Abū Mālik, from Ibn ‘Abbās, concerning the words of the Most High:

“And indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.” (25) [Sād 25]

He said: “He will draw near to Him until Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says, ‘Take hold of My foot.’” Ibn Hāmid said: “All of this is affirmed with certainty, just as the reports have conveyed it.”

The point here is that this hadith is, broadly speaking, among the hadiths concerning the divine attributes which the imams expressly stated should be accepted as transmitted. They also refuted those who denied what it entails. The point is that this is not something the imams unanimously agreed should be subjected to interpretation