and that the recording angels dwell in heaven, then it would be permissible for us to lower our hands toward the earth when supplicating, because Allah brings forth vegetation and food for sustenance there, because it is people’s dwelling place and they were created from it, or because the angels are with them on earth. Thus, the reason for raising our hands toward heaven cannot be what he has described. Rather, Allah Most High commanded us to raise our hands, directing ourselves toward Him, raising them toward the Throne over which He is established.

If, then, Ibn Fūrak and the other leading Ashʿarīs agree with the Karrāmiyyah and others that Allah Himself, Mighty and Majestic, is above the Throne; and they all agree in opposing the Muʿtazilah, who deny this and interpret His establishment over the Throne as exercising dominion and the like; and they all agree in arguing that Allah is above the world on the basis of the verses that this al-Rāzī cited on behalf of his opponents, such as His words:

“To Him ascends good speech, and righteous work raises it.” [Fātir 10]

And His words:

“O Jesus, I will take you and raise you to Myself and purify you.” [Āl ʿImrān 55]

And His words:

“Do you feel secure that He who is in heaven will not cause the earth to swallow you?” [al-Mulk 16]

And other similar verses, some of which we have mentioned—and Ibn Fūrak and his companions have disputed with Ibn al-Haysam and his companions—then either