Is it true that the saying is attributed to Ibn Taymiyyah, that he said during the Friday sermon: "Indeed, Allah descends to the lowest heaven just as I am descending now," and then he descended one step from the minbar? And is it true that he said: "And if Allah had willed, He could have settled on the back of a gnat, and it would have carried Him by His power and the subtlety of His Lordship; so how [could He not settle] on a magnificent 'Arsh?"

What was mentioned about Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah regarding his likening of Allah's descent to his descent from the minbar's step is a fabricated story, because Ibn Battuta entered Damascus in the year 726 AH, and Ibn Taymiyyah had been imprisoned since early Sha'ban of the same year, and his imprisonment continued until Allah caused him to die in the year 728 AH. Moreover, Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar pointed out that Ibn Battuta did not write the details of his journey himself; rather, it was embellished by Abu Abdullah Ibn Juzayy Al-Kalbi, whom Al-Bulqini accused of lying and fabrication.

As for what was mentioned about Sheikh Al-Islam, that if Allah willed, He could settle on the back of a mosquito, and it would bear Him by His power and the subtlety of His Lordship, this is not from his own words. Rather, he quoted it in "Naqd Al-Ta'sees" from Al-Darimi in his refutation of Bishr Al-Muraysi. Al-Darimi intended by that to convey that Allah Almighty is not in need of the Throne; rather, He, glory be to Him, is self-sufficient from all creation.