This argument invalidates such interpretation and takes the wording in its apparent sense, in a manner befitting Allah’s majesty.

If, alongside this, it is said that it has an interpretation known only to Allah, and “interpretation” means this same kind of interpretation, that would be a contradiction. How can someone deny this kind of interpretation while affirming an interpretation known only to Allah?

It is thus clear that the interpretation known only to Allah does not contradict understanding the passage according to what its wording indicates. Rather, it is something else that substantiates and agrees with this understanding, rather than contradicting or opposing it. As Mālik said:

“The rising is known, but its manner is unknown.”

That being so, one scholar may understand something of the verse’s meaning that accords with the Quran but is unknown to another. This would constitute an explanation of the verse and belong to the interpretation known to those firmly grounded in knowledge. For example, someone may know with absolute certainty that the verse refers to Allah’s coming, without any doubt, because of the abundant evidence available to him. At the same time, he knows that He is the Most High, the Highest, and comes in such a way that created things surround Him while He is beneath them. This contradicts His being the Most High, the Highest.

The forebear Abū ʿAbd Allāh—may Allah have mercy on him—followed the method he mentioned in his commentary. This is his usual practice, and that of others.