’. Likewise, we have transmitted from Mālik, al-Awzā‘ī, Sufyān, al-Layth, and Ahmad ibn Hanbal that they said concerning the hadiths about seeing Allah and His descent:

‘Leave them as they have been transmitted.’

Likewise, it has been reported from Muhammad ibn al-Hasan—the companion of Abū Hanīfa—that he said concerning hadiths such as “Allah descends to the lowest heaven” and other similar hadiths: These hadiths have been transmitted by trustworthy narrators, so we transmit them and believe in them, but do not explain them.”

Here end the words of al-Karkhī, may Allah Most High have mercy on him.

What is astonishing is that when these speculative theologians are confronted with the divine attributes mentioned in the Quranic verses and hadiths, they say, “The Hanbalīs say that Allah is such-and-such,” thereby vilifying them and promoting their own falsehood. Yet the Hanbalīs, unlike others, have followed in the footsteps of the righteous predecessors, proceeded as they proceeded, and stopped where they stopped. Allah is the One who grants success.

The second point is that this discourse contains no argument or evidence worthy of being addressed to people of knowledge. Anyone can respond with mere insults and alarmist rhetoric. Even someone debating polytheists and the People of the Book would be obliged to present evidence demonstrating the truth he upholds and the falsehood they uphold. For Allah, Mighty and Majestic, said to His Prophet