How sound is the article circulating in forums regarding the interpretation of the verse, "And your Lord comes with the angels, rank upon rank," and the issue of seeing Allah in Paradise and standing before Him? Do these interpretations align with the understanding of the People of the Sunnah and the Community and the explanations of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal? And what is the response to the Wahhabi accusations against the People of the Sunnah of ta'til (divine disassociation/denial of attributes)?
There are many errors and fallacies in the article, the most important of which are: 1. Interpreting the Attributes: The methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah is to never interpret the attributes, and that Sharia terms are not to be interpreted unless there is strong evidence. The author of the article errs in saying that the Wahhabis interpret the verses of the Quran literally, and that this is not permissible. Rather, his statement that "and your Lord comes and the angels, rank upon rank" cannot be interpreted as the manifestation of God's wonders of power, as this contradicts the apparent meaning of the Quran and Sunnah. The imams of tafsir (exegesis) have unanimously interpreted it as "And when your Lord comes, O Muhammad, and His angels, in ranks, rank after rank."
2. Attributing Interpretation to Imam Ahmad: What was attributed to Imam Ahmad regarding the interpretation of the verse of "coming" as the coming of the command or power is incorrect. Rather, what is well-known and authentic from him is the rejection of interpretation, and that His coming, arrival, and descent are not like the coming, arrival, and descent of creation.
3. The saying "Whatever you imagine in your mind, God is unlike that": This saying was not narrated from Imam Ahmad. It is well-known to be a saying of Dhul-Nun al-Misri, and its correct meaning is that the reality of the Lord cannot be imagined by the servant.
4. "He holds creation accountable with His speech which is neither a letter nor a sound": This statement is false and contradicts what is established from Imam Ahmad, that Allah (Exalted be He) spoke with sound and letters.
5. Denying Sight without Direction: The author's statement that God will be seen without modality or direction is in reality a denial of sight, and it is the saying of the innovators. Believers will see their Lord on the Day of Resurrection in Paradise in the direction of above.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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