Who are "the exalted ones" whom Allah excepted from prostrating to Adam, as stated in His words: "Did you swell with pride, or were you of the exalted ones?"

God informed the angels that He would create humans from clay and commanded them to prostrate to him in honor. So, all of them prostrated except for Iblis, who refused and was arrogant. God confirmed the news of all the angels prostrating by saying: "So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together, except Iblis." As for His saying, the Most High: "Were you arrogant, or were you among the high and mighty ones?" it does not mean the existence of disbelieving or high and mighty people before Iblis. Rather, it indicates that his refusal was of the nature of the actions of the arrogant, thus Iblis became the head of every arrogant one.