Some expounders affirm that the Almighty—w. n. b. ex. —had taught Adam the names of all things of this world, even so far as those of dishes and plates. Others say that the knowing of names is a metaphor of the names of angels; others, again, say that God taught him various languages. One of the followers* states that this knowledge implies an acquaintance with the revealed books*, and predestined events; some say that the science of the peculiar properties of all things is meant; many other views are also current, but the true knowledge is with Allah.