to affirm His transcendence and reject likening Him to His creation—or so they claim. We seek refuge in Allah from an affirmation of transcendence that entails negation and divesting Him of His attributes.”

He said: “The scholars have narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: ‘A servant’s feet will not move from before the Lord of the worlds until He questions him about three things.’

“The scholars have also narrated that a man brought a black slave woman to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I wish to free her as an expiation. Would freeing her be valid?’ The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, asked her: ‘Where is Allah?’ She replied: ‘In heaven,’ and gestured upward with her hand. At that, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: ‘Free her, for she is a believer.’”

He said: “This indicates that