The response is this: Either the apparent meaning of the wording concerning the servant’s drawing near to his Lord is nearness measured in the spatial terms mentioned, or it is not. If that is its apparent meaning, then it is either possible or impossible. If it is possible, then the other instance of drawing near is also possible, and neither conflicts with the apparent meaning. If it is impossible, then a person’s knowledge of himself and his own striving is among the things most evident to him. The meaning of his own drawing near will therefore be apparent to the listener. Since he knows that his Lord’s drawing near to him is of the same kind, the latter meaning will likewise be apparent in the statement. Thus, the apparent meaning of the statement is not the impossible meaning; rather, its apparent meaning is the true one.

It is well known that the apparent meaning of the statement is not that the servant draws near to Allah by moving his body a handspan or a cubit, or by walking or running. It may, however, be objected that this is not apparent because of an indication supplied by sense perception and reason: the servant knows that his drawing near does not occur in this manner. This does not preclude the apparent meaning of the wording from being set aside.

The reply is that this sensory indication, evident to everyone, is more compelling than a verbal indication. Thus, the meaning of the statement is what becomes apparent through this indication