Interpretation of the Physical Attributes of Allah

In the interpretation of the physical attributes of Allah, there are two things. One is the opinion of tafwīḍ described above. That was the opinion of the Salaf, the true Salaf; that was the opinion. Leave it to Allah. Take away any meaning that may insinuate likeness to Allah (swt).

Some scholars who came later, because of the problems of their time, found that it became necessary for them to give a suitable interpretation, while saying at the same time that the opinion of the Salaf is the best opinion, and is the safest opinion. But their opinion of giving a suitable interpretation has been considered to be a wise move for the time and circumstance; it has been considered the more knowledgeable approach for the time.

So, for example, there is hand in the verse: the hand of Allah is over their hands, yad Allāhi fawqa aydīhim. Obviously that cannot mean a physical limb: that Allah has a hand, and it is above this. Nor can one say that it is a physical limb, and that the how of it is unknown, because that is not the opinion of the Salaf. The literal meaning of hand is a limb. So to take that meaning is problematic immediately. This would be pure tashbīh and tajsīm: corporealism and anthropomorphism.