the One described, as well as the true nature of His attributes, neither of which is known. This belongs to the ta’wīl that only Allah knows, as I explained in a separate discussion on “Ta’wīl and Meaning” and the distinction between knowing the meaning of a statement and knowing its ta’wīl. Likewise, likening Him to creation is ruled out by scripture and the consensus of the early scholars. Reason also indicates that both likening Him to creation and specifying how His attributes are must be ruled out, since the Creator’s true nature is unknown to human beings.’
In this connection, I cited al-Khattābī’s statement, which he reported as the position of the early scholars:
“The verses and hadiths concerning the attributes are to be understood according to their apparent meanings, without specifying how those attributes are or likening them to those of creation. Discussion of the attributes follows from discussion of the Essence, proceeding on the same basis and following the same pattern. Thus, if affirming the Essence means affirming its existence, not specifying how it is, then affirming the attributes likewise means affirming their existence, not specifying how they are.”
One of the leading opponents then said: “In that case, it is permissible to say that He is a body unlike other bodies.”
Some of the learned men and I replied to him: “All that was said was that Allah is described as He described Himself and as His Messenger described Him. Neither the Book nor the Sunnah states that Allah is a body, so this conclusion does not follow. The first person to say that Allah is a body was Hishām ibn al-Hakam, the Rāfidī (Rejectionist).”
As for our statement:
“They occupy the middle position among the community’s sects, just as this community occupies the middle position among the nations. Regarding Allah’s attributes, they occupy the middle position between the Jahmiyyah, who deny the attributes, and the Mushabbihah, who liken Him to creation.”
I was told: “You have written an account of Imām Ahmad’s creed.” They intended thereby to end the dispute, since his was an established school with followers.