5. Likewise, this line contains a refutation against ibn Baṭūṭah; who claimed that when he arrived in Damascus, he saw Sheikhul Islām on the pulpit delivering a
16 April 2020 • 1.3K views
However, this is a vicious slander; because this man entered Damascus while Sheikhul Islām was still in prison. What's more, look at what Sheikhul Islām says in this line; he clearly states that he affirms Allāh's descension without designating a how.
6. There are some side issues which the scholars in the past spoke about, however, it is more befitting that we avoid indulging in these issues; for example, does Allāh vacate His Throne when He descends? How does Allāh descend when the timing of the nights differ?
We simply say, Allāh is able to do all things.
{لَا يُسْأَلُ عَمَّا يَفْعَلُ وَهُمْ يُسْأَلُونَ}
"He is not questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned."
[Sūrat Al-Anbiyā 23]
And this is the case with all affairs related to the unseen which we have not been informed of; we do not indulge in them. As long as we have not been informed of them, we must remain silent and not concern ourselves with them. Therefore, although Shaykhul Islām mentions that most of the Salaf believed that Allāh does not vacate His Throne when He descends to the lowest heaven, we say that sticking to the texts and refraining from speaking about these affairs is the safest option.
We are not in need of knowing these affairs, and if we were, our prophet (ﷺ) would have surely clarified them to us.