such as Allah’s words, “And when his Lord manifested Himself to the mountain” (1), and His words, “And your Lord will come, and the angels, rank upon rank” (2). They all affirm that He descends, manifests Himself, and comes without ascribing any modality to it, and they never ask, “How does He come? How does He manifest Himself? How does He descend?” (3)
In His statement, “And when his Lord manifested Himself to the mountain, He reduced it to dust” (1), there is clear evidence that before that moment He had not manifested Himself to the mountain. This elucidates for you (4) the ḥadīth of the Descent (5). Whoever wishes to review the scholars’ remarks (6) on His saying, “And when his Lord manifested Himself to the mountain” (7), should consult the tafsīr of Baqī ibn Makhlad and the tafsīr of Muḥammad ibn Jarīr, and consider what they have cited on the matter—Allah knows best (8).
Qāḍī Abū Yaʿlā also records, in his work Refutation of Figurative Interpretations of the Reports on the Divine Attributes (9), the narration transmitted by ʿAbd Allāh ibn Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal, who said, “My father narrated to me,” (10)
…concerning the methodology of the salaf in their creed, or influenced by the doctrines of the Muʿtazila, the Jahmiyya, and the philosophers.
This book was critically edited by Brother Muhammad b. ʿAbd al-Rahman al-Khamis, a member of the Department of aqidah and Contemporary Sects at the Faculty of Usul al-Din, in fulfillment of the requirements for the master’s degree.
(1) Sura al-Aʿraf, 7:143.
(2) Sura al-Fajr, 89:22.
(3) In al-Tamhid, after the word “yanzil” (descends) the following is added: “And not from where He came? Nor from where He manifested? Nor from where He descends? For He is not like any of His creation; He is exalted above things and has no partner…”
(4) In al-Tamhid: maʿna (meaning).
(5) In the original print: al-tanzul; in al-Tamhid: al-tanzeel. The reading confirmed by manuscript S.
(6) In the margin of S: taʾwil (interpretation).
(7) Sura al-Aʿraf, 7:143.
(8) At the end of Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr’s statement. In al-Tamhid it reads: “…with regard to what they mentioned thereof, what they mentioned suffices, and with Allah is protection and success.”
(9) Ibtal al-Tawilat li-Akhbar al-Sifat by Qadi Abu Yaʿla – manuscript – folio 98.
(10) In Ibtal al-Tawilat: he says, “He narrated to me…”