As for the objector’s statement:

“This can only be conceived in the case of a body occupying space. If something is posited that is neither a body nor occupies space, it falls outside these two categories, and the division into them is no longer exhaustive.”

The response is as follows:

First, the terms “body,” “space,” and “direction” are ambiguous and imprecise. They are conventional technical terms that may convey various meanings. Neither the Quran nor the Sunnah affirms or denies these terms, nor has any affirmation or denial of them whatsoever been transmitted from the early generations of this community or its imams. An objection framed in these terms is therefore not an objection based on scriptural evidence—whether from the Quran, the Sunnah, or consensus. Indeed, it is not even based on a report from a Companion, a Successor, or any imam of the Muslims. Rather, the leading imams denounced those who spoke in such terms and counted them among the practitioners of false, innovated speculative theology. They made stern statements about them, well known from the imams, such as the statement of al-Shāfi‘ī, may Allah have mercy on him:

“My judgment concerning the practitioners of speculative theology is that they should be beaten with palm branches and sandals and paraded among the tribes and clans, while it is proclaimed: ‘This is the recompense of whoever abandons the Quran and the Sunnah and turns to speculative theology.’”

In short, it is well known that terms are of two kinds. The first is a term found in the Quran, the Sunnah, or consensus. What such a term entails must be affirmed, whether or not we understand its meaning, because the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, speaks nothing but the truth, and the Muslim community does not unanimously agree upon misguidance.