—Abū ‘Abd Allāh al-Rāzī—and others, for it is the most comprehensive book on this subject compiled by those affiliated with al-Ash‘arī. This is why we have cited what he transmitted from his leading authorities on this subject, so that it may provide guidance and mercy to anyone [for whom] Allah wills this. There is no power nor strength except through Allah.

Abū Bakr ibn Fūrak quoted passages from Ibn Kullāb’s writings, including The Book of Divine Oneness, The Book of the Attributes, and Refutation of al-Marīsī. We now return to the point indicated earlier: the view that He is neither within the world nor outside it was adopted only by a small band of innovators, contrary to the claim of al-Rāzī and others like him that this is the position of the majority of reputable rational thinkers.

Ibn Fūrak said: “He—meaning Ibn Kullāb—said in The Book of the Attributes, when explaining the position concerning establishment over the Throne: ‘The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace—Allah’s chosen one from His creation, His elect among His creatures, and the most knowledgeable of them all concerning Him—permits the question “Where?” and asks it himself. He endorses as correct the statement that He is in heaven, and on that basis testifies to the speaker’s faith. Yet Jahm ibn Safwān and his followers do not permit this, as they assert, and deem such a statement impossible.’ He said: ‘Had it been wrong, the Messenger of Allah would have been the foremost to denounce it, and he should have said to her: