—which is created—and nothing more; or that its apparent meaning is that both are there; or that it is indeterminate, admitting either interpretation. If the first is its apparent meaning, it is accepted according to that apparent meaning, and there is nothing objectionable in this.

Whoever holds this view does not say that Allah’s Face itself is within the very physical objects being faced, for none of Ahl al-Sunnah says this. Rather, he says that “there” points to what is distant, and that His words, “So wherever you turn” [al-Baqarah 115], mean wherever you face. When a servant stands to pray, he faces his Lord, and Allah turns His Face towards him so long as the servant does not turn his face away from Him. This is established by mass-transmitted authentic hadiths from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, such as his saying: “When one of you stands to pray, he is facing his Lord.” And if