[Refutation of Those Who Allegorically Interpret the Divine Attributes]
(Reply to those who claim that “the Hand” means blessing)

They have taken far greater liberties with the Book of Allah than did the earliest distorters, twisting its meanings away from their proper direction. Regarding the Almighty’s words, “The Jews say, ‘Allah’s hand is chained’” (Q 5:64), they maintain that “hand” here signifies “blessing.” We concede that in Arabic the term “hand” can be interpreted in three ways:

1. Blessing.
2. Strength or power from Allah, as in His statement, “those endowed with might and insight” (Q 38:45)—that is, those possessed of strength in Allah’s religion and of insight—just as people say, “I have no hand in this matter,” meaning no ability.
3. The hand itself.

Yet it is impermissible to understand “hand” in this verse as “blessing.” He says, “The Jews say, ‘Allah’s hand is chained,’” and blessings are not shackled. He then answers them: “May their hands be shackled,” mirroring their own words—and it is impossible that He means, “May their blessings be shackled.” Next He states, “Rather, both His hands are outspread,” and it is likewise untenable to say, “Both His blessings are outspread.”

They also cite the phrase “May their hands be shackled,” arguing that, were “hand” taken literally, no Jew on earth would be free-handed. How astonishing is such ignorance and forced argument without knowledge!

Have they not heard the Almighty’s words, “Destroyed is man; how ungrateful he is!” (Q 80:17); His saying, “May Allah fight them—how deluded they are!” (Q 9:30); and His words, “They were cursed for what they said” (Q 5:78), where the curse (laʿn) means banishment? Did Allah kill all people? Did He kill some and banish others? Do they not hear the Arabs say, “May Allah kill him—how bold he is!” or “May Allah disgrace him—how poetic he is!”? The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to a man, “May your hands be dust-covered,” meaning: may you become poor—yet poverty did not actually befall him.