And descent, in our case, has two meanings.

The first is movement from one place to another, as when you descend from a mountain to the low ground, or from a rooftop into the house.

The other meaning is turning toward something in purpose and intention. The same applies to going down, rising, reaching, proceeding, and similar expressions. For example, someone may ask you where a group of Bedouins is staying—without intending to go to them—and you tell him:

“When you reach such-and-such a mountain, descend from it and turn right. When you reach such-and-such a valley, go down into it, then turn left. When you travel to such-and-such a land, climb a hill there until you overlook their encampment.”

In none of this do you mean, “Do it bodily.” Rather, you mean, “Do it in thought and intention.”

Someone may also say:

“You have gone as far as the factions, reviling them; proceeded to the caliphs, disparaging them; come to knowledge, disdaining it; and descended from noble character to baseness.”

None of this means bodily movement. Rather, it means directing oneself toward something in will, resolve, and intention.

Likewise, His statement:

“Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him and those who do good,”

does not mean that He is with them by dwelling within them, but through His help, His granting of success, and His protection.

The same applies to His saying, Mighty and Majestic:

“Whoever draws near to Me a handspan, I draw near to him a cubit. Whoever draws near to Me a cubit, I draw near to him an armspan. Whoever comes to Me walking, I come to him at a run.”