of these matters, that alone would have sufficed. Moreover, evidence making this clear has been implanted in human nature and human understanding more plainly and firmly than anything else. For whenever you ask anyone—Arab or non-Arab, believer or unbeliever—‘Where is your Lord?’ he answers, ‘In heaven,’ if he can express himself; otherwise, he gestures with his hand or indicates it with his gaze. He does not point elsewhere, whether to the earth, a plain, or a mountain.

“We have never seen anyone call upon Him without raising his hand towards heaven, nor have we found anyone other than the Jahmiyyah who, when asked about his Lord, says, ‘Everywhere,’ as they do. Yet they claim to be the best of all people! So minds have gone astray, transmitted reports count for nothing, and Jahm and two men with him have found guidance! We seek refuge in Allah from trials that lead astray.”

These and similar statements are the words of Ibn Kullāb, Abū al-Hasan al-Ash‘arī, and his followers. Al-Hārith al-Muhāsibī learned this from him. Al-Hārith al-Muhāsibī, in his book Fahm al-Qur’ān (Understanding the Quran), and others have discussed matters of this kind that are cited elsewhere. Indeed, the statements of the early generations and the imams on this subject are numerous. And Allah knows best.