Why do the Sunnis reject the allegorical interpretation (ta'wil) of the verses concerning God's attributes, while they interpret allegorically verses such as, "Indeed, I am going to my Lord; He will guide me," (Qur’an 37:99) and "The Day We will gather the righteous to the Most Merciful as an honored delegation" (Qur’an 19:85)?

Firstly: The interpretation (ta’weel) rejected by the Sunnis is diverting a word from its apparent meaning to a less probable meaning without proof, such as interpreting “hand” as “power” or “istiwa” (ascending) as “domination.” This contradicts the original principle and is only permissible with a strong indication. Those who advocate for such interpretations claim that the apparent meanings of the texts describing Allah's attributes suggest anthropomorphism, which is an aspersion against the Book of Allah and the eloquence of the Prophet. The Sunnis have unanimously agreed to interpret the attributes literally, not metaphorically.

Secondly: The interpretation of Allah’s statement: (إِنِّي ذَاهِبٌ إِلَى رَبِّي سَيَهْدِينِ) (Indeed, I am going to my Lord; He will guide me) [Surat As-Saffat/37:99], is that the “going” refers to migration to ash-Sham, as explained by Surat Al-Ankabut/29:26: (فَآمَنَ لَهُ لُوطٌ وَقَالَ إِنِّي مُهَاجِرٌ إِلَى رَبِّي إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ) (So Lot believed him. And [Abraham] said, "Indeed, I will emigrate to my Lord. Indeed, He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise."), and Surat Al-Anbiya/21:71: (وَنَجَّيْنَاهُ وَلُوطًا إِلَى الْأَرْضِ الَّتِي بَارَكْنَا فِيهَا لِلْعَالَمِينَ) (And We delivered him and Lot to the land which We had blessed for the worlds.).

Thirdly: Allah’s statement: (يَوْمَ نَحْشُرُ الْمُتَّقِينَ إِلَى الرَّحْمَنِ وَفْدًا) (The Day We will gather the righteous to the Most Gracious as a delegation) [Surat Maryam/19:85], is to be taken literally without interpretation. The righteous will be gathered to Allah, they will meet Him, visit Him, and see Him. This is the greatest honor for the people of faith, as verses and hadiths have indicated the meeting of believers with their Lord and their seeing Him in the Standing (on the Day of Judgment) and in Paradise.