among the Muslims of Ahl al-Sunnah that the meaning of His words, exalted is He,

‘And He is with you wherever you are’ [al-Hadīd: 4],

and similar passages in the Quran is that this refers to His knowledge, and that Allah Himself is above the heavens, established above His Throne however He wills.”

He also said:

“Ahl al-Sunnah have said concerning His words,

‘The Most Merciful is established above the Throne’ [Tā Hā: 5],

that Allah’s establishment above His glorious Throne is real, not figurative.”

[The Statement of Nasr al-Maqdisī in al-Hujjah ʿalā Tārik al-Mahajjah (The Proof against One Who Abandons the Clear Path)]

The renowned shaykh Nasr al-Maqdisī, the Shāfiʿī scholar, said in his book al-Hujjah:

“If someone says: ‘You have explained that the people of Islam must follow Allah’s Book and the Sunnah of His Messenger, follow what the leading scholars and learned authorities have unanimously agreed upon, and adhere to the position of Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jamāʿah. Now describe their position, the beliefs upon which they have unanimously agreed, and the consensus we are obliged to adopt.’

“The answer is: What I found the scholars to hold—those whom I met and from whom I learned, as well as others whose views reached me…”

He then listed the principal beliefs of Ahl al-Sunnah, including:

“Allah is established above His Throne, separate from His creation, as He said in His Book:

‘He encompasses all things in knowledge’ [al-Talāq: 12],

and ‘He has enumerated all things in number’ [al-Jinn: 28].”