Some said that Hanbal erred in transmitting this report. Hanbal transmits certain reports in matters of jurisprudence that no one else relates, while the overwhelming majority report the contrary. Our fellow scholars have differed over whether to accept Hanbal’s solitary reports when the majority contradict him, taking two positions: al-Khallāl and his companion may reject them, whereas others, such as Ibn Hāmid, accept them.

Others among them said that Ahmad said this only to hold his opponents to the implications of their own position. They interpret the Lord’s coming as the coming of His command, so he said: “Likewise, say that His speech comes in the sense that its reward comes.” This is a plausible explanation.

Others among them said that this report is indeed established as an interpretation of the transmitted descriptions involving movement, coming, and descent. According to this report, these are interpreted in terms of intent and purpose directed toward the matter in question. This is the approach of Ibn al-Zāghūnī and others.

Others said that it is instead interpreted as the coming of His reward. They confined the scope of this report to attributes involving movement, rather than the remaining attributes.