the ta’wīl known to those firmly grounded in knowledge. As for the manner of that istiwā’, it is the ta’wīl that none but Allah Most High knows.

It is reported from Ibn ‘Abbās, as ‘Abd al-Razzāq and others mention in their Quran commentaries, that he said:

“The explanation of the Quran falls into four categories: an explanation that the Arabs know from their language; an explanation for whose ignorance no one is excused; an explanation known to the scholars; and an explanation known only to Allah, Mighty and Majestic. Whoever claims to know this last category is a liar.”

This accords with the words of Allah Most High:

“No soul knows what delights are kept hidden for them as a reward for what they used to do.”

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Allah Most High says: ‘I have prepared for My righteous servants what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has imagined.’”

Likewise, knowledge of the time of the Hour and similar matters belongs to the ta’wīl that none but Allah Most High knows, even though we understand the meanings of what is addressed to us and grasp from the words what we are meant to understand. As Allah Most High says:

“Do they not reflect upon the Quran, or are there locks upon their hearts?”

He also says:

“Have they not reflected upon the word?”

Thus, He commanded reflection upon the Quran, not merely upon part of it.

Abū ‘Abd al-Rahmān al-Sulamī said:

“Those who used to teach us the Quran—‘Uthmān ibn ‘Affān, ‘Abd Allāh ibn Mas‘ūd, and others—told us that when they learned ten verses from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, they would not proceed beyond them until they had learned the knowledge and practice set forth in them. They said: ‘Thus we learned the Quran, knowledge, and practice together.’”