rank upon rank.’ They also affirm that Allah draws near to His creation however He wills, as He said:

‘And We are closer to him than his jugular vein.’”

He went on to say:

“They hold that one should avoid everyone who calls to an innovation and devote oneself to reciting the Quran, recording transmitted reports and studying them, and studying jurisprudence with submission and humility. They advocate good character, doing good to others, refraining from harming them, abandoning backbiting, tale-bearing and complaining, and paying careful attention to what one eats and drinks.”

He said:

“This, in summary, is what they enjoin, submit to and uphold. We affirm all the positions of theirs that we have mentioned, and these are the views we adopt. Our success comes only through Allah, and He is the One whose help is sought.”

Al-Ash‘arī also said in “Differences among the People of the Qiblah Concerning the Throne”:

“The people of the Sunnah and the scholars of hadith said: Allah is not a body and does not resemble created things. He rose over the Throne, as He said:

‘The Most Merciful rose over the Throne.’

We do not venture ahead of Allah in what we say; rather, we say that He rose over it without specifying how. He has a Face, as He said:

‘And there will remain the Face of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor.’

He has two Hands, as He said:

‘I created with My two Hands.’

He has two Eyes, as He said:

‘It sails under Our Eyes.’

He will come on the Day of Resurrection, He and His angels, as He said:

‘And your Lord comes, and the angels, rank upon rank.’

He descends to the lowest heaven, as stated in the hadith. They said nothing except what they found in