If, however, what is meant by “heaven” is the constructed firmament—the seven layered heavens—then the preposition “in” (fī) signifies exaltedness: “high in the heaven,” that is, above the heaven. The same usage occurs in His words, “Say: Travel through the earth” (Al-An‘am 11), meaning “upon the earth,” and in His words, “I shall certainly crucify you upon the trunks of date-palms” (Ta-Ha 71), meaning “upon the trunks of the palms).
In any case, the numerous Qur’anic verses, the mass-transmitted ḥadiths, the consensus of the Muslims, and the followers of all the messengers, unanimously affirm that Allah—glorified and exalted—is in the heaven.
As for those who deny this among the Jahmiyyah, their offshoots, and their students, such a doctrine is false and constitutes deviation with respect to Allah’s Names. Allah, exalted, says, “Leave those who deviate concerning His Names; they shall be repaid for what they used to do” (Al-A‘raf 180).
To deviate in Allah’s Names and Attributes is a grave crime. Whoever denies that Allah is in the heaven thereby rejects the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the Muslims. If the person is knowledgeable, this denial is disbelief. If he is ignorant, the matter is explained to him; should he persist after the clarification, he likewise becomes a disbeliever—may Allah protect us.
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Levels of the Islamic Religion
Question: Allah the Exalted says in the clear Revelation: “The Bedouins say, ‘We have believed.’ Say: ‘You have not believed; rather say, “We have submitted.”’” (Al-Ḥujurāt 14). What is the meaning of this verse? Is there a difference between faith (īmān) and Islam, and what is it?
Answer: The religion comprises three levels:
- Islam;
- above it, faith (īmān);
- and higher than both, excellence (iḥsān);
just as