anything contrary to what is firmly established in the minds of ordinary people is a Jahmī.”

Mālik’s statement also bears on this:

“The meaning of rising over is known.”

This does not mean that this wording in the Quran is known, as some people have said: “Did He rise over or not?” Nor does it mean that Mālik was asked about the manner and declared it to be known. Asking about the descent and the expression “rising over” is not an innovation, nor is discussing them; the Companions and their Successors discussed these matters. The innovation is only to ask about the manner.

Anyone seeking greater clarity regarding this principle should examine some aspects of cosmography—namely, encompassing and sphericity. Encompassing must be discussed for this to be understood.