الرَّحْمَٰنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَى
The Most Merciful established istiwāʾ over the Throne. (Ṭā Hā 20:5)
Questions arise concerning the modality of istiwāʾ. Since Allah is unlike creatures, this expression must not be treated as if it described a creature’s posture or physical location.
The distinction is between a divinely revealed attribute and a modality invented by human comparison.
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The Qur’an: Divine Speech and the Principle of Bilā Kayf
الرَّحْمَٰنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَى
The Most Merciful established istiwāʾ over the Throne. (Ṭā Hā 20:5)
Questions arise concerning the modality of istiwāʾ. Since Allah is unlike creatures, this expression must not be treated as if it described a creature’s posture or physical location.
The distinction is between a divinely revealed attribute and a modality invented by human comparison.