As for the second alternative—namely, that He, exalted is He, occupies a spatial region contingently—we say that this is impossible. For if that were so, that particular occupancy could be actualized only through the action of an agent and the specification of a determiner. In every such case, the agent precedes what it brings about. It would therefore follow that Allah’s essence occupying a spatial region could not be beginningless, since whatever comes after another cannot be beginningless. If He was free of place and spatial region in pre-eternity, it would be impossible for Him subsequently to occupy a particular spatial region. Otherwise, a transformation in His essence, exalted is He, would necessarily follow, and that is impossible.

The discussion of this argument is the same for those who use the terms “spatial region” and “direction” and those who do not, whether they affirm or deny corporeality, while maintaining that He is upon the Throne. For one could say, “If He were above the Throne, or elevated above the Throne, His being above it and His elevation would be either necessary or contingent,” and then carry the argument through.

The answer to this argument is to recognize that the terms “spatial region,” “direction,” and the like have multiple meanings, as explained earlier. They may refer to something