some of them, in their efforts to declare Him transcendent, ultimately came to believe that above the Throne there is no God to be worshipped and no Lord to whom prayer and prostration are offered. Allah is exalted far above what they say, and glory be to Allah, far above what they ascribe to Him.

Glorifying Allah is a tremendous act of obedience and a noble act of worship. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, loves those who glorify Him. The believing servant of Allah must follow sound guidance when glorifying his Lord: he must glorify Allah and declare Him far above every imperfection and defect unbefitting Him, while also affirming His qualities of majesty and attributes of perfection. In all of this, he must not go beyond the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. As Imam Ahmad—may Allah have mercy on him—said: “Allah is not to be described except as He has described Himself or as His Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, has described Him. The Quran and hadith are not to be exceeded.”1. Whoever adheres to this follows true guidance and a straight path.