Section
The interpretation of istawā (“rose over”) as istawlā (“took control”) is refuted on several grounds:
First: None of the early Muslims, whether the Companions or their successors, gave this explanation. It is not authentically reported from any of them in the books transmitting their statements. Rather, the first to advance it were some of the Jahmiyyah and Mu‘tazilah, as Abū al-Hasan al-Ash‘arī mentioned in his books al-Maqālāt and al-Ibānah.
Second: The meaning of this word is well known. Thus, when Rabī‘ah ibn Abī ‘Abd al-Rahmān and Mālik ibn Anas were asked about His words,
“The Most Merciful rose over the Throne,”
they said: “Rising is known, its manner is unknown, belief in it is obligatory, and asking about it is an innovation.”
This does not mean that rising is known in the language but not in the verse—for the question concerns the rising mentioned in the verse, as people rise.
Third: If its meaning is known in the language in which the Quran was revealed, then its meaning is known in the Quran.