an ox, and one as an eagle [4/b]. Each of these faces supplicates Allah, the Sustainer (Rezzak) of all that exists of its kind on earth. The bearers of the Throne stand constantly in a posture of reverence, bearing the Supreme Throne upon their necks. Their feet are seven layers below the earth. These angelic bearers of the Supreme Throne are among the most esteemed of those angels who are close to Allah in a spiritual sense. One of these bearer angels is named Israfil; his neck firmly supports one leg of the Throne without it swaying. The Most High considers Israfil the most beloved and noble among the bearers of the Throne; he is the angel who will blow the Trumpet (Sur). Until the Day of Resurrection, he gazes upon the Preserved Tablet (Lawh al-Mahfuz) and remains prepared to blow the Trumpet. Gabriel, Michael, and Azrael – peace be upon them all – are authorized by the Preserved Tablet to communicate to them the tasks, conditions, and activities they must perform.
Each of the Throne’s bearers has four wings spread in every direction; half are made of ice, and half of fire; yet neither extinguishes nor melts the other. These two elements exist in harmony with one another like fireflies. The size of the bearers of the Throne is so great that the distance between their earlobes and necks is seven centuries by air travel. They are also called the *Karrubiyyun* (great angels). The following glorifications constantly flow from their tongues, becoming their litanies:
“Glory to Him who possesses sovereignty and dominion. Glory to Him who possesses the Throne, majesty, grandeur, might, power, magnificence, and absolute authority. Glory to the worshipped King, glory to the existing King, glory to the living One who sleeps not nor dies. He is the Most Holy, the Spotless; our Lord and the Lord of the angels and the Spirit.” [384]