[al-Naml: 25–26]

He describes Himself in several places as the Possessor of the Throne, as in His words:

“He is the All-Forgiving, the Most Loving, (14) Possessor of the Throne, the Glorious. (15)” [al-Burūj: 14–15]

And His words:

“Say, ‘If there were other gods with Him, as they claim, they would have sought a way to the Possessor of the Throne.’ (42)” [al-Isrā’: 42]

And His words:

“Exalted in rank, Possessor of the Throne, He sends revelation by His command to whomever He wills of His servants.” [Ghāfir: 15]

All of this shows that the Throne has a distinct status. Likewise, He singles out the Spirit from among the angels, as in His words:

“The angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in a day whose measure is fifty thousand years. (4)” [al-Ma‘ārij: 4]

And His words:

“On the Day when the Spirit and the angels stand in rows, none will speak except those whom the Most Merciful permits and who speak rightly. (38)” [al-Naba’: 38]

And His words:

“The angels and the Spirit descend during it, by their Lord’s permission, with every decree. (4) Peace.” [al-Qadr: 4–5]

Yet it is known that all of these are created by Allah and belong to Him, that He is the Lord of them all, and that they are His servants.

Nothing whose details He has left unmentioned contradicts what is known in general or what He has related in detail. Thus, al-Bukhārī reported that Sulaymān al-Taymī said:

“If I were asked, ‘Where is Allah?’ I would say, ‘In heaven.’ If I were then asked, ‘Where was He before He created heaven?’ I would say, ‘Upon His Throne, above the water.’ If I were then asked, ‘Where was He before that?’ I would say, ‘I do not know.’