The arguments of the proponents of affirmation establishing the unsoundness of the negationists’ proofs, together with the ambiguous statements, subtle discussions, and rational inquiries involved in these matters, are discussed at length elsewhere.

(The fourth response:

The response of those who seek clarification. They say: The terms “occupying space,” “direction,” “substance,” and the like are ambiguous expressions with no basis in the Book of Allah or the Sunnah of His Messenger. Nor did any of the early generations of the Muslim community or its imams use them concerning Allah Most High, whether in denial or affirmation. Thus, unqualified denial or affirmation of these terms is undoubtedly not the way of Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jamā‘ah, nor is there any evidence from revelation supporting it. Rather, unqualified statements on either side are innovations introduced by the speculative theologians who delve into these matters. When we engage them in rational inquiry, we therefore ask them to clarify what they mean by these terms.

If someone who affirms them says, “By His occupying space, being a body, and being in a direction, I mean that He is inside created things, that created things contain Him, that He resembles them, that what is possible for them is possible for Him, or something similar,” then this is false. His being separate from the world does not entail His occupying space, being in a direction, or being a body in this sense.

If, on the other hand, someone who denies these things says: “Whatever is above the world is in a direction, occupies space, and is a body, and that is impossible.”