themselves, it follows that He is in a place.”

The second point is that pointing upward toward Allah, whether in supplication or otherwise—with the hand or finger, the eyes or head, or other physical gestures—is established through mass-transmitted reports from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Muslims and non-Muslims alike agree on this. Allah Most High says:

“We have certainly seen you turning your face toward heaven. We will surely turn you toward a direction of prayer that will please you. So turn your face toward the Sacred Mosque.” [al-Baqarah 144]

Ibn Masʿūd reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Every judge who judges between people will be detained on the Day of Resurrection, with an angel holding him by the back of his neck, until he brings him to a halt over Hell. Then he will raise his head toward Allah, Mighty and Majestic. If He says, ‘Cast him in,’ he will cast him into an abyss, and he will fall for forty years.” Imam Ahmad narrated it in his Musnad, and Ibn Mājah narrated a report conveying the same meaning in his Sunan.

Abū Hurayrah reported that a man brought a black, non-Arab slave woman to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, “O Messenger of Allah, I am obliged to free a believing slave.” The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, asked her, “Where is Allah?”