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

and His words:

“Indeed, I am with you both; I hear and I see,”

and His words:

“Do not grieve; indeed, Allah is with us.”

If the intended meaning were that He is with everything in His essence, the general statement would contradict the specific one. For it is known that the words, “Do not grieve; indeed, Allah is with us,” were intended to single out the Prophet and Abū Bakr, excluding their unbelieving enemies. Likewise, His words, “Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him and those who do good,” single them out, excluding the wrongdoers and the wicked.

Moreover, neither in Arabic usage nor anywhere in the Quran does the expression “being with” mean that one essence intermingles with another. Examples include His words:

“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him,”

and His words:

“Those will be with the believers,”

and His words:

“Fear Allah and be with the truthful,”

and His words:

“And strove alongside you.”

There are many such examples. Thus, His words, “He is with you,” cannot indicate that His essence is intermingled with the essences of created beings. Furthermore, He began the verse by mentioning knowledge and ended it by mentioning knowledge, so the context indicates that He meant that He knows them.

This matter has been discussed at length elsewhere, where it was explained that although the expression “being with” in Arabic conveys being together, companionship, and association, His being with His servants does not conflict with His being above His Throne. The implications of His being with them vary according to the context: He is with all creation through His knowledge, power, and sovereignty, while singling out some of them for His assistance, victory, and support.

Ibn Abī Hātim said: “I read to Muhammad ibn al-Fadl, who related: Muhammad ibn ʿAlī ibn al-Hasan ibn Shaqīq narrated to us: Muhammad ibn Muzāhim narrated to us: Bukayr ibn Maʿrūf narrated to us, from Muqātil ibn Sulaymān