the positions of the various Mu‘tazilī and Jahmī groups on many aspects of the divine attributes, affirming Allah’s face and two hands and His rising above the Throne.’”

Since this was well known as al-Ash‘arī’s position, Abū al-Hasan ‘Alī ibn Mahdī al-Tabarī, the theologian and companion of Abū al-Hasan al-Ash‘arī, said in his book on difficult Quranic passages, in the chapter on His saying, “The Most Merciful rose above the Throne” {5} [Tā Hā 5]:

“Know that Allah, glorified and exalted, is in heaven, above all things, upon His Throne, meaning that He is high above it. Rising above means elevation, as the Arabs say, ‘I mounted a riding animal’ and ‘I climbed onto the roof,’ meaning that I went up onto it. They also say, ‘The sun rose above my head’ and ‘The bird rose above the crown of my head,’ meaning that it rose into the air and was above my head. Thus, the Eternal One—majestic is His glory—is above His Throne. He says:

‘Do you feel secure from Him who is in heaven?’ [al-Mulk 16]

And He says:

‘O Jesus, I will take you and raise you to Myself.’ [Āl ‘Imrān 55]

And He says:

‘To Him ascend good words.’