What is meant by "He established Himself on the Throne" in Surat Yunus and "His Throne was upon the water" in Surat Hud, and what is the complete interpretation of the two verses?
The verses clarify that Allah created the heavens and the earth in six days. It was said that these days are like the days of this world or like the days of the Hereafter. Some scholars said that their creation in six days was to teach His creation perseverance and deliberation. Then He 'istiwa' (ascended) upon the Throne. The meaning of "istiwa" is that He rose and ascended. The imams of the Arabic language denied that its meaning could be "He took possession" except in the context of dispute, and no one disputed Allah concerning His Throne. Ahlus-Sunnah (the People of the Sunnah) unanimously agree that Allah is above all His creation and is ascended upon His Throne, knowing their deeds and hearing their words. The management of all affairs belongs to Allah alone, and intercession is only by His permission. Worship must be sincerely devoted to Him alone. Before the creation of the heavens and the earth, His Throne was upon water, and this water was upon the back of the wind. Allah created the heavens and the earth to test His servants as to which of them is best in deed, and that is the deed that conforms to the Sunnah and is sincere for Allah. The methodology of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah is to affirm what Allah has described Himself with or what His Messenger (peace be upon him) has described Him with, and to believe in that according to its apparent meaning, without distortion, allegorical interpretation, asking "how," likening Him to creation, or negating His attributes.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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