CHERUBIM

Arabic Karūbī , pl. Karūbīn ; Lit . “Those who are near.” Heb. ‏כְּרוּבִים‎ . The word karūbīn is used by the commentator al-Baiẓāwī , for the angels mentioned in the Qurʾān, Sūrah xl. 70 : “Those around it (the throne of God) celebrate the praise of their Lord, and believe in Him, and ask pardon for those who believe.” Al-Baiẓāwī says the Karūbīn are the highest rank, and the first created angels. Ḥusain says there are 70,000 ranks of them round the throne of God. ( Tafsīru ʾl-Baiẓāwī , Tafsīru Ḥusain , in loco .)