“Do not say that, for you would give the impression that He, Mighty and Majestic, is bounded and that He is in one place rather than another. Instead, say that He is everywhere, for that is correct, not what you said.” No! The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, approved it, knowing what it entailed and that it was the most correct of statements—a declaration through which its speaker attains faith. It was on this basis that he bore witness to her faith when he made that declaration. How could the truth be otherwise, when the Book expressly affirms it and bears witness to it?

Even if the only evidence supporting the Muslim community’s position on this particular subject were the matters I have mentioned, that would suffice. How much more so when this is so deeply embedded in the very fabric of innate human nature and so commonly acknowledged among people that nothing could be clearer or more firmly established! Indeed, ask anyone—Arab or non-Arab, believer or unbeliever—“Where is your Lord?” and he will invariably reply, “In heaven,” if he can express himself. If he cannot, he will gesture with his hand or indicate it with his eyes. He will not point anywhere else, whether to the earth, a plain, or a mountain. Nor have we seen anyone supplicating to Him without raising his hands towards heaven.

We have never found anyone other than the Jahmiyyah who, when asked about his Lord, says, “Everywhere,” as they do. Yet they claim to be the best of all people! So minds have gone astray, transmitted reports count for nothing, and Jahm alone, together with fifty men, has found guidance! We seek refuge in Allah from trials that lead astray.’”

Ibn Fūrak said: “In this passage, he—may Allah have mercy on him—has indeed firmly established a point