its interpretation, believe in its apparent meaning, and refrain from explaining it, for we have been forbidden to speak about the Book of Allah on the basis of our own opinions, and Allah and His Messenger have not made its true meaning known to us.”

The response is:

Everyone is indeed commanded to remain silent about what they do not know. However, this statement implies that they did not know the verse’s meaning, explanation or interpretation. If it was not clear to them, this amounts to acknowledging their lack of knowledge of it. These are the words of someone in doubt, who does not know what is intended by the verse. Yet when certain interpretations are mentioned to them—such as interpreting it as the coming of His command and His power—they reject this on the grounds that it renders the specification meaningless. This is a denial and rejection of such interpretation.

If, despite this, they say:

“And no one knows its interpretation except Allah,”

they affirm an interpretation known only to Allah, while denying interpretation of this kind altogether.

And we say: What calls for this far-fetched interpretation? Without it, we can affirm a coming and an arrival beyond comprehension, in a manner befitting Him, just as we affirm an essence whose reality is beyond comprehension, and attributes—hearing, sight and others—that are beyond comprehension. For if it is permissible to interpret this and posit an implicit, omitted term, such as power, punishment or the like, what has prevented you from interpreting the words “You will see your Lord” in the same way?