what he said, distinguish reports that should be accepted as true from those that should be rejected as false, and know how to ascertain the meanings of his words, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Allah Most High commanded the Messenger to convey the message clearly, and he was the most obedient of all people to his Lord. He must therefore have conveyed it clearly; such clear conveyance cannot leave his explanation ambiguous or obscured.

[The Meaning of Being Established above the Throne]

Regarding the verses Allah described as ambiguous, whose ultimate reality none but Allah knows, He denied others knowledge only of their ultimate reality, not of their explanation and meaning. Thus, when Mālik, may Allah Most High be pleased with him, was asked about the words of Allah Most High:

“The Most Merciful is established above the Throne.”
[Ta-Ha: 5]

“How is He established above it?” he replied:

“Being established above is known; its manner is unknown; belief in it is obligatory; and asking about it is an innovation.”

Rabī'a before him said likewise. Mālik thus made clear that the meaning of being established above is known, while its manner is unknown. This unknown manner belongs to the ultimate reality that none but Allah knows. What is known of being established above, and of other matters, belongs to the explanation that Allah and His Messenger have made clear.

Allah Most High has commanded us to reflect on the Quran and has told us that He revealed it so that we might understand it. Reflection and understanding are possible only when the speaker has made clear what he intends by his words. As for someone who speaks using wording that can convey meanings