It is reported from some of the imams statements that appear to be figurative interpretations (ta'wil), such as (and your Lord came). Imam Ahmad said: His reward and His punishment came!

The questioner:
The Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, says: It is reported from some of the great imams statements that contain, or appear to contain, figurative interpretation (ta'wil), as mentioned in al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah in the biography of Imam Ahmad. He was asked about the saying of Allah the Exalted, "And your Lord came," and he said, "His reward and His punishment came." Al-Bayhaqi said after this: "This is a chain of narration with no defect in it. So how can one say about this?"

The Shaykh:
"His Essence came" and "His reward and His punishment came." He interpreted it one way at times and the other way at other times: He came with His Essence, Glorified and Exalted is He, and He also brought His punishment for the disbelievers and His reward for the believers.

The questioner:
The Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, asks: Is this correct?

The Shaykh:
They say that this narration is from the narration of Ishaq, from the narration of Hanbal, from the narration of Hanbal ibn Ishaq. And the narration of Hanbal is not strong. Yes, meaning they weakened it. Yes.