Discussing the hadith of al-ʿAbbās in his book Refutation of Figurative Interpretations of Reports Concerning the Divine Attributes, al-Qādī Abū Yaʿlā said: “If it is established that He is upon the Throne, then the Throne is in a direction, and He is upon His Throne.”

He said: “In several places in this book, we have disallowed applying the term ‘direction’ to Him. The correct view, however, is that it is permissible to say this, because Ahmad affirmed this attribute—being established over the Throne—and affirmed that He is in heaven. Everyone who affirms this affirms direction, namely, the followers of Ibn Karrām and Ibn