[Section: Al-Ghazālī’s Remarks on Nonliteral Interpretation and Ibn Taymiyyah’s Commentary]

Abū Hāmid discussed outward and inward knowledge at length in his book al-Ihyā’. He said:

“One group adopted nonliteral interpretation concerning the attributes of Allah Most High, but retained the apparent meanings of matters concerning the Hereafter and prohibited nonliteral interpretation of them. These are the Ash'arīs.”

—that is, their later scholars who agreed with the author of al-Irshād.

He said:

“The Mu'tazilah went further than they did, interpreting nonliterally His being All-Hearing and All-Seeing, the vision and the Ascension, even if it was not bodily. They also interpreted nonliterally the punishment of the grave, the Balance, the Bridge, and various matters concerning the Hereafter. Yet they affirmed bodily resurrection, Paradise, and the foods it contains.”