He is in contact with the Throne. Others say that He is separate from it. The followers of Ahmad and their counterparts among hadith scholars, jurists and Sufis hold three views on this question. Some affirm contact, as stated in the transmitted reports. Among these are those who say: “I affirm only the perception of touch, without contact with anything created; indeed, I affirm all five kinds of perception for Him.” This is the position of most Ashʿarīs, al-Qādī Abū Yaʿlā and others; thus they have