8 Preface وَقالوا لَولا أُنزِلَ عَلَيهِ مَلَكٌ ۖ وَلَو أَنزَلنا مَلَكًا لَقُضِيَ الأَمرُ ثُمَّ لا يُنظَرونَYusuf AliThey say: “Why is not an angel sent down to him?” If we did send down an angel, the matter would be settled at once, and no respite would be granted them.1Cf. 2:210. An angel is a heavenly being, a manifestation of God’s glory, invisible to men who live gross material lives. Such men are given plenty of respite in which to turn in repentance to God and make themselves worthy of His light. But if their prayer to see an angel were granted, it would do them no good, for they would be destroyed as darkness is destroyed by light (see also 41:14).