Asharīs and their leading scholars, the Karrāmiyyah, and the early Shīʿah, both Imāmīs and others. This is unlike the terms “body” and “occupying space,” which the early generations and the leading scholars neither affirmed nor denied without qualification. Nevertheless, what they affirmed includes meanings that may accord with what those who affirm these terms intend, while what they denied includes meanings that may accord with some of what those who reject these terms say.

For Allah—glorified be He—has the most beautiful names, with which He has named Himself, which He has revealed in His Books, and which He has taught to whomever He wills among His creation. These include His names the Ever-Living, the All-Knowing, the Most Merciful, the All-Wise, the First, the Last, the Most High, the Magnificent, the Most Great, and others like them. All these names express praise and commendation, indicating qualities for which He is praised; their meanings cannot be blameworthy. Yet they may entail meanings which, when taken without qualification and designated by their own terms, encompass both what is praiseworthy and what is blameworthy. For example, His name the Most Merciful entails will. Thus, if will is taken