the latter retains the distinction conferred by the superiority of his kind and essential nature, just as some horses are better than other horses without being better than all horses.

With this understood, the scholars held in esteem and Allah’s accepted close servants have related that Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, will be seated by his Lord on the Throne with Him. Muhammad ibn Fudayl narrated this from Layth, from Mujāhid, in his interpretation of:

“It may be that your Lord will raise you to a praiseworthy station.”

This has also been related through other chains, some traced back to the Prophet and others not. Ibn Jarīr said: This does not contradict the widely reported hadiths stating that the praiseworthy station is intercession. According to the consensus of the imams, no one among those who profess and claim Islam holds that seating him on the Throne is objectionable (*)—only some of the Jahmiyyah have denied it, and mentioning it in the interpretation of the verse is not objectionable. If the superiority of the eminent individual among us over the eminent individual among them is established, then the superiority of one kind over the other is established: I mean the superiority of our righteous ones over them.

“As for the beings themselves”

Allah created Adam himself with His hand, created him in His image, and breathed into him of His spirit. This has not been established for any other being. This is a sea in which even a swimmer may drown; only someone strengthened by the light of guidance can venture into it. Otherwise, he falls into either likening Allah to His creation or denying His attributes. Let the person of understanding recognize that beyond the limits of his knowledge lies a far-distant goal, and above everyone possessed of knowledge is one more knowledgeable. Let him be utterly certain that what the prophetic traditions convey is true, both outwardly and inwardly, even if his intellect falls short of grasping it and his knowledge does not encompass it:

“By the Lord of heaven and earth, it is indeed true, just as surely as you speak.”

So do not enter the door of denial, approaching with withheld assent and closed eyes—in rejection