the verses that are said to conflict with one another and explaining how they may be reconciled, even if this involves departing from the apparent meaning of one of the two verses or understanding one of them figuratively. His discussion of this is more extensive than that of the other renowned imams, whose discussions mostly concern matters of practice, with little on matters of doctrine. Imam Ahmad discusses both doctrinal and practical matters extensively, since this approach is supported by evidence from the Quran and Sunnah. Whoever claims that his position is to reject this has falsely attributed that to him. And Allah knows best.

The discussion of the words of Allah Most High:

“When My servants ask you about Me, I am indeed near. I answer the call of the supplicant when he calls upon Me”

is like the discussion of the Prophet’s words—may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“You are not calling upon one who is deaf or absent. You are calling upon One who is All-Hearing and near. Indeed, the One upon whom you call is nearer to each of you than the neck of his mount.”

Whoever understands this as His nearness in Himself, whether constant or occasional, leaves nothing to dispute. Whoever says that it means He hears their supplications, answers them, and all that this entails, may say: “The context indicates this, so it does not depart from the apparent meaning.” Alternatively, he may say: “This is indicated by the texts of the Quran and Sunnah which establish that He is above the Throne.” This would be explaining and interpreting the Quran through the Book and Sunnah, and there is nothing objectionable in that.

Know that some people have followed this same approach regarding the very expression “being with.” They say that it is understood according to what the context indicates, even if this differs from its apparent meaning when taken without qualification; or that it is understood contrary to its apparent meaning because the verses indicate that Allah is above the Throne. Thus, they explain one part of the Quran through another. We, however, have explained that there is nothing in the apparent meaning of “being with” that requires this, for we have found that all