to imagine in his mind how far His limit extends. Rather, we believe in the limit and entrust knowledge of it to Allah. His location also has a limit: He is upon His Throne, above His heavens. These, then, are two limits.

He said: Ibn al-Mubārak was asked, “By what do we know our Lord?” He replied, “By His being upon the Throne, separate from His creation.” He was asked, “With a limit?” He replied, “With a limit.” This was narrated to us by al-Hasan ibn al-Sabbāh al-Bazzār, from ʿAlī ibn al-Hasan ibn Shaqīq, from Ibn al-Mubārak.