and were pursuing them, such as those who were above the cave: had one of them (1) looked down at his feet, he would have seen what lay beneath them.

Likewise, His words, Most High:

“Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him and those who do good.” [Surah al-Nahl: 128]

This singles them out, as distinct from the wicked and the wrongdoers. Likewise, His words, Most High:

“Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” [Surah al-Baqarah: 153]

This singles them out (2), as distinct from those who lose patience.

Likewise, His words, Most High:

“Allah certainly took a covenant from the Children of Israel, and We appointed twelve leaders from among them. And Allah said, ‘Indeed, I am with you if you establish prayer, give zakah, and believe in My messengers,’” and the rest of the verse. [Surah al-Mā’idah: 12]

And He said:

“When your Lord revealed to the angels, ‘I am with you, so strengthen those who believe.’” [Surah al-Anfāl: 12]

His mention (3), glory be to Him, of His being with others sometimes generally and sometimes particularly indicates that what is meant by this (4) is not that He Himself is in every place, or that His existence is identical to the existence of created beings, or similar claims made by the Jahmiyyah, who profess universal indwelling, universal union, or universal oneness (5). For, according to this view, His presence is not exclusive to one people rather than another, nor to one place rather than another. Rather, according to this view, He is in latrines [and the bellies of animals] (6), just as He is above the Throne. [Thus, when He states that He is with some people rather than others, this contradicts that meaning; for, according to this view, His presence is not exclusive