For this reason scholars distinguish between a thing’s being in a place, a body’s being in a spatial locus, an accident’s inherence in a substance, a face’s reflection in a mirror, and words’ inscription on paper. Each of these categories possesses a property specific to it, even though the same preposition in is applied to them all.

Thus, were someone to ask, “Is the Throne in heaven or on earth?” the reply would be, “It is in heaven.” And were it asked, “Is Paradise in heaven or on earth?” the reply would likewise be, “Paradise is in heaven.” This, however, does not entail that the Throne lies inside the created heavens—nor, for that matter, does Paradise.

Indeed, it is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When you ask Allah for Paradise, then ask Him for al-Firdaws, for it is the highest part of Paradise, its midpoint, and its roof is the Throne of the Most Merciful.”