There is no doubt that the reports transmitted from Ahmad through numerous independent channels contradict this account and show that he does not say that it is the Lord’s command that comes, arrives, and descends. Rather, he repudiates those who say this.

Those who attribute to Ahmad a figurative interpretation of the descent and similar “acts” hold two views. Some interpret them as referring to intent, just as some interpret His words,

“Then He turned toward the heaven,”

as referring to intent. This is the interpretation mentioned by Ibn al-Zāghūnī. Others interpret them as the coming and descent of His command, as stated in Hanbal’s report.

A group among Ahmad’s followers and others—including Judge Abū Ya‘lā and others who agree with Abū al-Hasan al-Ash‘arī that the “act” is identical with its effect, and that no voluntary act subsists in His essence—say that descent, rising over the Throne, and similar expressions mean acts that the Lord performs in created things. This is explicitly stated by Abū al-Hasan al-Ash‘arī and others. They said: “Rising over the Throne is an act He performed in the Throne, by which He became established over it.” This is also the view of Abū al-Hasan ibn al-Zāghūnī. These people claim to agree with the early scholars, but that is not the case, as has been explained at length elsewhere.

This interpretation has likewise been cited as a report from Mālik, transmitted through his scribe Habīb ibn