What is the meaning of anthropomorphism (al-Tamthīl), modality (al-Takyīf), transcendence (al-Tanzīh), negation (al-Taʿṭīl), and allegorical interpretation (al-Ta’wīl) in the context of affirming what Allah has affirmed for Himself and negating what He has negated from Himself?

A Muslim must affirm for Allah the attributes with which He described Himself or with which His Messenger described Him. One must believe in them in word and meaning, without ta'wil, tashbih, tamthil, ta'til, or takyeef, based on His saying, the Almighty: "There is nothing like Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing."

Tamthil (Anthropomorphic Representation): Believing that any of Allah's attributes are similar to the attributes of created beings. Takyeef (Specifying the Modality): Believing that Allah's attributes are of a specific modality that minds can comprehend. The intention is to negate human knowledge of this modality, as Imam Malik said: "The istiwa' (ascending) is known, but its kayf (modality) is unknown. Belief in it is obligatory, and questioning about it is innovation (bid'ah)." Tanzeeh (Transcendence/Glorification): Negating everything that is not befitting for Allah, the Exalted, such as negating a consort, a son, slumber, or sleep for Him. Ta'til (Negation/Denial): Denying Allah's attributes or names, and denying that Allah's attributes subsist in Him. The most severe form of this is denying His existence. Ta'wil (Figurative Interpretation): Shifting a word from its most probable meaning to a less probable one based on evidence. If it is done without evidence, it is blameworthy distortion (tahreef).