affirms that He Himself comes, arrives, and draws near thereby affirms, all the more, that one can draw near to Him. Everyone who argues that He is above the Throne on the basis of texts that mention ascending to Him—such as His words, Most High:

“To Him good words ascend” [Fātir 10],

“I will take you and raise you to Myself” [Āl ‘Imrān 55],

and “The angels and the Spirit ascend to Him” [al-Ma‘ārij 4]—

likewise holds that one can draw near to Him. Similarly, whoever affirms that something can stand before Him or come to Him, that His servant meets Him, or that there is a veil between Him and His creation, and the like, holds that one can draw near to Him.

The Quran contains some five hundred verses or more describing certain things going to Him Himself, ascending to Him, descending from Him, and similar matters. All of this indicates the possibility of drawing near to Him. He, Most High, says:

“And fear a Day when you will be returned to Allah.” [al-Baqarah 281]

And He, Most High, says:

“And fear Allah and know that you will meet Him.”