[3139] He thought himself the better of the two based on the substance of their creation and, thus, more worthy of honouring: Adam, the human, who was created from such a lowly substance as dried clay which has turned dark and smelly, and himself who had earlier been created from powerful, illuminating fire (cf. al-Ṭabarī, Abū al-Suʿūd, al-Saʿdī): “He ˹Allah˺ said: “What prevented you from prostrating as I commanded you!” He said: “I am ˹surely˺ better than him! You created me from fire and created him from clay!”” (7: 12).