They said:

If you interpret this according to its apparent meaning, and nothing can be intended except the face—the attribute belonging to a living being—then the face belonging to a living being is an organ and a bodily member, possessing a size that implies its being a part, and a form that establishes how it is constituted. For, in your view, the apparent meaning of every description affirms an attribute that differs in its essential nature yet resembles others in those respects that warrant a shared description. This is precisely likening Allah to His creation. Clear proof has established the falsity of the doctrines of those who ascribe a body to Allah and those who liken Him to His creation; whatever leads to a doctrine like theirs is therefore false.

We replied:

The apparent meaning is what is understood to be entailed by the wording, according to the usage shared by speakers. Thus, when an expression is used without qualification, anyone with even the slightest feel for and knowledge of Arabic speech and language understands it in that sense. This is like what we say concerning plural expressions