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The_Foundations_of_the_Islamic_Belief, page : 86
descending is not change of location; nevertheless he forbade allegorical interpretation for the
good and
welfare of people, since whenever it is allowed matters become worse and get out of control,
overstepping the limits of moderation. Things which go beyond the limits of moderation are beyond
control. Therefore there is no harm done by such a prohibition which is also attested by the lives
of the
good, first generation who used to say, "Take them literally as they have been (revealed and)
handed
Page 21 of 56
down." Thus Malik, on being asked about ascending, went so far as to say, "The fact of ascending is
known but its manner is not; to believe in it is an obligation, to inquire about its manner is a
heresy.'
Another group advocated the middle of the road position and permitted allegorical interpretation in
everything which relates to the attributes of Allah but have taken the things which pertain to the
Hereafter in a literal sense and forbade their allegorical interpretation. The advocates
of this position are
good and
welfare of people, since whenever it is allowed matters become worse and get out of control,
overstepping the limits of moderation. Things which go beyond the limits of moderation are beyond
control. Therefore there is no harm done by such a prohibition which is also attested by the lives
of the
good, first generation who used to say, "Take them literally as they have been (revealed and)
handed
Page 21 of 56
down." Thus Malik, on being asked about ascending, went so far as to say, "The fact of ascending is
known but its manner is not; to believe in it is an obligation, to inquire about its manner is a
heresy.'
Another group advocated the middle of the road position and permitted allegorical interpretation in
everything which relates to the attributes of Allah but have taken the things which pertain to the
Hereafter in a literal sense and forbade their allegorical interpretation. The advocates
of this position are