When a disturbance occurs, it is said, "The throne of the malik (King) trembled." By "throne" (ʿarsh), both a throne and a couch (seat) are meant. If the ʿarsh is understood as dominion (mulk), its bearers are those who uphold it. If the ʿarsh is understood as a couch, its bearers are those who support it upon pillars or shoulders. The number is included among the bearers of the ʿarsh. The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) expressed their number as four (angels) in this world (dunyā), and eight in the Hereafter, and then recited the following verse: "And the angels will be on its sides, and eight will, that Day, bear the Throne of your Lord above them" (al-Ḥāqqa 69:17). He then explained that in this world they are four (angels), and that the phrase "eight that Day" in the verse refers to the Day of the Hereafter. (Futūḥāt, I, 200)
Externally (in the world), the First Intellect (ʿAql-i Awwal)—which exists as the Muhammadan ḥaqīqa (inner reality)—is the subtlest, loftiest, and most perfect of existents. This is because it manifested in the mirror of the Being (wujūd) of the Real (al-Ḥaqq) without any intermediary. The reality of the intellect is like a veil over the Being of the Real. After the intellect, whoever gazes into the mirror of the Real sees only