The Meaning of “Be, and it is”

Amīn al-Islām al-Ṭabrisī mentions two possibilities regarding “Be, and it is”: 1. “Be, and it is” is a metaphor for the speed of accomplishing something, not in the sense of command and compliance with command.

The expression “Be, and it is” indicates the ease of accomplishment; meaning that what is normally accomplished with difficulty, divine agents accomplish with ease.(352)

These two possibilities can be complete; however, we cannot interpret the verse as merely allegorical and then explain the intended meaning of the allegory. Rather, it is truly a command and compliance, but on the basis that words are established for the spirits of meanings.

Yes, command and prohibition are not limited to conventional matters and the realm of words, but also encompass real matters beyond words. When God wills the creation of something, through issuing an existential command and without need for normal causes and means, that thing comes into being: “All His command, when He wills something, is to say to it ‘Be,’ and it is” (36:82)(353)