And if one says concerning the Lord’s attributes, such as istiwā’ and others—as Rabīʿah, Mālik and others said—that istiwā’ is known, while how it is remains unknown to us, though not unknown to Him, then this “how” belongs to the ta’wīl that none but Allah knows. This is unlike the meaning of istiwā’, which is known and falls within the explanation of the wording.

The Salaf spoke about the meaning of istiwā’, which Rabīʿah, Mālik and others said was known. I have cited their statements elsewhere. Some have said that the position of the Salaf—or their consensus—is that they should go no further than reciting the verse, as Abū al-Faraj al-Jawzī mentioned in his Quran commentary, saying: “Al-Khalīl ibn