for them, and in seeking to reconcile the two, they resorted to sophistical arguments, whose underlying error we shall point out when discussing the vision of Allah.

Another difficulty is that His not being a body entails, at first consideration, that no direction can be ascribed to the Creator—glory be to Him—thus rendering revelation ambiguous. For the sending of the prophets rested on revelation descending to them from heaven, and our revealed religion likewise rests on this: namely, that the Noble Book descended from heaven, as the Exalted says:

“Indeed, We sent it down on a blessed night.” [44:3]

The descent of revelation from heaven rests on Allah being in heaven, as does the angels’ descent from heaven and ascent to it. As He says:

“To Him good words ascend.” [35:10]

And He says:

“The angels and the Spirit ascend to Him.” [70:4]

In short, this entails all the consequences that follow for those who deny direction, as we shall explain later when discussing direction.

Another difficulty is that explicitly denying corporeality requires explicitly denying