Allah, exalted is He, be described only with what He has described Himself, and with what His messengers have described Him—both by way of affirmation and of negation. Thus we affirm for Allah whatever He has affirmed for Himself, and we deny concerning Him whatever He has denied of Himself.

[The stance of the early generations]
It is well-established that the methodology of the Salaf of this community and its leading scholars is to affirm the attributes He has affirmed, without asking how and without drawing any likeness; and to do so without distortion or denial. Likewise, they negate from Him whatever He has negated about Himself—while keeping intact the attributes He has affirmed—without deviating with respect to His names or His signs. Allah has condemned those who deviate concerning His names and His signs, as He, the Exalted, said: “To Allah belong the Most Beautiful Names, so call upon Him by them, and leave those who distort His names; they will be repaid for what they used to do” (Qur’an 7:180). And He said: “Indeed, those who distort Our signs are not hidden from Us. Is the one who will be cast into the Fire better, or the one who comes safe on the Day of Resurrection? Do whatever you wish; surely He is Seeing of all that you do” (Qur’an 41:40).