And some of these explanations are agreed upon among the early generations, while others are disputed.

Abū ‘Abd Allāh, the grandfather, mentioned in his commentary something similar to what al-Baghawī mentioned, rather than what Ibn al-Jawzī mentioned. He said:

As for the coming attributed to Allah, the leading scholars of the early generations—such as Makhūl, al-Zuhrī, al-Awzā‘ī, Ibn al-Mubārak, Sufyān al-Thawrī, al-Layth ibn Sa‘d, Mālik ibn Anas, al-Shāfi‘ī, Ahmad, and their followers—agree that it is to be left as it has been transmitted. The same applies to similar accounts found in the Quran or transmitted in the Sunnah, such as the hadiths concerning the descent and the like. This is the safe course and the way of Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jamā‘ah: they believe in their apparent meaning, entrust knowledge of them to Allah, and believe that Allah is free of the marks of createdness. The leading scholars have followed this course, generation after generation, as Allah Most High says:

“None knows its interpretation except Allah. And those firmly grounded in knowledge say, ‘We believe in it.’”

Regarding His words, “that Allah should come to them in canopies of clouds,” Ibn al-Sā’ib said: “This belongs to what is kept hidden and is not to be explained.” He also mentioned something resembling al-Khattābī’s discussion of this matter.

If it is asked, “How can someone believe in something when they do not fully comprehend its true reality?” the answer is: Just as it is possible to believe in Allah