Praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
“The Exalted Assembly” in the Islamic texts refers to the angels, particularly the angels who are close to Allah. They are described as “exalted” because of the elevation of their place and status. As for the “disputation of the Exalted Assembly” mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah, it does not mean a dispute resulting from hostility and conflict. Rather, it refers to dialogue, discussion, and questioning concerning matters in which Allah permits them to engage.
Allah تعالى says:
﴿I had no knowledge of the Exalted Assembly when they disputed. It is only revealed to me that I am only a clear warner.﴾
[Sad: 69–70]
A number of the early scholars and exegetes interpreted “the Exalted Assembly” here as referring to the angels.
Al-Tabari, may Allah have mercy on him, mentioned that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had no knowledge of what took place among the Exalted Assembly concerning Adam عليه السلام except through revelation. His being informed of this is evidence that this knowledge came to him from Allah, rather than from previous observation or acquired human knowledge.
It was narrated from Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما in his interpretation of the verse that the Exalted Assembly are the angels, and the context of the verses is connected with the creation of Adam عليه السلام.
Allah تعالى says:
﴿When your Lord said to the angels: “Indeed, I am going to create a human being from clay.”﴾
[Sad: 71]
In Arabic, the word “al-mala’” refers to a group of nobles, prominent people, and those of high status.
They are described here as “exalted” because of the elevation of their position, or because of their high rank and status with Allah تعالى.
Thus, the meaning of “the Exalted Assembly” is close to: the assembly of angels in the heavenly realm, especially the angels who are close to Allah.
The word ﴿يَخْتَصِمُونَ﴾ (“they dispute”) should not be understood here as meaning the hostility or quarrelling that occurs among human beings.
The angels are obedient servants of Allah تعالى. He says:
﴿They do not disobey Allah in what He commands them, and they do what they are commanded.﴾
[At-Tahrim: 6]
Rather, the word “disputation” here refers to discussion, exchange of speech, and asking and answering questions, according to the context.
The expression also occurs in a hadith narrated from Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما, in which the Prophet ﷺ said concerning what he saw in a dream:
“O Muhammad, do you know concerning what the Exalted Assembly dispute?”
The hadith states that the matter concerned acts of expiation, including remaining in the mosques after the prayers, walking to congregational prayers, and performing ablution thoroughly despite difficulties. It was narrated by at-Tirmidhi.
Al-Mubarakfuri explained “the Exalted Assembly” as referring to the angels who are close to Allah. He mentioned that their “disputation” may refer to their discussion and consideration of the virtue and excellence of these deeds.
“The Exalted Assembly” is an expression referring to the angels, particularly those who are close to Allah. Their being described as “exalted” indicates the elevation of their place or their status.
As for what is mentioned concerning their “disputation,” it does not mean that they quarrel out of hostility as human beings do. Rather, it refers to dialogue, discussion, and an exchange of words concerning matters in which Allah تعالى permits them to engage.
And Allah knows best.