of the two interpretations of perception. A fuller explanation of these words has been given elsewhere.

The statement’s denial that created beings can delimit their Lord, measure Him, or encompass His attributes does not contradict what Ahmad and other imams explicitly affirmed, as al-Khallāl also related. He said:

“Abū Bakr al-Marwazī narrated to us, saying: I heard Abū Abd Allāh when he was told: ‘Alī ibn al-Hasan ibn Shaqīq reported from Ibn al-Mubārak that, when asked, “How do we know Allah, Mighty and Majestic?” he replied, “Upon the Throne, with a limit.”’ Abū Abd Allāh said: ‘That report from him has reached me,’ and he approved of it. Then Abū Abd Allāh recited:

‘Are they waiting for anything other than Allah to come to them in canopies of clouds?’ (al-Baqara: 210)

Then he recited:

‘And your Lord comes, with the angels, rank upon rank.’ (al-Fajr: 22)

Al-Khallāl said: Muhammad ibn Alī al-Warrāq also informed us that Abū Bakr al-Athram narrated to him that Muhammad ibn Ibrāhīm al-Qaysī said: I said to Ahmad ibn Hanbal: ‘It is related that Ibn al-Mubārak, when asked, “How do you know our Lord?” replied, “In the seventh heaven, upon His Throne, with a limit.”’ Ahmad replied: ‘That is our position.’

Harb ibn Ismāīl informed me, saying: I asked Ishāq—meaning Ibn Rāhawayh—‘Is He upon the Throne, with a limit?’ He replied: ‘Yes, with a limit.’ He also related that Ibn al-Mubārak said: ‘He is upon His Throne, distinct from His creation, with a limit.’

He said: Al-Marwazī informed us, saying: Ishāq ibn Ibrāhīm ibn Rāhawayh said: Allah, Blessed and Exalted, said:

‘The Most Merciful rose over the Throne.’ (Tā Hā: 5)