They differed concerning His description of Himself as rising over the Throne. Some said that this is an attribute of action, meaning that He performed an act upon the Throne by virtue of which He described Himself as rising over it. Others said that it is an attribute of His essence, signifying elevation, and that His words “rose over” mean “was above,” just as one speaks of rising onto a horse, meaning being above it.

As for those who said that rising over means gaining dominion, they were mistaken, for gaining dominion occurs only after contention and overpowering, whereas Allah is exalted above anyone contending with Him. Understanding rising over to mean being high and elevated is the most appropriate interpretation offered, just as one says that the sun has risen to the midst of the sky, meaning that it has ascended. Nor is it impossible for this to be an attribute of His essence, even though He cannot properly be described by it until the Throne exists, just as He is not described as distinct from something else until something besides Him exists.

They also differed concerning beginninglessness and everlastingness. Some affirmed both as attributes, while others denied that they were attributes, saying that He is beginningless in Himself and everlasting in Himself, not by virtue of any quality subsisting in Him. The position of the majority and the discerning scholars is to affirm everlastingness as an attribute, but not beginninglessness.

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The attributes of His actions, Exalted is He, are many. They include bestowing bounty, granting blessings, doing good, creating, causing death, giving life, and the like.

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Likewise, His names, Exalted is He, are many. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Allah has ninety-nine names, one hundred less one; whoever enumerates them will enter Paradise.”

They fall into four categories: (One category)