The evidence that this statement—their claim, “He is now as He was before”—is false and contrary to the Quran, the Sunnah, consensus, and sound reasoning takes several forms:
(The first)
Allah has stated in several places in the Quran that He is with His servants, both generally and specifically. For example, He says:
“He is the One who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then rose over the Throne,”
continuing to His words:
“And He is with you wherever you are.”
He also says:
“There is no private conversation among three but He is their fourth,”
continuing to His words:
“Wherever they may be.”
And He says:
“Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him and those who do good.”
In two places, He says:
“And Allah is with the patient.”
He also says:
“Indeed, I am with you both, hearing and seeing.”
“Do not grieve; indeed, Allah is with us.”
“And Allah said, ‘Indeed, I am with you.’”
“Indeed, my Lord is with me; He will guide me.”
When the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, travelled, he would say:
“O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the Guardian of our families in our absence. O Allah, accompany us on our journey and look after our families in our absence.”
If created beings, whether considered generally or specifically, were neither distinct from Him nor with Him—if, rather, nothing else were with Him—then it would be impossible for Him to be with His own self and essence. For being “with” entails two entities: one being with the other. Thus, when Allah states that He is with these people, the falsehood of their claim becomes clear: “He is now as He was before”—nothing is with Him; rather, He is identical with created beings.
Furthermore, being “with” necessarily applies to both sides, since it means association and companionship. If one thing is with another, it is impossible for the other not to be with it. It is therefore impossible for Allah to be with His creation while they have no existence with Him and no reality at all, but are instead identical with Him.