is truly a hand, even though the giver does not place his charity in Allah’s own hand. Likewise, this interpretation concerning the Black Stone serves only to honor and venerate the Black Stone and to affirm the hand and right hand of the Most Merciful—not “favor,” as the ignorant al-Thaljī claimed in his interpretation.

Just as He is able to be with everyone engaged in private conversation while being above His Throne, so too He can have His hand above their hands from above His Throne. Al-Qādī Abū Ya‘lā cited this report from Ahmad but did not