of Allah means His favor, His blessing, and His honor, not a literal right hand.’

He said: This al-Thaljī, who wishes to deny Allah Most High the two hands with which He created Adam, should be told: Woe to you, al-Thaljī! Its meaning is contrary to your interpretation. We know with certainty that the Black Stone is not Allah’s hand itself, for Allah’s right hand is with Him upon the Throne, not separate from Him. Rather, the scholars understand this to mean that whoever shakes hands with the Black Stone and touches it is as though he were shaking hands with Allah. This is like His saying, Most High:

“Indeed, those who pledge allegiance to you are only pledging allegiance to Allah. Allah’s hand is above their hands.” [Al-Fath 10]

Thus He affirmed for Himself a hand that is truly a hand when mentioning the pledge of allegiance, since He mentioned His hand alongside their hands, while His hand is with Him upon the Throne. Likewise, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Charity falls into the hand of the Most Merciful before it reaches the beggar’s hand.” This thus affirms for Allah a hand that