Non-Athari scholars interpret Abu Hanifa’s statement not as a physical direction, but as a rebuke to anyone who implies
By this point in the text, Ibn Abi al-‘Izz has already established Allah’s absolute will, knowledge, and creation of all actions — good and evil. The opponent’s objection is classical: if Allah created the act of disbelief, how can He punish the disbeliever? On page 288, the commentator synthesizes the Sunni middle path between the Mu‘tazilī (who denied Allah’s creation of human acts) and the Jabarī (who denied human agency entirely). sharh tahawiyyah page 288
The people of truth (Ahl us-Sunnah) affirm: The people of truth (Ahl us-Sunnah) affirm: :
: The commentary often contrasts this with Imam Malik’s famous statement that Allah is above the heavens, while His knowledge encompasses everything . Does Iman Include Works
: When "Iman" and "Islam" appear in the same context—such as in the famous Hadith of Gabriel —Iman refers to inner beliefs (the six pillars), while Islam refers to outward acts (the five pillars). 2. Does Iman Include Works?
The commentary uses the analogy of the moon: When a person looks at the moon, it appears to be walking with them wherever they go, yet the moon remains fixed in the sky, distinct from the person. If this is possible for a created object, how much more so for the Creator?