and they do not claim that Allah possesses only one janb (side) or a single saq (shin) (1).

ʿUthmān ibn Saʿīd al-Dārimī said in his book “Refutation of al-Marīsī” (2):

“The objector has brazenly alleged that a certain group, in explaining Allah’s words, ‘Alas for me for what I neglected in my duty toward Allah’ (39:56), mean by it the janb that is a physical limb. This is not at all what they intend, as he imagines.

“One addresses this objector: How cheap lying is to you, how easily it rolls off your tongue! If you are truthful in your claim, then point to even one human being who has ever said such a thing. If you cannot, why do you vilify people who are more knowledgeable than you about this explanation and more insightful concerning the interpretation of Allah’s Book than you and your teacher? Their understanding is simply that the verse speaks of the disbelievers’ regret for having neglected faith and the virtues that lead to Allah’s essence, preferring instead disbelief and mockery of Allah’s allies; hence He called them ‘scoffers.’ This is what janb means according to them. Who told you they ever said it was a bodily side among other sides? Even many ordinary Muslims are not ignorant of this meaning, let alone their scholars.

“Abu Bakr al-Ṣiddīq (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘Falsehood is alien to faith’ (4). Ibn Masʿūd said, ‘No form of lying—whether serious or in jest—is permissible’ (5).”