Thus, most who use such terminology either contradict themselves in what they deny and affirm—affirming something in one expression and denying it in another—or affirm it while denying its counterpart, deny it in detail while affirming it in general, or do the reverse. Others speak of denial and affirmation in expressions whose content they neither grasp nor carefully ascertain.

This is common even among their leading figures, let alone those of lesser standing. Many of them do not understand what their foremost authorities intend by these expressions. Those authorities know that most of their followers do not understand their intent, but merely suppose, in general terms, that these expressions exalt Allah and declare Him free of imperfection. Muslims must affirm the truth of statements authentically established from the Messenger and accept them without qualification, whether they deny or affirm something.

As for the terms disputed among speculative theologians, they should be neither accepted as true nor rejected as false until the speaker’s intended meaning is known. If it agrees with what the Messenger said, it is an acceptable statement; otherwise, it must be rejected ن. What agrees with the Messenger’s words can never contradict sound reason, just as what contradicts his words can never be supported by rational proof, as has been explained elsewhere.

Likewise, “direction” is an ambiguous term. Speculative theologians and philosophers who use it may intend an existing entity: either a body or an accident inhering in a body.

They may also intend by “direction” something that has no existence, such as what lies beyond existing things.