of combining the two, a course we have followed in some of our own source-criticism. Yet a few spite-filled zealots from among the Hanafis rejected it and hurled at us accusations that had never even crossed my mind. I have explained the issue and furnished a sufficient, healing rebuttal in the introduction to my edition of Sharh al-ʿAqidah al-Tahawiyyah, fourth printing, al-Maktab al-Islami—let it be consulted, for it is important.
41- Thabit al-Bunani related: David, peace be upon him, would prolong the prayer, then bow, then raise his head toward heaven and say, “To You I have lifted my head, O Inhabitant of the heaven filled with its dwellers; the servants gaze toward their masters, O Dweller of heaven.” Its chain of transmission is acceptable.
Know that Allah, the most truthful of speakers, has informed us that the throne of Bilqis was magnificent: “She has a mighty throne” (Q 27:23). He then concluded with: “Allah—there is no deity but Him—Lord of the magnificent Throne” (Q 27:26). Her throne was great only in relation to her, and we now possess no knowledge of its details, its measure, or its essence. One of Solomon’s subjects brought it before him in less time than it takes for a glance to return. Exalted is Allah the Great! No one denies the miracles of the saints except an ignoramus—what miracle could surpass this? It is said that he invoked Allah’s Greatest Name, whereupon the throne arrived in the blink of an eye from Yemen to Syria. Here there is nothing but pure faith and affirmation; the intellect has no room to object. We believe and attest.
If this concerns a small object fashioned by human hands and conveyed over that vast distance by a mortal with Allah’s permission, then what should we think of the couches and palaces Allah has prepared in Paradise for His servants? Each couch is, in length and breadth, a month’s journey or more, wrought from a single white pearl or a single red ruby, and a single span of it is better than the dominion of this world. “So blessed be Allah, the best of creators” (Q 23:14). By Allah, we believe in the unseen and are certain of the report of the Truthful One: Paradise indeed contains what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and has never occurred to the heart of any human being.
Then what should we presume of the Great Throne that the Most High has taken for Himself—its loftiness and vastness, its supports, its nature, its bearers, the cherubim encircling it, and its beauty, brilliance, and value? It is reported that it is of red ruby, and that its span may equal a journey of five hundred thousand years. There is no god but Him, the Forbearing, the Generous; there is no god but Him, Lord of the Mighty Throne; there is no god but Allah, Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the Noble Throne. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. Glory and praise be to Allah, as numerous as His creation and as weighty as—