Tafsir of Al-Anbiya' 21:20

"They exalt [Him] night and day..."

His saying, the Exalted, “They exalt [Him] night and day” is an inception (isti'naf) that occurs as an answer to what arose from the preceding context, as if it were asked: "What do they do in their worship?" or "How do they worship?" Thus, it was said, "They exalt [Him]," and so on.

It is permissible that it is in the position of a state (hal) pertaining to the pronoun in “they do not grow weary.” And His saying, the Glorified, “...and they do not slacken” is in the position of a state pertaining to the pronoun in “they exalt [Him].” This applies to both the suppositions of inception and the state. It is also permissible—under the supposition of it being a state—that this be a state pertaining to the pronoun in “they do not grow weary” as well. However, under the supposition of inception, it is not permissible for it to be a state pertaining to it, due to the separation. It is also permissible for it to be an inception, and the meaning is: they declare Allah, the Exalted, free of imperfection, magnify Him, and glorify Him at all times; their glorification is not interrupted by any interval at all, whether due to leisure or another occupation.

A problem arises regarding the claim that angels, absolutely, are as such, despite the fact that among them are messengers who deliver messages, and glorification is not possible while delivering a message. Furthermore, among them are those who curse the disbelievers, as mentioned in another verse. Abdullah ibn al-Harith ibn Nawfal asked Ka'b about this—as recorded by Ibn al-Mundhir, Ibn Abi Hatim, Abu al-Shaykh in al-'Azamah, and al-Bayhaqi in al-Shu'ab—and he replied that glorification has been made for them like breathing, such that it does not prevent them from speaking about anything else. This has been criticized as being far-fetched.

It is said: Allah, the Exalted, created for them tongues, so they glorify with some, while delivering messages, for instance, with others. It is also said: their delivery [of messages] and their cursing of the disbelievers is glorification in meaning. Al-Khafaji said: The apparent meaning—if it is not applicable to all of them—is that it denotes hyperbole, just as one says, "Such a person does not slacken in praising you and thanking you for your bounties." This is concluded. Its elegance is hidden to none.

It is permissible to say: This glorification is like presence of mind and internal remembrance, which occurs for many of those who walk the spiritual path, and that is something which can coexist with delivering messages and other outward deeds. Furthermore, the fact that the angels exalt [Him] night and day does not necessitate that they have night and day in the heavens, for the intention is to convey their constancy in glorification in the accustomed manner.