spiritual beings, by which they mean Allah Most High and the angels.” Their explicit use here of the word “abode” resembles al-Ash‘arī’s statement:

“All Muslims, when a calamity befalls them, say, ‘O Dweller upon the Throne!’”

It has thus become clear that the contradiction he alleged against the corporealists and the philosophers does not apply to either group; rather, they can rebut this alleged contradiction.

Section

The term “zarf” (container; adverbial expression) has several meanings, and this has led some people into error. In ordinary Arabic, it may mean a physical vessel in which something else is contained. Thus, when these expressions are used concerning Allah Most High, some imagine that He is a receptacle containing created things within Him, and that they are a receptacle containing Him within them. Yet it is known with certainty that these expressions do not indicate any such thing concerning Allah Most High whatsoever. Rather, grammarians applied the term “adverbial expressions” to words that the Arabs use to convey meanings broader than this. This category therefore includes expressions whose referents do not enclose what is situated in relation to them, as well as various other kinds.

Allah Most High says:

“If you could but see when they are made to stand before their Lord!” [al-An‘ām: 30]

And the Most High says:

“If you could but see when the criminals hang their heads before their Lord!” [al-Sajdah: 12]

And the Most High says: “Indeed,