Shaykh al-Islām Abū al-‘Abbās Ahmad ibn ‘Abd al-Halīm ibn ‘Abd al-Salām Ibn Taymiyyah al-Harrānī, the godly scholar and spiritually radiant worshipper—may Allah Most High strengthen him—was asked:

What do you say concerning “the Throne”: is it spherical or not? If it is spherical, and Allah is beyond it, encompassing it and distinct from it, what is the point of the servant directing himself upwards rather than elsewhere when turning to Allah Most High in supplication and worship? In that case, when supplicating, there would be no difference between directing oneself upwards and directing oneself towards any of the other directions surrounding the supplicant. Yet we find within our hearts an inclination that seeks what is above, turning neither right nor left. Explain to us this compelling impulse that we find in our hearts and that is part of our innate nature.

Give us a full and satisfying answer to this matter, one that dispels the doubt and establishes the truth, if Allah wills. May Allah continue to benefit others through you and your knowledge. Amen.

He—may Allah Most High have mercy on him—replied as follows:

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. The answer to this question consists of three parts.