Allah, mighty and majestic, said:

“And it is He who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and His Throne was upon the water.” [Hūd: 7]

He thus stated that the Throne was upon the water before the heavens and the earth. Then He said:

“He who created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in six days, then rose over the Throne—the Most Merciful; so ask about Him one who is well informed.” [Al-Furqān: 59]

And His words:

“Those who bear the Throne and those around it glorify their Lord with praise.” [Ghāfir: 7]

And His words:

“He turned towards the heaven and fashioned it into seven heavens.” [Al-Baqarah: 29]

And His words:

“Then He turned towards the heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, ‘Come willingly or unwillingly.’ They said, ‘We come willingly.’” [Fussilat: 11]

He thus stated that He rose over the Throne. You must therefore say that, during the period when He was over the Throne before the creation of the heavens and the earth, Allah did not have control over it. For, in your view, “rose over the Throne” means “took control”; according to your claim, He therefore took control only at that time, not before.

‘Imrān ibn Husayn narrated from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said:

“‘Accept the glad tidings, O Banū Tamīm.’

‘You have given us glad tidings; now give us something.’

He said: ‘Accept the glad tidings, O people of Yemen.’ They said: ‘We have accepted them. Tell us, then, how this matter first began.’