Al-Rāzī said: “The thirteenth argument: If He were settled upon the Throne, it would have been more fitting to begin by creating the Throne rather than the heavens. For, according to the view that He is settled upon the Throne, the Throne would be His place, while the heavens would be the place of His servants. It is more reasonable that preparing His own place should precede preparing the place of His servants. Yet it is known that the creation of the heavens preceded the creation of the Throne, because Allah Most High says, ‘Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then rose over the Throne’ [al-Aʿrāf 54]. The word ‘then’ indicates a lapse of time.”

I say: Praise be to Allah, who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to make it prevail over all religion; and sufficient is Allah as a witness. Praise be to Allah, who has granted His Messenger supporting authority from Himself. Praise be to Allah, who grants victory to His messengers and those who believe, both in this worldly life and on the Day when the witnesses stand forth. He grants them victory through compelling proof and sovereign power. It is He who grants His messengers