Abū Bakr ibn ‘Abd al-Barr said in al-Tamhīd, his commentary on al-Muwatta’—the finest work composed in its field—when discussing the hadith of the descent:

“This hadith is firmly established through transmission and has an authentic chain of narration. Hadith scholars do not disagree about its authenticity. It has also been transmitted through other routes, through reports from trustworthy narrators relating from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. It provides evidence that Allah is in heaven, over the Throne, above the seven heavens, as the community has affirmed. It is among their proofs against the Mu‘tazilah, who say that Allah is everywhere and is not over the Throne.”

He said: “Among the proofs establishing the correctness of what the people of truth affirm are Allah’s words:

‘The Most Merciful rose over the Throne.’

And His words:

‘To Him ascends good speech.’

And His words:

‘The angels and the Spirit ascend to Him.’

And His words to Jesus:

‘I will take you and raise you to Myself.’”

He cited other verses and went on to say:

“This is so well known among ordinary people and scholars alike that it requires no more than a statement of it, for it is known of necessity: no one taught it to them, and no Muslim disagreed with them about it.”

This was discussed at length, until he said:

“As for their appeal to the words of the Most High:

‘There is no private conversation among three but He is their fourth, nor among five but He is their sixth, nor among fewer or more than that but He is with them wherever they may be,’

the apparent meaning of the verse offers them no proof. For the scholars among the Companions and their successors—from whom its interpretation has been transmitted—said in explaining this verse: ‘He is over the Throne, and His knowledge is everywhere.’ No one whose opinion carries authority disagreed with them about this.”