his gaze towards him.

It is clear that, were all directions alike in relation to Allah, we would not have been commanded to do this.

[The fourth argument]

Prostration is an act of worship and submission to the one before whom one prostrates, as are bowing and circumambulating the House.

Petition and supplication, however, involve turning to the one being asked and invoked, and directing the heart towards him, especially in distress. The petitioner who supplicates directs his heart towards the one he invokes and asks, according to his distress and need for him.

Accordingly, raising his head, gaze and hands in a particular direction entails turning to the one he invokes in that direction. By contrast, the person prostrating is a worshipper who is humble and reverent. This calls for humility and submission, but does not in itself call for directing the face, hands or the like towards the one worshipped. If, however, he is supplicating, he directs his heart towards Him. This is the argument of those who distinguish between raising the gaze during prayer and raising it during supplication.

[The fifth argument]

It may be said that hearts turning towards the One invoked above is a matter both innate and rational, upon which nations have agreed without prior coordination. Prostration, however, is a prescribed religious act performed in obedience to the One who commands it, just as the Kaaba is faced during worship in obedience to His command.

Thus, the argument rests on the innate disposition of people to turn towards the One who is above, and nothing contradicts this.

[Continuation of al-Rāzī’s discussion in Lubāb al-Arbaʿīn concerning direction and being above]

He said: “The opponent also adduces the verses that give the impression of direction, such as the words of Allah Most High:

‘The Most Merciful rose over the Throne.’
[Tā Hā: 5]

And His words:

‘They fear their Lord above them.’
[Al-Nahl: 50]

And His words:

‘And He is the Subduer above His servants.’
[Al-Anʿām: 61].